To: "Mounted search and rescue" <msar-riders@lists.ibiblio.org>
Subject: Re: [MSAR] Conference planning
Date: Thu, 2 Mar 2006 21:41:22 -0800
From: "Una Smith" <una.smith@att.net>
Hm. My experience has been that cavers and divers are even
more obscure.
Cave rescue teams in SAR are commonly technical rescue who also have cave
training. That training is normally based on NCRC training.
http://www.caves.org/io/ncrc/ During an actual incident caving
organizations, local clubs, etc., may be called upon to provide the
additional personnel needed. A cave incident is run similar to a technical
rescue, with topside personnel to support the in/over folks. My cave rescue
topside assignment is Entrance Control and Communications with the Hasty
response, then Entrance Control after we have additional personnel. If a
cave rescue team isn't readily available, management checks the Mutual Aid
resource list or goes direct to a source like NCRC.
It isn't unusual for some folks on dive teams to be cross-trained in
swiftwater rescue, which is another specialty in SAR. (Years ago I was
NAUI-certified as a diver. These days this grandma is shore support trained
for the local dive team and swiftwater team.) If there is water such as lake
or river close to the facility, the SAR conference often includes some
water-related classes. Swiftwater is normally based on Rescue3-type training
for consistency.
MSAR folks with even elementary cross-training can be very useful at cave,
technical, or water rescue incidents. MSAR packers can also haul gear for a
more remote location.
SAR conferences I attend regularly on the west coast always include Track
Aware at minimum, and commonly offer a full multi-day tracker's field
course. Once MSAR folks have a decent handle on how to track from the
ground, those skills can be transferred to tracking from the saddle.