Alpine Search and Rescue Victoria Inc.

Membership Policy & Process

1. Introduction

This document prescribes the membership and qualification policies and processes of Alpine Search and Rescue Victoria Inc. (alpineSAR).

2. References

Rule 4 of the Association.

Position Description: Membership Officer; alpineSAR Strategic Plan 2009-2011.

3. Policy

3.1. Membership Application

(a) Entry Criteria

Applicants must:

• be over 18 years of age;

• be an experienced overnight bushwalker or ski tourer;

• have successfully completed an extended walk of at least four days;

• have had snow camping experience;

• be a competent off-track navigator;

• be fully equipped for overnight walking;

• be sufficiently fit for prolonged heavy scrub bashing in difficult terrain; and

• hold a current first aid certificate.

(b) Application

Application for membership must be made on the form in Appendix 1 addressing all entry criteria.

(c) Selection

Applications for membership will be assessed in accordance with the process described below (4.1).

3.2. Member Status

Members will have the following status, which will be recorded in the Membership Register:

(a) Trainee

All new members are initially Trainees.

To progress to Active status, Trainees must successfully complete basic alpineSAR competencies, and successfully participate in an alpineSAR or BSAR overnight training practice.

Where an applicant does not clearly meet required skills or abilities, additional conditions may be specified, which must be met before progression to Active status.

(b) Active

Active members are available for searches and will be added to the Callout List.

The minimum training attendance for a member to maintain Active status is 4 days of alpineSAR or BSAR training over a rolling 2-year period; at least 2 days of which must be alpineSAR training.

(c) Non-Active

Non-Active members are not available for searches and will be removed from the Callout List.

A Non-Active member may be restored to Active status on completion of the minimum training

requirement.

A member may request to be Non-Active.

3.3. Membership Type

Members will have the following status, which will be recorded in the Membership Register:

(a) Skier

Members who have demonstrable Advanced or Intermediate backcountry skiing skills.

(b) Walker

Members who do not qualify as Skier members.

Walker members are expected to have or attain competency in travelling on snowshoes over steep terrain.

3.4. Steep Snow & Ice Qualification

Additionally, members may be Steep Snow & Ice (SSI) qualified as follows:

(a) SSI1

Formal alpine training, such as New Zealand Technical Mountaineering Course or equivalent, or verifiable alpine experience as deemed appropriate by the Committee.

Successful participation in alpineSAR designated SSI training and successful completion of alpineSAR SSI competencies.

(b) SSI2

Demonstrable ability to travel over steep terrain with ice axe and crampons.

3.5. Competencies

The Committee will define competencies as required.

(a) Basic competencies are:

• Fitness

• Knots

• Radio

• GPS

• Navigation

• First Aid

(a) SSI competencies are:

• Steep Snow & Ice

• Avalanche Search & Rescue

4. Process

4.1. Membership Application & Approval

An application for membership will be evaluated and considered for approval in accordance with the following process:

Membership Application & Approval Who When

4.2 Pathway to Active Status

Following approval of membership application, the members will progress to Active status in

accordance with the following process:

Pathway to Active Status Who When

5. Appendices

1 Membership Application Form

2 Applicant Referee Check Form

6. Document Control

Version Changes Author Date Approval

0.1 First draft David Mitchell 06/01/10

1.0 First release David Mitchell 16/02/10 16/02/10