The WASART Field Training Course is a FREE, open, and highly recommended course for ALL WASART responders. It will include training in backcountry skills, animal first aid, rescue litter handling, as well as mock rescue scenarios. These skills are important for individual and team safety during WASART backcountry deployments. This is a 2-day event, with an option to arrive early on Friday. For the full description and gear list, please read below.
Training Director:
Gabe Benedetto – please reach out with any questions or concerns.
Schedule:
-Friday evening -optional
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- as early as noon
- 2030 Team Leader meeting – TLT’s please try and be here
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-Saturday 8/24/24
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- 0800 Arrival time
- Briefing
- Classes – see topics below
- Lunch
- Classes – see topics below
- Debrief and Dinner
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-Sunday 8/25/24
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- Breakfast
- Mock mission
- Second mock mission
- Debrief, Lunch, Depart
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Topics Covered:
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- Leadership roles overview (STL/TFL/TL)
- Dog wilderness first aid
- General survival discussion
- Rigging Demo
- Navigation
- Map & Compass
- CalTopo
- 24-hour, 48-hour packs
- Shelter
- Communications
- Radio
- InReach
- Stove/Fire starting demo
- Safe water acquisition/water purification methods
- Litter Handling
- Base Awareness
- Drone Assistant Demo
- Leave No Trace (includes backwoods bathroom etiquette)
- Knots
- Trucker’s hitch
- Bowline
- Taut line hitch
- Square knot
- Figure 8 on a bight
- Pace counts
- Bear Bag
- TL Responsibilities (discussed at TL meeting Friday)
- Safety of team
- Time restrictions for team members
- Review safety factors to expect on the deployment
- SARGAR (green/amber/red)
- Communication with STL
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Packing List:
DO NOT feel obligated to buy the gear you do not have. Bring if you have it, bring extras if you have them. This training is also meant to teach people about gear and which ones they may be interested in. Please reach out if you think you need to purchase something beforehand.
| Overnight backpack | Layered clothing (no cotton) | Rain Gear | Trail snacks (packable) | Tent (any tent will do) | Tent stakes |
| PPE | Sunscreen | Field/trail/hiking shoes | Whistles (WASART will have extra) | First Aid Kit | Water purifier* |
| Headlamp (extra/charged batteries) | Hat/ protection from the sun | Extra socks | Tarps (10×12 & 8×10) (extras available, bring any blue tarp size if you have it) (if not sleeping in a tent/rv/other then this will be your emergency shelter) | Lunch for Saturday and Sunday | Compass* |
| Sleeping bag | Bug net/repellent | Water bottle/bladder (1.5-2 L) | Dinner for Saturday (should be a hot meal) | Stove* | |
| Sleeping pad | Prescribed Rx | Electrolytes | Paracord (~30ft …consider reflective) | Breakfast for Sunday (can be hot or cold) | *Team Leaders in Training should have these items |
Helpful links and tips:
Tarp shelters: Mastering The Art Of Rapid Ridge
Knots and Mechanical Advantage: Located at the bottom of the Small Animal Rigging link
Also utilize other sources: Animated Knots/YouTube/Knots3D/etc
Compass Usage with photo; Maps
1.CalTopo create an account – see ‘other notes’
Other Notes for Participants
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- Carpooling is encouraged
- No Dogs (unless permission has been granted by the Training Director or Location Host
- Cooking is only allowed on the gravel drive near the house
- Portable charger for phones/headlamps
- Download CalTopo app on cell phone / sign-up
- May be easier to start on a computer then link mobile app
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