SARCast - A Search and Rescue Podcast

Welcome to Season 3 Episode 3 of SARCast - On episode 3 the gang is back together! Ben takes us on a windy but deep road of being a training officer.We discuss what he gets up to, how to train, different training styles, improvements and our review our experience of training / being trained.The gang talk about gear purchases ranging from Helly Hansens boots to Motorola Defy satellite links.We have teamed up with Sony Music Entertainment to showcase a new podcast called RESCUE with Donny Dust, Marine Corps veteran and world-renowned survival expert.Bristow Winch-Paramedic Jamie Pattison then joins us to discuss his day job, search and rescue and becoming an International Search and Rescue Paramedic. Diving deep into Jamie's experience, training and mindset. Episode Links: Jamie’s interview about his Moroccan experience – Bristow’s Jamie Pattison witnesses human resilience after devastating Moroccan tragedy :: Bristow Group Inc. (VTOL)Morocco Earthquake - Morocco earthquake: Watch aftershocks send rescue teams running - BBC NewsUK ISAR - https://twitter.com/UK_ISAR_TEAM/status/1701676462422560808 Rescue Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/rescue/id1709000814 Gear Links: Helly Hansen - Men's Traverse Hellytech® Waterproof Hiking Boots | Helly Hansen UKHelikon Hybrid Outback Trousers - Helikon Hybrid Outback Pants DuraCanvas Black (military1st.co.uk)Motorola Defy Satellite Link - motorola defy satellite linkPodcast Links: Join the conversation over on Discord - https://discord.gg/sX98QHg777SARCast Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sarcastuk/SARCast Twitter - @SARCastUKSAR Store Online Shop - https://sarstore.co.uk/

Welcome to Season 3 Episode 2 of SARCast - Luke is joined by Ralph Simonsen aka Famous Ralph. It is a jammed packed discussion covering a wide range of subjects including the Icelandic ICE-SAR Conference, Avalanches and a good update on what Ralph has been up to in the Arctic Circle! At the end of their discussion they discuss Artificial Intelligence (AI) use in Drone search and rescue.Later Luke is joined by Sam Vincent from Derbyshire 4x4 Response Team who discuss what a 4x4 Response team is, what they get up to here in the UK and Sam shares his experiences of Snow and a good view of what it’s like in the team.Episode Links:ICE-SAR Conference - https://www.rescue.is/Norsk Folkehjelp - https://folkehjelp.no/Norsk Folkenhjelp Midt-Troms - https://www.instagram.com/nfmidttroms/Derbyshire 4x4 Response Team - https://derbyshire4x4response.org/Modern Outdoor Survival Snow Episode - https://www.spreaker.com/episode/52204362 Dr Robert Koester: Robert J. Koester first joined the Appalachian Search & Rescue Conference in 1981 and since then has participated in hundreds of searches. He holds a PhD in search theory from the University of Portsmouth and is CEO of dbS Productions. His contributions to search and rescue include seminal research on lost person behavior (with emphasis on dementia), the International Search and Rescue Incident Database (ISRID), a tactical decision aid software – FIND. A Search Mission Coordinator, instructor for the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, and past president of the Virginia Search and Rescue Council (15 years), Robert has also worked for the United States Coast Guard, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, National Park Service, Department of Homeland Security, and Federal Emergency Management Agency. Author of numerous books and articles on search and rescue. He has presented in Aruba, Australia, Iceland, Ireland, New Zealand, Poland, the United Kingdom, and throughout the United States and Canada. A link to Lost Person Behaviour - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lost-Person-Behavior-Search-Rescue/dp/1879471396 Gear Links: Rigerloo Rescuer - https://rigloo-rs.com/rescuer/Ortovox Peak 45 rucksack - https://nettbutikk.folkehjelp.no/produkt/beredskapssekk-vanlig-rygg/Helly Hansen - https://www.hellyhansen.com/journal/custom-made-for-search-and-rescueSAR Cast TShirt - https://sarstore.co.uk/product/sar-store-sar-cast-t-shirt/ Podcast Links - Join the conversation over on Discord - https://discord.gg/sX98QHg777SARCast Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sarcastuk/SARCast Twitter - @SARCastUKSAR Store Online Shop - https://sarstore.co.uk/

