Home

Public

Content available to the general public

Winter search training weekend Lake Mountain July 2013

Bush Search and Rescue's main weekend training event for 2013 will be focused on searching in winter conditions.    There will be some streaming of participants to provide relevant training focus for both new and experienced members and opportunities to build on existing skills. A detailed program will be circulated closer to the event.   Note: this is not a steep snow and ice activity.

  • Date:  20-21 July 2013    Venue:  Lake Mountain
    • Depart: 0700 hrs Saturday 20 July.  Police bus from Green St Northcote
    • Return: 1900 hrs Sunday 21 July.  Bus returns to Green St Northcote (approximate time)

Who should attend?

 
All current BSAR members, prospective members and experienced bushwalkers who are considering membership of BSAR and who meet or who are close to meeting the requirements for BSAR membership, are most welcome.  BSAR entry requirements are on [Page 12] of the BSAR manual and [here]
 

Registration

Note:  Registrations close on Friday, 5th July 2013

Current members should register using the on line registration link circulated in the members training flier or available from your Club Delegate. Please remember to also advise your Delegate of your intention to attend.
 
Others interested in attending the training and joining BSAR should email the organisers at training@bsar.org
 

Presentation to Army Reserve training day

Bush Search and Rescue was asked to present at a land search and rescue training activity for the Reserve Response Force (RRF) at Simpson Barracks in Watsonia on Saturday 1 June 2013.  The RRF is the Force Element that has been the basis of the Austalian Defence Force's response to fires and floods in recent years.

BSAR presenation to Army Reserve Response Force

Behind the Log BSAR newletter May 2013 edition out now

The May 2013 edition of Behind The Log, Bush Search and Rescue's regular newsletter, is now published and can be downloaded from [here] (pdf). 

Articles include:
  • The Beginning of the Police Search and Rescue Squad - a BSAR Perspective
  • Wellington Plains search update
  • Bush Search and Rescue training calendar for 2013
  • Bush Search and Rescue Annual Report for 2012-13

 

BSAR safety clothing issued to all members

BSAR Safety Shirt

Bush Search and Rescue members are being provided with safety shirts for use on searches.  These shirts are highly visible and stay warm if they get wet.

We are also providing high vis caps and fleece beanies.  
 
The items have been purchased with a grant from the Department of Justice Victoria and some additional funds from Bushwalking Victoria.

BSAR call-out to Snowy River National Park for search for missing woman

Sunday 07 Apr 2013.  Bush Search and Rescue was called out for a 3pm departure from Melbourne.   The call-out was cancelled when the missing person was located by Police Airwing helicopter and winched out from the banks of the Snowy River in East Gippsland.

Orders for polo tops and badges

 

BSAR hi-vis polo shirt, beanie and cap

Each BSAR member is issued with a BSAR polo shirt, fleece beanie and cap.

Bush Search and Rescue members (only) can order their BSAR polo shirt using [this form].

Latrobe Valley Airport

The pickup location for the Latrobe Valley is outside the entrance of the Latrobe Valley Airport, Village Avenue, West Traralgon.

Satellite phones

Satellite phones (satphones) can be very useful for emergency communications - when they are able to connect via their satellite network.

The major advantage of a satphone is that you have two-way communications and can convey information about your situation by voice or SMS.  Unlike an PLB or Spot device, you can get confirmation that your message has been received.  Some satphones also now support email.  SMS and email communications can be much cheaper than voice communication.

inmarsat Satphone

Inmarsat Satphone

Training weekend near Eldorado, October 2012

Sixty participants took part in BSAR’s annual training weekend held on 27-28 October 2012 in the Chiltern Mt Pilot National Park near Eldorado in north east Victoria.  In stark contrast to last year’s training in the Wombat Forest, we enjoyed marvellous spring weather.  Fifteen BWV Clubs were represented, plus a number of BWV individual members.  It was especially pleasing to welcome 22 prospective members, many from the Melbourne, Monash and RMIT Universities, on their first BSAR training event.

SKED stretcher carry after line search

The Saturday program involved participation in the Victorian Rogaining Association’s 12 hour rogaine, in the lovely open (mostly) forests north of Eldorado.  The BSAR teams achieved some impressive results, and a good standard of navigation and fitness was demonstrated.  Many thanks to the VRA for its strong support of BSAR and in facilitating our participation in the rogaine.

On Sunday morning a short program of workshops covering radio, GPS, group leaders and new members induction preceded line searching and stretcher carry exercises.

BSAR call-out to Wellington Plains to assist school group

Thursday 11/10/2012.  Bush Search and Rescue was called out for a 10pm departure from Melbourne.

Fri 12/10.  18 BSAR members travelled to Licola to render assistance. The BSAR group returned to Melbourne at 4pm.

Victoria experienced unseasonal cold winter conditions, including snow in alpine regions.  A high school group of 11 students and 3 staff was stranded by bad weather and snow while on a bushwalk in the Wellington Plains region of Gippsland.  The group was successfully evacuated by the SES and Victoria Police using oversnow transport.

BSAR Team at Licola

Syndicate content