Thursday, December 31, 2009

BAMRU 2009 Photo Highlights

Selected images from various 2009 trainings and operations.

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

BAMRU 2009 Activity Summary

Activity [Hours]
  1. Training [2834]
  2. SAR [714]
  3. Other [529]
  4. Recertification [380]
  5. Meetings [355]
TOTAL Hours [4812]

Training (Highlights)
  • Rigging for Rescue
  • BASARC Section Chief
  • ICS-400 Certification
  • AIARE Avy 1
SAR Operations (Highlights)
  • Corte De Madera - 11 Operational Periods, subject recovered (In County Mutual Aid)
  • Cutter Search - subject found alive (In County Mutual Aid)
  • 92 cliff op (In County)
  • Belmont SAR (In County)
  • Costal MVA Rescue (In County)
  • Alameda SAR (Out of County Mutual Aid)
  • Napa SAR (Out of County Mutual Aid)
  • Ortiz Search, Oakland (Out of County Mutual Aid)
  • Cantu Search, Tracy (Out of County Mutual Aid)
  • Dinky Lakes Wilderness, Sierra National Forest (Out of County)
  • Treasure Lakes, Sierra National Forest (Out of County)
Recertification
  • MRA Winter Recertification
SAR Community Activities (Highlights)
  • Oakland Memorial Service
  • Modesto Memorial/Vigil
  • SLOSAR Memorial
  • BATSAR
  • COCO MRA test/prep
  • Joint Training Marin Fire Rescue

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Surviving an Avalanche, Caught on Camera

In this amazing video courtesy of National Geographic's Adventure Blog, we are provided an unique insight into what it must be like to fall victim to an avalanche. To me, the video was particularly striking in showing the claustrophobia that seemed to grip the skier, especially as his rescuers momentarily turn away from him.  Among other things, the video highlights the need to maintain victim/rescuer communication at all times.



Avalanche Skier POV Helmet Cam Burial & Rescue in Haines, Alaska from Chappy on Vimeo.

Saturday, November 28, 2009

On Alcatraz with the National Park Service



A wonderful BAMRU opportunity, assisting the NPS and operating technical systems on Alcatraz Island (above).

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Chang recognized by MRA

BAMRU's John Chang was recognized by the Mountain Rescue Association (MRA) with a nice feature article its October Newsletter.

Congrats John!!

Friday, October 23, 2009

Contra Costa SAR Search & Tracking Test


BAMRU members joined with MRA teams from Monterey, Ventura, and Marin counties at Briones Regional Park to evaluate Contra Costa County’s SAR team (CoCo SAR) as they tested and successfully passed in the MRA team disciplines of Search, Tracking, and ELT location.


In the evaluation, CoCo SAR located two subjects (CoCo SAR volunteers) and an ELT. One subject had fallen down a hill and had been attacked by an animal.  The second subject was down with a medical issue, and was extricated via litter with a roped low-angle belay.


Real temperatures during the day were above 90 degrees, and while participating in the scenario, there were two CoCo SAR members who needed to be treated for real heat-related injuries.

At the conclusion of the testing scenario, there was a full debrief discussion, the CP area was dismantled, and everyone departed the park. (BAMRU) Yaffe, Meister, Ahntholz, Hoagland, Kantarjiev, Chang; (MARIN) Michael St. John; (Ventura) Andy Puhek, Antonio Arizo; (Monterey) Steve Hershey, Joe Moses, Alain Claudel.

Thank you to BAMRU's Lars Ahntholz, for the submission.

Monday, October 5, 2009

Alpine Skills Training



During the Yosemite Alpine Skills training, a group of us climbed Tenaya Peak (above).

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Great Wilderness First Responder Course

Cliff recently sent around an e-mail about a great WFR class to take.  Here is what he had to say:

"Bobbie Foster is offering a weekends-only WFR class this Fall, and has several spaces available. See the schedule below. I had a great experience taking the class with her and I know that some other BAMRU'ers have also. Those who need a CPR pro cert updated may be able to join for just the first day. Contact bobbie@fostercalm.com."

Thanks Cliff.

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

BAMRU's Inaugural First Post!

BAMRU is a volunteer wilderness search and rescue team
specialized for operations involving difficult terrain, challenging
weather conditions, or high altitude. We are based in the
San Francisco Bay Area and operate throughout California.