Last Updated February 18, 2025
The following links are not affiliated with the Arkansas Search and Rescue Association unless explicitly stated and they are only provided as a courtesy to help assist you supplement your personnel search and rescue training. These links are not a replacement for formal search and rescue training with a competent instructor.
Table of Contents
- Incident Command System (ICS) / National Incident Management System (NIMS)
- Land Navigation
- Lost Person Behavior
- Medical
- Tracking
- Survival Skills
- Misc SAR Videos
- Communications
- GIS / SARTopo
- Weather
- Knots and Rope Rescue Skills
- SAR Packs
- Off-Road/ATV/OHV
- K-9
- UAV/UAS/Drone
- Swiftwater
- Public Safety Diving / Water Recovery
- Urban Search and Rescue (US&R)
- General Training Resource Websites
- On-line Resource Materials and Downloads
- Mobile Applications
- Windows Programs
Incident Command System (ICS) / National Incident Management System (NIMS)
- FEMA IS-100.C: Introduction to the Incident Command System
- https://training.fema.gov/is/courseoverview.aspx?code=IS-100.c
- Includes certificate
- FEMA IS-200.C: Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response
- https://training.fema.gov/is/courseoverview.aspx?code=IS-200.c
- Includes certificate
- FEMA IS-700.B: An Introduction to the National Incident Management System
- https://training.fema.gov/is/courseoverview.aspx?code=IS-700.b
- Includes certificate
- FEMA IS-800.C: National Response Framework, an Introduction
- https://training.fema.gov/is/courseoverview.aspx?code=IS-800.c
- Includes certificate
- FEMA ICS Forms
- Bay Area Search and Rescue Council (BASARC)
- Many of these forms have been tweaked from the FEMA forms to work better for a SAR incident. Some of these forms are commonly used around Arkansas and the BASARC SAR104 Task Assignment form can be generated by SARTopo
- https://www.basarc.org/sarforms
Land Navigation
- How to Read a Topo Map by REI
- How to Use a Compass by REI
- Basic Land Navigation (Simplified) by Corporals Corner
- Map and Compass (Simplified) by Corporals Corner
- Search and Rescue Maps and USNG by Montcalm-Ionia Citizen Corps
- USNG: Reading the Map by Fire Engineering
- What Is USNG? by Fire Engineering
- Plotting UTM Coordinates with a Grid Tool by MapTools
- Land Navigation for Search and Rescue by Wade Boyd (Playlist)
- NOAA Magnetic Declination Calculator
Lost Person Behavior
- Alzheimer’s/Dementia
- Alzheimer’s Association
- https://www.alz.org/professionals/first-responders
- Approaching Alzheimer’s: First Responder Training
- https://training.alz.org/products/4021/approaching-alzheimers-first-responder-training
- Certificate Available
- The Lost Alzheimer’s and Related Disorders Search Subject: New Research and Perspectives by Robert J. Koester, MS
- In-Town Dementia Search Webinar by King County Explorer Search & Rescue
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HICFbjlcpz8
- LPB Dementia Tactical Brief Sheet (PDF)
- Alzheimer’s Association
- Autism
- National Autism Association
- https://nationalautismassociation.org
- First Responder Toolkit: A Guide to Searching for Missing Persons on the Autism Spectrum by the National Autism Association (PDF)
- Responding to Incidents Involving Children on the Autism Spectrum (Recorded Webinar)
- Missing Children on the Autism Spectrum: Tips for Response and Interaction (Recorded Webinar)
- Missing Children on the Autism Spectrum: The Do’s & Don’ts of Response & Interaction (Recorded Webinar)
- Missing Children on the Autism Spectrum: Outcome Data and Insights (Recorded Webinar)
- Search and Rescue for Autism (SARA) (A Project by Autism Canada) (Website)
- National Autism Association
- Missing and/or Abducted Children
- Search and Canvass in Missing and Abducted Children Cases (Recorded Webinar)
- Missing Person Case Studies
- Haley Zega – 2001 – Newton Co, AR – One of the largest search missions in Arkansas history
- 19 Years Later: Missing Child Haley Zega Tells Her Story by Haley Zega
- 20 Years Later: Haley Zega Returns to Whitaker Point by Haley Zega
- My Story of Wilderness Survival: Live Q & A by Haley Zega
- Haley Zega – 2001 – Newton Co, AR – One of the largest search missions in Arkansas history
Medical
- The Gray Bearded Green Beret YouTube channel – has a number of survival skill and wilderness medical videos
- Personal Protective Equipment
- PSA From a NOLS Wilderness Medicine Instructor – How to remove gloves!
