SAR Tech II

NASAR CERTIFICATION CRITERIA
FOR SAR TECH ™ - TYPE II
(Effective April 1, 1998)

PURPOSE
I. The SAR TECH ™ - TYPE II CRITERIA are designed to define the minimum knowledge skills and performance skills needed by an individual to perform as a member of a SAR CREW during land search operations.

II. The SAR TECH™ - TYPE II should be able to perform these functions anytime of the year, day or night, and in all weather conditions experienced in his/her community or jurisdiction.

REFERENCES
I. Some of these CRITERIA have been developed by Search and Rescue Training Associates, Inc. of Richmond, Virginia for the Department of Emergency Services.

II. Some of these CRITERIA have been adopted for the Search and Rescue Training and Certification Program, Department of Emergency Services, Commonwealth of Virginia.

III. “Search and Rescue Fundamentals”, by Cooper, LaValla, and Stoffel, Third Edition, 1990.

QUALIFICATIONS
I. Physically and mentally capable of performing the functions of the certification CRITERIA. Other agencies, organizations, and/or SAR authorities may have an age requirement for their members to apply for certification or perform the functions of these CRITERIA.

EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS
I. Possess proper equipment as outlined in Attachment I, "SAR TECH™ - Type II Minimum Personal Equipment List.”

CERTIFICATION PROCEDURES

I. The following criteria must be met in order to qualify for certification as a SAR TECH™ - TYPE II:

A. Obtain training and/or experience that includes the necessary knowledge and performance skills. Any individual meeting these requirements may be permitted to challenge the written and practical exams.

B. Pass a written test within the limits defined for each knowledge and performance skill, with a score of at least 70%.

C. Pass a practical test within the limits defined for each performance objective.

D. Obtaining a SAR TECH™ III certification is not required to challenge the SAR TECH™ II

II examinations.

The knowledge and skill objectives of the SAR TECH™ III are included within the SAR TECH™ II examinations.

II. Certification
Upon successful completion of the requirements a certificate will be issued to the person by NASAR. This certificate does not constitute a license to practice the skills taught in the training program or practice the knowledge and performance skills that have been evaluated. The certification does signify that the person holding the certificate has met the requirements of an established criteria of knowledge and/or performance skill on the date indicated on the certificate.

TEST METHODS
I. Written test

A. The test shall consist of at least 160 multiple choice questions based on the Type II SAR TECH™ knowledge and performance objectives. Passing score is 70%.

II. Practical Test
A. The practical test consists of six “Performance Evaluation Stations” based on the performance objectives. These stations are Land Navigation, Tracking, 24-Hour Pack, Rope Skills, Route Search and Area Search. Applicants must perform these skills in the presence of an approved evaluator.

B. Each performance skill has specific requirements and well-defined criteria for either a pass or fail score.

C. A candidate who fails a station may repeat that station (ONCE) on the same day.

III. Re-testing
A. Applicants who fail either the written or practical test are eligible for re-testing. KNOWLEDGE AND PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES
(References to Objectives related to these Sections are listed under each Section heading)

I. Introduction to Search and Rescue
(SAR TECH™ III Objectives Section I: Paragraph A-D)

A. The candidate will be able to describe four parts of physical conditioning for the SAR responder.

B. The candidate will be able to describe his or her personal limitations, strengths as a member of a search crew and their importance to SAR personnel.

II. SAR Management System
(SAR TECH™ III Objectives Section II: Paragraph A) Revised 02/15/2003 Page - 17
Copyright, National Association for Search and Rescue. All rights reserved.

III. Basic Survival
A. The candidate will be able to list and prioritize the necessities of life.

B. The candidate will be able to describe the four parts of the initial response to a lifethreatening situation.

C. The candidate will be able to define a “comfort zone expander” (to increase one’s ability to react positively to stress).

D. The candidate will be able to list at least five ways to control fear.

E. The candidate will be able to explain the survival situation plan (STOP), Stay, Think, Observe, and Plan.

F. The candidate will be able to define “Positive Mental Attitude”.

G. The candidate will be able to differentiate between the requirements for short-term survival vs. long-term survival.

H. The candidate will be able to define “Defensive Living” (being prepared for today’s emergencies) and describe the need for the public to be aware of the concept.

I. The candidate will be able to list three situations commonly encountered on SAR missions that may lead to a survival situation.

J. The candidate will be able to describe how, in each of the following processes, the human body loses heat:

1. Radiation
2. Conduction
3. Convection
4. Evaporation
5. Respiration

K. The candidate will be able to describe the heat production and heat loss balance equation of the human body.

L. The candidate will be able to describe the basic water and chemical needs of the human body.

M. The candidate will be able to list the average daily food and water requirements of the human body in average, cold, and hot environments.

