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msar-riders - Re: [MSAR] Fitness Requirements for MSAR Unit Members

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  • From: Una Smith <una.smith@att.net>
  • To: Mounted search and rescue <msar-riders@lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [MSAR] Fitness Requirements for MSAR Unit Members
  • Date: Wed, 31 Mar 2010 22:32:42 -0600

Don't feel insecure, folks. Most SAR units I have looked into have no
physical fitness requirements.

MSAR units that require members be able to tack up the horse and mount
and dismount without aids do have what amounts to a physical fitness
requirement. That kind of requirement may be what Steve Hudson has in
mind ... and don't assume that he expects such requirements.

All SAR units struggle with defining minimum requirements. Set them
too high and eliminate almost all candidates for membership. Set them
too low and risk recruiting too many members who are a "weak link" in
a field team. Once when I was 7 months pregnant my unit decided they
had to have me on a search that was going into its 3rd day. I spent
7 hours in the saddle and by the end of day 3 I sure did need someone
to give me a leg up. My team mate and I were called back for day 4
and when we arrived we were informed that (a) management almost sent
us home on day 3 when they learned I was pregnant, (b) management had
decided to call off the search that evening, until they debriefed us
and I gave them a new plan, (c) my plan produced a find in less than
2 man hours.

All else being equal, a more physically fit person is a greater asset
on a SAR team. But rarely is all else equal. In particular, older
team members tend to have greater emotional resilience, and often more
experience and sharper field skills, than younger team members.

Stay safe,

Una Smith
New Mexico




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