Mounted search and rescue

[James Ford <fordjames@rockwood.k12.mo.us>]

T’mi,

 

Me to…

 

And thanks…

 

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From: msar-riders-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org [mailto:msar-riders-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of Shirley Roberts
Sent: Friday, May 29, 2009 10:01 AM
To: MSAR -Riders
Subject: Re: [MSAR] Training Conference idea?

 

T'mi,
Would you mind sending me a copy of the training template as well.
Thanks in advance for your help!
Shirley
 

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Date: Fri, 29 May 2009 06:32:57 -0400
From: tfinkle@erols.com
To: msar-riders@lists.ibiblio.org
Subject: Re: [MSAR] Training Conference idea?

I have sent the TROTSAR MSAR POD Template to Joe and to the others who have requested a copy. I hope you and your team enjoy the exercise and find it easy to use.  Please remember to establish radio coverage within the training area when conducting this exercise.

Ride safe,

T'mi

Kinch wrote:

T'mi - It looks like a great training course to run. Would it be possible for you to send this to me as well.   kinch@shaw.ca

 

Thanks so much

 

Joe Kinch

Arrowsmith Search & Rescue

----- Original Message -----

From: T'mi Fi

To: Mounted search and rescue

Sent: Saturday, May 23, 2009 9:38 AM

Subject: Re: [MSAR] Training Conference idea?

 

Chris- The first item that comes to mind is perhaps conducting a 10 clue POD course, used to established an MSAR responders POD percentage.  I have a clue placement template that we use and can forward it to you, if you would like. This course is some what of a spin off of the NASAR SAR Tech-II (Ground) POD playing card test.

The course is conducted on a fairly groomed 2 to 3 mile section of trail, with MSAR responders carrying their normal SAR packs and gear. All clues are clearly visible from the trail and are located on both the right and left side, the clue are placed at 0-3 feet from the center of the trail, 4 to 20 feet from the center of the trail and 21 to 25 feet from the center of the trail.  Clue placement is also broken down into three more classes: those on the ground, off the ground to 4 feet and 4 to 7 feet off the ground. The POD course template makes set up very easy.  We use 10 translucent green colored water bottles with lettered markings on them with an 8" piece of orange string attached (for hanging clues) . Attendees simply ride the trail, go into search mode and write down the letter on the clue in the order they find them.

MSAR folk seem to really enjoy this course and consider it fun challenge. It is a great way for them learn/understand what their personal POD percentage really is and how POD percentages relate to search mission planning.  I have had several search managers commend us for providing this type validated SAR training.  In the past 5 years we have been conducting this course, no one has ever obtained 100% and only one 2-person team has ever obtained a 90%.  As a means of course validation any clue not found by any of the attendees is canceled out.  Only once has a POD clue been canceled out and that was with just one clue, which was accidentally placed 1 foot over 7 foot mark.   It is amazing to the participants how all clues can be located by the group as a whole, yet their average (find) percentage runs around 50 to 70 percent.  We then do a group trail ride to retrieve the clues so everyone can see where each one was placed.

After attending this training course, it is very rare for any MSAR responder to ever come back at debriefing and say they had a 70% (or Higher) POD rating of their search area.
 
T'mi
www.trotsar.org