Pacific Region

Civil Air Patrol

Ground Search & Rescue Academy

15 July – 22 July, 2007

(Staff arrive 14 July)

Ft. Lewis, WA

 

This activity will be conducted on Ft. Lewis near Tacoma Washington.  It will be an opportunity to experience a realistic Ground SAR training environment that combines teamwork and individual skills to become proficient in the ground team mission.  The academy is conducted almost exclusively in the field environment and proper preparation cannot be over emphasized.

 

• Cost: Students $125 – includes meals and instruction/Staff fee is $50
• Goal:  Sign offs on all GTM tasks (1,2 & 3) & UDF tasks
• Prerequisites for attendance:      

q       Current CAPF 101- with GES or better

q       CAP Radio Operators Authorization

q       Current CPR certification

q       Current CAP membership card on your person

q       All items on Required Equipment List. – included in application packet

q       Approval of Wing CC for those outside WA Wing - see CAPF 31

q       Be physically prepared – This academy requires extensive foot travel with your SAR Pack through all kinds of natural terrain.

 

Due to the remoteness of the site and post security policies, there will be no late arrivals/early departures for students.

 

Check out will be Sunday 22 July 2007 at 1300 hours.  Your acceptance information will include the check in time and location for the start of the encampment.                 

Attendance is limited, so apply early!  Deadline is 31 January 2007.

You may apply on a tentative basis if you do not have all your Prerequisites by the deadline, but they MUST be satisfied prior to GSAR!

 

Description of Activity – Physical preparation

 

Participants must be physically and mentally prepared to endure strenuous activity during the Academy.  Cadets must be in the Category 1 physical fitness level.

 

Participants may be exposed to natural hazards, such as:

Bees and other stinging insects

Native plants (nettles) and thorny plants (devil’s club, blackberries, etc.)

Extreme heat

Extreme terrain

Rain and Cold

 

This is a team training environment; therefore your field experience will continuously be in the presence of your team.  We are guests of Ft. Lewis, therefore, strict adherence to the Academy rules are taken very seriously.  Training area boundaries must be respected.

 

The training will involve preliminary task training, followed by field exercises.  Field exercises will be conducted in any weather, at any time, during the Academy.  Scenarios will develop your skills as a Ground Team/UDF member in as many field situations as you might encounter in your SAR career.  Each student will handle the DF equipment and operate communications in the field as well.

 

Many field exercises will be lengthy (several kilometers), to test the knowledge you’ve acquired during the Academy.  They will involve a wide variety of terrain and elevations, climbing, descending, subject evacuations, simulated/actual first aid treatment and several navigational opportunities during day and night scenarios.  Students are not to bring GPS devices.

 

Students must have a CAPF 101 with a minimum of a GES rating, or higher.  The Academy will supply you with an equipment list, not unlike others in training materials. The pack check will take place on arrival day.  Your transportation is not to leave until you have successfully passed your pack check!  Those failing the pack check will be sent home, with no refund of tuition.  This is extremely important and no excuse will be accepted.

 

Those wishing to attend the Academy, and holding higher than a GES rating, will be trained in all the tasks, and should be prepared for such remedial training.  Those desiring staff positions will be selected from past participants or others deemed qualified by the Director.  Students will also receive instruction on Washington State SAR policies, to qualify and register as Emergency Services Workers, with successful completion of this course (assuming residency in Washington State).

 

Your directorate staff is pleased to bring this training to you, combining many years of SAR experience and the desire to re-establish top notch Ground SAR volunteers in the Pacific Region of Civil Air Patrol!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Teresia Sayler, LTC  CAP

Director – Pacific Region Ground Search & Rescue Academy

 

TO APPLY:  Request an application packet via e-mail, or call

 

Lt. Col. Teresia Sayler

Pacific Region Ground SAR Academy Director

ltcoltsayler@hotmail.com

425-489-1723