I was recently asked why I am involved in search and rescue. I had been asked this several times and had a ready answer. Have you seen the movie Taken with Liam Neeson? In it, there is a line “what I do have are a very particular set of skills, skills I have acquired over a very long career. Skills that make me a nightmare for people like you.” This is accurate except for the nightmare part.
Many people I have met in the SAR community have spent a lifetime acquiring skills and experience, not to mention equipment, that makes them exceptional team members. Most don’t really think that they have special skills they just do it. Whether it is using a map and compass to navigate off trail or rigging a rope rescue system. They do it as routine because they do it all the time. Whether hiking, hunting or climbing recreationally.
With these skills and experience, we are prepared to go out in any weather, day or night. We have our ready pack packed and ready to go. Making changes to the contents as the seasons change. This is even more involved for the team members of Maine Search and Rescue Dogs (MESARD) and Maine Mounted Search and Rescue who not only need to make sure they are prepared but also their canine and equine partner as well.
There is a tool that is often used called a Search Urgency Worksheet. This worksheet assigns a value to factors such as the number of missing people, their age, physical condition, equipment that they have, any medical conditions, the weather and other environmental hazards including water and steep terrain. With this information, the search managers can justify going or not.
If we are dealing with a young, fit, experienced, well equipped, group with warm and clear weather predicted the search managers may take a wait and see approach or take a more measured response. If we have a very old or young, person, with medical issues who is poorly dressed for the severe weather then the response will be more urgent with an all hands on deck approach.
We are all volunteers and pay for our own training, gear, and travel expenses and have to get time off from work to go on searches. So far this year I have logged over 4000 miles going to and from search related activities. So again why do we do it?
The bottom line is we want to help people or as one of my team members says he likes to “fix things.” There is a problem that needs to be solved and we are the solution. There are no monetary rewards for what we do although we do occasionally get donations or a random thank you. I was at the gas station the other day and a lady approached me and just said: “thank you for what you do.” My truck has decals on it indicating that I am involved with SAR work. Many SAR teams have filed paperwork to be a 501(c)(3) non-profit.
We also need a good support network at home to take care of the kids and hold down the fort while we are away. This includes our bosses who grant us some flexibility with our schedules.
When there is an active search going on and it makes the news we often see many people who want to help. Unfortunately putting a bunch of untrained volunteers in the woods would most likely compound the problem.
The time for these people to get involved is before a search happens so we can train and test them to make sure they will be an asset and not a liability on a search. That said there are often jobs that an untrained person can do such as shuttling searchers to and from search areas and coordinating food and drinks for the searchers.
The Maine Association for Search and Rescue (MASAR) has established a set of standards and training to be certified as Search Team Members (STM) as well as Search Team Leader, Rescue Team Member, and Rescue Team Leader.
The past MASAR Education Director, James Bridge, was instrumental in establishing our online Basic Search and Rescue (BASAR) course. The course covers topics such as navigation, search techniques, survival, clothing, and managing a crime scene as well as many other topics. The BASAR course counts as 16 Continuing Education Hours for EMTs and others.
The full BASAR course, which includes a rigorous written exam and a full day long practical day that tests participants on day and night navigation, survival, and litter handling, is only one part of what is required to be a certified Search Team Member. In addition to the BASAR course and time with in the field practicing the skills taught a prospective STM would need to pass a fitness test, have current first aid and CPR, complete ICS-100 and get a letter of recommendation from a unit leader.
For more information please check out these resources:
Basic Search and Rescue Training
Maine Association for Search and Rescue
Maine Wilderness Guides Organization
Pine Tree Search and Rescue Facebook page
Bryan Courtois is a hiker and camper who is an active registered Maine guide, head of Pine Tree Search and Rescue, a volunteer search and rescue responder and the statewide education director and a member of the board of directors for Maine Association Search and Rescue.