New SAR team member

[Tater]

Well, I put in my application with the local search and rescue team today. There's a really great bunch of guys and gals on the team and, 20 minute into our meeting tonight, I felt like a member. The app will take some time to process because they check for a criminal record, which will be no sweat. Then there's a 6 month proby period and then I'm a full member. I was a little nervous about it before I got there because it can be difficult being the new guy in a team like this, but now I'm really excited about it. I'm hoping to find out a little of what I'm made of because a lot of the things they do involve my biggest fears: heights and small spaces. I know I can muster the guts to get myself out of a jam, but can I do it when someone elses life is on the line? Of course, I like to think so but I'll never be sure unless I find the cojones to try. Most of their money is begged, borrowed and stolen from the city, county and state but some of it comes from donations from various companies. Probably the biggest one is Cabelas (some of you may of heard of them ). About once a year, Cabelas donates a semi-truck full of booty for the SAR team to sell. They usually make around 10 grand from that alone. So, the next time you are trying to make a choice between buying something from Cabelas or some other cheesy store, choose Cabelas. I know we aren't the only SAR team in the world they donate to and we're pretty small, maybe a dozen members, so I know they do the same for other SAR teams and other non-profit groups as well. Ok, end of shameless plug. Anyway, I'm real excited and wanted to share it with everyone here. I'm sure there are a few here who've needed the services of a group like this and there are probably a few more who've been involved in searches: share your stories. How about advice on gear? I have a lot of the stuff I need just in my hunting kit, but there are a few things I don't have and more that I haven't thought of. Stories and advice--let's go.

[Nulle]

Sounds cool and I have been involved with several teams and it and they are great.

[gspsonny03]

Congrats Tater. I'll try and do my share with the Cabela's thing. I'll have to try and explain it to my wife, but I'm sure she'll understand.

[Dan Morris]

My congrats, a thankless but worthwhile service. Heres hoping
you don't get burnout from the number of responses that were preventable....sincerely, good luck!
Dan

[Nulle]

Last night we did a water rescue in 80 + winds and it was wild.
Only thing we could get to the capsized boat was wave runners and these nuts had a 6 month old baby in the water out there.
Checked this AM and everybody is doing fine (3 adults and one child).
I was IC on this one and was lucky and had very good help. I took today off to get myself together again. Don't know if its the age or what but I have a real problem when little kids are involved in stupid adult acts.

[BILLY D.]

HEY TATER

IT'S REALLY A GREAT EXPERIENCE, BELIEVE ME. I WAS A MEMBER OF THE SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY SAR WHEN I WAS STATIONED AT GEORGE AFB.

REALLY HELPED ME OUT WHEN I WENT TO SURVIVAL SCHOOL AT FAIRCHILD. THE BERDOO GUYS REALLY TAUGHT ME A LOT ABOUT LAND NAVIGATION. IT WAS VERY HELPFUL LATER ON ALSO.

DON'T WORRY ABOUT HIGH PLACES, THEY WILL TEACH YOU HOW TO RAPPEL OFF OF THOSE. YOU TALKED ABOUT EQUIPMENT YOU WILL NEED, WELL THE BERDOO GUYS MADE US MAKE OUR OWN RAPPELING SEAT HARNESSES. THEY REALLY WORKED. THE WAY WE MADE THEM WAS NOVEL. WE WENT TO THE NEAREST FARM SUPPLY STORE AND BOUGHT ROPE AND MADE THE SEATS. THEY MIGHT TEAR OFF YOUR MANHOOD BUT I CAN GUARANTEE YOU THEY WOULD NOT BREAK.

AT THAT TIME WE GI'S SAVED THE COUNTY A LOT OF MONEY AS SECURITY AND MEDICAL CHECKS WERE CONCERNED, THEY ACCEPTED VERBATIM MILITARY PAPER WORK. IF YOU HAD A S OR TS CLEARANCE THEY ABOUT KISSED YOUR FEET. THEY ALSO KNEW WE WERE DRUG CHECKED. YES WE HAD TO PEE IN THE BOTTLE EVEN IN THOSE DAYS. I'M TALKING 60'S HERE.

I HATED THOSE THINGS. HITTIN' THAT BOTTLE SITTING ON THE NURSES DESK WAS REALLY TOUGH.

FURNISH AS MUCH OF YOUR OWN EQUIPMENT AS YOU CAN. YOU PROBABLY HAVE QUITE A BIT ALREADY, IT'S CALLED HUNTIN' STUFF.

TWO OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS ARE A GOOD SIDE ARM AND KNIFE.

AT THAT TIME WE WERE CONSIDERED A RESERVE DEPUTY SHERRIF
WHICH THE AIR FORCE WASN'T REAL HAPPY ABOUT, BUT THAT'S BASEBALL.

NAVIGATION NOW SHOUL BE A SNAP. THANKS TO GPS. ALL WE HAD WAS A COMPASS A RULER AND A PENCIL. WE SIMPLY TRIANGULATED AND WORKED GRIDS.

MOST OF OUR RADIO WORK WAS DONE ON CB'S. THEY WERE "SLIGHTLY" TWEAKED BY A FORMER RADIO MAN FROM WW2. I'M NOT SAYING THEY WERE POWERFUL BUT THE LOCAL RADIO STATIONS IN BERDOO COMPLAINED TO THE FCC ABOUT OUR SIGNALS.

AS FAR AS LEARNING THE OPERATIONS IT'S JUST LIKE ANYTHING ELSE WHILE YOU ARE IN THE LEARNING STAGE, KEEP YOU EYES AND EARS OPEN AND YOUR MOUTH SHUT, UNLESS YOU HAVE A SENSIBLE QUESTION.

GOOD LUCK PARDNER AND I'M SURE YOU WILL FIND IT AN ENJOYABLE, REWARDING EXPERIENCE.

[Valigator]

Tator good luck...thats what I like manly men....Nulle your being way to modest this morning......

[Dan Morris]

Nulle, the blood/gore n screamin I could take.......The inoicents they drag wih them........that's another..... take a few quiet moments for yourself..........con grats......vaya con diois ,mio campadre.....unfortunantly....there will be more!Hang in there!
Dan

[Nulle]

Today the County and Sheriff's Office awarded 6 of us Commendations for rescue efforts above and beyond the call of duty . There was a representative there from the Fraternal Order of Police and they too are going to honor us July 22.
At 57 years old and an old war horse that should be out to pasture is was pretty damn humbling.

Dan your signature phrase sums it up for me !

[Valigator]

Your my hero too Nulle!!!!