Santa Barbara County Search & Rescue, 11/30/23, Vol. 38

2023 TEAM STATS

911 CALL:

INJURED HIKER A harrowing story of a pivotal rescue c all from the perspective of a Rescue Member that changed the course of his SAR career

Gear List

10

ESSENTIALS

S B C S A R HISTOR Y

RESCUE TEAMS

T

he origins of the Santa Barbara County Search and Rescue Team (SBCSAR) can be traced back to 1962 when they were initially recognized as the Los Padres SAR team.

Their primary focus during the early years centered around wilderness search and rescue operations. By the late 1970s, the team had firmly established itself as a distinguished member of the Mountain Rescue Association (MRA).

Today, SBCSAR has achieved the status of a Type 1 search and rescue team, meeting the MRA’s stringent standards for rock rescue, search management, and winter operations. This esteemed classification is shared by only a few similar teams in California and is synonymous with excellence in the field of search and rescue. MRA teams, including SBCSAR, are held in high regard and are acknowledged as some of the finest in the nation.

B I KE T E A M The SBCSAR team has introduced a gamechanging addition to their arsenal to enhance their response time when helping those in need. Thanks to these innovative eBikes, Santa Barbara County Search and Rescue is better equipped than ever to respond swiftly and effectively to those in need, no matter where they maybe.

PROJEC T LIFE S AV ER

K 9 TE AM The Santa Barbara County Search and Rescue K9s are not just assets but cherished members of the team, undergoing rigorous training in specialties including trailing, scent detection, and wilderness search, among others. Their exceptional agility and stamina allow them to traverse treacherous terrain quickly and contribute to them being an invaluable resource. The extraordinary bond formed between handler and K9 is a testament to the dedication required to save lives and bring comfort to those in distress.

Project Lifesaver is an electronic monitoring system that locates persons with Alzheimer’s, Dementia, Autism, Downs Syndrome or similar cognitive disorders that may cause the individual to become confused and wander. Participants of Project Lifesaver are given special wristbands with transmitters that emit silent signals picked up only by unique receivers & directional antennas. In the event a participant wanders off and the Sheriff’s Department is notified, the Search-andRescue team is deployed utilizing Project Lifesaver’s specialized tracking equipment to locate the missing person. Check out this outstanding program at https://www.sbsher iff.org/ project-lifesaver/

SWIF T WATE R R E SCUE TE AM

DRONE TE AM

The devastating surge of storm-related events is now an all-too-common occurrence. The Swiftwater and Flood Rescue Technicians (SRT), are an integral part of the SBCSAR team, are on the front lines, and ready to face challenges headon. These skilled individuals have been the backbone of the increased storm responses, tirelessly working to ensure the safety of their community. SBCSAR was one of the first agencies to respond to the 2018 Montecito Debris Flow.

SBCSAR deploys cutting-edge drones equipped with advanced FLIR/Optical Cameras, revolutionizing their mission to locate missing persons. These high-tech aerial tools provide efficient coverage of vast areas, saving valuable time and enabling rapid location of individuals in distress. With the ability to transmit realtime thermal imagery and sensor data to their ground control station, these drones empower the team with vital information for swift, well-informed decision-making.

R E SCUE CA LL

MAN AND DOG RESCUED FROM BEACH CLIFF S

ummer days along our picturesque coast often beckon locals and visitors alike to explore the outdoors and enjoy the ocean breeze. It was on one such day that an ordinary training session turned into a real-life cliffside rescue.

On a sunny afternoon near More Mesa, with the majestic mountains to the north and the refreshing sea breeze to the south,

SBCSAR members were engaged in a training session focused on various aspects of cliffside rescues. Their training agenda for the day included practicing litter evacuations of injured subjects using rope rescue systems and specialized vehicles, as well as mastering the art of overcoming obstacles such as cliff edge transitions, managing loose footing, and mitigating minor rock falls to ensure the safety of those below.

As the clock ticked past noon, team members were winding down their training efforts and securing their gear. But just when they thought the day was coming to a close, they received reports from alert bystanders. A man, along with his faithful canine companion, Ranger, found themselves in a perilous situation just 100 yards from the location of the ongoing rope rescue training. The dog had ventured over the cliffside, and in a courageous attempt to help his four-legged friend, the owner had become stranded as well.

