Training

Overview

It is designed to train someone to become a field-ready ground searcher. The training program topics include general backcountry skills, navigation, search methods, rescue procedures, shelter-building, knots, rappelling, wilderness first aid, and more!

When is the training?

The training takes place over seven weekends (one weekend per month), from October through April the following year. Most training weekends begin 8:00 AM Saturday through 4:00 PM Sunday. All weekends require primitive overnight camping.

In order to be certified to respond to SAR callouts, you must complete all coursework, certifications, and training weekends. (There are no make-up weekends).

Guest and Pet Policy

Training weekends are for candidates and members of CALSAR. Pets and  guests (e.g. siblings, significant others, friends) will detract from the training and cannot attend. Sorry, this is a matter of liability and unit policy.

CURRENT 2023/24 Candidate Class Training Dates

This is for current trainees taking the training right now.

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UPCOMING 2024/25 Candidate Class Training Dates

This is for those interested in becoming candidates, currently in the recruiting cycle.

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The below weekend dates are all overnight camping unless otherwise noted.

What training will I get?

1 • Outdoor Skills

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Purpose

To develop the skills and knowledge needed to operate safely ,comfortably, and unassisted for 72 hours in the wilderness backcountry. We will introduce you to the search & rescue processes and procedures as followed in California, and the actions expected of you as a search & rescue "ground pounder" during a SAR operation.

Skills emphasized

2 • Basic Navigation

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Purpose

As search & rescue personnel, it is very important to *not* get lost in the backcountry (even when technology fails), and to be able to navigate precisely. This goal of this class is to introduce the use of a map and compass, and teach the basics of selecting routes and describing locations in the backcountry, and the use of basic functions of our primary search navigation tools.

Skills emphasized

3 • Wilderness First Aid & CPR

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Purpose

This course is designed to teach the basics of care and treatment of injured individuals in a wilderness context. Upon completion, the student earns a Wilderness First Aid and CPR certification.

Skills emphasized

FAQ

4 • SAR Skills

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Purpose

This course introduces the techniques of search & rescue operations in the field.

Skills emphasized

5 • Technical Ropes Skills

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Purpose

We teach candidates the proper knots, harnesses, rigging, and basic rappelling and ascending techniques so they can have knowledge and awareness in a low-angle or high-angle technical rescue operations.

Skills emphasized

6 • Advanced Navigation

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Purpose

The course is designed for training on wilderness navigation skills. We cover a range of search & rescue related field techniques: cross country navigation, point location, distance and directionality.  The course zig-zags up and down and all around the area - be prepared for extreme terrain.

Skills emphasized

7 • Skills Evaluation

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Purpose

During this weekend, SAR trainees have the opportunity to demonstrate all the skills learned during the course of training.

Skills emphasized

8 • Winter Skills (optional)

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Purpose

This is an optional non-CALSAR course provided by National Ski Patrol, usually held during March. A spot in the course is not guaranteed and subject to the organizer's available seats and discretion. This is outside of the scope of general unit training.

Skills emphasized