SAR saves lives in Sisters Country

In David Mamet's 1997 survival-thriller, "The Edge," Anthony Hopkins warns that "Most people lost in the wilds, they die of shame. Because they didn't do the one thing that would save their lives.... thinking."

There may be some elemental truth to that thought and with the recent rash of lost hikers and climbers needing rescue assistance, it's high time to examine the intrepid men and women who comprise the Deschutes County Search and Rescue (SAR) crews in the Sisters Wilderness Area and the qualifications they must possess.

Deschutes County Sheriff's Search and Rescue is a SAR organization with about 90 members, all with state certifications, and a variety of capabilities. They are a one-stop-shopping type of organization for SAR activities in our environment.

The team is mission-ready, physically qualified and trained in backcountry search and rescue, survival, navigation, all-weather, etc. They are one of the busiest, most diverse, highly skilled units in the country.

Deschutes County Sheriff's Search and Rescue operates 24/7, year-round. Unlike many teams, they strongly believe in night searches and often conduct searches in the dark.

Within the group are two doctors and 14 EMTs consisting of three paramedics, five intermediates, and six basics.

"They are the finest group of volunteers I've ever had the privilege to be associated with," said Sgt. Scott Shelton, the Sheriff Department's SAR coordinator. "They're willing to give up countless hours of their own time to ensure people are safe. It's an extremely efficient and dedicated crew."

Shelton explained that, "any time there is a SAR contingent in the field there is always a sworn, uniformed presence with them. We work as a team and are looked at as one of the premier SAR teams in the state and because of the leadership of the paid staff and volunteers working together."

Deschutes County Search and Rescue engages in an average of 100-140 missions per year, easily making them the busiest in the state of Oregon.

To become a member, one must first request an application from the sheriff's office, be over 21 years of age, a non-smoker and possess a valid Oregon driver's license. Recruits must also pass a criminal and driving background check. In addition to being at ease in the backcountry, qualified persons must be team-oriented with an unbridled desire to help those in trouble.

Due to the physically challenging environments for SAR, applicants should be in moderate to high levels of fitness, and be able to complete a pack test requiring a person to hike five miles in 90 minutes with a 25-pound pack over varied terrain.

All members of SAR are trained to a minimum certification level of Wilderness First Aid (WFA). Many volunteers achieve greater skills with the advanced, 80-hour Wilderness First Responder course offered by the National Outdoor Leadership School and some colleges and universities.

Besides one paid sergeant and four deputies, all members are non-paid volunteers and must supply their own equipment. Specialized teams within the unit are the Horse Team, K-9, Mountain Bike, Swift Water, and a Winter Squad outfitted with snowmobiles. Aircraft support on missions is coordinated with the Air National Guard, Civil Air Patrol and AirLink.

Search and Rescue involves not only searching for missing people and rescuing injured hikers, climbers, skiers, hunters and other outdoor enthusiasts, but body recoveries and disaster response as well.

There are several SAR categories and sub-units, depending on the different agencies involved: mountain or wilderness rescue missions take place mostly in forests and deserts, canyon and caves, and bodies of standing and running water. Many SAR squads often contain and deploy a K-9 unit specialized in tracking and search techniques. Handlers are given extensive and continuous training with their dogs. Mounted SAR teams search on horseback through rugged terrain sometimes inaccessible to those on foot.

Many horses demonstrate extraordinary tracking abilities similar to tracking dogs.

Search and Rescue volunteers come from all demographics, with a wide range of ages, professions, skills and experience. Many have injuries or limitations that prevent them from participating in the more physically difficult missions. Everyone on the team performs a specific function, even if that means simply sitting tight and waiting as backup if needed. Less physical tasks might include driving to and from staging areas so other team members can rest, helping to prepare maps, or delivering food and drinks to searchers in the field.

Non-mission assistance can include maintaining equipment, such as vehicles and technical gear, serving on a team's board of directors, and participating in fundraising events.

Call-outs happen in all kinds of weather, no matter what you're doing: an anniversary dinner, a hot bath. Sometimes, missions are cancelled before they get started.

Continuing education is a vital component of a SAR team member. These courses, often involving both classroom and field instruction, are frequently taught by team members and most are free of charge. Some, like Basic Map and Compass and Basic GPS, are required for each member to complete before being able to participate in missions.

Mantracking or "sign cutting" is one of the Deschutes County SAR's specialties. Sign cutting is the skill of locating, following and identifying evidence of any human passage. It encompasses any sign a person leaves while in motion or standing still: a scuff, a limb broken, or a footprint.

"We have three sign-cutters on our team which is the highest level available in the United States," said Shelton. "Most all of our members are tracking aware, but we as a unit have more certified trackers than any unit on the West Coast. It's an area we've chosen to spend a great deal of time, energy and funding on as part of our SAR philosophy and its skill value for our team to have."

Shelton invites anyone interested in SAR to come join them for their monthly meeting.

"We gather on the second Thursday of the month in Bend at 6 p.m., at the sheriff's office on 63360 Britta St. It gives you a chance to meet and greet the whole gang in SAR and see what we're all about," Shelton said. "It's a great group. We're like a big happy family sitting around a dinner table."

For more information on becoming a SAR volunteer visit the Web site at http://www.dcsarinc.org or call 541-388-6501.