Qualified Search Technician – a few thoughts

ALSAR is currently looking at what should be included in their SAR Tech course.

I have no idea what their thought process is, or where they will go but I thought I would start the re-launch of the Re-Search website with my thoughts on ALSAR initial training and beyond.

My first thought is that ALSAR needs to go back to doing a BASIC Search Course, alongside everything else that is to be required before a searcher becomes operational. This would be the initial training, but not the end. Many teams have “leading search technicians” and whilst I hate the idea of giving someone a position just because they have been in a while there is some merit to be had from having a “qualified search technician” position – similar I suppose to the old Fire Service system where you had a couple of years on the job in order to fully qualify.

So, before you become operational you should have to do x number of hours training. This should include a Basic Search Course – a full weekend course on search! The core of ALSAR’s role is search and I know of several ALSAR courses that struggle to find enough time on a weekend course for training on search, let alone training on radios and comms, navigation, dogs and helicopters! (If your team is adding all these things to basic search training, it is not giving you half the training in search that other teams are providing. Search is a massive subject that could easily fill a week course; do not be deceived!)

So a 16 hour course on search. I’m all for an approved ALSAR basic search course that everyone does – provided that everyone running it does the same instructor training course. (This should include a PTTLS certificate for those without such a qualification and should include detail of search theory – why the techniques we use are used and so on.) The RYA has a system of asst instructors (who help out on training courses), instructors (who can teach on courses) and senior instructors (who are needed to ensure courses are run properly). This seems to work and ensures all courses run to the same standard. (I’m not saying it is a brilliant system but just one of the ones that works!) ALSAR could have a system for bringing on instructors – but always overseen by senior instructors who are competent in both teaching and knowledge of search!

New members could then do additional training in very basic first aid, navigation, radios and comms, and whatever else ALSAR sees fit for its newest operational members to have. This could be done in a similar way, or be done in-house with other suitably qualified instructors – why should ALSAR come up with instructor standards for first aid and navigation when these exist already?

This should not be the end of the training, however. New searchers should be working towards becoming a qualified search tech. This would more than likely take 18-24 months. It would involve at least 60(?) hours of operational searching, plus additional training courses in first aid and navigation. I would also expect a course on tracking to be part of their cpd, as well as a course on misper behaviour.

In this way we get away from thinking that once you have done a “search tech” course you know everything; you are merely starting a learning journey with lots more to learn…

It would also greatly improve the standard of ALSAR training courses, and ALSAR searchers.

And from my very selfish point of view, it would greatly improve the initial knowledge of new Team Leaders coming on my courses; meaning I could spend more time on leadership, deciding appropriate search tactics and how to apply misper behaviour knowledge to the search effort than revising basic search knowledge and skills!

But my views are my views; feel free to add your own!

March 15, 2011 · Robert Bradley · One Comment
Tags: , , , , , ,  Â· Posted in: Search Thoughts, Search Training

One Response

  1. Daryl - March 21, 2011

    Some good thoughts Rob – as always…

    …We are doing some of what you suggest. Our Guys go through our own coms course, will soon be going through our own water awareness course and also the Bronze NNAS course (but will do an in house version in the mean time) as well as the SAR Tech Course.

    Whilst we allow our guys, after doing all of the courses, to attend callouts, we ensure that they are with an experienced member of the team until such time that they are deemed capable and competent.

    We looked at a number of hours to be obtained, but should we go down this route? After all, a person with various skills from past employment may have many of the necessary skills and may become competent vary quickly where as another person may complete all of the courses plus 60 hours of callout experience but may still not be competent, but may be qualified under the suggested scheme….

    …I personally like the idea of Continuing Professional Development where people can show continued learning and development in order to stay current, especially when people are taking the initiative to read articles and write about them, or maybe even write their own articles for others to discuss. I do at times feel that our course led spoon fed system is a little archaic.

    I will now disappear so that others can discus…..

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