Outdoor Skills
Purpose
The goal of this course is to make you aware of the nature of these choices and situations, and to develop the skills and knowledge needed for you to operate safely and comfortably, unassisted for 72 hours, in most outdoor situations in California. A secondary goal is to 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.
Prerequisites
Apply to training program, following the process here
Receive acceptance into the training program from the Training Director (via email).
Pay training fees by October 1st
When & Where
Current Cal-ESAR Candidates and Members: Please log in to the Member Portal for schedule and location details
Skills Emphasized
Shelter building and site selection (tarps, rope and stakes provided)
Fire building
Clothing care & selection
Food selection, storage, preparation & transport
Elements of a SAR base camp
Radio fundamentals
Basic navigation techniques
Beginning SAR techniques (hasty search and carry-out)
Personal sanitation
Minimum impact camping
Rule of 3s and survival priorities
Important Plants (Friend and Foe)
Gear List for Outdoor Skills
Equipment
Boots/hiking shoes
Daypack
Sleeping bag and pad
Sturdy bowl, cup, and spoon
Headlamp, or small flashlight
Optional
Pocket knife
For class
Camp chair
Note taking materials
Clothes
Clothes appropriate for cold-weather hiking and potential rain. No cotton (reasons for this will be covered in training.)
1 Rain jacket / poncho
1 insulating layer (fleece jacket)
2 pairs socks, wool or synthetic
1 base layer
2+ T-shirts
1 long sleeved shirt
1 pair pants
Optional
Wool or synthetic stocking cap or balaclava
Sunglasses
Note: Many light layers of clothes are preferred to a few layers of heavy clothing.
Toiletries, etc.
Toiletries: toothbrush, toothpaste, comb or hairbrush
Small bottle of hand sanitizer (1 or 2 oz bottle size is fine)
Personal medications (if needed)
Optional
Chapstick
Sunscreen
Bandanna, neckerchief and/or microfiber towel
Food
Enough food for two lunches and snacks. Lunches should be able to be eaten on the go, and require no refrigeration. Dinner and breakfast will be provided.
If you have a food sensitivity please let contact training@cal-esar.org.
At least two filled 1 liter bottles of water and/or CamelBack-style bladder
If you already have a backpacking stove, feel free to bring it along and use it, meals will be a group activity and will be a good opportunity for everyone to share ideas and demo equipment and techniques.
Additional resources
Detailed article on how you stay warm / cold, and on heat and cold injuries
Ham Radio License: Want to get you ham radio license? Here's a link to find test exam locations and dates