Training

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

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)

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

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.

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

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

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

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 

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.