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Course Notes and Handouts

We're really trying to be green and keep the quantity of paper down here at SAREX, but we also want to make sure that you are able to get access to the things you need, both while here, and afterwards.  We've created this area for our in Instructors to post electronic copies of their handouts and presentations.  If you must print something out, so be it, but we hope to at least give you a chance to look at everything before you press Print.

Instructors:  If you want to post something here, send e-mail to coursenotes@sarex.org, and we'll share out to you a Google Doc (rough equivalent of MS-Word) so you can get your info together in a mode that is compatible with online viewing.  We'll contact you to make sure what you see on line is what you want, while saving everyone tons of time.


Booby Trap Awareness and Recognition

posted Oct 4, 2011 4:18 PM by Ken Buscho

Booby Trap Awareness & Response V2


Create a SAR Website - Fred Bauer

posted Sep 13, 2011 11:08 PM by Ken Buscho

Create a SAR Website


Nancy Rigg - Swiftwater Rescue Programs Protect Rescuers and Give Victims a Fighting Chance to Survive

posted Sep 10, 2011 11:28 AM by Ken Buscho

Swiftwater Rescue Protects Rescuers.doc


Give Sorrow Words-9-11.doc



Aquatic Accidents: Crisis Intervention on Scene

posted Sep 10, 2011 11:20 AM by Ken Buscho   [ updated Sep 10, 2011 11:26 AM ]

Aquatic Accidents-SAREX2011.doc


DSN-HANDOUT2011.doc



Offline Web Maps for SAR

posted Sep 7, 2011 3:47 PM by Ken Buscho   [ updated Sep 11, 2011 11:18 AM ]

SAREX Class Notes: Offline Web Maps for SAR
Matt Jacobs, Bay Area Mountain Rescue

Offline Web Maps for SAR


Navigation Basics for the GPS User

posted Aug 1, 2011 10:17 PM by Ken Buscho   [ updated Sep 7, 2011 11:46 PM ]

Navigation Basics for the GPS User  


Course Notes:

This should be considered a summary, overview, introductory class, it is not a replacement for a full-fledged Wilderness Navigation course.  In the time available to us here, we can only hope to introduce the basics, and get you to the point that you know what you need to know, and whether you know it (or not).  Full classes are probably available from your home agency that will help you fill in the gaps.  If not, part of Cal-ESAR's charter is to provide training for other SAR groups, and the full 12-16 hour version of this course can be brought to your group with advanced scheduling.

Why you need this class (and not just your GPS):
  • GPS is only a tool
    • Need to learn how to use it
    • Best when you know how to use it with a map
  • Potential Problems
    • Lost or broken
    • Dead batteries
    • No signal/weak signal
    • Using the wrong location system
    • Using the wrong datum (NAD27/WGS84)
  • Map skills are essential, you need to know about...
    • Scales
    • North Lines/Declination
      • How to use the Declinator to derive declination formulas


    • Contour Lines
    • Map Symbols for
      • Cultural Features
      • Mines
      • Water Sources
      • Vegetation Types
    • Map Ages
    • Location Systems: How to read them off the map, and off the GPS, and know how to communicate using them.
      • Seat-of-the-pants
      • Lat-Long
      • UTM
      • USNG (See attachments below for training materials)
      • YOSAR
    • Read/Follow a Bearing
    • Cross country skills
      • Catching Features
      • Hand Rails
      • Attack Points
      • Deliberate Offset
      • Home Zone Navigation

Reading USNG Coordinates

USNG Training Map


USNG Grid Overlays




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