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Requirements

There are a set of minimum requirements every member of KCSARA must adhere to in order to participate in mission activities.

Personal Training Records

Your personal training records are available here. Please periodically review this information and help us keep your records up-to-date.

Unit Training

Each of the member units within KCSARA establishes and holds their own training. Some of this unit training satisfies the minimum training required by KCSARA.

KCSARA Academy

Once or twice a year, KCSARA holds an academy which offers entry level classes and refreshers for the required courses, in addition to some educational electives.

Washington State SAR Conference

Once a year the Washington State Search and Rescue Conference is held. Hosted by different Washington counties, the conference rotates to a different county each year.

Mission Time

Some training requirements can be satisfied though participation in missions.

Third-party Courses

Some third-parties conduct training that satisfies the minimum training required by KCSARA.

Training Directors

Unit Training Directors and staff, this page is for you.

Map & Compass

Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 118.04(3)(d) requires that all SAR personnel possess knowledge in wilderness navigation including map, compass, and other navigation methods as appropriate. The exact content, length, and refresher cycle has been interpreted through an agreement of King County Sheriff's Office, and the unit leaders of King County Search and Rescue Association.

Field members must participate in a minimum of 12-hours of mission time every three years, or refresh this course. Member Units may enforce higher standards within their own organization.

Initial Course  This eight-hour class includes presentations, tabletop practice, and outside practical application of basic ground navigation skills. The class will cover Lat/Long, UTM, and Township & Range coordinate systems, along with an introduction to datum, and the basic workings of both a map and a compass.

Refresher  This four-hour challenge-refresher will recertify SAR members who have previously completed the initial Map & Compass class. Participants are expected to already be proficient in their map & compass skills before the start of class.

Last updated on March 22, 2008.