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FAQ

Contents

About SAR

What is SAR?
SAR stands for 'Search and Rescue'. The generic term can refer to the process of looking for, locating, and retrieving a missing person. It can also refer to the organisation(s) or people undertaking this process. For more information about organisational structures, refer to About SAR.

How does Search and Rescue work?
Search and Rescue relies on the combined efforts of professionals and trained volunteers. The SAR process means finding a lost person through the application of theory and experience in a race against time.

What other organisations does SAR work together with?
SAR itself is composed of many organisations (see About SAR for more information). As a volunteer, you will probably work together with rescue helicopter services, the Police, the Air Force, 4 wheel-drive clubs, Amateur Radio Emergency Communications, the Red Cross, DOC, Paramedics, and the Coastguard.

Don't the Police do Search and Rescue?
Yes, but it's a combined effort that involves many organisations, both professional and volunteer. Police Search and Rescue is the lead agency for Land Search and Rescue. See NZ Land Search and Rescue organisation for more details.

Do you have to stay out overnight in the bush?
It depends on the type of search. Sometimes teams will be tasked to search through the night. Sometimes teams will rest overnight in the bush before resuming searching the following day.

About WLSAR

What area does Wellington Land Search and Rescue cover?
see map WLSAR covers the Wellington metropolitan area, and the south western end of the North Island, south of a line that stems west from Peka Peka on the West Coast (just North of Waikanae), to the main divide of the Tararura's, and then south along the main divide of the southern Tararua range and the Rimutaka range to the south coast at Cape Turakirae (between Baring Head and the Wairarapa). WLSAR also covers the Chatham Islands. For more information, see Wellington Land SAR organisation.

Does WLSAR ever operate outside of their area?
WLSAR is sometimes asked to assist neighbouring Land SAR groups in the Wairarapa and Horowhenua Districts. Inter-district cooperation is likely to occur more often in the future.

How are SAR volunteers called out to a search. Is there a duty roster?
There is no duty roster for squad members. First response volunteers are organised into administrative units or squads. Each squad has at least two contact people. When search teams need to be raised, the SAR management team will alert squad members by eTXT (a text message to their mobile phones). Some team members may also be alerted by email. If further squad members are needed, the SAR management team may ask squad contacts to call squad members who do not have cellphones.

What happens if I can't make myself available for a search?
Let your contact person know as quickly as you can. Let them know what periods you are unavailable, and when you will next be available. This information is useful if the search continues over a few days.

Was WLSAR involved in the Coral Burrows search?
Yes. WLSAR provided a number of teams to assist our Wairarapa neighbours.

I want to join Wellington Land SAR, but ...

Are there any medical conditions that would preclude me from joining SAR?
Each case is dealt with on its own merits. Factors include the type of role a volunteer intends to fill, and the requirements of that role. When you apply to join SAR, we will ask you to disclose any medical conditions that you present with, and any medication that you are taking. Please be honest because we ask these questions for your safety, and for the safety of those around you. Examples of common medical conditions among SAR volunteers include asthma, allergies, diabetes, and impaired vision. If we need more information, we will consult with you and seek medical or pharmacological advice. You can also ask your GP if you are unsure.

Do I have to belong to a tramping club or the like to be a member of Wellington Land Search and Rescue?
No. Although many Wellington Land SAR members belong to outdoor recreation clubs(such as tramping clubs, the Alpine Club, and deerstalker associations), many do not too. As a matter of course, Wellington Land SAR asks prospective first response team members for details of their outdoor experience. (See How to Join for more details.) New members are assigned to a squad for administrative purposes. Squads are either based on club affiliation or geographic location.

How experienced do volunteers need to be?
While we undertake to train SAR members in specialised search and rescue skills, we expect applicants to already have well-developed bushcraft and survival skills, and to be able to look after themselves in difficult conditions without being a liability to the rest of the team.

How fit do volunteers need to be?
To be useful on a typical bush SAR operation, you need to be fit enough to keep moving in rough country for 8 hours at a time. Stamina rather than speed is a pre-requisite. Some search tasks, however, require only low levels of fitness so don't be put off if you think you are not fit enough.

What are the time commitments for volunteers?
First response group members are expected to maintain their skill levels by attending 50% of our training exercises and 50% of SAR call-outs per year. This amounts to about 3-4 one-day training courses and 1-2 weekends per year, plus 2-3 days on searches. You should also spend enough time in the hills to maintain your fitness and bushcraft skills.

What does it cost volunteers?
It costs nothing to join, except your time. The cost of training is met by the NZ Police, New Zealand Land SAR (Inc), SARINZ and Tai Poutini Polytech via government education funding, and donations from the public.

