MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR AN ACTIVE MEMBER

To be certain that searchers have the knowledge, skills and experience required to effectively participate in a search or rescue operation, it is necessary to have an accepted set of standards and a method of measurement.

Standards ensure that SAR personnel are suitably trained and experienced and can therefore be relied on to operate efficiently and safely.

The following spells out the standards required for Auckland Land Search and Rescue members. It can also serve as a checklist for consideration for a team member's suitability for a particular role in SAR and will also serve as the basis for a training needs analysis thus determining group and individual traning requirements.

PERSONAL FITNESS
It is considered important that all team members maintain a reasonable level of personal fitness to ensure the safety of all personnel involved in search operations.

BUSHCRAFT
It is considered important that all team members have appropriate and adequate Bushcraft skills as SAR personnel are required to be self sufficient and search deployment often takes place in hazardous regions and adverse conditions.

MAP AND COMPASS / NAVIGATION
It is considered important that all team members are conversant with map and compass techniques. They must be able to navigate safely and be able to determine their position at any time. [This is essential if instructions are to be correctly followed and the Search HQ kept informed of the exact area searched.]

SURVIVAL SKILLS
It is considered important that all team members have the appropriate skills to enable them to
a) operate effectively and
b) manage their own wellbeing, alone and in all conditions.

RIVER CROSSING & WATER TRAVEL
It is considered important that all team members are able to conduct themselves and others safely across and along waterways.

FIRST AID
It is considered important that all team members have a basic grounding in current First Aid techniques and practices and can communicate patient information by radio. Searchers must be able to assess patients and assist and manage patient comfort and maintain life wherever possible.

RISK MANAGEMENT
It is considered important that all team members are able to plan, prepare for and implement search tasks identifying and managing all the risks involved.

COMMUNICATIONS & TECHNICAL
It is considered important that all team members are conversant with use of, operation of, and message handling protocols for SAR radios.

SEARCH METHODS & TECHNIQUES
It is considered important that all team members are familiar with current methods and techniques to maximize the efficiency of all search operations.

HELICOPTER SAFETY
It is considered important that all team members are conversant with helicopter operation & safety issues, are able to transported if required, and are able to assist crew when necessary.

ROPES
It is considered important that all team members have an understanding of ropes and can undertake search and rescue tasks safely on steep terrain.

WEATHER
It is considered important that all team members have knowledge of weather patterns and effects.

GEAR & EQUIPMENT
It is considered important that all team members have available and carry with them, a minimum array of gear and equipment to enable them to be self sufficient in the field. It is also important that appropriate gear and equipment is carried for use when assisting missing persons.

COMMITMENT
It is considered important that all team members are aware of and accept the commitment necessary to be an operative SAR member, including the requirement to regularly train and attend SAR operations.