Probationary Field Team
Member Competencies
Version: November 2012
Contents
Introduction
1
Navigation
2
Bushcraft
5
Clothing, Equipment and Personal Safety
8
Version: November 2012
Introduction
LandSAR New Zealand practitioners form the backbone of land-based search
and rescue response in New Zealand. We support the country’s two search
and rescue coordinating authorities – New Zealand Police and the Rescue
Coordination Centre.
As an operational LandSAR team member you are a key part of any SAR
operation and key to its success. It is important that every person knows their
specific role and responsibilities. The competency statements listed in this
document are considered to be a minimum requirement and it is expected
that some groups may have a need to add to these to meet their particular
operational environment. These competencies were developed with input
from both LandSAR members and Police nationwide through surveys and
workshops.
LandSAR has a requirement to have fully assessed competencies for all
operational roles to ensure national consistency in the way we train and
operate so that we can have confidence in the safety and effectiveness of
our people in the field. Our goal is to complete this for all roles by the year
2015 and this also forms part of agreements with the Coordinating Authorities
(MOU with New Zealand Police and the Rescue Coordination Centre); and
the Service Level Agreement with NZSAR.
This document, and the associated assessment document, outlines the
minimum requirements for a Probationary Field Team member. The tern
‘Probationary’ refers to the level of skills and knowledge that is considered the
minimum requirement to be safe in the field environment before you
commence Search and Rescue specific training. Some groups may choose
to require prospective members to have obtained this level prior to joining
their group. Other groups may choose to accept members who are below
this level and undertake to provide them with the necessary training to
achieve this level of competency. Regardless of how a new member attains
the required skills and knowledge, it is expected that they will have them prior
to time and resources being invested in SAR specific training for them.
This document has been jointly developed by LandSAR New Zealand and
EMQUAL.
Harry Maher
Chief Executive
Version: November 2012
1
NAVIGATION
Outcome
Must be able to follow a route on and off a marked track in the bush
environment
Evidence Required
1.
Describe different types of track and track markers and their
frequency.
Markers may include - purpose built signage, poles, rock cairns, axe
slashes, improvised, directional information
Tracks may include - well surfaced and level, water crossing (with or
without bridge), raised walkways, unformed, rough and very steep.
2.
Identify decision points and the make the correct navigational
decision.
3.
Demonstrate appropriate walking skills on and off track
May include – speed, rhythm, foot placement, steep or difficult terrain.
Range - Travel to be undertaken both day and night and take
account of seasonal variations. Conditions must reflect the local
environment and may include - rain, snow, wind, extreme heat.
Version: November 2012
2
Outcome
Navigate using maps
Evidence Required
Read and interpret New Zealand Topo50 maps.
1.
Identify features and functions.
Features may include - key, scale, contours, grid lines, symbols,
shading, river direction, tracks, buildings.
2.
Demonstrate knowledge of care and maintenance of maps.
3.
Identify and report a location using a map.
Range – orientate map to ground using features only, orientate map to
ground using a compass.
Select correct map or maps.
Location given is within 100 metres and on the correct topographical
map.
Location is reported to the team leader using six figure grid reference.
4.
Describe from a map the terrain to be encountered along a route.
Range may include – hills, degree of slope, valleys, spurs, cliffs, rivers,
swamps, slips, creeks, bridges, tracks, caves.
5.
Demonstrate navigation using natural and cultural features to a
selected position.
6.
Estimate route distance and trip time using map.
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3
Outcome
Navigate using compass
Evidence Required
1.
Identify the parts of an adjustable-dial compass and explain the
factors which may affect its accuracy.
Compass type – Silva or similar.
Factors which may affect accuracy may include – magnetic fields,
physical damage.
2.
Explain the difference between grid and magnetic bearings and set
the compass to each.
3.
Demonstrate the use of bearings to define direction of travel.
Range – bearing to a feature and the back bearing from a feature.
4.
Identify a position on a map using a resection.
5.
Identify general headings with and without a compass.