IV. SAR Clothing
A. The candidate will be able to list at least three similarities or differences and at least three advantages or disadvantages of the different natural and synthetic materials used for SAR clothing. Revised 02/15/2003 Page - 18
Copyright, National Association for Search and Rescue. All rights reserved.

B. The candidate will be able to list at least three of the factors concerning heat transfer of clothing due to clothing construction and/or design.

C. The candidate will be able to describe the function of each of the following layers of clothing:

1. Underwear layer
2. Clothing layer
3. Insulation layer
4. Shell layer

D. The candidate will be able to describe the advantages and disadvantages of the use of clothing that traps and repels vapors.

E. The candidate will be able to describe the advantages and disadvantages of the use of constriction in outdoor clothing.

F. The candidate will be able to describe the proper clothing to be used in desert and hot environments.

G. The candidate will be able to describe the advantages and disadvantages of outdoor footwear.

H. The candidate will be able to describe the proper water proofing techniques for footwear.

V. Improvising
A. The candidate will be able to list at least three basic considerations for shelters.

B. The candidate will be able to list at least three basic considerations for firecraft.

C. The candidate will be able to list at least three basic considerations for signals.

D. The candidate will be able to list at least three methods of water purification.

E. The candidate will be able to describe the criteria used in personal waste disposal.

F. The candidate will be able to describe the methods used for personal cleanliness in the outdoors.

G. The candidate will be able to construct a fire.

H. The candidate will be able to demonstrate the use of signaling using a whistle.

I. The candidate will be able to construct a cat hole.

VI. Environmental Hazards and First Aid
A. The candidate will be able to list at least five safety rules for lightning protection.

B. The candidate will be able to list at least three safety procedures used during rural or suburban SAR operations.
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Copyright, National Association for Search and Rescue. All rights reserved.
Revised 02/15/2003 Page - 20
Copyright, National Association for Search and Rescue. All rights reserved.

C. The candidate will be able to define, describe the causes, identify at least three of the signs and symptoms, describe the basic treatment procedures, and list the preventive measures for the following:

1. Hypothermia
2. Frostbite
3. Trench foot (immersion foot)
4. Heat cramps
5. Heat exhaustion
6. Heat-stroke
7. Dehydration
8. Blisters
9. Snake bites
10. Insect bites
11. Tick bites
12. Poisonous plants

VII. SAR Ready Pack (See Attachment I, "SAR TECH™ - Type II Minimum Personal Equipment List”)
A. The candidate will be able to construct a 24-hour ready pack and demonstrate its use.

B. The candidate will be able to explain the difference between a 24-hour ready pack and rural or suburban ready pack.

C. The candidate will be able to describe the importance of adequate pack for SAR.

D. The candidate will be able to list the general contents of a 24-hour ready pack.

VIII. Personal Equipment
A. The candidate will be able to describe importance of body protection equipment.

B. The candidate will be able to describe advantages and disadvantages of the following equipment used for SAR:

1. Ground pads
2. Sleeping bags
3. Shelters
4. Water containers and systems
5. Boots
6. Walking/tracking stick
7. Flashlight/headlight
8. Knife
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Copyright, National Association for Search and Rescue. All rights reserved.

C. The candidate will be able to demonstrate the use of the following:

1. Ground pads
2. Sleeping bags
3. Shelters
4. Water containers
5. Boots
6. Walking/tracking stick
7. Flashlight/headlight

D. The candidate will be able to construct a shelter using a plastic tarp.

IX. Travel Skills
A. The candidate will be able to describe the components of the general travel skills used for his/her environment during SAR operations.

B. The candidate will be able to demonstrate traveling skills used for his/her environment during SAR operations.

C. The candidate will be able to describe the preparation and conditioning needed to perform while wearing a SAR ready pack.

X. Land Navigation and Orienteering
(SAR TECH™ III Objectives Section III: Paragraph A-G)

A. The candidate will be able to demonstrate the use of the following terms or concepts:

1. Contour lines
2. True north, grid and magnetic north
3. Declination
4. Determining distances

B. The candidate will be able to demonstrate the UTM (Universal Transverse Mercator) Grid System to determine the coordinates for a given point.

C. The candidate will be able to demonstrate the ability to obtain a back azimuth.

D. The candidate will be able to take bearing in the field and transfer it correctly to the map and obtain a bearing on the map and transfer it correctly to the field.

