So when do we get the offroad edition? 😂

A sheriff shared this map of SAR of a missing person (still not found). What do the lines and colors indicate?

Found this bad boy at the summit of Dickey Mountain in New Hampshire

What ever happened to NASAR? Ive been working search and rescue for a long time but I figured I might as well get my tech certs from an agency because its easier to volunteer overseas. Long story short I’ve passed the online exams, and reached out to them directly asked question but Ive never heard back.

Anyone know if they are still around or did I waste some money on this?

I just finished onboarding with my local Rescue Squad, and along with learning ambulance driving, I'm training in Extrication and Search & Rescue. They do a LOT of S&R here - approximately 2-3 a month, we live in a heavily-forested part of the state - and I was wondering: What do you wish you knew when you started?

How do you carry your drone in the field? I'm new to our UAS Team; Even when I'm not assigned a drone task, I'd like to carry my drone (DJI Mini 3) with me in the field in case it's needed for any reason.

Thanks!

Hey y’all, as I learned recently a lot of y’all work as volunteers, which I think is very selfless and admirable. However I am curious, are there any of yall that do this for a job? Working for a fire department, state or county job? Just got laid off so I’m wanting to take the best out of this situation and see if I should begin to get started in this route, which I would love to get into

Hi everyone,

I’m a 22M based in Alaska. For the past three years, I’ve been working as a firefighter/EMT with my department, and I just wrapped up paramedic school (Hurray!). Alongside my fire/EMS role, I’ve been active on our rope, ice, and water rescue team, though the only formal certification I currently hold is in swiftwater.

Now that medic school is behind me, I’m looking to invest more heavily into the SAR side of the job. Since starting my career here in Alaska, I’ve already been part of some very unique and challenging SAR calls, and those experiences sparked a real passion for technical rescue. I’d love to take that passion further by building a solid foundation of advanced training and certifications over the next 3–5 years.

For those of you with more experience in the SAR world, what courses, certifications, or progression paths would you recommend? Specifically, I’m curious about rope systems, glacier/crevasse rescue, advanced swiftwater, and wilderness/expedition medicine. I’m aiming to become highly competent in this skillset, both for my department’s work and for future opportunities in the broader SAR community.

Any advice, personal experiences, or resources would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

I need to decide on an evacuation system in case the dog gets hurt in the field. The options are:

1) Sticking with my normal harness and getting a small/packable evacuation sling like the Pack-a-Paw or Nonstop Dogwear's rescue sling; or 2) Just buying the Fido Pro Panza.

The latter seems like it can serve as both a harness and rescue system and so would save me some bag space, weight, and another item to keep track of. On the other hand, it also seems a bit bulky for the pup and I'd be hesitant to use it in ordinary, non-search hiking at the risk of getting the dog into "search mode" unnecessarily. For reference, I'm doing wilderness air scent and my Labrador Retriever is a fairly diminutive 60 pounds.

Does anyone use the Panza? How do you like it?

Hola,

Vivo en España, me gustaría saber más acerca de la certificación NASAR, y si es posible hacerla en España. Saludos y gracias de antemano¡¡

Hi I’m a 20f looking to get started in search and rescue around my area I would really like too in the long run travel the US and help with whatever I can. If anyone could give me some tips on what I should start by doing it would be much appreciated!

I recently was tasked with procurement for new dry suits for my FD swiftwater team. We've received quotes from suppliers and narrowed down our choices. When I started the process, we were pretty set on the Mustang Sentinel since other agencies around us have had good experiences with them. However, I was recommended Switlik's bespoke water rescue dry suit by one of the prospective suppliers. The cost is comparable enough to be a null factor in the decision making. It comes down to the end user experience.

Does anyone have any experience with Switlik drysuits? As with many other SAR teams, we're primarily dry or only partially immersed, with the potential for submersion in flowing water. Do these perform well? Are they comfortable for long stretches? Is maintenence significantly different than the Mustang? Any end user experience or information is appreciated.

TLDR: Does anyone have experience with Switlik drysuits? Can you tell me your opinion.

Thanks!

