FUNSAR / SARTECH II

Hybrid Fundamentals of Search & Rescue

Course Dates:       ONLINE Distance Learning Modules 

                                             Open 1 March 2024

                                                 Skills Day Dates:

                                  11-13 April 2024  (Pennsylvania)

​Cost: $350.00 per person 

Duration: 56 Hours

The "Fundamentals of Search and Rescue" (FSAR) course is meticulously designed to equip participants with essential knowledge and practical skills required for effective participation in search and rescue (SAR) operations as a qualified Field Team Member (FTM). This course is foundational for those seeking to enter the field of SAR, providing a comprehensive overview of the strategies, techniques, and challenges involved in search and rescue missions. It lays the groundwork for understanding the complexities of SAR operations, including coordination with various agencies, navigation in diverse terrains, first aid in wilderness settings, and the legal and ethical dimensions of search and rescue activities.

The FSAR emphasizes the importance of teamwork, communication, and critical thinking in emergency scenarios, ensuring that participants are not only skilled in individual SAR techniques but are also capable of working effectively in a team environment. The course's curriculum is structured to balance theoretical knowledge with hands-on practical exercises, enabling participants to apply learned concepts in real-world situations.

 
Course Objectives:

• Understanding SAR Systems: Introduction to search and rescue, understanding the SAR system, roles and responsibilities of SAR personnel, and the importance of cooperation and coordination with other agencies.
  
• Legal and Ethical Aspects: Overview of legal considerations, liabilities, and ethical concerns in SAR operations.
  
• Search Theory and Planning: Basics of search theory, probability of detection, search area determination, and effective planning strategies.
  
• Navigation and Map Reading: Fundamentals of map reading, compass use, GPS technology, and other navigation tools essential for SAR operations.
  
• Communication Skills: Effective communication techniques, use of radios and other communication devices, and importance of clear, concise communication in SAR missions.
  
• First Aid and Wilderness Medicine: Basic first aid skills, addressing common injuries and illnesses in wilderness settings, and prolonged patient care considerations.
  
• Survival Skills: Essential survival skills, including shelter building, fire making, and water procurement, with a focus on self-sufficiency in remote environments.
  
• Practical Search Techniques: Instruction on various search techniques and strategies, including line searches, grid searches, and hasty searches.
  
• Rescue Techniques: Basic rescue techniques, including packaging and transporting patients, and understanding of the equipment used in SAR operations.
  
• Incident Command System (ICS): Introduction to the Incident Command System, understanding its structure and function in SAR operations.​

Target Audience:

• Emergency responders
• Law enforcement personnel
  
• Outdoor enthusiasts
  
• Volunteer SAR team members
  

Those who complete this training program will receive:
    -  A large portion of their SARTech 2 Position task book completed. 
    -  A FUNSAR Completion Certificate
    -  A Intermediate GPS Endorsement Certificate

​NASAR SARTECH II EXAMINATION

The SARTECH II exam is an additional fee. Candidates wishing to test will upon successful completion of the course will be offered a discounted testing fee. The FUNSAR text book NOT included in course tuition. A valid Wilderness First Aid card will be required to complete the testing portion of this program.

Testing will take place on 14 April 2024.

COURSE SCHEDULE

ONLINE MODULES
All modules have associated quizzes!

- Introduction to the course

- Chp. 1 - Overview of SAR

- Chp. 2 - SAR Systems

- Chp. 4 - Legal & Ethical Issues in SAR

- Chp. 5 - SAR Physiology
​- Chp. 6 - Survival 

​- Chp. 8 - Safety
- Chp. 7 - Clothing

- Chp.  9 - Equipment Overview
​- Nav Section 1 - Basic Principles

- Nav Section 2 - Maps & Marginal Info

​​- Chp. 11 - Resources

11 Apr 24 -  Full Day 1

8:00am - 6:00pm EST

- NAV Sec. 3 - UTM / USNG

- NAV Sec. 4 - Course Plotting

- Day Navigation Course 1

- NAV Sec. 5 - intermediate GPS

12 Apr 24 -  Full Day 2
11:00am - 10:00pm EST

- Search Techniques 

- Search Exercise 1 & 2

​- Chp. 13 - Tracking

- Night Navigation Problem

13 Oct 24 - Full Day 3

8:00am - 6:00pm EST

- Chp. 16 - Rescue Techniques

​- Basic GPS Navigation w/ Problem

- Patient Assessment

- Rescue Problem

COURSE POLICIES

Registration Policy


Payment in full is required to reserve your spot in the course. Tuition is non-transferable and is payable by check, credit card, paypal, or money order. Tuition covers Instructor fee, syllabus license fee, course equipment, and NASAR certification cards. SRTC is not obligated to allow any student to attend a course until SRTC paperwork has been received, reviewed and approved by SRTC. 

Payment in full is required to reserve your lodging for the course if you choose to utilize our lodging option.


Cancellation & Refund Policy
 If a student cancels out of the course or withdrawals from a course:
-  If greater than or equal to 45 days prior to the starting date of the course, SRTC will retain a $55.00 site cancelation fee.
-  Within 45 days of the course start date, tuition is non-refundable and non-transferable.
-  Participants that cancel or withdraw from a course are still responsible for cancelation fees even if payment has not been sent or processed. (Applies if you cancel within 45 days of a course.)
- Failure to cancel and failure to show does not negate any financial obligations relating to the course. SRTC reserves the right to recoup any finances

A full refund will be given if we need to cancel the course for any reason.


Late Payment Policy
Participants that register and choose pay via company check or personal check must submit payment in a timely manner. Payment is due no later than 10 days after your registrations is submitted. If payment is not post marked prior to this date a late fee will be assessed. Late fees will either be invoiced separately or added to any outstanding balance.
- Initial late fee is $25.00
- An additional fee of $10.00 per day will also be assessed if payment is delayed past 14 days from registration and is retroactive to the date of registration.


SRTC & NASAR Student Agreements
(Including Assumption of Risks and Agreement of Release of Indemnity)
A course student agreement will be sent to you upon completion of registration. Please sign, return it and read it carefully as it affects your legal rights. Bring the signed document to the first day of the course or return it via email to [email protected]. If you are a minor, a parent or guardian must sign the document as well. Without a signed document, you cannot participate in the course. SRTC course participants, including minors, will have unsupervised free time throughout the course. Any activities during the free time are not part of the SRTC training program and are at the sole risk of the participant.