1.  All prospective new members must be proficient trail riders prior to beginning search and
rescue training.
2.  All trainees must complete Northwest Horseback Search and Rescue field training, and
also complete the classes required by the Washington Administrative Code(WAC) and
the King County Search and Rescue Association.  Field  training consists of an orientation
course and three overnight weekend courses involving training in wilderness
navigation, outdoor skills, and survival. WAC requirements include standard first aid
and CPR, pathogens, helicopter safety, crime scene awareness, search and rescue
techniques and survival, and wilderness navigation.
3.  Members must own or have access to a trained trail safe horse.
4.  Members must be self sufficient with their own transportation to base camp.  This would
entail owning or having ready access to a horse trailer and towing vehicle.
5.  Minimum age is 14 for base camp operations and 16 for search missions.  Minors under
the age of  18 must be accompanied by an adult.
6.  Both horse and rider must qualify by participating in field exercises, ongoing training, and
mock searches. Members14 and 15 years of age are encouraged to participate in
training exercises with their horse.

King County Office of Emergency Management Emergency Worker, Vehicle and Animal Application

These applications can be downloaded from the Calendar and Training Schedule page and are given out at Orientation and must be completed and submitted to the Training Director by  or at the Horse Qualifications.

Horse and Rider Qualification and Packing 

Basic horsemanship skills are tested such as a timed slalom, backing, stepping over obstructions, unusual object reaction, and loading and unloading in a trailer.  Packing for search and rescue is discussed and demonstrated. 8 hours. Held in February.

Wilderness Navigation/Map and Compass

Wilderness map reading, accurate compass work, and distance estimation in the outdoors.   Students will undertake a series of classroom exercises and then field examination on accurate direction and distance calculation in the wilderness.  8 hours.  Held in late February or early March.

Search and Rescue Academy 

Washington Administrative Code(WAC) required classes.  These classes can be completed in two weekends and are free except for materials.
Crime Scene  2 hrs. Search and Rescue Techniques 4 hrs
Helicopter Safety  3 hrs Search and Rescue Survival  4 hrs
Pathogens  2 hrs CPR $5.00    4 hrs
Basic First Aid $5.00 4 hrs

Field Practice of Horseback Trail and Wilderness Navigation

Participants are given a series of trail and cross-country navigation problems to solve on horseback and on foot.  Demonstration of safe trail riding techniques.  Overnight camping demonstration of survival skills and equipment. 34 hours. Held in April.

Mock Search 

This is an overnight demonstration of safe riding techniques, radio use, and wilderness navigation.  Participants will be directed to search for mock lost and/or injured persons who will be planted in the wilderness.  Wilderness navigation, crime scene preservation, and possible transportation of mock injured person to base will be demonstrated. 34 hours. Held in May.

Qualification Test

Overnight mock search and rescue event, wilderness navigation and camping, demonstration of safe, organized, search and possible horseback rescue of mock injured or ill person.  Completion of training. 34 hours. Held in June.