More than a dozen search and rescue (SAR) personnel from Drumheller, Strathmore, Calgary, Olds, Sundre and elsewhere have taken part in a six-day training course at Cipperly's Pond Campground south of Olds.
Held over two weekends, the course saw participants take part in various exercises, lectures and hands-on indoor and outdoor training. Events were also held at the Olds SAR building.
The course included units on outdoor navigation exercises, GPS navigation, RCMP search and rescue policies, fitness for SAR, environmental hazards, helicopter operations, lost person behaviour, evidence handling, survival body management, cold weather nutrition, and air observer guidelines.
There were also units on radio use, building shelters, legalities, foot travel, field health and hygiene, night awareness navigation, critical incident stress, search tactics and resources, search principles and techniques.
The course wrapped up with a mock nighttime search at Cipperly's Pond and final SAR skills exam review.
Pat Radford, director, instructor and search manager with Olds SAR, told the Gazette that the course was all about preparing for future real-life responses.
For more, see www.osr.ca.
