*** SAR Membership Qualifications ***

Date: Sat, 6 Sep 1997 23:11:16 -0700
From: cvw@juno.com (chris v weddle)

As I recall: SARA, Inc. (Tucson Arizona) used these qualifications...

Official Designations:
"Field Qualified". Requires the National Ski Patrol's "Outdoor Emergency
Care" first aid course or better, successful completion of basic Rescue
and Search courses developed by the team, a year's service as a "Field
Qualified Trainee and approval by the Board of Directors. Field skills
are periodically tested to a very basic standard. 

All members at this level are expected to be capable of:
1. Traversing wilderness for 24hrs without re-suplly.
2. Setting up basic anchors, hauls and lowers.
3. Interviewing reportees and other wilderness travelers.
3. Communicating via radio with other teams and resources.
4. Setting up and operating a "Base Camp", which is where ever the rescue
   truck, radios, maps and paperwork happen to be.
5. Perform first aid tasks as needed and within scope of training.
6. Looking out for Team and personal safety and wellfare.

"Field Qualified Trainee". Same as above, but must serve about a year
demonstrating field skills to "Field Qualified" members on actual
operations. Involves completing a list of standard tasks under
supervision, and having a "Trainee Card" signed off each time. Becoming a
"Field Quzlified Trainee" requires a mandatory simulated search,
culiminating in a technical rescue. 

"Non-Field Qualified". Anyone not having a valid first aid certification,
not having completed scheduled skills tests, or similar limitations.

"Truck Driver". A member designated to drive and maintain a team vehicle
which delivers equipment and ferries personnel.

"Board of Directors". An elected position requiring no particular skills
beyond the ability to maintain a "Field Qualified", "Non-Trainee" status
and the animal magnetism necessary to excite the voting membership.

There is no official designation for climbers, management level
personnel, etc. As very few SAR operations in the region call for
vertical skills, actual climbing is offered as optional training. That
said, there are some very exceptional climbers and cavers on the team.
And a couple of exceptionally skilled SAR Operations Leaders as well.

Chris Weddle

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