SAR Operations

[SuperstitionGuy]

Yesterday a Peralta TrailHead triplog asked why the Search & Rescue Operation was taking place at the trailhead. I wrote the following on their post but as few will find it there I will create this Forum which will bring it to the forefront of our users.


SSAR (Superstition Search & Rescue) is dispatched by the Pinal County Sheriffs Department after a Deputy Sheriff who is responsible for evaluating a search request calls on their assistance. Common causes for a search are: persons overdue, out of water, ill, injured or lost or a combination of these reasons. Sometimes the individual or group notifies the Sheriffs Department via cell phone or by sending a member of the party out to call for help. Occasionally another hiker reports the need of the party that is in trouble. Other times it is a spouse or other interested party that initiates the call when a person or group is overdue.

If you see a SAR operation in process respect their need for access, parking and base camp control. Remember that the individual search team members may have just arrived on the scene and don't know a lot about the search themselves yet. And when they learn the particulars of the search they most often cannot share very much of that information with you.

If you are coming off trail they (SAR) may ask you for what you have seen and heard. Please share with them what you know. If your heading out they may ask you to look for individuals and give you a description of what to look for. If you come across the party in need of help please stay with them and extend help as necessary until SAR arrives. Remember that persons in need of help often will not realize the danger they are in and turn down an offer to help. Carefully evaluate the situation and do not leave them unless you are sure they will be alright on their own or until SAR arrives.

For those of you that read this post add your comments from experiences that you have had in SAR situations so that others may learn from your experience. Thanks...

[djui5]

Great post, very informative. Does anyone know what happened?

Here is something you don't see every day back there, a chopper on the ground. A hiker, in Garden Valley, had a stroke and 2 heart attacks. He was also diabetic. Thankfully he was ok, but I'll tell you it was a real eye opener to myself that no matter how close you are to the trail head, you can always be in a life threatening situation, so take caution at all times:

[Nighthiker]

Observed a airevac unit heading out toward Peralta this afternoon.