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old_school
Jul 20, 2002, 4:32 AM
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I have some interest in becoming involved with mountain rescue groups. I am wondering what is required to do this (I plan on becoming an RN so i have a paying job and medical skill) and if you can even get paid to do this. Any other info or links would be great!
Thanks,
Andy
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wildtrail
Jul 21, 2002, 5:13 AM
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Check with NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School). They teach classes on mountain/crevasse rescue. Also, as far as paying jobs go, most do not pay well, but that isn't the point is it?
YOSAR, if you can get in. Everybody applies for that when it opens. That's; Yosemite Search and Rescue (YOSAR).
Any ski resort in CA, NV, CO for sure.
Steve
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topher
Jul 21, 2002, 9:03 PM
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Out in bc we have volenture seach and rescue, i went to join but being only 17 (i have more rock hiking experience ect then most people in the group) they told me that i was to young, some kinda insurence thing. any way the way it works is they train you and then if then nead you they call and if you can help you do. alot of busniess out here let there staff members miss work if there out on a seach and most company will even pay the person as if they where working. every one i have talked to said it is veary rewarding. I also look at it like this, i climb hike back country ski, go snowmobiling some times, mt. bike and it doesnt matter how safe and skilled you are some thing can still happen so with me i fuigure that one day i may nead there services so i plan on helping the m out as pre/post payment for there help. Now i hope i never nead them but..... So look into that im shure there is some thing like that in your area.
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indiesummit
Jul 22, 2002, 2:24 PM
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Being interested in the same thing, I contacted Mike Gauthier, head climbing ranger for Ranier...he's been profile in Outisde for turning the park's rescue program around...He recommended these guys as being among the best...www.compusmart.ab.ca/resqdyn/
Hope this helps...
Indie
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robscate
Jul 24, 2002, 2:32 AM
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the moutain rescue assocation probably has what you are looking for. (a list of what it takes, associated teams etc....)
depending on your area, you might want to check with the local sheriffs office or the local park ranger.
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caveclimber
Jul 24, 2002, 8:15 AM
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Hey I just took a SAR class for grunt work as a cave rescue class. They said level 1 is a 90 hour class and level 2 and 3 take longer. I took it through the Washington County SAR and the U.S. Marshals office. You can get in touch with your local sheriffs office and SAR group they can help you.
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old_school
Jul 24, 2002, 8:07 PM
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Thanks everyone, I'm also looking to join a local SAR group based out of Duluth while I'm in school. Any more info would be great!
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indiesummit
Jul 24, 2002, 8:13 PM
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Goin to UMD or Scholastica in my hometown? Sweet...get some ice tools for the winter!
I know St Louis County has a SAR team and I seem to remember seeing somewhere that there's usually a really reputable course put on in Duluth itself...maybe the guys @ Vertical Endeavors can help you out with a POC...
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old_school
Jul 25, 2002, 3:24 AM
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Actually I'm thinking of going to Scholastica, they have a great RN program. Is any one else an RN, wanna give me some feed back?
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ponyryan
Jul 25, 2002, 4:12 AM
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How far away from the locations is the farthest you should reside? I live a couple of hours away from likely rescue situations (mt hood). I don't know if that's too far, but I'd like to get involved. Thanks for all the information so far, I've learned alot.
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ktwo
Jul 25, 2002, 4:21 PM
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One of my friends (wyoclimber) looked into this, and was told by SAR that they didn't need a climbing rescue team. We decided that we were gonna go get "stuck" somewhere and call for help. See what they do about it then!
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climberdee
Jul 25, 2002, 6:06 PM
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Someone mentioned the Mountain Rescue Association as a good resource...I agree completely. Here is their link:
http://www.mra.org/
I was on a Mountain Rescue Team for 5+ years and have to say that it was a very worthwhile experience overall. I made some good friends that I still have today and got to see a lot of country in my area that I might not have been exposed to. As for pay, there was none as the positions were/are totally volunteer. One year, I put in over 1000 hours. Gear was not paid for either, and lots of my personal funds went towards buying all kinds of rescue gear (but hey, can you ever have too much gear???).
