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Outside Magazine February 2002

Uncle SAR Wants You

By Ki Bassett


Intro | The Ranger | The Caver | The Tracker | The Dog | The Pilot | The Volunteer | The Jed Zone | Eight Great Blunders | Uncle SAR Wants You

While a handful of full-time search-and- rescue jobs exist, roughly 95 percent of all SAR personnel are volunteers. Jonesing to join the ranks, either as a volunteer or a professional? Contact your county sheriff or state police for info on local SAR groups. Or get in touch with the umbrella agencies below, which can help whether you're looking to lend a hand or fancying a career with a national organization.

Mountain Rescue Association
Provides instruction materials, standardized tests, and accreditation programs for local SAR teams, plus education in all aspects of mountain safety. Also offers SAR contact info for 90 units in the U.S. and Canada on its excellent Web site. www.mra.org

National Association for Search and Rescue
Offers training in everything from treating hypothermia to technical rope skills. Also has information on certification for SAR dogs. 703-222-6277; www.nasar.org

National Cave Rescue Commission
Holds cave-rescue training seminars for cavers with all levels of experience and provides contact info for local cave SAR groups around the country. Contact John Punches, NCRC National Coordinator; John.Punches@orst.edu. Or call the National Speleological Society: 256-852-1300; www.caves.org

National Park Service
Offers full-time and volunteer ranger positions in parks and monuments nationwide; SAR training programs are not offered through the NPS. 202-208-6843; www.nps.gov

International Society of Professional Trackers
Provides contact information for tracking groups nationwide. 541-490-1940; www.ispt.org United States Coast Guard Recruiting
Offers full- and part-time positions. Provides training nationwide in maritime safety and rescue operations. 877-669-8724; www.uscg.mil

Wilderness Medical Associates and Wilderness Medicine Institute
Offer information and training for aspiring EMTs and Wilderness First Responders. WMA: 888-945-3633; www.wildmed.com; WMI: 970-641-3572; wmi.nols.edu


Intro | The Ranger | The Caver | The Tracker | The Dog | The Pilot | The Volunteer | The Jed Zone | Eight Great Blunders | Uncle SAR Wants You