As a SAR volunteer, would I have to be transported by airplane, or helicopter, or 4 wheel drive?
Yes. SAR volunteers can generally expect to have to use a helicopter of off-road 4 wheel-drive transport. This question is relevant for insurance purposes - you must disclose your SAR activities if you already have insurance and are joining SAR, or if you intend to take out an income protection or life insurance policy. Refer to Insurance for more details.

As a SAR volunteer, what transport would I need to have?
Generally, members must be able to either get themselves to the designated assembly area, or to a transport pick-up point. In Wellington, this usually means Wellington Central Police station. Volunteers may also be able to make arrangements to share transport with other members. WLSAR attempts to facilitate transport sharing for exercises by listing names and contact details for training course participants on the secure section of the WLSAR website.

Equipment, Gear or Kit

What gear are volunteers expected to provide?
Volunteers must provide food, clothing and equipment for their own personal needs. In addition to the usual outdoor clothing, footwear, storm gear, gloves and headwear, Wellington Land SAR volunteers should pack enough food/drink for at least 24 hours. Volunteers should also be prepared to stay out overnight and are expected to liase with fellow team members about tents/flys/bivvy bags. For more information see Kit.

What equipment do I need to take an operation or exercise?
It depends on the type of operation. As a general guide, unless you are instructed otherwise, personal equipment provided by volunteers includes relevant topographical map, compass, notebook and pencil, torch (with spare batteries), whistle, cooking equipment, food and drink for initial 24-hour period, sleeping bags/mats, and tentage. Equipment provided by Wellington Land SAR may include SAR jerkins, Communications, GPS's, maps, TCA kits, and leather gardening gloves (for searching gorse or backberry).

What should be in my personal SAR kit?
Volunteers prepare to be called out at short notice. Apart from having your tramping gear at the ready, keep a supply of high-energy snack food and instant pasta packs (or something similar) on hand too.

What is the basic equipment I need to have before I can become an active SAR member? All you need is your tramping gear. In addition to your polypro/wool outdoor/fleece clothing, this will include a good pack, backcountry footwear, gaiters, parka and over-trousers, gloves and headgear, sleeping bag and mat/Therm-a-rest, cooker/food utensils, torch and whistle, compass, and personal first aid kit. You should also have NZMS 260 series topographic maps of the WLSAR area. Access to tentage would also help.

Insurance, ACC, and Employment

What do I tell my employer/boss?
Make sure you discuss joining SAR with you employer before signing up. Some work places allow special leave for SAR operations, others may require you to use your own leave. Discuss the process for notifying your boss when you are called out on a search.

I'd like to join, but my employer won't give me time off to attend searches, can you help?
Wellington Land SAR is willing to write a letter in support of your activities. However, ultimately the outcome will depend on negotiations between yourself and your employer. Perhaps a good employment advocate would help.

Are volunteers covered by insurance when they are out on searches?
All volunteers are covered by ACC for any personal injuries caused by accidents on a search. However, other insurance is the responsibility of the volunteer. Depending on the circumstances, volunteers may be able to seek replacement of gear or equipment that is damaged or lost on a search. For more information, see Insurance.

What if I lose wages because I attend a search?
Talk to WLSAR if this is an issue. Generally, volunteers are responsible for their own employment arrangements. Volunteers who are employees are encouraged to negotiate for paid leave for search and rescue activities to be incorporated in their contracts. Unless there is a prior agreement or unless there are exceptional circumstances, neither WLSAR nor the Police will be able to reimburse volunteers for lost wages. A request will be considered on its merits.

Training

What training do volunteers have?
Lots! Check out Wellington Land SAR's training pages and see the extent of the training we provide to both volunteers and professionals. All we ask is that potential volunteers have the appropriate backcountry skills and a commitment to learn. We can train you from there.

Can I get qualifications through belonging to SAR?
That's the plan. New Zealand Land SAR, in association with SARINZ and Tai Poutini Polytech provide training courses approved by NZQA. Members currently study towards a Diploma in Search or a Diploma in Rescue, but a more structured set of tiered qualifications is being developed. Existing achievements will be cross credited to the new qualifications.

My dog is great at finding things, can we help?
WLSAR would like your help. However, you and your dog would need to be assessed first. If you are assessed as being suitable, then the dog (with you, the handler) will have to be trained to a recognised Search Dog standard. For more information, see NZLSAR dog standards.

How many courses do I need to attend before I'll be called out on a search?
Members can be called out on searches as soon as they are signed up. However, new members will be placed within a team of experienced members. Learning takes place on operations and on training sessions.

Can I ring and talk to someone about joining?
For more information, email Wellington Land SAR.