The steep cliffside, composed of crumbling shale rock, had allowed the owner to reach his dog but prevented him from moving up or down without risking a dangerous fall. In the blink of an eye, SBCSAR members sprang into action. Arriving at the scene within minutes, they conducted a swift

assessment of the cliff’s stability with both the man and his dog precariously clinging to the cliffside.

Familiar with the area, the team members quickly located nearby anchors and, within minutes, established a rope rescue system.

The first rescuer was lowered over the side and down to the stranded duo, providing a lifeline of hope for both the man and his canine companion. Once the first rescuer reached the pair, he secured them to the rope, preventing any further slips, and awaited the arrival of a second SAR team member who would help safely descend the cliff.

With the man safely harnessed and secured on the rope system, the rescuers breathed a sigh of relief, finding no injuries. The first rescuer, along with Ranger, was then carefully lowered down to the beach below. The second rescuer, not only a trained SAR member but also a local veterinarian, conducted a thorough examination of Ranger. Fortunately, the beloved dog had emerged from the ordeal unscathed. Once on the safe shores of the beach, Ranger was overjoyed to be reunited with the sea, where he splashed around, cooling off and celebrating his rescue.

SBCSAR extends its heartfelt gratitude to the quick-thinking bystanders who flagged down their team members, initiating a rapid response that ultimately led to a successful outcome. This cliffside rescue is a testament to the dedication and skill of the SBCSAR team.

10 ESSENTIALS Ge ar List

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WATER (1 QUART PER HOUR) FOOD MAP AND COMPASS HIKING PLAN LEFT WITH A FRIEND OR IN YOUR CAR 5. FLASHLIGHT

6. WATERPROOF MATCHES 7. EXTRA CLOTHING (NOT COTTON!) 8. WHISTLE 9. CELL PHONE 10. KNIFE

2023 T E A M S T A T S WE COVER ALL 2 ,735 SQUARE MILE S OF S ANTA BARBAR A COUNT Y

2 ,896 CALL HOURS

ANNUALLY, WE SPEND OVER 7,800 HOURS TR AINING

3.5 HOURS AVER AGE CALL LENGTH

AVER AGE 100+ CALLS A YE AR FOR SERVICE

WE HAVE 49 MEMBERS

WE NEVER CHARGE FOR SERVICES N o o n e s h o u l d h e s i t a t e t o d i a l 9 - 1 - 1 d u r i n g a n e m e r ge n c y d u e t o c o n c e r ns a b o u t e x p e ns e s . T i m e i s o f t h e e ss e n c e , a n d we s t a n d by o u r c o m m u n i t y u n c o n d i t i o n a l l y.

O u r r ewa r d i s t h e a p p r e c i a t i o n r e f l e c t e d i n t h e g r a t e f u l s m i l e s o f t h os e we a i d, t h e i n d i v i d u a l s i n d i s t r e ss , a n d t h e f a m i l i e s we r e u n i t e .

GENEROUS SUPPORT FROM THE COMMUNITY P R OV I D E S U S W I T H T H E F U N D S N E C E S S A RY F O R E Q U I P M E N T A N D T R A I N I N G . W E WA N T T O G I V E A S P E C I A L T H A N K YO U T O T H E F O L LOW I N G D O N O R S : •

A L L I A N C E D ATA

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R O Y A N D I D A E A G L E F O U N D AT I O N

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C R A N E C O U N T R Y D AY S C H O O L S T U D E N T S

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S A N TA B A R B A R A R O C K G Y M

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D I R E C T R E L I E F I N T E R N AT I O N A L

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T H E A N T I - D E FA M AT I O N L E A G U E

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ONE805

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VA L E N T I N E FA M I LY F O U N D AT I O N

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R A I N T R E E F O U N D AT I O N

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W O O D - C L A E Y S S E N S F O U N D AT I O N

WE AL S O R EC O G N IZE THE M AN Y IN DIV IDUAL S WHO SUPP OR T TE AM T HR O U G H T H E IR TIM E AN D DON ATION S .

PLEASE CONSIDER DONATING TODAY AND HELP OUR ALL-VOLUNTEER TEAM BE MISSION READY TO HELP OTHERS IN TIME OF NEED.

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY SEARCH AND RESCUE PO BOX 6602 S A N TA B A R B A R A , C A 9 3 1 6 0 - 6 6 0 2 W W W. S B C S A R . N E T