Mock Search

This year, with the MRA ice and snow re-accreditation scheduled for early March, BAMRU has begun the recruiting season early. On Saturday January 14th we held the first of two trainings intended to introduce those who are new to search and rescue to the ins and outs of a search scenario.

We started the day at 0800 in Redwood Memorial Park. After brief introductions, the 18 guests were divided up into teams, each led by a BAMRU team proctor. Individuals were assigned roles within their team such as lead medical, navigator and comms (communications). With little to no search and rescue experience, the guests did an impressive job of carrying out their search assignments safely and efficiently.

Along the way we discussed search tactics such as how to call out to a subject, probability of detection in various landscapes, how to safely split up to perform hasty searches up drainages, how to manage clues and even a little bit of tracking.

Once the subject was located the finding team requested the needed resources from CP and we soon all converged in the area where the subject was located. Thinking we were on our way "out of the woods" so to speak, the proctors threw in another twist and one of the team leaders found herself with a lower tib-fib fracture. The guests quickly devised a plan to get her splinted up and carried out of the field.

While one patient was carried out on the shoulders of her teammates, the initial patient was packaged into a litter and the guests proceeded with what became an arduous carry out including a cold stream crossing and a surprise flat tire on the litter wheel which made the evacuation quite difficult. Despite many detours and obstacles the group did a great job and never gave up. It was wonderful to see a group of strangers come together and complete such a difficult task.

After lunch and a well deserved break, the BAMRU attendees set up a high angle system demonstration over the side of a bridge. It was a great opportunity for the guests to get their hands on a 1:1 hauling system and see what it feels like to hoist a patient, a litter and a litter attendant up 25 feet or so during a rescue.

We really appreciate everyone who chose to spend their entire Saturday working with us in the cold shade of the Redwoods. It was a pleasure getting to know you!

Below is a video of the tired team rolling the patient into CP (Comand Post).  Well done team.

Mock Search Training

On Saturday, March 26th, BAMRU conducted a Mock Search Training with 18 guests that have expressed interest in joining BAMRU. The scene was cold and rainy, and provided a great venue for an introduction to our people and search techniques.

During the mock search, we organised our group into 5 teams, and handed out search assignments. Our victim was placed somewhere near the swollen Pescadero Creek, where he had fallen and suffered a sprained ankle, with a possible spinal injury and symptoms of diabetes.

The finding team quickly started the patient assessment process, while maintaining c-spine precautions. Another guest crafted an improvised rigid splint using trekking poles, duct tape and emergency blankets. They administered food and water to elevate the patient's level of consciousness, and kept him insulated.

The team did a terrific job with our patient.

To wrap up the day we discussed guest's next steps before the April Meeting (completing the ICS-100 course), previewed the SAR Basic Training in April, and reviewed BAMRU's application and interview process.

This training was completed while BAMRU was simultaneously responding to a Mutual Aid search. Many thanks to all our guests, and to BAMRU members who led this training.

BAMRU is Recruiting!

BAMRU is recruiting! We seek new members who bring mountaineering, snow and ice skills to our ranks. We are part of the San Mateo County Sheriff's office and participate in SAR missions in county and around the state. We are Mountain Rescue Association certified team which means we can travel and operate in all terrain and weather.

Next Monday, March 21 we will have an open house at 7pm for people interested in finding out more about our team. Attendance at this meeting is required to participate in follow-on training and recruiting events.

The meeting location is: 500 Allerton, Redwood City, CA
The meeting room is on the third floor ("200-level")

BAMRU recruits and trains one 'class' per year, and this is the beginning of our recruiting season. On March 26th we will have an Intro SAR training which is designed for our new trainees.

BAMRU Adds Twelve Trainees

BAMRU is happy to announce the addition of twelve new trainees to our team!

Each spring, BAMRU engages in an in-depth recruiting and selection process. We've gotten to know each of our new trainees, and have seen them in action in the field. This cohort of trainees brings an incredible depth of experience, enthusiasm and skills, and we are very excited to welcome them into our family.

Congrats to our new trainees!!!

Back row: John Mandish, Eric Leong, MacRae Linton, Kevin Pereia, Patrick Callery, Kurt Gross (our Trainee Mentor)
Front row: Jenna Wiley, Abi Rankin, Emily Ghio, Will Gilmore
Not Pictured: Tyler Phelan, Blake Gleason, Woody Hoburg

Mock Search

On Saturday, March 20, 2010, BAMRU conducted a SAR Intro and Mock Search training. 10 BAMRU members and 22 guests met at 500 Allerton Street in Redwood City at 0800 hours. Participants caravanned to Sam McDonald County Park on Pescadero Road in Loma Mar, in San Mateo County Sheriff's vans and the BAMRU truck.

After introductions and an overview of SAR operations, the guests were split into five search teams for the mock search. Teams practiced basic search operations, and conducted a simple technical rescue.

BAMRU is Recruiting!

BAMRU is looking to add people with strong mountaineering, snow and ice skills to our ranks. We are part of the San Mateo County Sheriff's office and participate in SAR missions in county and around the state. We are Mountain Rescue Association certified team which means we can travel and operate in all terrains in all weather.

This coming Monday we will be having an open house at 7pm for people interested in finding out more about our team. This will be followed by our normal 7:30 to 9:30 team meeting which guests are welcome to stay for.

The location is:
500 Allerton, Redwood City, CA
The meeting room is on the third floor ("200-level")

This is a great time for people to join as we are have several trainings coming up to enroll new recruits. On March 20th we will have an Intro SAR training which is the perfect entry point for all new candidates.

BAMRU Welcomes New Member to Team!

At last night's meeting, BAMRU welcomed Kurt Gross to the team as a new trainee member! Kurt has an extensive wilderness and mountaineering background, and 5 years experience with the National Park Service (NPS) as a backcountry ranger in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park.

BAMRU welcomes Kurt back to the bay area, excited about his commitment to continued service to the community.

--BAMRU is currently in its recruitment period. For more information please visit our website at www.bamru.org. There is an upcoming open house and general meeting open to guests at 7:00 p.m. on March 15, 2010.