- Individual First Aid Kits (IFAK)
- NOLS Wilderness First Aid Instructor explains how to do First Aid Kits
- Wilderness Medical Kit with Gear Suggestions by The Gray Bearded Green Beret
- Hypothermia and Cold Injuries
- Baby It’s Cold Outside
- https://bicorescue.com
- Includes certificate
- Baby It’s Cold Outside
- Blisters
- NOLS Blog – How To Prevent and Treat Blisters
- Bloodborne Pathogens
- Bloodborne Pathogens for the First Responder
- Bites and Stings
- Snakebites: Here’s What to Do by NOLS Blog
- Snakebites: Myth vs. Reality by NOLS Blog
- Splinting
- Wilderness Medical: Principles of Splinting, Knee, and Ankle Splints by The Gray Bearded Green Beret
- Misc Medical issues
- How to Recognize and Treat Diabetic Symptoms Outdoors by NOLS Blog
Tracking
- Fernando Moreira Professional Tracking Services YouTube Channel
- Many short videos discussing various topics and training drills for tracking
- https://www.youtube.com/c/FernandoMoreiratacticaltracker/videos
Survival Skills
- The Gray Bearded Green Beret YouTube channel – has a number of survival skill and wilderness medical videos
- The Survival Summit YouTube Channel
- Clothing
- Cotton Clothing Kills (Why cotton clothing should never be worn in cold, wet, or windy conditions) by Survival U
- Shelter
- A Quick Shelter using a Mylar Emergency Blanket by MrBackpacker48
- Shelter Playlist by Survival U
- Mastering These Basic Survival Knots: The Ultimate Guide to Preparedness Playlist by Survival U
- Fire
- Ferro Rod Techniques from a Green Beret by The Gray Bearded Green Beret
- Building the Perfect Tinder Bundle by The Gray Bearded Green Beret
- How To Make Char Cloth by The Gray Bearded Green Beret
- Fatwood for Beginners by The Gray Bearded Green Beret
- How to Build a Fire When You Need it Most Playlist by Survival U
- Water
- Survival Water Kit by The Gray Bearded Green Beret
- Sourcing, Filtering, and Disinfecting Water from the Wild by The Gray Bearded Green Beret
- Survival & Backpacking Water Filter Tests by Wideners.com in Aug 2019
Misc SAR Videos
- Introduction to Search and Rescue
- By Ionia County Search and Rescue (Michigan)
- NOT ASSOCIATED WITH NASAR CLASS OF SAME NAME
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iU4PDHRhuSE
- SAR Best Practices
- Canadian video that gives a good general introduction to search and rescue. There are some minor differences from how searches are generally handled in Arkansas but still generally good information.
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=daUA2N2sw20
- Ground Search Team Leader Training Video
- Canadian video that gives a good general introduction to the general flow of a search and rescue incident. There are some minor differences from how searches are generally handled in Arkansas but still generally good information.
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JC6gMrAcvSA
- Land Search and Rescue Management
- Based out of Canada and is older so has some older and/or different methods than we might currently be using around here but still has a decent walk-through of a search
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEczuNRKNhc
- Introduction to Search Management
- Brief overview of some of the things that go into the management of a search incident. Again, there are some differences from how we do things in this part of the country but good overall information. Available on Vimeo and YouTube.
