Search and Rescue Team members are constantly training for eventualities that we hope never happen. There are a number of areas where technical skills must be learned and constantly practiced, so that in the event of an emergency we are ready to carry out a rescue.

All specific SAR training is developed and administered through the PEP Academy (Emergency Management Division) at the Justice Institute of BC. This includes course curriculum and standards. However, members often take supplemental courses and other training to add to their skills.

Ground Search and Rescue:

All SAR members take this course when they join the team. This course includes basic and advanced training in the following areas:

• search types and techniques
• wilderness navigation (map, compass, GPS)
• survival skills
• communications
• rope management
• basic tracking
• helicopter safety
• basic avalanche awareness
• basic swift water rescue

Advanced training in this area include ground search team leader, and search management techniques.

Rope Rescue:

There are basic, advanced and instructor level courses in rope and high angle rescue technique. Skills taught include:

• theory (forces, safety factors, strength of various components)
• Anchors, knots, and rope management
• lower and raising systems
• stretcher attendant systems
• high angle rescue techniques

Swift Water and Boat Operations:

Since many of our searches are on inland water (rivers and lakes), our members must be familiar with boat operations and water safety.

Swift Water Rescue:

There are basic, advanced and instructor level courses on swift water (fast running rivers) rescue techniques.

Avalanche Response:

These courses concentrate on moving safely through avalanche terrain, performing a rescue using avalanche rescue tools such as transceivers and probes. Advanced courses train for avalanche prediction, snowpack analysis and other techniques.

Mountain Rescue:

A new area for PEP is the Mountain Rescue Training Program. It concentrates on rescue in the alpine or mountain environment. Areas of training include:

• glacier travel
• crevasse rescue
• alpine rescue
• advanced dual rope rescue
• companion rescue
• helicopter rescue

Tracking:

This extremely difficult set of skills is rare, and hard to maintain. Hours of course work and practice are require to achieve certification. Currently, three courses of 20 hours each are required to reach "Track Aware" status. Constant practise and use of these skills can take a member to "Tracker 1", "Tracker 2" and finally to "Sign Cutter" status.

First Aid:

All Coquitlam SAR volunteers have first aid/CPR training. Ground Search and Rescue volunteers are required to have at least 8 hours of first aid training by the Provincial Emergency Program. Coquitlam SAR volunteers take approximately 30 hours of first aid, CPR and SAR specific medical training. Many members of the team have higher levels of first aid and medical care. Within the team there are Occupational First Aid Attendants, Medical First Responders, Paramedics and Medical Doctors.

After initial standard first aid and CPR courses, team members attend training sessions on hypothermia, spinal injury management, patient packaging, medical conditions and fracture management. These sessions are delivered by team medical personnel or guest speakers.

Coquitlam SAR has developed treatment plans for hypothermia, cardiac arrest and various other medical/trauma situations that may present themselves during a SAR operation.

During the evacuation of an injured subject, Coquitlam SAR works closely with the BC Ambulance Service to provide the best possible patient care.