Spokane County Explorer Search and Rescue

Basic Training

Membership Requirements

All individuals wanting to be members need to be registered with the Boy Scouts of America and Spokane City/County Department of Emergency Management.

There is a one time training fee of $45.00 which covers

Training Manual

UMS Ruler

Protractor

Training Material

Name Badge Holder

BSA Registration

Subsequent fees are $15.00 per year.

Training Outline

ORIENTATIONS A and B: Introduction to Explorer Search and Rescue (ESAR)

These are two in town weeknight informational meetings used to present ESAR objectives,

Organization and procedures. Discussions center on basic training course content, requirements for team member field qualification, an introduction to wilderness navigation, and personal equipment needs.

COURSE G:

Search Method Theory and Field Practice (two days, one night)

People are organized into teams of six to ten persons for the weekend. Under the direction of Team Leaders in training, team members receive instruction and practical experience in litter packing, subject evacuation and basic navigation skills (e.g., maps, compass, pacing). In addition, basic search theory and types are introduced allowing people to understand the differences and similarities between topics including detailed evidence searches, lost person searches and injured person evacuations. The course is also designed to develop (a) search skills and teamwork among potential team members,

(b) leadership skills of potential Team, Field and Operations Leaders and (c) search support skills for Information Unit people.

COURSE I:

Theory and Field Practice of Wilderness Navigation Techniques (two days, one night)

Participants, in teams of two, are given a series of cross-country and descriptive navigation problems to solve. The training staff provides participants with close supervision and individualized instruction to maximize the opportunity to develop wilderness navigation skills.

This course is designed to prepare people for Course II.

COURSE II:

Test of Wilderness Navigation Skills (two days, one night)

Two person teams are given a series of cross-country and descriptive navigation problems that must be solved with a specified level of accuracy and within a given period of time. The course tests peoples teamwork and navigation skills under physical and mental conditions comparable to the search environment.

COURSE Ill:

Simulated Search Operation (two days, one night)

Five to eight member teams under the direction of a Team Leader, Field Leader(s) and an Operations Leader are presented with a realistic search problem to resolve. Staff members play the roles of subjects, sheriffs personnel and other rescue organizations.

The course content is designed to develop and evaluate

(a) search skills and teamwork among

potential team members,

(b) leadership skills of potential Team, Field and Operations Leaders,

(c) search support skills of the Information Unit and base support personal,

(d) experimental field techniques before their use in an actual mission and (e) cooperation between ESAR and other search and rescue organizations.