r/searchandrescue

I think SAR is so sick. I know that’s a negligent way to portray the importance of SAR, but that’s the easiest explanation that comes to mind. Im a climbing arborist and I rock climb recreationally. I’m sure that some of that would transfer over to some technical rescue systems and scenarios. Ive always been a big backpacker and I understand the basics of mountain back country survival. I also am a 20 year old man that has a burning desire to have a sense of purpose. Is SAR right for me?

I’m an instrument rated private pilot for single engine airplanes
(commercial rated in a week 🤞)
Would I be of any use for SAR? I don’t have any experience in medical or SAR.

What is everyone using for part 90 certified radios, VHF high band? Looking for a solid, cost effective radio. Refurbished is an option.

Do any folks have experience with What 3 Words and options for getting services for free on the public safety/volunteer SAR side of things in order to get the lat/long for the W3W location info without having to pay for the enhanced services?

I'm curious what other teams are using for uniform/field shirts, especially those of you who deal with a lot of briars and thick brush.

We had a search this past weekend in some pretty nasty Appalachian terrain, and the search area was absolutely loaded with thorns, briars, brambles, stinging nettles, etc. A bunch of us came out scratched and cut up, which brought up a conversation we've already been having about replacing our current shirts.

The biggest requirements are that they need to be blaze orange, long sleeve, reasonably breathable, and tough enough to actually provide some protection when you're pushing through heavy brush. We have someone who can put our logos on them, so they don't need to be specifically made or marketed as uniform shirts.

The best option I've found so far is the Tru-Spec High vis Combat Shirt.

https://a.co/d/0iUxwjeh

It looks like it would do what we need, but at around $80 a shirt it gets expensive pretty quickly when you're trying to outfit 30+ volunteers.

Has anyone found something similar that's held up well in the field without costing quite that much? It doesn't have to be SAR-specific either. If you're using hunting, forestry, workwear, wildland gear, or something else that works, I'd be interested to hear about it.

Mostly looking for stuff people have actually used and abused in briars rather than something that just looks good online.

Tent and sleeping bag recommendations for SAR packs? Bivy sack tents or UL? Something else?

It seems a lot of people are using chest rigs with radio holders and small pouches. Are you guys wearing water, bladders separately, or carrying your water in a different fashion for hasty searches or training evolutions, etc.? I don’t see a lot of moderately priced options that contain water bladders and a radio holder. Anybody have any insight?

An idea from Conservation Officer Cameron Wright on Friday morning unlocked the afternoon rescue.

And by SAR books I’m not talking about “Fundamentals of SAR” or “Lost Person Behavior”. I’m talking about entertainment/leisure books like “When You Find my Body” and “The Cold Vanish”. I’m waiting on another book and need to fill some time before it comes in!

(Preferably audio books, though I like print too. I listen to them at work)

Hey all, I’m in a pickle.

I totaled my car. I need a new one. With it comes some hard realities about what the used market is and what I can afford. I can’t afford a truck.

SUV’s and Crossovers are viable in AWD configurations, but they’re substantially more expensive to maintain than my old jalopy of a battle wagon.

Unfortunately given my budget and where I live, if I go buy a gas car what I’m really buying is the history of a car, crossover, or SUV and immediately entering low-high mileage (80k miles generally). Looking at what’s out there reveals impending repair bill doom: transmissions, big engine repairs, etc.

But, EV’s with AWD don’t hold value. At all. Problem is: I’m not on a county team, I’m on a statewide team, and I don’t want to be fucking around at a level 2 charger when I need to be getting to IC. You’ve got the rural aspect too - if I go anywhere without access a vehicle recovery bill is substantial enough to void the maintenance on gas cars for an entire year.

Do any of you use EV’s to respond to searches? What are your thoughts on this rabbit hole?

Hello everyone I have an interest in search and rescue and I want to know what is the best book to read. thanks.

Hello, I’m not entire sure I understand the system of YOSAR volunteering and having a normal park job? I’m asking if volunteering would take all my time like a normal job or if you could balance it out by working a normal job when you’re not called out or how that would work?

I’m a 20yo EMT college student with 4 months of experience so far on a private ambulance company usually working IFT. I’m looking into more programs and certs that’ll get me more qualified for YOSAR. YOSAR or just working at Yosemite with my career field is a great goal of mine I’m working towards. I’m wondering what else I should be looking into. I think I’ve got a great dig at it with my internship at my local fire station where my superintendent has had some experience working at Yosemite with the CCC. Maybe I really will take that route.

Hi everyone. I am training for my search and rescue hike test later this month. I am no stranger to hiking having grown up around Yosemite NP and done some pretty big hikes. However the last few years have been a little slower for me and I’m trying to get back into adequate shape.

Our SAR org fitness test is: a 25lb pack + water, 8.1 miles, 1500 elevation gain, in under 3 hours.

I’m 5’2” and 120lbs so I don’t know that I’ve hiked with that much weight before—only doing day hikes in the past. Would you guys recommend starting my training program:

1. flat ground with added 30lbs of weight and increased speeds, gradually moving on the inclines? OR
2. incline with no weight and increased speeds, slowly adding the weight over time?

Thanks for any help and advice!

Hello. I am about to join my local SAR team because I have found that is where my interest lies and I am soon to be 18 which is when my local SAR team allows you to begin to participate in searches (though they let you join at 16 for classes and such)

I got into SAR through the Civil Air Patrol a couple years ago and have participated in 2 non distress PLB searches, one of which was a find and the other stopped transmitting so we were ordered to RTB. I currently hold the ground SAR qualifications of Ground Team Member level 3, 2, and 1, which from what I have heard covers most of the knowledge you need for actual SAR teams but, theres a nonzero chance it doesn't cover it all.

I currently have ICS 100, 200, 700, 800, and 5.A done. I also have CBRNE awareness, Swiftwater, PFA, BLS, and First Aid. I am currently working on MRA Helo.

What do those of you with experience on SAR teams recommend for literally anything in regards to SAR (specific gear, knowledge, ect.)?

Any K9 trailing handler's record video of your K9 during real world searches ? Thought it might be useful to review the K9s change in behaviors after the search to see if you missed something.

Any pros or cons to recording video of a search?