Posted on

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.

Continue reading “Training weekend near Eldorado, October 2012”

Posted on

Emergency Services Foundation – 2013 scholarships

There is an opportunity for BSAR members to apply for an Emergency Services Foundation (ESF) scholarship.

The Emergency Services Foundation was established following the Ash Wednesday bushfires in 1983. It operates as a trust to provide immediate support for those who suffer hardship as a result of the death of a family member or injuries sustained in the line of duty.

Continue reading “Emergency Services Foundation – 2013 scholarships”

Posted on

BSAR Training Weekend notice 27-28 October 2012

BSAR Training

Our annual training weekend this year will provide BSAR members and experienced bushwalkers with training in the skills required for bush searching.  Participation in a Victorian Rogaining Association (VRA) rogaine on Saturday is ideal for BSAR members as it is a close match to what is expected of us during a search; accurate off track bush navigation in small groups.

This 12-hour event will provide ample opportunity to practise navigation in friendly team environment.  If you are unable to register as a team, don’t be put off – we’ll find a compatible partner for you or team for you to join.  Sunday will focus on search specific aspects, including a mock search and evacuation.

Continue reading “BSAR Training Weekend notice 27-28 October 2012”

Posted on

Training Weekend in the Wombat Forest, November 2011

Seventy participants took part in BSAR’s annual training weekend held on 19-20 November 2011 in the Wombat Forest.  It was our largest training event in a long time.  Thirteen BWV Clubs were represented, plus a number of BWV individual members.  It was especially pleasing to welcome 25 new and prospective members on their first BSAR training event.

Continue reading “Training Weekend in the Wombat Forest, November 2011”

Posted on

Steep snow and ice training 2011 at Mount Stirling

Two separate training sessions for steep snow and ice rescue training were held this year – a dryland training day covering theory and some off-snow exercises, and a weekend at Mount Stirling where we focussed on steep snow and ice rescue skills in an alpine environment.

For the weekend at Mount Stirling, we departed from Green Street Northcote on Friday night (8 July 2011) and camped at Mansfield overnight to get an early start on Saturday.  The Police bus dropped us at Telephone Box Junction on Mount Stirling, then we skied up to our campsite at Bluff Spur Hut.

Continue reading “Steep snow and ice training 2011 at Mount Stirling”

Posted on

Interested in increasing your radio knowledge? Become a radio amateur

Amateur Radio Victoria, via Robert Bloomfield (a WIA trainer/assessor) at the Eastern & Mountain District Radio Club Inc, is offering Bush Search and Rescue members free training to become a Foundation class Radio Amateur.

This would significantly increase your radio skills and allow access to the wide world of amateur radio.  Efficient use of radios is an important part of searching.

Continue reading “Interested in increasing your radio knowledge? Become a radio amateur”

Posted on

Steep snow and ice dryland training day, July 2010

Bush Search and Rescue members with steep snow and ice skills attended a “dryland” training day in Melbourne to learn some theory and practice steep snow and ice skills including using avalanche transceivers (in South Surrey Park), roping techniques, equipment review and stretcher rigging and hauling using a z-pulley system. Participants were also trained on our latest radio technology.

Continue reading “Steep snow and ice dryland training day, July 2010”

Posted on

2010 winter training including steep snow and ice

The BSAR Training Weekend is was held at Mt Hotham on 24-25 July. Melbourne members travelling to Bright on the Friday night, then met with members from Gippsland and the North East at JB Plain.

This year Steep Snow and Ice (SSI) training was concurrently with the Winter Search Training on the Saturday followed by combined training on the Sunday in the JB Plain area, which was also where we camped overnight.

The weekend was very successful with participants gaining new skills or reinforcing existing skills. At total of 51 participants attended, with 21 being new to BSAR.

Continue reading “2010 winter training including steep snow and ice”