Welcome to Season 3 of SARCast - Luke is joined by Tim, a Tactical Commander, SAR Medical Lead and JESIP master. They discuss the journey into SAR and the day job which keeps Tim busy!Later Luke and Ben discuss some of the latest news stories from around the globe, including earthquakes and some SAR training here in the UK. This then follows with a dive into the world of Mr Ben, and we find out exactly what he has been spending his money on!News:Turkey Earthquakes - Max and Delta K9 NI Search amd Resuce dogs honouredWiltshire Exercise - training to real life casulatyAustralia radioactive capsuleLinks:Join the conversation over on Discord Tim Hagraves Tactical Commander - @EMAS_TimHEast Midlands Ambulance Service Leicestershire-sar.org.ukEMAS Community First Responder - @EMAS_CFRJESIPBlue Light CardPodcast Socials: InstagramSARStore

A recap and update on SARCastLuke and Richard catch up and discuss what has been going on, why we have been quiet, and what's in store for 2023!Links@sarcastuk@stonestreet_sar_storeDiscordSAR Store

This is a very special episode, it encompasses what we want SARCast to be all about, showcasing SAR teams from around the world. Southport Offshore Rescue Trust, aka Southport Lifeboat, is an independent lifeboat organisation based in Southport, UK. They contacted us about visiting their new boathouse, and after a bit of organisation Richard and producer Amy headed up there to meet the team. The resulting episode is the sum of us talking to some fantastically knowledgeable people, experiencing first hand a search on quad bikes, and being the casualty in man overboard training scenarios.We couldn't have asked for a more welcoming and professional bunch of people for the first recording of this type for SARCast. They kitted us up in all of the right gear to take part in some training exercises, and accommodated us in one of their meeting rooms for the evening. Here we interviewed some of the key members of the team about Southport Lifeboat's history, current activity and all of the impressive kit which they use to provide a very effective service.We really hope that you enjoy this episode, and if you belong to a team who would like to welcome us to a training event then please do get in touch, via direct message or email - podcast@originaloutdoormedia.co.ukSouthport Lifeboat - https://www.southport-lifeboat.org.uk/

The team catch up about the interview with Ralph and some of the interesting takeaways, then move on to hear about a recent body recovery which Luke was part of. They talk over what worked and where improvements could be made regarding interoperability as well as the difficult nature of the search area. Ben leads the way giving his thoughts on Outdoor Active and it's use in SAR vs other similar apps. Then the discussion turns to the costs of joining a volunteer SAR team and the observations Ben has made whilst being involved in recent recruitment days for his team.LinksOutdoor Active - https://www.outdooractive.com/en/Discord - https://discord.gg/wWBaxdS83Y

For this episode of SARCast we welcome a guest into the fold, someone who we met through the discord server who lives life a little bit differently to what we are used to, and has been part of some very interesting developments in the SAR world.Ralph is a member of a SAR team in Norway, quite far North in Norway in fact. He joined Richard for a conversation about life above the Arctic circle, how SAR is managed there, and the different challenges faced when operating in an extreme environment. They also dive in to the fascinating projects which Ralph's team is leading on, developing a drone specifically to help with SAR. From pinpointing avalanche beacons, to assessing the safety of ground conditions for rescue and more.If you or your team are interested in being a guest on the show, please get in touch with Amy: podcast@originaloutdoormedia.co.uk Links:@nfmidttroms@norwegianpeoplesaid@norse_asset_solutions_asDiscord - https://discord.gg/wWBaxdS83Y

Water commanders, smoke filled rooms, rescue of a SAR dog and call out statistics.Back with a bang in the new year, we talk about Luke's water commander course and the system in place in the UK for flood events. Ben has encounters with more manikins at his ERT training for work, and Richard gets the details on the search for Juno the SAR dog, with guest Jack Wiseman from Norfolk LSAR. The topic up for discussion this month is all about call out statistics and whether some teams may inflate them.

This is what happened after the visit to Ruth Lee, and demonstrates the effects of cold weather and alcohol on 3 podcast hosts and an avid listener!A slightly indulgent episode to celebrate one year of SARCast and to usher in the next phase of the podcast following on from what feels like a good, industry relevant interview episode.We hope that you all have a merry festive season and we look forward to producing more episodes of SARCast in the new year.

