Training

 

CSAR is continually seeking individuals who have a desire to help others and acquire professional outdoor skills used to save lives.
Volunteers for all aspects of the search and rescue operation are needed. 
Our regular membership meetings are on the 3rd Wed. of every month at 7:00 in the meeting room of the stables on the campus of Hollins University in Roanoke, Virginia.

Write us:  Commonwealth Search and Rescue P.O. Box 13874
Roanoke, VA 24037
Email: csar@commonwealthsar.org

 

 

Click here to see course descriptions and requirements for completion

 
 

 

 

 

 

Ground Searchers

Ground searchers are specialized in search skills including land navigation, orienteering, technical rescue, search techniques, wilderness survival and wilderness medical care.

 
Field team Sign Cutters

The field team signcutter has completed the DEM certified training to notice, observe, and track the sign of human passage. This individual is qualified to analyze field clues and the appropriateness to call trackers. Field team signcutters are an effective first responder.

 

SAR Dog Training


The central jobs of a SAR dog are to find a human scent and effectively alert his handler to its location. SAR training assures that a dog can complete these tasks in all conditions, regardless of weather or distractions. Depending on the dog's specialty area, his core training may also include the recall-find ("show me"), in which he finds a person, returns to his handler and then leads the handler back to the person, or victim loyalty, in which the dog stays with the person and alerts his handler by barking.

 

Equine Training

Well trained horses are able to search large tracts of forest, snowmobile/bike trails, open fields and other terrain to locate such things as downed aircraft, lost hunters, or hikers lost in the woods.

     The search rider of a mounted unit must adhere to all requirements for search training provided by Search & Rescue.  The horses of the mounted team must also meet the acceptable standards for Search & Rescue. 

  

 

 

 

Quarterly Training Photos

Scene Preservation class with Bedford County Sheriffs Deputy

Most searches involve many different units.  Training to one set of standards allows members of different groups to work together easily.

SAR Members practice Patient Tie-in during a practice drill

 

 
 

 

The Equine Standards adopted and currently in use by both VDEM and  NASAR were developed by CSAR's mounted unit.