David Thompson Search and Rescue hosts SAR evaluation
The National Association of Search and Rescue (NASAR) is an education association comprised of thousands of dedicated individuals interested in search and rescue, disaster aid, emergency medicine and awareness education.
NASAR’s primary goal is to aid in the implementation of total, integrated emergency response, rescue and recovery system. NASAR has established criteria for search and rescue skills needed in wilderness environments.
To effectively work and survive during incident requires knowledge of the environment, the ability to navigate, specialized search skills, the ability to manage the injured or distressed person that is distant from normal care services, and the endurance to successfully move persons safely through often hostile terrain.
The criteria set forth by NASAR to pass the SAR TECH II Evaluation include passing a written test comprised of 145 questions and the following practical stations:
Land Navigation – give a course sheet with azimuths for each leg of the course the candidate must find 6 points using a compass and determine the distance in meters between the points using the stride tally method.
Tracking – the candidate must identify 10 tracks utilizing a tracking stick, properly measure the track, and properly mark the track.
24 Hour Pack – most items are purchased by the individual with the organization contributing as they are able. The candidate must possess all personal first aid and survival kit and personal SAR Equipment required items and pack to hold them.
Ropes Skills – the candidate must tie and dress four specified knots using a length of rope and tie an improvised seat harness using a length of webbing.
Route Search – the candidate must perform a route search using a trail, road, stream or path. They must maintain the designated critical spacing distance (ten meters), they must determine when they have covered the 100 meter course, and find at least 50 percent of the clues within their lane.
Area Search – the candidate must perform an area search when given a bearing. They must maintain the designated critical spacing distance (ten meters), they must determine when they have covered the 100 meter course, and find at least 50 percent of the clues within their lane.
Volunteers from Thompson Falls, Montana, Bonners Ferry, and Sandpoint (Priest Lake) Search and Rescue organizations gathered in Libby May 30 and 31 to participate in a nationally certified Search and Rescue Technician Level II (SAR TECH II) evaluation hosted by David Thompson Search and Rescue. As volunteers they willingly undertook the time to study over a four month period, meeting weekly and traveling to Libby on the weekends to learn and practice the practical stations.
Additionally, individuals whose organization could not afford to pay the costs associated with the evaluation paid for it themselves. These individual should be commended by the communities they serve for their selfless dedication to render service when called upon. They are heroes in the truest sense. They are not paid for their services and most have full time jobs and family obligations, yet when called day or night, during diverse weather conditions (rain, snow, fog or sunshine) they respond to the call so that others may live.
Please join me, Susan Ague, SAR TECH II Lead Evaluator in congratulating the following individuals that have successfully passed their SAR TECH II evaluation: Leroy Yoder, Bonners Ferry; Marcus Girod, Moyie Springs; Bart Camps, Bonners Ferry; Michael Powers, Naples; Diana Carlson, Sagle; James Carlson, Sagle; Michael Bedick, Plains, Mont; Steven Lee, Trout Creek, Mont., Kathy Harris, Thompson Falls, Mont., Kenneth Breidinger, Thompson Falls, Mont.