- https://vimeo.com/132261163
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iq52HKq9NFY
- In-Town Dementia Search Webinar by King County Explorer Search & Rescue
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HICFbjlcpz8
- LPB Dementia Tactical Brief Sheet (PDF)
Communications
- Amateur (Ham) Radio License
- American Radio Relay League (ARRL)
- Test prep Sites
GIS / SARTopo
- ASARA CalTopo/SARTopo Downloads
- CalTopo/SARTopo
- Very popular mapping application for SAR
- Free First Responder account
- https://caltopo.com
- SARTopo/CalTopo Documentation and Training Page
- CalTopo YouTube Channel (Company that makes SARTopo)
- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAv2WQF3l2exqyR-KaCB84Q
- Has basic tutorials for using CalTopo/SARTopo
- Mountaineer Area Rescue Group, Inc’s Incident Management Using SARTopo
- SARTopo Connector for Garmin Astro/Alpha K9 collars (Allows real-time tracking of Garmin K9 collars in SARTopo) (Note: this may require technical knowledge to get setup)
- Arkansas GIS Office
- https://gis.arkansas.gov
- Source for several map layers, typically available in SHP and FGBD/GBD formats. Some knowledge of GIS will probably be required to make use of this information.
Weather
- National Weather Service Little Rock Office Skywarn (Storm Spotter) Page
- National Weather Service Tulsa Office Storm Spotter Training Page
- MetEd SKYWARN Spotter Training
- MetEd Weather Radar Fundamentals
- National Weather Service Radar
Knots and Rope Rescue Skills
- PMI – Videos and Webinars
- Animated Knots by Grog
- Figure 8 (basis for several other important knots)
- Figure 8 on a Bight (one of the more commonly used knots)
- Figure 8 Follow-through (same end result as Figure 8 on a Bight but used when you have to tie around something instead of being able to use the preformed loop)
- Figure 8 Bend (used to join rope together)
- Water Knot (used for tying webbing; should have safety (overhand) knots to each side to meet NASAR standards)
- Hasty Web Harness (improvised harness using webbing)
- Double Fisherman’s Knot (used to make Prusik Loops)
- Prusik Hitch (used as an automatic brake in the event of a fall or slip)
- How to Daisy Chain Webbing (useful way to store webbing)
- Learn Your Knots by CMC
- Learn Your Anchors by CMC
- Petzl – How to Inspect Your Rope
SAR Packs
- National Park Service (NPS) Ten Essentials
- National Association of Search and Rescue (NASAR) Consolidated Pack Guide
- Some YouTube videos where people discuss what they carry in their SAR Packs
- Individual First Aid Kits (IFAK)
- NOLS Wilderness First Aid Instructor explains how to do First Aid Kits
- Wilderness Medical Kit with Gear Suggestions by The Gray Bearded Green Beret
Off-Road/ATV/OHV
- ATV Safety Institute
- https://atvsafety.org
- ATV Safety Institute’s free ATV E-Course
- https://cbt.svia.org/login/index.php
- Includes certificate
- Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association
- https://www.rohva.org
- Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association Safety E-Course
- https://cbt.rohva.org
- Includes certificate
- US Fish & Wildlife Service Heavy Equipment and Off-Road Utility Vehicle Safety Training Handbook
- USDA Utility-Terrain Vehicle Operator Training Course: Instructor’s Guide
K-9
- Trailing
- Read Any Trailing or Tracking Dog by Understanding Negative Indications by Kevin Kocher & Robin Monroe (INBTI) (PDF)
- Area Search
- General Human Scent
- Scent Specific
- Human Remains Detection (HRD)/Cadaver
- Land
- Water
- K-9 Medical
- K-9 first aid tips for police K-9 handlers by Ron Lyons
- Emergency K-9 First Aid
- K9 MEDIC K9 Patient Card
- K9 MEDIC Working K9 Drug List
UAV/UAS/Drone
- NWCG Standards for Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations (PDF)
- FAA Remote Pilot – Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Study Guide – FAA-G-8082-22 (PDF)
- FAA Remote Pilot – Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems – Airman Certification Standards – FAA-S-ACS-10B (PDF)
- NIST Standard Test Methods for Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (PDF)
Swiftwater
- TEEX Swiftwater Awareness On-Line Training
- https://teex.org/class/TNG80A
- Includes certificate
Public Safety Diving / Water Recovery
- Consensus Standards For Public Safety Diving In Zero to Low Visibility – PSDiver