For Episode 13 we went for a bit of a jolly and visited the lovely people at Ruth Lee Ltd who are based in North Wales. This is a slightly different episode to usual as the content was so good that it deserved it's own episode instead of only being a segment within our main show.We had a fantastic time talking to Sarah about the history of the company and the numerous different training mannikins which they have designed and produce from start to finish here in the factory. We learned some of the secrets to their success and heard some interesting stories about how these training aids are used in the real world.To find out more about Ruth Lee you can find them at ruthlee.co.uk or @ruthleeltd on the social media platforms

Caves, marmite gear and SAR advice.In the twelfth episode of SARCast, Richard and Ben start off with a couple of recent news stories related to SAR. The first is one for the cavies, an admirable rescue of an experienced caver in South Wales which took 54 hours to complete thanks to the complexity of cave systems and extraction of casualties. Secondly they discuss a treasure hunter who required assistance after getting lost in Yellowstone National Park and was ordered by courts to pay for his rescue.For the gear segment Ben, Richard and Luke talk about gear they hate and gear they love. Tangents in this segment include trousers (pants), GPS devices, and torches (flashlights), mostly courtesy of Ben! Finally, the topic...this month "Should SAR teams give safety advice?" Inspired by the recent viral post about recording a detailed voicemail message on your phone in the event that you require help but cannot reach anybody.Links can be found in the show notes on the website: www.sarcast.co.uk

Emails, Outer Shells and the Emergency of Search.In the eleventh episode of SARCast, Richard and Ben start off by reading out some emails received recently. One from the skier rescued in the news story from episode six. And a second from one of our American listeners, to fill in the blanks regarding how SAR and the emergency services work across the pond.For the gear segment Ben, Richard and Luke talk about outer shells and what to wear in inclement weather. With a quick run through and comparison of waterproof vs water-resistant, and the trade-offs to be made with breathability, durability and price. The guys then go through a few of the items that they own and use for SAR and other outdoor pursuits, going through which are more suited to specific tasks.Finally, the topic...this month "is search an emergency?" Richard gets them both onto driving styles and not racing team vehicles to the RV, and THAT advert rears it's head again as discussions move towards balancing volunteer SAR, work, and family life.

Unexpected casualties, Emergency services show and SAR perceptions vs reality.In the tenth episode of SARCast, Richard and Ben welcome Luke into the news and topic segments. The discussions begin with an out of the ordinary callout for one of the Dartmoor teams when they came across a dead cyclist on the way to helping another casualty. The guys also talk about Hurricane Ida and how tough it must be in teams covering areas prone to natural disasters. For the gear segment we head to the Emergency Services Show where Ben and Luke did an extra special recording after meeting with some of our amazing listeners and chatting to all the branches of SAR represented at the show. Finally, the topic...this month it is all about perception vs reality, how SAR is perceived and viewed by the outside world and potential team members compared to actually being in a SAR team. The discussions will continue on our discord server which is open to all: https://discord.gg/EryM4aKBWD

Personal searches, Missing dogs, Med equip and Morale.In the ninth episode your hosts Richard Prideaux and Ben G talk about a couple of recent SAR incidents. Firstly the missing person in the Alps who sparked a long and personal search for her partner. Secondly the rescue of a sheepdog in Snowdonia following the callout of SAR drones for dogs UK.Luke Stonestreet then joins in to discuss medical equipment and first aid kits. The guys talk about which items are most important to carry in different situations. The pieces of kit which they favour above all else, some items which are often carried pointlessly and good ways to carry patients.Finally, Richard and Ben tackle the topic of whether the number of callouts and frequency can affect morale within a team.LINKSSARCast website - www.sarcast.co.ukDiscord server - https://discord.com/invite/EryM4aKBWDSARstore - www.sarstore.co.ukNews articles:Esther Dingley - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-58176416Dog rescue - https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/dog-survived-four-days-snowdonia-21151521Gear:Vacuum mattress - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13z2XD7LKOIReal first aid - https://www.realfirstaid.co.uk/Prometheus Medical - https://www.prometheusmedical.co.uk/en-gb

International rescue, SAR munchies and preparing for rescue.In the eighth episode your hosts Richard Prideaux and Ben G talk about a couple of recent SAR incidents. Firstly the missing person on Ben Nevis which sparked a call for track and trace in the mountains. Secondly the rescue of a crew who activated a PLB registered in the UK, when they were in difficulties on a yacht off the coast of France, who were rescued by the Spanish coastguard (coordinated by HM Coastguard)Luke Stonestreet then joins in to discuss callout food. The debate is live about whether it is best to eat whilst out, what type of food is best, and what food has been provided to their different teams during long searches. It turns out that Ben doesn't really eat, Luke favours warmer food and Richard has lost us another sponsor.Finally, Richard and Ben tackle the topic of what sort of information is useful for SAR teams, and how casualties and those with them should prepare for the arrival of a team.Links SARCast website - www.sarcast.co.ukDiscord server - https://discord.com/invite/EryM4aKBWDSARstore - www.sarstore.co.ukNews articles: Ben Nevis - https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/tragic-ben-nevis-death-sparks-24395988Yacht rescue - https://hmcoastguard.blogspot.com/2021/07/two-uk-people-rescued-from-yacht-two.htmlTopic:@clear_to_hoist on instagramMREW-how to call and info - https://www.mountain.rescue.org.uk/how-to-call-out-mr/Herbert Protocol - https://www.westyorkshire.police.uk/advice/personal-safety-and-possessions/dementia-awareness/dementia-awareness/herbert-protocol-missing-person-incident-form

A special on the road recording with the guys, recorded at the Outdoor Trade Show.See what they thought about the experience, brands and distributors who attended, and most importantly...the freebies!

