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 the Secretary 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 be included on the Callout List each Trainee Members must at least attend either a BSAR or alpineSAR  training weekend

To remain on the Callout List members are expected to participate in four AlpineSAR training days over any two year persiod