The training opportunities were fantastic as we had monthly rope/anchor/and rescue trainings. I learned a lot about setting systems, z-rigs, hauling systems, anchors, helicopters, and lots more. Plus I learned a lot about teamwork.
So, I recommend you go for it if you have the chance. However, it will probably be more of a labor of love and experience of personal growth than an opportunity to get paid doing something fun (unless you can get on YOSAR!!)
Climberdee
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spydermonkey
Jul 26, 2002, 10:16 PM
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I've always been interested in helping people when in troble. I've done a lot of research on the subject and find it facinating. One question, how old do you have to be to be a mountain rescue member? I've had to do a few minor rescues if you would call them that for my church youth group. A few tangled clumps of hair in figure eights, scared people stopping half way down the cliff, etc.
It is scary but fun. It gives you a sence of pride. Does anyone here in Phoenix belong to a SAR unit that could contact me?
Thanks, spydermonkey
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climberdee
Jul 27, 2002, 11:08 PM
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Spyder...
There are a couple of M.R. groups in the Phoenix area...first and foremost is CAMRA (Central Arizona Mountain Rescue Association). Another good group is Pinal County Search and Rescue. I am not sure how old you have to be to join one of these teams. Give them a call and check it out, though. They are both very friendly and helpful groups.
CAMRA URL is:
http://www.mcsomr.org/
I couldn't find a link for Pinal County, but I am sure you could get the number by calling there Sheriff's Department. Good luck!
Climberdee
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spydermonkey
Jul 29, 2002, 9:48 PM
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Thanks a lot for the site and info. I don;t think I could have found that site if my life depended on it.
Thanks a lot again.
spydermonkey
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clymber
Jul 29, 2002, 10:58 PM
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Being a RN will help some but I would recomend taking a EMT (Emergency Med Tech) course. Bodies look alot differnt in the field then they do once they are in the hospital. I do volunteer EMS and have seen nurses freeze in the field not knowing what to do
You might also want to look into either High Angle or Rope Rescue. Both are easy classes if you know what you are doing climbing . If you have a state park near you go there and talk to a Ranger and they might be able to point you in the right direction also. Good luck
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spydermonkey
Jul 31, 2002, 5:25 PM
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I tried that link and it didn't work. Sould I just call MCSO for info on SAR?
spydermonkey
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jt512
Aug 1, 2002, 1:22 AM
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A guy from Minnesota wrote:
Quote:I have some interest in becoming involved with mountain rescue groups. I am wondering what is required to do this...
A mountain, for starters.
-Jay
[ This Message was edited by: jt512 on 2002-07-31 18:23 ]
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spydermonkey
Aug 1, 2002, 4:11 PM
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This is true, a mountain is required for rock rescue. So is the training to accomplish the rescue.
spydermonkey
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climberdee
Aug 2, 2002, 3:14 PM
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Spyder...did you try the link of IE or Netscape? I just tried it on IE and it came right up.
Climberdee
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spydermonkey
Aug 2, 2002, 5:36 PM
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Yeah, I tried it on Netscape and the link came up, but some of the topics I can't open. I click on them and it just starts to load, but as soon as I move the mouse the loading stops and it won't work. I don't know?
Any ideas?
spydermonkey
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climberdee
Aug 2, 2002, 7:21 PM
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Spyder...
Yeah, I see what you mean. I got the top links to work, but they are not very helpful. Did finally get the contact info to work, and here is the email that came up:
speedwork@cox.net
So, that gives you a place to start anyway.
Good luck!
Climberdee
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spydermonkey
Aug 2, 2002, 7:41 PM
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Thank you a ton, it works! Thanks for doing that for me.
spydermonkey
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old_school
Aug 5, 2002, 1:10 AM
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Actually I'm going to move to them, but there is one up by Duluth on Lake Superior to help the various hikes boaters or climbers. I am also going to take EMT calsses before college. Being anRN is just more of a career.
[ This Message was edited by: old_school on 2002-08-04 18:11 ]
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spydermonkey
Aug 5, 2002, 1:25 AM
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I'm not looking to do mountain rescue as a career, just as a volunteer type thing because I love to help others and I love to climb.
spydermonkey
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