Ground SAR

Ground SAR education and certification is focused on building efficient and capable ground searchers that are professional clue and missing person seekers with the ability to interpret and protect clues as well as provide medical assistance to patients, searchers and the public. 

Ground SAR is built around the acronym LAST, which stands for the basic steps of Locate, Access, Stabilize, Transport.  We use this acronym regardless of the environment the mission is in.

Every searcher requires the skills of a ground searcher.  The concepts taught during ground SAR training apply to every specialty discipline that may deployed on a search mission.  If you want to participate in SAR, being a ground searcher is where you start.

Ground searchers may have specialized skills that they excel in like tracking, working a SAR canine, technical rope rescue, Mounted SAR, back country SAR, or medical care.  Searchers operate day and night, in extreme weather that would make Chuck Norris queasy, over snow, at altitude, in austere wilderness, urban, suburban and rural environments. 

NASAR education and certification uses standards from DHS/FEMA, ASTM, NFPA, CSA, ANSI, ISO and many state level SAR guidelines as its foundation.

Ground SAR is divided into 4 levels.  Each level has its own education program that prepares the searcher to take the appropriate SARTECH certification test for certification. Here are each of the levels and the NASAR education available.

AWARENESS LEVEL

Non-Field Responder

This self study course prepares a candidate to take the SAR Awareness level SARTECH IV certification, a non-field capability.  Candidates are presented knowledge to support Incident Command Post (ICP), or SAR Base operations and logistics functions.

OPERATIONAL LEVEL

Non-Wilderness Responder

This series prepares a candidate to take the Non-Wilderness SARTECH III certification, a field searcher capability.  Candidates are presented knowledge and skills to be ground searchers in urban, suburban, and rural environments and parks.

• Introduction to SAR Course
  
  • Prerequisites:  ICS-100 / ICS-700 / CPR / Basic First Aid
    
  • Delivery Format:  Classroom lecture and demonstration (optional hybrid format)
  • Length of Delivery:  16 hours (~18 hours with GPS option)
  • Textbook:  Introduction to SAR
  • Test for Certification:  SARTECH III
• Basic GPS Endorsement
  • Prerequisites:  Use of a modern GPS
  • Delivery Format:  On line course
  • Textbook:  N/A

Wilderness Responder

This series prepares a candidate to take the Wilderness SARTECH II certification, a field searcher capability.  Candidates are presented knowledge and skill to be ground searchers in wilderness terrain within proximity to basic services.

• Fundamentals of SAR Course (FUNSAR)
  
  • Prerequisites:  ICS-100 / ICS - 200 / ICS-700 / CPR / Wilderness First Aid
  • Delivery Format:  Classroom lecture and demonstration (optional hybrid format)
  • Length of Delivery:  38 hours (~ 40 hours with GPS option)
  • Textbook:  Fundamentals of SAR
  • Test for Certification:  SARTECH II
• Intermediate GPS Endorsement
  • Prerequisites:  Use of a modern GPS
  • Delivery Format:  On line course
  • Textbook:  N/A
    

TECHNICIAN LEVEL

Wilderness - Back Country Responder

This series is currently being updated.  When finished, it will prepare a candidate to take the Wilderness-Backcountry SARTECH I certification, a field searcher capability.  Candidates are presented knowledge and skills to be ground searchers in austere wilderness terrain performing unsupported multi-day missions without timely access to basic services.  Check back in 2024 for this exciting update.

SUPERVISION LEVEL

Field Team Leader - SARTECH FTL

This series is currently under development.  When completed, it will prepare a candidate to take the SARTECH Field Team Leader certification, a supervision/leadership role.  Candidates are presented knowledge and skills to be Field Team Leaders in wilderness terrain performing missions within proximity to basic services.  Check back in 2024 for this new program.

Search Manager - SARTECH MGR

This series prepares a candidate to be a search manager.  Currently you may take our Managing The Lost Person Incident Course.  We are adding section chief courses to this certification by the end of 2025.