Basic Search and Rescue Course

The Basic Search and Rescue course will teach students the basic search information and outdoor skills needed to allow them to become productive Field Team Members of a search and rescue organization. After completing the course, students should be able to pass Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Field Team Member exam.

Instructional topics include basic search theory and techniques, personal equipment and clothing, clue awareness, woodsmanship and survival, land navigation, communications, patient considerations, basic principles of rope rescue, patient packaging, and anchors and belays.

Much of this course will be held outdoors. The course fee usually covers all meals, lodging, and the course text. See the course schedule page for additional information. The course starts Friday evening and runs though Sunday afternoon. Students are expected to complete a 5 mile hike during the course of the weekend.

A detailed list of required equipment as well as additional course information will be mailed to you prior to the course.

The instructors for this course come from a very diverse wilderness background. Each instructor has a minimum of 15 years wilderness experience and 10 years search and rescue experience.

Upon request, we will come and teach this course to your SAR team at your location. Please contact us for more information

Required Equipment for the Class:

• Clothing: Clothing appropriate to weather conditions. Waterproof-Windproof jacket (uniform) or parka with hood (i.e., a Gore Tex or similar jacket can serve for these items).
• Spare clothing (i.e. socks, long underwear, stocking cap or balaclava; appropriate footgear for both fair and foul weather conditions (i.e. leather hiking boots).
• Blaze orange outer garmet/vest with color recommended to be minimum 500 square inches. Note: a watch cap = 100 sq inches.
• Pack of sufficient size to carry extra clothing and equipment.
• Water: 2 liters minimum.
• Three large heavy-duty plastic trash bags.
• Food for 24 hours (i.e. freeze-dried, candy nuts, GORP, Lurps/MRE's).
• Headlamp and/or flashlight and second light sources with spare batteries and bulb.
• Lighter, matches, candle, or equivalent WATERPROOF fire source.
• Knife (i.e., pocket or scout type).
• Whistle.
• Leather work gloves (or gloves with leather palms).
• Notebook (pocket) and pencil/pen.
• Nylon rope (minimum 25 feet of parachute cord).
• Personal First Aid Kit
• Disposable space blanket
• Optional equipment that might be useful in the field (i.e.: insect repellent, lip balm, toilet tissue; toothbrush, paste, signal mirror)
• Bivouac Shelter (poncho or tarp will suffice).
• Flagging tape (prefer degradable streamers, one each of three different colors).
• Compass.
• 1-gallon Zip-Lock freezer bags or map case.
• Two (2) pair of disposable gloves (examination gloves).
• other appropriate weather related or seasonal equipment