How to Join AlpineSAR                                                               Back

Potential AlpineSAR members are required to:

• meet the combined AlpineSAR and BSAR entry prerequisites outlined below
• submit a AlpineSAR Membership Application to the Committee. An application form may be obtained by contacting John Baillie or Rik Head or it can be downloaded directly if you have Adobe Acrobat Viewer
• provide a satisfactory record of bushwalking or ski touring experience to allow acceptance as a Trainee member
• Attend the next scheduled AlpineSAR or BSAR training weeknd and demonstrate competency in the following: bush/snow skills, camping in the bush/snow, navigation, fitness, ability to work as part of a AlpineSAR team, specific search and rescue skills and show an understanding of the roles and responsibilities of searcher
• Upon satisfactory completion of the above a Trainee member will be accepted as either a Walker or Skier member of AlpineSAR and will then be added to the search callout list

AlpineSAR and BSAR Entry Prerquisites                                 Back

AGE:

Applicants must be at least 18 years of age.

EXPERIENCE:

A minimum of 16 full days of bushwalking, including one or more continuous periods of at least 4 days plus 4 weekends. One of the overnight walks must have been in adverse conditions, and another in snow. Proof of experience is required as part of the application.

NAVIGATION:

Applicants must be competent in off-track navigation, be able to give and interpret grid references, be conversant with orienting a map / oneself using a compass and relate map to terrain. Applicants must be capable of being independent in the bush.

FOOD:

Members are expected to cook and provide their own nutritional meals using dehydrated rations similar to those listed in the Search and Rescue Manual.

EQUIPMENT:

Applicants must have a complete range of equipment in good condition, this includes skiers having suitable skis and ice climbers having a full alpine kit. Refer to the Search and Rescue Manual for more detail.

LEAVE:

It is necessary that applicants have suitable arrangements with their employers for leave during searches

FITNESS:

Applicants must be capable of prolonged heavy scrub-bashing on steep slopes. Club committees are reminded that searching imposes greater mental and physical demands than normal bushwalking or ski-touring and recommendations for BSAR membership should be made with this in mind.

AlpineSAR Additional Requirements:

§AlpineSAR Skier Members are expected to have ski touring experience equivalent to the required bushwalking experience

§Members must maintain a current first aid certificate. Preference is for the Australian Ski Patrol Association Advance Emergency Care certificate. The ASPA AEC course is arranged through AlpineSAR and is normally held April/May each year

To remain on the callout List members are expected to participate in an AlpineSAR weekend training activity at least once every two years