msar-riders@lists.ibiblio.org
Subject: Mounted search and rescue
List archive
- From: <mikerobin@colton.com>
- To: "Mounted search and rescue" <msar-riders@lists.ibiblio.org>
- Subject: Re: [MSAR] Side Saddle Questions
- Date: Sun, 26 May 2013 15:00:58 -0700
Jorene, Glad we are on the west coast, your response makes the most sense
of all, Doubt I could get along with Irv. Usually don’t even read most of
these long winded emails.
Hope all is well with you.
Mike Hattan
Clackamas Co. Sheriff’s Posse
Oregon
This
sidesaddle discussion turned into disagreement with people not remembering that
there can be vast differences between different operational areas, so I have
some thoughts to share. How each MSAR team is expected to function by the
authorities, terrain, and other issues can be very different. Someone says they
respond to search in a Park and I relate thinking of hundreds of thousands of
acres of very steep, very remote, very hazardous high mountains ... yet to
someone else that may mean searching in a couple thousand acres of flat terrain
or gently rolling hills, or swampy terrain, etc. We all have our own regional
perceptions and experience ... and varying needs. In
my region you don't even see trail riders in our mountains in flat saddles, much
less a side saddle. In another region they may be very common because the
terrain, riding hazards, etc., are different. So while the local MSAR
expectation is for western or Australian saddles for safety concerns, flat
saddles or even sidesaddles may be very suitable
elsewhere. Because
MSAR response needs can be so very different in various parts of the country and
world, a local standard or policy suitable for one may not be suitable for
another. This is why there are *minimum* MSAR standards, developed
through ASTM, to create a common foundation in training and basic expectations
for all. Locally you are expected to add to those requirements, as needed, and
design your own appropriate policies. Locally
you are supposed to know your own needs and also recognize your limitations,
which can be very different even a hundred miles away. For example, MSAR that
trains and responds in gentler terrain wouldn't be expected to be comfortable or
experienced in steep mountain response. MSAR accustomed to remote wilderness
won't be experienced in more urban searches. One area might expect 24 hour packs
(or longer) and overnights in the field, another might only require day packs
for most missions because they're rarely very far from the trailer or a road. In
one place 12 hours in the field is common, in another the searchers rarely spend
more than a few hours in the field. One area might expect riders to respond
sometimes as ground searchers, another might only expect riders to dismount as
needed. Locally we may have concerns due to major and rapid changes in altitude,
yet that may be a non-issue for others. Some MSAR want and need extra training
in tracking from the saddle, or using a saddled mount to transport injured
folks. Some MSAR are also qualified and experienced packers, and may be used for
logistics. One area may see huge value in having an MSAR Support unit that
routinely responds as non-riders to provide camp and road services for the
riders, but another area may not. Some MSAR are also sworn law enforcement. Some
MSAR are attached to and train with ground SAR or dog teams, and I suspect there
are MSAR who also work a search dog from the saddle. Some in MSAR have trained
their horses in scenting, much like a SAR dog. Some areas the local authorities
run SAR incidents, in others SAR / MSAR is expected to provide their own
management, and some are a mix of authorities and trained volunteers. One group
may be cross trained for certain disaster response, another may not. Some MSAR
are directly affiliated with the authority having jurisdiction, others are
independent operating on MOUs, or somewhere in between. The list goes on,
influencing not just local MSAR requirements but also policy, etc.
The
equine choices for type and size can vary greatly. The same is true of tack
needs. And team attire can vary greatly with different regional weather
conditions, etc. Even horse trailer requirements can vary, since in some
response areas the access is much easier than others, and in some areas length
has to be restricted or minimum clearance considered. It
makes little sense for any of us to judge - or impose personal opinions -
regarding what may/may not be appropriate for another area's MSAR, other than
the common fundamentals, although we can certainly share differences for general
awareness and a reminder that there *are* differences. While there may be
similarities, and options to consider that may/may not benefit others, the only
common ground we really have is meeting the *minimum* MSAR requirements
and things like related documentation. You
[generic you] might have a personal opinion that your own MSAR is better
trained, equipped, etc., than another, but that doesn't mean the other MSAR
*must* do anything beyond meeting minimum requirements, just that your
own MSAR is held to a higher level of expectation ... and feel lucky you have a
program where riders are willing and able to invest the extra time, funds and
effort. Also keep in perspective that a newly formed unit, or one converting to
using recognized standards, will take time to evolve even to meeting basic
expectations, yet that is a huge milestone for them. Bottom
line is as long as the mount and rider - using whatever saddle - are meeting all
minimum requirements as a ground searcher and as a mounted SAR responder with a
suitable mount, any additional local requirements or policies are entirely up to
the locals. This includes the locals meeting any additional expectations from
authorities in their response region, which may also include meeting state level
standards or even standards from a nearby state that is also in the MSAR unit's
response region. And we also need to take into consideration that there are
still areas where local authorities are still using untrained volunteers for SAR
/ MSAR, so local expectations there aren't the same - yet - as those where
recognized training is required. ~ ~
~ ~ ~ Jorene
Downs SAR,
CERT, Emergency Communications, Disaster
Planning, Animals in Disaster Mounted
SAR KJ6JCD
_______________________________________________ MSAR-Riders mailing list MSAR-Riders@lists.ibiblio.org http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/listinfo/msar-riders |
-
Re: [MSAR] Side Saddle Questions
, (continued)
-
Re: [MSAR] Side Saddle Questions,
Richard Lynch, 05/25/2013
-
Re: [MSAR] Side Saddle Questions,
irvin lichtenstein, 05/25/2013
- Re: [MSAR] Side Saddle Questions, Richard Lynch, 05/25/2013
-
Re: [MSAR] Side Saddle Questions,
irvin lichtenstein, 05/25/2013
- Re: [MSAR] Side Saddle Questions, Jyaniro, 05/25/2013
- Re: [MSAR] Side Saddle Questions, Jyaniro, 05/25/2013
-
Re: [MSAR] Side Saddle Questions,
pennbo, 05/25/2013
- Re: [MSAR] Side Saddle Questions, irvin lichtenstein, 05/25/2013
-
Re: [MSAR] Side Saddle Questions,
pennbo, 05/25/2013
- Re: [MSAR] Side Saddle Questions, T'mi Finkle, 05/25/2013
-
Re: [MSAR] Side Saddle Questions,
Jorene Downs, 05/26/2013
- Re: [MSAR] Side Saddle Questions, mikerobin, 05/26/2013
-
Re: [MSAR] Side Saddle Questions,
Richard Lynch, 05/25/2013
Archive powered by MHonArc 2.6.24.