Support your local CASARA, GET LOST!
CASARA volunteers include certified pilots to fly aircraft, trained navigators to coordinate search patterns and spotters to search the ground to look for the target.
Although pilots require a recreational pilots licence, and navigators are usually pilots themselves, spotters do not require any formal training. Introductory instruction to spotting techniques is given with actual exercises. Because of their average lighter weight women are especially welcome to become spotters. Less weight means more fuel in the aircraft and larger search areas. Personally, I'd be happy to see more females in CASARA. I guess light guys could apply too.
Civilian CASARA spotters are also trained to assist the Canadian Air Force on search and rescue missions. The Canadian Air Force's spotter aircraft is a Hercules transport with the entire rear door areas replaced by large plexiglass windows.
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Spotters are seated in a chair such as this and provided with a
spectacular view out the side of the aircraft on training flights.
Naturally during a real op your attention will be on the mission and not
the scenery. If you've managed to find your target then it's the SARTech's job (search and rescue technician) to do all of the hard work. This usually involves jumping out of the back of the Herc with the appropriate rescue gear, which can include a sled with almost 50 kg of equipment. |
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Always remember the importance of proper spelling when you're lost in the bush!
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National Search and
Rescue Secretariat
Search and Rescue Society of
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