Canine TipsCanine Tips Equipment TipsEquipment Tips Field TipsField Tips 
Navigation TipsNavigation Tips Technical Rescue TipsTechnical Rescue Planning TipsPlanning Tips
Preventative SAR TipsPreventative SAR housestreet.gif (2932 bytes) Urban Search Wilderness First Aid TipsWilderness First Aid 


Canine Tips

Canine SAR Training Standards - the basic Finnish System

Introduction to Avalanche Dogs by Kim Gilmore, 1st Special Response Group

K-9 Helitac Helicopter Safety for You and your Dog - by Nicholas Razum

Searching for Drowned Persons using Differential GPS and Search Dogs

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Field TipsEquipment Tips

24-Hour SAR Pack - by Marin Co. Search & Rescue

Avalanche Beacon Tests Swiss 'LVS98' comparison of new digital-optical beacons Swiss 'LVS98' comparison of new digital-optical beacons

Avalanche Beacons: Transceivers & Companion-Rescue Pro. vs Recreational user Pro. vs Recreational user

How to Care for Ni-Cad Batteries Practical advice on the use of Ni-Cad batteries Practical advice on the use of Ni-Cad batteries

Maintenance & Use of Rechargeable Batteries Includes most types of rechargables Includes most types of rechargables

Personal Equipment for SAR Team Members Recommended basic personal equipment Recommended basic personal equipment

Trail Care of Ski Skins Practical Field Tips for Ski Skin Care.

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Field Tips

The Air-Scenting Horse - The advantages and training of horses for searching

Avalanche Awareness by Faerthen Felix, La Sal Avalanche Forecast Center

Avalanche Cheat List A handy field checklist for avalanche conditions.

Avalanche Classification Scale Cyberspace Snow and Avalanche Centre

Bear AttacksBear Attacks by Steven French MD. Yellowstone Grizzly Foundation

Bootprint Image Gallery Browse SARINFO's online Bootprint Gallery

Building Snow Shelters How to build Snow Caves and Shelters

Crime Scene Search Procedure  FBI Handbook of Forensic Services

Depth Sounder Images of a Diver on the Bottom of  a Reservoir

Desert Travel & Survival Tips by Rick Maschek  Barstow Desert Rescue Squad

Equipped to Survive Extensive listing of survival techniques/resources, primarily air-related

Helicopter Safety Transport Canada Safety Tips

Helicopter Safety Safety Around the Helicopter

Team Membering: Skills for the (SAR) Individual by Chris Weddle, SARA (retired)
- A thoughtful account of belonging to a SAR Team. Required reading

The Sound Sweep An efficient new ground search technique - by Martin Colwell

cogsMountain Biking in Search & Rescue South West Virginia Mountain Rescue Group

Rescue Training Multimedia Module Book & Videotapes:
Helicopter-Sling Rescue, Rope Rescue, Cable Rescue & Surf Rescue

Safe Snow Manual by Alessandro Casson

Side Scan Sonar - New Tools and Resources for Underwater Searching

Ski Pole Self-Arrest by D. Craig

Snow Avalanches: Hazard Planning & Avoidance Michigan Technology University

Swift Water Rescue by Bud Gundersen  Los Angeles Fire Department

Wilderness Search Flagging Procedure SAR Ops. file by Crockett SAR

Navigation Tips

Altimeter Watch Comparison by Nick Parker

compassCoordinate Systems Overview Peter Dana, Dept. of Geography, University of Texas

GlobeGeographic Magnetic Calculator Lat-Long ~ UTM Conversion Software

GPS Navigation in Land Search A detailed account of GPS uses in SAR Operations.

Don BartlettA Practical Guide to GPS-UTM Don Bartlett's excellent guide to using GPS units.

Technical Rescue

Belaying Rescue Loads Excellent study of belay devices - Technical Rescue Magazine

Considerations for Rope Rescue by Kenneth Laidlaw

Knot-Tying Excellant animated graphics by the 42nd Brighton Scout Group, UK

Prusik Rappel 'Safety' Limitations of 'negative-action' prussick knots & prussick-devices

Rappel Safety Rituals A Safety 'Ritual' for Problem-free Rappelling.

Alan SheehanSafe Main Line Loads on a Single Karabiner Load Sharing Connection by Alan Sheehan

Alan SheehanSafeWorking Loads for Ariel Ropeways by Alan Sheehan New South Wales, Australia

Technical Rope Rescue Unit Guidelines New Mexico Committee on Technical Rescue

Alan SheehanVector Analysis for Vertical Rescuers  by Alan Sheehan  New South Wales, Australia

Planning Tips

Conversion Calculator Online conversions for area, length and many other units

Library: NASAR's On-Line Library of Response Publication Articles

Children's Woodproofing by Dr. Kenneth Hill.

