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.
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.
2024 - October 5-6: Outdoor Skills
2024 - November 2-3: Basic Navigation
2024 - December 7-8: Wilderness First Aid (2 days in-person, no overnight)
2024 - December 20: SAR Skills Online (2 hrs remote/online course)
2025 - January 8: SAR Skills Online (2 hrs remote/online course)
2025 - January 11-12: SAR Skills
2025 - February 1-2: Tech Skills
2025 - March 1-2: Advanced Navigation
2025 - April 5-6: Skills Evaluation
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
Elements of a SAR base camp and minimum impact camping
Shelter and fire building, clothing care, food selection
Radio fundamentals and basic search techniques
Basic knots, Rule of 3s and survival priorities, important plants (friend and foe)
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
SARTOPO map building, map technology, and map elements
Fundamentals of terrain interpretation, route selection, and improvised direction-finding
Declination corrections, and following bearings with a compass
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
Rescuer safety and precautions
Primary survey, and scene assessment & management
CPR techniques and situations
Care and treatment of closed and open wounds, fractures and splinting, transport of the injured
Heat-related symptoms & environmental emergencies and care
FAQ
Q: Could I take this course through a different certified institution?
A: You may take any qualifying course approved by the Unit and must be certified before Skills Evaluation. Note that the Unit offers this course at a steep discount compared to other vendors. ($60 vs. $300+)
Q: What if I already have my certification for Wilderness First Aid and CPR?
A: You must email your valid card to the Records team and notify the Training Director. Please note the expiration date in relation to your candidacy and future membership. All members must have a valid non-expired WFA or higher and CPR card in order to be field-deployable.
Q: I am a physician/nurse/paramedic/EMT/WFR/etc. Must I take Wilderness First Aid / CPR?
A: No. If you have equivalent or higher medical certification and are CPR certified, you can email your valid card to the Records team and notify the Training Director. It is still recommended to take the course to train with your cohort class and refresh on wilderness specific skills.
4 • SAR Skills
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Purpose
This course introduces the techniques of search & rescue operations in the field.
Skills emphasized
Basics of the Incident Command System (ICS)
Command post briefings & debriefings, lost person profiles, field safety
Search team duties & composition, types of assignments, radio protocol
Various search techniques, grid lines, and evidence searches
Packaging, evacuation, and transport of an injured person
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
Knots, harnesses, and safety
Raising and lowering systems
Litter packaging and rigging
Rappelling and ascending techniques
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
Command post briefing instructions and materials
Cross-country navigation, point location, tracking, distance and directionality
Practice of Type I, II & III searches
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
Shelter, fire, knots, rigging, litter packaging
Pack and gear inspection
Radio calls, map and compass
Incident Command System (ICS) and search types
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
Winter travel issues & techniques
Avalanche safety
Building snow caves & other shelters
Building fires in the snow
Preventing & treating hypothermia
Clothing selection
Food selection & preparation
Evacuating and treating the injured person.