- Time Required For a Drowning Victim to Reach Bottom – Journal of SAR
- Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV)
- Underwater Search and Rescue Patterns You Should Know
Urban Search and Rescue (US&R)
- TEEX National US&R Response System Orientation – Computer-Based Training
- https://teex.org/class/9G6100
- Includes certificate
- How to read and understand FEMA structure markings by Adventure One
General Training Resource Websites
- Comet/MetEd
- https://www.meted.ucar.edu/education_training/courses
- Topics include: Storm Spotter, Fire Weather, Geospatial, Aviation Weather, and more
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
- https://training.fema.gov/is
- Topics include: Incident Command, PIO, GIS, Social Media, Volunteer Management, Military Resources, Planning, Communications, and more
- You must have a FEMA Student ID (FEMA SID) before taking any of the FEMA training above. You can register at:
- Mountain Rescue Association (MRA)
- On-line training courses
- https://training.mra.org/courses
- Topics include: SAR Risk Management, Helicopter Operations, Responder Stress Management, and more
- Third Thursday Training webinars
- On-line training courses
- National Criminal Justice Training Center (NCJTC)
- https://ncjtc.fvtc.edu
- On Demand Training
- Topics include: Canvassing, Search Management, Interviewing, Lost Child Prevention, and more
- Texas Extension Service (TEEX)
- https://teex.org/online
- Topics include: US&R K9 Operations, Swift-water Awareness, Safety Officer, Management, Communications, and more
- National Association of Search and Rescue (NASAR)
- http://www.nasar.org
- NASAR SAR Academy
- The following sites have copies of various teams’ standards, guidelines, and training material
- Bay Area Search and Rescue Council (BASARC)
- Some of these forms are commonly used around Arkansas
- https://www.basarc.org/sarforms
- Appalachian Search & Rescue Conference (ASRC)
- ASRC Training and Standard Documents
- Arizona Search and Rescue Coordinators Association (ASARCA)
- Virginia Search and Rescue Council (VASARCO)
- San Bernardino County Sheriff’s SAR Documents Page
- Maine Association for Search And Rescue
- Search and Rescue Volunteer Association of Canada (SARVAC)
- Bay Area Search and Rescue Council (BASARC)
On-line Resource Materials and Downloads
- National SAR Committee (NSARC)
- https://dco.uscg.mil
- Reference and training materials, job aids, white papers, guidelines, and more
- Land Search and Rescue Addendum to the National Search and Rescue Supplement to the International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue Manual
- https://dco.uscg.mil
- FEMA
- Directive 092-5: Directive to use the US National Grid System
- State of Arkansas
- ACA 17-95-101: Arkansas Good Samaritan Law
- HB 1006: Arkansas AED Law
- Arkansas Department of Emergency Management (ADEM)
- https://dps.arkansas.gov/emergency-management/adem/response/search-and-rescue/
- Wilderness SAR Team Standards as of 2017-02-01
- Arkansas Division of Emergency Management (ADEM) Training Schedule
Mobile Applications
- Lost Person Behavior
- Google Play Store – $9.95
- Apple App Store – $9.99
- Amazon App Store – $9.95
- CalTopo App
- Documentation and Training
- Google Play Store – Free
- Apple App Store – Free
- Avenza Maps – App endorsed by USFS
- https://www.avenzamaps.com
- Training Videos and Webinars
- Google Play Store – Free
- Apple App Store – Free
- Radarscope
- https://www.radarscope.app
- Google Play Store – $9.99 with optional yearly subscriptions for extra features
- Apple App Store – $9.99 with optional yearly subscriptions for extra features
- eNIFOG – Free
- https://www.dhs.gov/safecom/enifog-mobile-app
- Google Play Store – Free
- Apple App Store – Free
- eAUXFOG
- https://www.dhs.gov/safecom/eauxfog-mobile-app
- Google Play Store – Free
- Apple App Store – Free
- Geocam
Windows Programs
- WinCASIE III
- GRLevel3
- $79.95 with a 21 day free trial available
- http://www.grlevelx.com/grlevel3_3
- GRLevel3 On-line Manual
- GRLevel3 Placefiles
- Radarscope (available from Microsoft Store for Windows 10 only)
- $29.99 with optional yearly subscriptions for extra features
- https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/p/radarscope/9mw4stn492s0
- Arizona Search and Rescue Software Download Page
- Has links to several programs that may be useful
- https://arizonasar.com/software/