6.
Demonstrate navigation and complete travel, to a selected position,
on and off track using a compass.
7.
Demonstrate navigation around objects in a bush environment using a
compass.
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4
BUSHCRAFT
Outcome
Identify and mitigate common wilderness hazards.
Evidence Required
1.
Identify hazards identified that relate to local conditions. A minimum of
six must be identified. Hazards may include – weather, terrain, river
crossings, insects, hunters, poisons, traps, personal.
2.
Describe actions taken to eliminate or minimise hazards.
Outcome
River crossing safety.
Evidence Required
1.
Describe when to cross and when not to cross a waterway and
demonstrate knowledge of river crossing principles
2.
Demonstrate knowledge of river characteristics, dynamics and hazards
(including health problems).
3.
Identify hazards, characteristics, dynamics, and crossing points for a
river.
4.
Identify an appropriate place to cross a river and justify for solo, mutual
support, swimming and pack floating methods.
5.
Demonstrate and explain the techniques used and likely hazards when
using a stream or river as a route for travel into and out of bush areas.
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Outcome
Select and establish a campsite.
Evidence Required
1.
Identify a campsite.
Range – Must consider shelter, access to water, hazards, access, fuel
source, flooding, day/night.
2.
Describe water collection methods.
3.
Demonstrate establishing a shelter that provides protection from
prevailing weather conditions.
4.
Demonstrate decommissiong site and return it to natural state.
Outcome
Prepare and provide food.
Evidence Required
1.
Explain safety and hygiene considerations in establishing food
preparation and cooking sites.
Range – water collection, water safety.
2.
Demonstrate preparing food that is free from contamination.
Outcome
Maintain personal hygiene.
Evidence Required
1.
Explain the procedures for siting of personal facilities.
2.
Describe how waste materials are disposed of.
Range – rubbish, personal.
3.
Explain how to maintain own hygiene for self protection and the
protection of others.
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Outcome
Understand basic wilderness survival techniques.
Evidence Required
1.
Demonstrate knowledge of basic survival kit requirements.
2.
Demonstrate establishing a personal emergency shelter using locally
sourced and/or carried materials.
3.
Demonstrate building and maintaing a fire using locally sourced
and/or carried materials.
4.
Explain minimum survival requirements.
5.
Describe three methods of emergency communication.
Outcome
Use general purpose knots.
Evidence Required
1.
Explain types, characteristics and uses of general purpose lines used in
the wilderness.
Range - equipment raising and lowering, anchor line for low angle
stretcher lowering.
3.
Demonstrate tying general purpose knots.
May include but is not limited to a minimum of three from – figure eight,
figure eight on the bight, half hitch, taut line hitch, round turn and two
half hitches, tape knot, Italian hitch, clove hitch, bowline.
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CLOTHING, EQUIPMENT and PERSONAL SAFETY
Outcome
Use wilderness clothing and equipment.
Evidence Required
1.
Demonstrate selection and use of clothing and equipment in
accordance with the environmental conditions and duration of the
event.
2.
Demonstrate that clothing and equipment is maintained and ready for
wilderness activities.
3.
Demonstrate how clothing and equipment is packed ready for use for
the day’s expected conditions and activities.
Range – efficiently, personal equipment, team equipment.
Outcome
Maintain personal health and wellbeing in the wilderness.
Evidence Required
1.
Identify an individual’s physical and medical limitations in terms of
requirements for wilderness activities.
2.
Demonstrate knowledge of personal risk factors from outdoor activities
and actions that can mitigate these.
Range – heat illness, hypothermia, fatigue, dehydration.
FITNESS
The individual will be able to demonstrate a level of fitness to:

Carry a 24 hour pack, walk a nine (9) kilometre route within three (3)
hours. This route must include a hill climb of 200 vertical metres within a
lineal distance of one (1) kilometre and one (1) hour.
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Key References
LINZ Topo50 Map Reading Guide
Mountain Safety Council Bushcraft manual
LandSAR Field Guide 2010
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