SARTECH 1 Exam

SARTECH I Examination

Date: 28 May 2023

Cost: $100.00

The SARTECH I/CREWLEADER level of certification is the advanced level for SAR personnel.

This examination consists of both a written exam and a practical exam. The written exam includes one hundred and twenty (120) questions covering the candidate's knowledge of search and rescue. A passing grade is 70% or above. The candidate is also required to successfully complete a seven station practical exam. Should the candidate not successfully complete the practical exam, only the stations that are failed need be repeated within one year of the original testing date.

The written exam includes questions from the following topics:
NIMS Incident Command System
Small Unit Leadership
Fitness
Crew Safety
Crew leader SAR Ready Pack
Maps, Symbology, & Land Navigation
Search Techniques & Tactics
Briefing
Debriefing
Hazardous Terrain Skills
Stress Management

The candidate's performance of SAR skills is evaluated at four practical exam stations involving:

Station #1: Crew Leader Written Examination. 

Station #2: Briefing / Debriefing Station: Given a search area, the TL will provide a complete briefing of how the team will search that area. The TL will then give the instructor a summary of what is to be included in a complete debriefing. 

Station #3: Witness Interview Station: Candidate must interview a witness that has traveled the search area and complete the necessary documentation. (Beta station will not count toward pass fail.)

Station #4: Team Member Inspection: Candidate must demonstrate the ability to inspect a team member and advise them what equipment to prep for the assigned search or rescue tasking. (Beta station will not count toward pass fail.)

Station #5: Helicopter Landing Zone: Candidate must demonstrate the ability to set up a safe helicopter landing zone with the provided equipment and pass a simulated landing zone report to the instructor. Candidate will be given 12 minutes to complete this task. (Beta station will not count toward pass fail.)

Station #6: Land Navigation Day: With the use of topographic maps and compass, candidates complete a course over terrain commonly encountered in the operations area in a specified time frame, not to exceed (3000) meters during the day time.

Station #7: Land Navigation Night: With the use of topographic maps and compass, candidates complete a course over terrain commonly encountered in the operations area in a specified time frame, not to exceed (3000) meters during night time.