RIVER SAFETY TRAINING DAY SAT 5 FEB 2011 8/8:30 – 3/4PM TE HORO VOLUNTEER RURAL FIRE STATION & OTAKI FORKS As LandSAR we operate in all weathers, can be in rivers we are not familiar with, and need to make judgements under pressure. The training is open to LandSAR members and Police SAR. It is being organised and run by Noel Bigwood, Rowena Johnstone and Mountain Safety Horowhenua Bushcraft Instructors (most of whom are also with SAR). Could other people experienced in river safety who wish to assist with the day please contact Noel or Rowena asap. LandSAR Horowhenua, LandSAR [...]

AREC, Tawa Community Centre and Police Base Run by John Yaldwyn, this was an opportunity for members to get hands-on with our new Tait hand held VHF radios, as well as some of the older equipment. Being comfortable handling the new radios is very important for all field team members. Good to learn a bit of history about LandSAR communications, and to update our skills and knowledge. Thanks John! Attendees: Andrew Fyfe, Dave Heatley, Sue Rundle, Paul Bird, David Layburn, Andrew Chisholm, Marie Henderson, Meg Shaw, Simon McAuliffe, Sarah Holland, Jenny Beaumont, Paul Millin, Sue Cuthbertson, John Yaldwyn, Peter Smith, [...]

30-31 Oct 2010, Camp Kaitoke by Tara Donnelly In the last week of October, a group of us headed across to Kaitoke for the SARINZ course on Clue Site Processing in Wilderness Environments, better known as TCA3. This course followed on from the techniques taught in TCA1 (Tracking and Clue Awareness) and developed further in TCA2 (Tracking: Sign Cutting and Ageing). The main focus of this course was on processing clue rich wilderness environments, and key elements included the assessment of campsites, cooking areas, fires, and water collection and wash sites. We were taught to discriminate between different sleeping options [...]

Thu 7th & Sun 10th Oct, Life Flight by Sam Kempthorne Wellington LandSAR had a Helicopter training day recently with Life Flight’s Westpac Rescue Helicopter. The Thursday before the field training, we had a familiarisation theory course at the Life flight Hangar. We were all now eager and ready for the winch training at the catch pool. In teams of four, we climbed from the top of picnic table and approached the hovering chopper. After we were aboard, the helicopter took us for a short ride took to our drop off zone. At the drop off zone, we were suspended [...]