SARstories.com is always on the lookout for interesting Search & Rescue articles, studies, E-zines, and gear reviews.  Please let us know if you've got something to contribute or a good link for us.  

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General SAR Articles

SAR Discussion Groups & Forums

Search Dogs

Mounted SAR

SAR E-zines

SAR Gear


General SAR Articles

"Accidents in Mountain Rescue Operations"
Prepared by Charley Shimanski, Mountain Rescue Association Education Committee
Summary: a study of rescue accidents in four categories--aircraft accidents, operator error, equipment failure and mother nature--and mechanisms to reduce the risk of these elements in mountain rescue situations

"Jokers on the Mountain: When Politics and Mountain Rescues Collide"
By Lloyd F. Athearn; American Alpine News
Summary: an article focusing on the debate about whether or not to charge mountain climbers for the cost of their rescues

"Search and Rescue in Yosemite National Park: A 10-year Review"
by Eric K. Hung, MD; David A. Townes, MD, MPH; from the Journal of the Wilderness Medical Society
Summary: study describing "the general characteristics and epidemiology of search and rescue" in the Park and possible ways to reduce the number of incidents requiring SAR services

"GIS For Wilderness Search and Rescue"
By Don Ferguson; Mountaineer Area Rescue Group
Summary: paper describing the application of Geographical Information System software to manage the search for a missing autistic boy in the Dolly Sods Wilderness area in West Virginia in 2007 (PDF format)

"Analysis of Fatalities on the Nose of El Capitan"
By Ed Visnovske; Yosemite Search and Rescue
Summary: an examination of the facts surrounding the deaths of two Japanese climbers high on The Nose of El Capitan in mid October 2004 as well as educated guesses of what happened and why

"Snow Avalanche: their characteristics, forecasting and control"
by Edward R. LaChapelle, Avalanche Hazard Forecaster, Wasatch National Forest, Utah

"Investigation and Interviewing Techniques for Search and Rescue Responders"
By Christopher S. Young; Contra Coast County Sheriff's Search and Rescue Team (PDF format)

"Overview of Search Theory"--Part 1 of 3
By Lee Lang M.S., M.B.A., B.A, B.S.; from Technical Rescue magazine
Lee Lang is a member of Larimer County Search and Rescue, Colorado, and President of Advanced Biologicals, a research company. Mr. Lang uses his scientific background to study technical SAR issues. (PDF format)

"A Tale of Survival from Summit County Rescue: Snowmobilers in backcountry incident lucky they got some things right"
By Anna Debattiste; Summit County Sheriff's Search and Rescue Team; from the Summit Daily News

NASAR Position Statement: Billing for Search and Rescue Operations
April, 2009
The National Association for Search and Rescue has joined the Mountain Rescue Association, the Colorado Search and Rescue Board, the International Association of Dive Rescue Specialists, the United States Coast Guard and the National Park Service, all of which either oppose billing, or do not bill, people after a search and rescue operation. “Although it remains a local decision, billing for search and rescue operations is a dangerous practice that should be avoided,” said NASAR President Dan Hourihan.

Silver Alert Initiatives in the States: Protecting Seniors With Cognitive Impairments
From the National Association of State Units on Aging; March, 2009
To help protect an increasing number of senior citizens with cognitive impairments who wander and become missing persons, a number states have initiated “Silver Alert” programs, modeled after the well-known Amber Alert Program in effect in all 50 states.

Man-Tracking: How To Find And Follow Tracks For Search and Rescue
By Deb Lauman


SAR Discussion Groups & Forums

"Search & Rescue Discussion List"
Mailing list topics can include techniques, training, management, tips, gear, announcements and much more. To subscribe, email sar-l-request@ml.islandnet.com with "subscribe" in the subject line. Activity averages 120 messages per month.

"SAR-Dogs Discussion List"
This list was formed to facilitate communication between K9 SAR handlers and persons interested in K9 SAR.

"CSAR List"
A Yahoo! Group, for discussion of all aspects of the use of computers and computer-related technology to the execution and management of Search and Rescue operations. This can include mapping programs, Geographical Information System (GIS), Global Positioning System (GPS), Incident Command System (ICS) and other SAR-related applications. Average 10 messages per month.

"Swiftwater/Flood Rescue Information and News"
A Yahoo! Group for rescue personnel and others to exchange information about flood disaster preparedness, swiftwater/flood rescue training, and public safety education. 100-500 emails per month.

"MSAR-Riders"
An international e-mail discussion group established in 2002 for mutual support of horse riders around the world who are or want to become volunteer mounted search and rescue (MSAR) responders.

"Rescue Training Resource Guide"
Online discussion forum covering many aspects of Search and Rescue

"SARForums.com"
Search and Rescue forums

"SARWorld.com"
More Search and Rescue forums

"Trackers Connect"
A social network for trackers: Search and Rescue trackers, law enforcement trackers, K-9 trackers, military trackers, animal trackers

Search Dogs

"Training the SAR Dog Properly: Lives are at Stake"
By John Grima, a Working Dogs special feature

"Search Teams Offer New Life to Rescued Dogs"
By Jamie Thompson, Homeland1 Editor, on Homeland1.com

"Selecting a Dog for SAR"
By Cindy Tittle Moore on Comdens.com

Mounted SAR

"Effective Use of the Mounted SAR Resource"
Six articles by Jorene Downs, a Nationally recognized instructor and consultant in the area of mounted Search and Rescue


SAR E-Zines

"SAR Scene"
The Online Search & Rescue Magazine of Canada

"Technical Rescue"
This is a print magazine available in the U.S., U.K. and Canada, but you can read articles and gear reviews online.



SAR Gear

"GPS Signal Degredation Ended"
A news release issued by the White House, Office of the Press Secretary, on May 1, 2000

"The 24-Hour Pack: Hike Smart, Be Prepared, Be Safe"
by Deb Lauman, SAR volunteer
Suggestions on what to carry and why

FlashlightReviews.com
The name of the site says it all.  If you're in the market for a headlamp or flashlight, we've never seen more comprehensive reviews.

"On the SPOT: The personal satellite communicator"
By Ron Avery on PoliceOne.com

"Compilation of Search and Rescue Basic Equipment Lists"
By Mike McDonald, Chairman; Subcommittee on Operations and Management (of the ASTM F-32 Committee on Search and Rescue)
Summary: A compilation of 20 SAR organizations' 24-Hour Pack lists. Between the lists, there were a total of 100 items, with only 6 items appearing on all 20 lists. Only 3 of those items were required by all the groups.