Computers in SAR Digest Example: Computers in SAR Digest

The Department SAR Coordinator & Volunteer SAR Units

alphaICS for SAR Forms  A complete, integrated 'ICS for SAR' planning system

ICS Map Symbols - ASTM F1846 in PDF Format

Incident Command System - Roles - by Marin Co. Search & Rescue

referenceIncident Pre-Plan - by Marin Co. Search & Rescue

International Maritime Organization SAR 2/Circ.5 Circular Area Search & Rescue Plans (74 pages, pdf)

International Maritime Organization SAR 3/Circ.5 Circular Information on National SAR Facilities (75 pages, pdf)

Lost Person Questionnaire by Crockett SAR

Managing Risk in SAR - by Martin Colwell

Probability Density Profile  (Powerpoint Zip file) 6MB - A New Perspective on Subject Behavior - by Martin Colwell

Alan SheehanProwords - Standardised Words for Unambigous Communications in SAR

Rapid Response Rule (Powerpoint)- How Much Searching is Enough? - by Martin Colwell

Responsibilities of SAR Team Members Duties and responsibilities of SAR members

SAR Mission Report Form NASAR's web-based Mission Report Form

SAR Post-Mission Reviews Procedure & Benefits of SAR Reviews - by Martin Colwell

Search Priority An Integrated Approach to Search Planning - by Martin Colwell

Search Management Training Kit Video, Book & CD-ROM

referenceSearch Probability Theory Very basic introduction, author unknown

Search Tactics - by Marin Co. Search & Rescue

Search Techniques By Chris Weddle Southern Arizona Rescue Association (retired)

Selected Inland Search Theory Definitions by Don Cooper

clipboar.gif (2334 bytes)Selecting, Managing and Motivating Your Overhead Team by James Cooke

referenceMDI SAR Training Documents Detailed documents on SAR Planning & Team Skills

referenceSanta Barbara SAR Training Manual  Multi-faceted SAR Training Program

Standard Operating Procedures Base, Callout, Civilians, Extraction, Functions, Multi-Team

referenceSuperior SAR Training Manual  A detailed on-line SAR Training Manual.

The Art of Search A humorous but valuable guide for the Incident Commander

Tips for Team Leaders The Role and Responsibilites of SAR Team Leaders & Managers
 Trail-based POATrail-based Probability of Area A Terrain-based Approach to POA Estimation. M.Colwell

Unifying Geographical Search Assignments - Area & Trail Searches by Martin Colwell

Trail-based POAUnleashing the Power of C.A.S.I.E. by Richard Toman, Northeast Wilderness SAR

US National SAR Manual Volume I: National SAR System (400 page pdf maual)

US National SAR Manual Volume II: Planning Handbook (235 page pdf maual)

Working Model of a Regional Organization of SAR Teams by Chris Young & Jim Cooke



Preventative SAR tipsPreventative SAR Tips

Alpine Accidents in Canada Database maintained by the Alpine Club of Canada

How to Avoid Getting Lost - by Hal Lillywhite

Hug A Tree and Survive Coloring Book

No Way Out Safety video for children about the dangers of Flood Control Channels

Debris Flow Safety video for children about the dangers of Debris Flow

The Ten Essentials Don't Leave Home Without Them - by Marin Co. Search & Rescue

Trip Plan Form for Outdoor Activities - record your plan before leaving home!

SARVACTrip Plan Form, Travel Tips & Survival Cards - Let someone know where your going!

What to Do if Lost - by Hal Lillywhite

What You Might Feel in a Disaster Advice for children involved in a disaster

Wilderness Safety Videos Alpine Ski Touring, Backcountry Hiking & Westcoast Hiking

Wildrisk Self Assesment Guide forWilderness Activities

Urban Search

NotesAlzheimers Disease SAR Research SAR Response for Alzheimers Subjects

NotesAlzheimers Disease and Wandering Behaviour by Robert Koester, dbS Productions

Alzheimer's Patient - Standard Operating Procedure for an Urban Search by Neil Brewer

NotesBirthnet For Wanderers Registry for Wandering Alzheimers Patients

NotesGone Without a Trace A Personal Account of Searching for an Alzheimers Patient

NotesLost Alzheimer's Subject, Search and Rescue Bruce Barton. NE SAR Inc.

Managing the Urban Search by Martin Colwell  (Word)

Planning Urban Search Assignments by Martin Colwell (Powerpoint)

referenceSuburban Search Process by Christopher Young, Bay Area SAR Council

Urban Search & Rescue Procedures Santa Barbara County Sheriff's SAR Team

Urban Geographic Search Types by Martin Colwell (Powerpoint)

Wandering Behaviour of Children in an Urban Environment by Ed Cornell & Don Heth

First AidWilderness & First Aid Tips

Avalanche Statistics in the U.S. Colorado Avalanche Information Center

Bush (Wilderness) Safety  by Alan Sheehan,  New South Wales, Australia

DoctorEmergency Medicine Symptom Reference Sheet Bonner County SAR.

First AidFatigue and SAR Research dbS Productions.

Frostbite - Symptoms & Treatment - by Marin Co. Search & Rescue

Guide to Heat-Related Illnesses & Fluid Balance Princeton University, USA

Guide to High Altitude Acclimatization & Illnesses Princeton University, USA

Guide to Heat & Cold Injuries Princeton University, USA

High Altitude Medicine Guide by Thomas E. Dietz, MD

Hikers Lightweight First Aid Kit by Jeffrey Allen McCann

Hypothermia Treatment by the American Medical Association

Lyme Disease Symptoms & Treatment. National Center for Infectious Diseases

High Altitude Mountain Sickness Himalayan Rescue Association

First AidNorth American Snakebite Emergency First Aid

Personal Wilderness Medical Kit  Dr. Keith Conver, WEMSI

First AidSki & Snowboard Injuries British Association of Ski Patrollers

Stretcher Handling A Continuous System for Manual Carries.

Wilderness First Responder Cheat Sheet by Andrew Held

Windchill Table & Formula USA Today


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