YSAR Training

The first year of the three year training program is designed to enable 20 YSAR members to gain the core bushcraft, navigation and SAR skills. Download the Program for the year.

The training will be delivered by experienced outdoor people many of whom are members of the local SAR Group. The instruction process will include weekly Wednesday evening sessions (except during school holidays) plus weekend camps. Some optional training activities or camps may be run during the school holidays.

The First Year Training Program
The first year training program will include the following elements:

      • Bush survival and safety
      • Food and equipment
      • Bush navigation (map, compass and GPS)
      • SAR radios
      • First Aid
      • River crossing and river safety
      • Helicopter safety (theory only)
      • The SAR System, roles and structure
      • Tracking
      • Search methods
      • Clue management
      • Rescue methods
      • Weather

Key Assessment Milestones
As a member you will be required to be available for assessments at selected dates and times (unless an alternative arrangement is made). The key milestones on your path to graduation are:

1. The written exam during June
2. The Basic Bush Survival, Safety, Navigation and Bushcraft assessments
3. Outdoor First Aid Certificate - second year members
4. Tracking and Clue Awareness Certificate
5. Search Methods Certificate
6. Bush Solo 1 and 2
7. Bush Navigation Solo 3 and 4
8. Outdoor Activity Management 1

Graduation
When you graduate you become eligible for full membership of the local SAR Group.

For example, if you become a full member of the Hamilton SAR Group you will be:

      • Eligible to attend all SAR callouts of the Hn SAR Gp on 24/7 basis
      • Supplied with a pager. This notifies you of all SAR callouts
      • Welcome to attend all Hn SAR Gp training and social activities. You will be notified of these events via their monthly newsletters
      • Assigned a mentor from the Hn SAR Gp who will help you get to know the people and how they operate
      • Supplied with a fluoro yellow SAR vest
      • Welcome to attend the Land SAR conference held every two years
      • Expected to continue your training by attending further SAR related courses
      • Expected to maintain your skill level through regular practice of your key skills
      • Expected to maintain your fitness levels and readiness for a callout.
Benefits may be different for other SAR Groups.

Some graduates may choose to also maintain their membership of the YSAR Group to help others with their training.

How long will it take to graduate?
For some it may take 8 months while for others it may take several years. The Bush Solo Navigations 3 and 4 are serious undertakings. It is unlikely that anyone under the age of 15 years and 6 months will achieve the graduation requirements.

Helping at base during a Search
After you have completed your first year of training you may be selected for the computer training courses we run each year in January/February. Once you pass the post-course assessment you are qualified to help out at base during a real search.