E-MTB SAR, Land Vehicles, and SAR vs MoPs.In the seventh episode your hosts Richard Prideaux and Ben G talk about a recent news story from Slovenia, where a team is trialling the use of E-MTBs in SAR. They discuss the pros and cons and then briefly talk about an accidental beacon activation.Luke Stonestreet then joins in to discuss land vehicles. Almost everything is discussed, from bikes to the favoured Landrovers; hovercraft and tracked vehicles to Alpine stretchers.Finally, Richard and Ben tackle the topic "SAR and MoPs; how do you deal with them on a search?" A bit of a tricky subject when emotions are running high.SARCast website - www.sarcast.co.ukDiscord - https://discord.gg/gxqWnFaMwzNews - https://www.pinkbike.com/news/announcing-the-first-slovenian-e-mtb-mountain-rescue-service-team.htmlhttps://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/19359087.helicopter-poole-accidental-beacon-activation-garden/https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/633925/10672-MCGA-Personal-Emergency-Radio-Devices.pdf

Lifesaving watches, Footwear: from socks to snowshoes and Mental health in SAR.In the sixth episode your hosts Richard Prideaux and Ben G talk about a recent news story from the Cairngorms, a rescue of an injured skier in a remote area thanks to a watch with an SOS feature. They discuss how useful similar kit is and how far it has moved on in recent years.Luke Stonestreet then joins in to discuss feet. Ben makes some big admissions and Richard gives out at least one top tipFinally, Richard and Ben tackle the topic "How should SAR deal with mental health?" A topic which will affect most members of SAR teams at some point. Go to sarcast.co.uk for full show notes and links.

Welsh fishing boat , nav tech part deux and rogue SAR teams.In the fifth episode your hosts Richard Prideaux and Ben G talk about a recent news story from closer to home, the disappearance of a fishing boat and crew off the coast of North Wales. The discussion moves on to coastal currents, movements of objects in the sea and specialist searchers.Luke Stonestreet then joins in to discuss the differences, pros and cons of paper vs digital for navigational use and lose another potential show sponsor.Finally, Richard and Ben tackle the latest topic "Are rogue SAR teams good or bad?" as usual, a conclusion isn't fully achieved but some interesting points raised about how to categorise these things?News- Missing fishing vessel Nicola Faith's life raft found - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-56297480- Nicola Faith: Body confirmed as missing Conwy fisherman - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-56490674- Nicola Faith: Second body confirmed as missing fisherman - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-56503508- Third body confirmed as that of missing fisherman Alan Minard - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-56581343- Nicola Faith: Sala search expert hunts for missing fishing boat - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-56483472- Nicola Faith: Wreck confirmed as missing Conwy fishing boat - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-56737130#:~:text=The%20Nicola%20Faith%20is%201.9,to%20port%20on%2027%20January.Gear-Map apps - OS Maps: Explore hiking trails and walking routes - OS Locate - Viewranger - Huntstand- Weather apps - Met office - BBC weather- Drone apps - NOTAMS - Drone Assist - UAV forecast

Avalanches, water rescue gear and whether search tech replaces search skills.In the fourth episode your hosts Richard Prideaux and Ben G talk about a recent news story from Utah in the US where a group of backcountry skiers were caught in an avalanche. The discussion turns to avalanche information services and avalanches in the UK.Luke Stonestreet joins in to discuss water rescue gear, the guys start from the head and work down, discussing helmets, lighting, baselayers, gloves and more.Finally, Richard and Ben tackle the latest topic "Does search tech replace skills?" News- Utah avalanche: Four skiers killed after snowslide near Salt Lake City - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-55969662- Utah Avalanche Center - https://utahavalanchecenter.org/- Scottish Avalanche Information Service - https://www.sais.gov.uk/- Deadliest avalanche in the UK - https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofBritain/Lewes-Snow-Drop-1836/Gear- Armadillo Merino - https://armadillomerino.com/- Woolpower - https://woolpower.se/- Manta helmetTopic- Argus TT thermal device- HIK Lynx L15 thermal telescope