Background to alpineSAR

AlpineSAR had its genesis in the Victorian Nordic Rescue Service (VNRS), which was formed in 1979 as a skilled volunteer cross-country ski search and rescue group.

Within 12 months of formation VNRS established a subgroup to provide cross-country ski patrol services at Mt St Gwinear and shortly thereafter at Lake Mountain. VNRS also assisted with the establishment of ski patrols at Mt Stirling and at Mt Reynard (as part of the SES Maffra Unit). As these groups matured they evolved into separate independent patrols at their own mountains.

In 2003 VNRS extended its membership criteria to also experienced bush walkers as well as skiers.

VNRS became Alpine Search and Rescue Victoria Inc. in 2007.

Search Call Outs

AlpineSAR members are called out for search and rescue as part Bush Search and Rescue (BSAR) by Victoria Police Search and Rescue Squad.

When requested to join a search, available members gather at a central meeting place from where a Victoria Police bus takes us to the search control area. Often searches happen in bad weather and difficult terrain. We work in small teams, with other BSAR and emergency services personnel. While we may come back into base by the end of the day, we are just as likely to stay out overnight, depending on the search area we have been allocated. The number of searches varies but may be from one to five a year. Members are not required to attend every search.

The most rewarding aspect of membership is when a search is successful – finding the lost person or group, helping them with any first aid, and organising to get them out of the bush and back to their families is a great outcome. Sometimes though the search is wound up without the person being found. We have a peer support program that assists with personal debriefing as a routine part of the whole process. Searchers responding to a call out are expected to be able to spend three days in the field. On a large search a second call out will bring in fresh legs and allow the search to continue for extended periods.

 
 

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Background to alpineSAR

AlpineSAR had its genesis in the Victorian Nordic Rescue Service (VNRS), which was formed in 1979 as a skilled volunteer cross-country ski search and rescue group.

Within 12 months of formation VNRS established a subgroup to provide cross-country ski patrol services at Mt St Gwinear and shortly thereafter at Lake Mountain. VNRS also assisted with the establishment of ski patrols at Mt Stirling and at Mt Reynard (as part of the SES Maffra Unit). As these groups matured they evolved into separate independent patrols at their own mountains.

In 2003 VNRS extended its membership criteria to also experienced bush walkers as well as skiers.

VNRS became Alpine Search and Rescue Victoria Inc. in 2007.

Search Call Outs

AlpineSAR members are called out for search and rescue as part Bush Search and Rescue (BSAR) by Victoria Police Search and Rescue Squad.

When requested to join a search, available members gather at a central meeting place from where a Victoria Police bus takes us to the search control area. Often searches happen in bad weather and difficult terrain. We work in small teams, with other BSAR and emergency services personnel. While we may come back into base by the end of the day, we are just as likely to stay out overnight, depending on the search area we have been allocated. The number of searches varies but may be from one to five a year. Members are not required to attend every search.

The most rewarding aspect of membership is when a search is successful – finding the lost person or group, helping them with any first aid, and organising to get them out of the bush and back to their families is a great outcome. Sometimes though the search is wound up without the person being found. We have a peer support program that assists with personal debriefing as a routine part of the whole process. Searchers responding to a call out are expected to be able to spend three days in the field. On a large search a second call out will bring in fresh legs and allow the search to continue for extended periods.

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