KUED TV Documentary - Utah Search and Rescue

[jman]

I saw some advertising on Utah's KUED channel today for a video highlight on Utah's Search and Rescue teams. It looks to be about an hour long.

It showed a LOT of rappelling and canyon rescue video clips in it. I'm sure it would appeal to a lot of people here. But I think anyone who enjoys the outdoors would appreciate this.


If there is a online version, I'll update the thread here.



So Tonight, at 8pm on KUED.

Here is the show-time today and the following re-broadcasts:




Here is the website for more info:

http://www.kued.org/whatson/kued-loc.../search-rescue

[Iceaxe]

This is an interesting and well done documentary, It's well worth watching.

[jman]

This is an interesting and well done documentary, It's well worth watching.

Yeah - It was good!!

[jman]

Looks like the video is online!

Watch it here:

http://video.kued.org/video/3000432494/

[Iceaxe]

I found the section on Nutty Putty Cave to be particularly interesting. SAR is not used to failing when they reach the victim and he is alive and uninjured. That incident appeared to take a heavy toll on the teams.

[Sombeech]

I think this is the documentary I was contacted on, to use some of my drone services to get some aerial shots, but I just couldn't make it. They gave me maybe 1 day notice to spend my whole Saturday down there and get some shots.

I've had some ridiculous requests from others too, thinking I'll jump at the chance to cancel my weekend plans to go film something a few hours away, without pay. But they'll give me credit, so I can do more free stuff for other cheapskates? Come on guys.

[Sombeech]

But, aside from that, good documentary, watching it now. I've wanted to offer my drone services to my local Search and Rescue teams, I've contacted the Sheriff Dept, but I haven't received much response. Maybe they've got a favorite buddy who is handling it, and that's ok. Or maybe they just think I'm good at spying on teenage girls sunbathing, and I wouldn't really know what to do in the outdoors. I mean just because I hate the outdoors doesn't mean I don't know how to fly a drone.

[Iceaxe]

I think a lot of SAR teams just don't understand what a drone can actually do and how it can help. It's a new technology and will take a while for many to understand. It also doesn't help when you have asshats flying their drones into unwanted situations.

[Sombeech]

I also don't want to fly my drone into a Search and Rescue, and have some uninformed jackass on the team start shooting it down, not knowing we're on the same damned side.

I agree, there's much to be learned about drones, but a lot of the good ol' boys want nothing to do with them and have the least amount of interest in learning the new tools.

[Taylor]

Thanks for starting this thread Jman, it reminded me to check it out. As a member of SLCSAR, I can say this film was spot on. A couple of years ago, the producer/director filmed us training with helicopters. After that, I never heard anything more about it. While it obviously focuses on the teams in Utah County, it accurately represents all of the counties' teams along the Wasatch Front.

Regarding the issues with using drones in SAR, it's largely the fault of the FAA that we aren't using them more. There are some regulations in place that have kept the Sheriff from officially endorsing drone use. Unofficially, we welcome the help from public drone users, even impromptu help. Also, the percentage of our call outs that would benefit from drone usage is really low. We just don't have very many true searches or "lost" people. Mobile phone coverage, and gps locating by pinging, is so good now, we know where you are when you call for help.

[jman]

Thanks for your input @Taylor.

I have thought about joining Davis County SAR for about 10 years but keep persuading myself to do it and then not. Back and forth.

The last part of the film focused on body recovery, and while I have seen bodies from my EMT-B days, something about recovery is just......different.....

I'm physically in great shape, I can haul a lot of gear (I'm usually the work horse on canyoneering trips and carry the big ropes, etc), am not afraid of heights or ridge lines (I have hiked the WURL), etc.

And I know Davis County really well. I go often on solo hikes and know the topography quite well and think that my services can help, whether logistically or physically.

I'm just not sure if I can commit all the way...and I'm not sure what is holding me back completely... ??

Maybe it's the time constraints? I work a 7-4:45 schedule and dunno how work would feel if I need to leave early, etc.

Can you relate to any of my thoughts?

How do you deal with the time constraints? (IE - do you have a full-time job, or family, etc.).



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[Taylor]

@jman, I can relate to all of those thoughts. The first thing I would suggest, if you haven't already done it, is to learn the details of how Davis County operates their SAR team. Every county does it differently. Some use all volunteers, some use part time employees. Attendance requirements and qualifications will be unique to Davis. SLCOSAR has only one team of around 30 members and all of us train on all skills or disciplines (ropes, swift water, avalanche, medical, etc). Weber County has several teams of specialists. Utah County also operates with specialized teams I believe. One thing I know about your SAR team, THEY NEED YOU!

For any residents of SL, these are the basics of how to join our team: You must be at least 18 yrs old, have a minimum WFR level medical certification, be interviewed by team leadership and law enforcement representatives, pass a background test, and pass a complete physical.

We require new members to attend two thirds of the combined trainings and call outs for the first nine months. After becoming a full member it drops to half of the same. We had about 65 missions last year and train 3 times a month. So full members had to be at about 50 events last year. I probably have the ideal situation to handle the time requirements. I'm self-employed, have no kids and have a very understanding and outdoorsy wife. It also helps that most of the call outs happen on weekends and evenings. The hardest thing for me was cutting back on canyoneering, boating, trips south to mtn bike, etc.

Regarding body recoveries, no sugar coating it, it sucks. Especially the young ones. We had about 10 recoveries last year and I was there for most of them. Putting a teenager in a body bag is not fun. However, I have found it an honor to care for someone's loved one and bring them home, hopefully giving them some kind of closure or comfort. I've also realized it's a job that has to be done and again, it's an honor to be given the job. A few things help us deal with the emotions, during and after. We don't demand any team member go on any mission they're not comfortable with. We have counseling available. It gets easier the more you see it. You learn what they mean by "gallows humor".

From reading your qualifications you listed above and knowing something about you from reading Bogley posts, I would suggest you are an ideal candidate for SAR. And I would suggest there are a bunch of Bogleyites who are also good candidates. Look into it further if you haven't already. I can say that other than marrying my wife, joining SAR and throwing myself into it over the past four years has been the most rewarding and worthwhile thing I've done with my life.

PM me if you want to talk about it more. Cheers and just do it!