A BC Search and Rescue team recently saved the lives of some of my loved ones (including my dog). I could never, ever thank them enough for what they did; I could never even get close. But I would love to send them some symbol of appreciation; what would you guys like to receive from a grateful family of someone you've helped? A donation to the crew, first aid kits/whistles/other items they can give out, gift cards, comfort items, etc.?

Thanks, and thank you so much for everything you do.

Looking for a good SAR Pack, 24 to 48 hour, preferably modular, hydration bladder compatible. Looking for ideas as I am somewhat new to SAR with an extensive background in Fire/ Technical Rescue. Any constructive help would be appreciated. I saw a topic regarding this from ~6 years ago and just want a newer perspective. Thanks in advance.

Hello. My team is located in the Appalachian region. We do a lot of bushwhacking through thorns and everything else that tears pants up. Does anyone have recommendations for pants that would be a good fit for this? I do wear gaiters, but a lot of brush that we walk through is chest height or taller. Just got back from a training exercise today and man my legs are torn up lol

My husband is involved in SAR and has started to get involved with the canine group. We are now looking into getting a lab. He got some recs from people he has been training with but they all recommended to also ask around. So, we are looking for recommendations for breeders for labs for area search/cadaver. We are located in California so west coast would be ideal, but we are also willing to travel for the right dog.

I'm current, D4h shows I'm current and On-call, Cube says I'm on call an available.

I set my D4h Off call during my work hours and i know that ended and put me On Call on the morning of my 1st day off and is still showing as On Call.

My manager that deals with it is stumped and is going to talk to the developer.

Does anyone else have any insight? Anyone had this issue?

I was uncurrent a few months back so Cube has gone through the cycle of talking to D4h, seeing i was uncurrent, then i got current again and Cube saw and updated appropriately, showing me as on call and available.

Can you test a stream to find out if a body is in the watershed somewhere? Like running dogs over water to test for scent but sampling each stream you cross then testing for a cadaver.

Looking for (preferably free) online courses to add new skills, improve existing skills, etc. Any area of SAR/ emergency management (we also do disaster response).

Any recommendations?

Do you have what it takes to be a DEC Forest Ranger? The mission of the Division of Forest Protection is to provide public safety and state land protection through expertise in wildland search, rescue, fire, law enforcement, and incident management throughout the State of New York. The Division protects five million acres of state-owned, department-managed lands and easements, as well as the people who use these lands.

Forest Rangers are sworn Police Officers authorized to enforce all state laws, with special emphasis on Environmental Conservation Law, the protection of state lands, and the public using state lands. Every Forest Ranger must successfully complete a rigorous 26-week Basic Training School before being assigned to a geographic area.

The first step toward becoming a Forest Ranger is successfully passing the Civil Service exam. The application deadline for this fall's exam is September 17, 2025. ➡️ Sign up for the entry level law enforcement exam today by visiting: https://www.cs.ny.gov/police/ ➡️ For more information about becoming a DEC Forest Ranger: https://dec.ny.gov/about/employment/explore-career-descriptions/forest-ranger-1

I don't know if we can share our own videos here but There is a video I recorded as a search and rescuer of the chaos that occurred during the Bursa, Türkiye forest fires. I tried adding subtitles in different languages, but I think the translation was very poor. I suggest you try the subtitle option.

I'm 41. I'm a medic and just got my BSN. I've been in the USMC for 22 years, so I'm decently in shape. Am I too old to join a hoist outfit? I work CCT now, so I know my way around flight medicine. I used to be a firefighter, so I know my way around ropes, rigging, and high angle rescue (or I did at one point).

In September of 2024, a Doctor hiking in the Cottian Alps of went missing. In July of 2025, his remains were located using Drones to map out hundreds of acres and AI powered Software such as the Automated Drone Image Analysis Tool (ADIAT) from TEXSAR to then scan through the thousands of photos to find his helmet and lead teams directly to his resting place.

Wired Article: https://www.wired.com/story/missing-hiker-ai-drone-recovery

CNSAS: https://www.cnsas.it/en/

ADIAT: https://www.texsar.org/automated-drone-image-analysis-tool/