E. The candidate will be able to demonstrate the ability to navigate during daylight hours while wearing a 24-hour pack.

F. The candidate shall be able to list three advantages and three disadvantages of using a personal GPS (Global Positioning System) unit during search operations.

XI. SAR Resources
(SAR TECH™ III Objectives Section IV: Paragraph A-D)
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A. The candidate will be able to list at least three advantages and three disadvantages of five types of operational resources that may be used for SAR.

XII. Search Philosophy
(SAR TECH TM III Objectives Section V: Paragraph A-D)

A. The candidate will be able to demonstrate the process of estimating POD during
search operations.

XIII. Search Tactics
(SAR TECH TM III Objectives Section VI: Paragraph A-C, E&F)

A. The candidate will be able to differentiate between the two basic categories of search tactics (Passive and Active).

B. The candidate will be able to list at least three passive search tactics.

C. The candidate will be able to demonstrate at least two of the following primary types of active search tactics:

1. Hasty Search Tactics
2. Efficient Search Tactics
3. Thorough Search Tactics

E. The candidate will be able to demonstrate the techniques for at least five of the following methods used for search tactics:

1. Confinement/Containment
2. Hasty Search
a. Route
b. Area
3. Sign Cutting
4. Open Line or Grid Search (spacing over 100 ft.)
5. Closed Line or Grid Search (spacing under 100 ft.)
6. Tracking
7. The technique of obtaining one (1) Critical Space

F. The candidate will be able to demonstrate the following techniques of searching as a crewmember either during daylight or nighttime hours:

1. Hasty search
2. Sign cutting
3. Open line search (spacing over 100 ft.)
4. Route search

G. The candidate will be able to define the following:

H. The candidate will be able to describe and demonstrate the use of the line search naming systems.

I. The candidate will be able to describe and demonstrate at least five searching and tactical skills used by field searchers.

J. The candidate will be able to describe the concept and use of Critical Space as a search tool.

XIV. Handling Evidence
A. The candidate will be able to describe the four procedures for documenting evidence.

B. The candidate will be able to describe the considerations for handling evidence associated with the following situations:

1. Crash scenes
2. Dead bodies
3. Injuries

C. The candidate will be able to describe and demonstrate the considerations for handling evidence associated with the following situations:

1. Crash scenes
2. Dead bodies
3. Injuries

XV. Clue Consciousness
(SAR TECH TM III Objectives Section VII: Paragraph A-B)

A. The candidate will demonstrate the ability to locate clues during a simulated search mission.

XVI. Search Operations
A. The candidate will be able to demonstrate searcher preplanning and preparation procedures.

B. The candidate will be able to demonstrate the use of procedures and information needed for:

1. Checking in at the incident
2. Crew mission briefing
3. Crew mission debriefing
4. Checking-out of the incident
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Copyright, National Association for Search and Rescue. All rights reserved.

C. The candidate will be able to demonstrate the functions of these search crew positions:

1. Radio Operator
2. Navigator
3. Pacer
4. Search Crew Member

XVII. Tracking
A. The candidate will be able to define:

1. Track or print
2. Sign
3. Step - by - Step tracking

B. The candidate will be able to demonstrate the use of a tracking stick.

C. The candidate will be able to demonstrate the method of labeling a track.

D. The candidate will be able to demonstrate the procedures used by a tracking crew.

XVIII. Ropes and Rescue Equipment
A. The candidate will be able to list at least two materials used in rope manufacture.

B. The candidate will be able to list at least two types of design used in rope.

C. The candidate will be able to define the following:

1. Dynamic rope
2. Static rope
3. Lifeline
4. Tubular webbing
5. Flat webbing

D. The candidate will be able to list at least five rules of rope etiquette.

E. The candidate will be able to list at least two performance CRITERIA of a harness.

F. The candidate will be able to demonstrate the ability to correctly tie these knots:

1. Figure 8 on a bight
2. Figure 8 bend (follow through) around an object, joining to ropes together
3. Water knot (overhand bend)

G. The candidate will be able to list the different advantages and disadvantages of materials used in carabiners.

I. The candidate will be able to list the procedures used in caring for carabiners.

J. The candidate will be able to describe the advantages and disadvantages of at least two types of stretchers or litters.

K. The candidate will be able to demonstrate the tying of an improvised harness.

L. The candidate should be able to describe the procedures for lifting, lowering, and carrying a litter:

XIX. Legal Aspects for the Searcher
A. The candidate will be able to describe the basic legal philosophy concerning searcher knowledge, training, physical abilities, equipment, discipline, and control.

B. The candidate will be able to describe the legal philosophy of searchers entering private property within his or her community.

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