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Search and Rescue Technician
OVERVIEW
The Search and Rescue Technician (SAR TECH) is part of a group of elite, highly trained rescue specialists who provide on-scene medical aid and extraction from some of the harshest and most remote areas of Canada. They are military aircrew who deploy from rotary or fixed wing aircraft in any environment or climactic condition. They will locate and penetrate the site, treat and evacuate casualties. SAR operations may require parachuting, mountaineering, hiking, swimming, scuba diving, sometimes in adverse conditions.
WHAT THEY DO
The Search and Rescue Technician (SAR TECH) is part of a group of elite, highly trained rescue specialists who provide on-scene medical aid and extraction from some of the harshest and most remote areas of Canada. They are military aircrew who deploy from rotary or fixed wing aircraft in any environment or climactic condition. They will locate and penetrate the site, treat and evacuate casualties. SAR operations may require parachuting, mountaineering, hiking, swimming, scuba diving, sometimes in adverse conditions.
The primary responsibilities of a SAR TECH are to:
Penetrate distress scenes via air, land or sea
Perform sub-surface water rescue operations utilizing Self-Compressed Air Breathing Apparatus (CABA)
Organize and lead ground search teams
Perform mountain rescue operations
Render on-site life-saving and sustaining medical care to military and civilian casualties within established medical protocols
Extract prepare and evacuate casualties by air, land or sea
Carry out survival procedures under all climatic and terrain conditions
Communicate by use of radios, pyrotechnic, ground and hand-signaling devices
Operate vehicles including ATV, over snow vehicles and marine craft
Perform duties of aircrew members on rotary or fixed wing aircraft during rescue missions
The primary responsibilities of a SAR TECH are to:
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
To be selected for SAR TECH training, the applicant must possess a Primary Care Paramedic (PCP) Certificate from one of the following provincial programmes: B.C. (PCP), Alb. (EMT-P), Sask. (PCP), Ont. (PCP), N.S. (PCP), P.E.I. SAR TECH applicants must meet all entry requirements for Canadian Forces (CF) Non-Commissioned Members. SAR TECH training is academically and physically demanding; therefore, academic strengths in Biology, Chemistry and Physics would be assets to training. All applicants will have to pass the SAR TECH Applicant Physical Fitness Test, which includes:
1.5 Mile (2400 metre) run in 10:15 or less
31 consecutive push-ups
33 consecutive sit-ups
8 consecutive chin-ups
450 metre shuttle run
Candidates must complete all portions of this test in 16 minutes or less; they must also complete a 675 metre continuous swim in 20 minutes or less. In addition, when successful candidates arrive for the SAR TECH Preliminary Assessment Phase, they will climb a six metre rope, two consecutive times.
Candidates must complete all portions of this test in 16 minutes or less; they must also complete a 675 metre continuous swim in 20 minutes or less. In addition, when successful candidates arrive for the SAR TECH Preliminary Assessment Phase, they will climb a six metre rope, two consecutive times.
TRAINING
Basic Military Qualification
The first stage of training for a successful applicant is the Basic Military Qualification course held at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec. This training provides the basic core skills and knowledge common to all occupations. A goal of this course is to ensure that all recruits maintain the CF physical fitness standard; as a result, the training is physically demanding.
Basic Occupational Qualification Training
Direct entry SAR TECHs will be posted to Canadian Forces School of Search and Rescue (CFSSAR), Comox, B.C. to prepare for the SAR TECH Preliminary Assessment Phase held at CFSSAR Detachment Jarvis Lake, AB. This preliminary assessment includes training and evaluation on bush craft, survival and physical fitness. Passing this phase is a pre-requisite to course loading on the Basic SAR TECH Qualifying Course.
The Basic SAR TECH course is 11 months in duration, based at 19 Wing Comox, British Columbia. The SAR TECH course includes the following phases: ground phase, medical phase, winter operations phase, arctic operations phase, dive phase, sea operations phase, parachuting operations phase, mountain operations phase, and operational/consolidation phase. The final operational phase is used to evaluate the individual's ability to use all previously learned skills and will be the deciding factor in awarding the qualification to Wings Standard.
The first stage of training for a successful applicant is the Basic Military Qualification course held at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec. This training provides the basic core skills and knowledge common to all occupations. A goal of this course is to ensure that all recruits maintain the CF physical fitness standard; as a result, the training is physically demanding.
Basic Occupational Qualification Training
Direct entry SAR TECHs will be posted to Canadian Forces School of Search and Rescue (CFSSAR), Comox, B.C. to prepare for the SAR TECH Preliminary Assessment Phase held at CFSSAR Detachment Jarvis Lake, AB. This preliminary assessment includes training and evaluation on bush craft, survival and physical fitness. Passing this phase is a pre-requisite to course loading on the Basic SAR TECH Qualifying Course.
The Basic SAR TECH course is 11 months in duration, based at 19 Wing Comox, British Columbia. The SAR TECH course includes the following phases: ground phase, medical phase, winter operations phase, arctic operations phase, dive phase, sea operations phase, parachuting operations phase, mountain operations phase, and operational/consolidation phase. The final operational phase is used to evaluate the individual's ability to use all previously learned skills and will be the deciding factor in awarding the qualification to Wings Standard.
CAREER DEVELOPMENT
Qualified SAR TECHs enjoy excellent opportunities for advanced training and promotion. SAR TECHs who demonstrate the required knowledge, experience and leadership skills may also be selected as an Instructor at the Canadian Forces School of Search and Rescue CFSSAR, at 19 Wing Comox B.C.
SPECIALTY TRAINING
Personnel who demonstrate the required ability and ambitions will undertake advanced military occupation training through formal courses or on the job training as they progress through their career.
Advanced Training Courses
Jump Master and Advanced Medical Phases
SAR Tech Team Leader Course
SAR Tech Supervisors Course
SAR Tech Para and Medical Re-Certification
Advanced Training Courses
WORKING ENVIRONMENT
SAR TECHs generally work in teams of two and operate under all Canadian climatic (high altitude and arctic) and terrain (land, sea and air) conditions. On any given day, the SAR TECHs could find themselves 200 miles out to sea, hoisting a casualty off a sailboat, parachuting at night into the high arctic to save a stranded Inuit; underwater, rescuing a fisherman in an overturned fishing boat; clinging perilously close to the edge of a glacial crevasse, or coordinating a mountain rescue of a fallen climber.
While the job of a SAR TECH is dangerous, it is always conducted with their health and safety in mind. SAR TECHs are provided with state of the art clothing, equipment, top-notch training and support to carry out their tasks.
While the job of a SAR TECH is dangerous, it is always conducted with their health and safety in mind. SAR TECHs are provided with state of the art clothing, equipment, top-notch training and support to carry out their tasks.
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