We Welcome New Members to Our Team!

INTRODUCTION
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What exactly do we do? We perform rescues in forests, mountains and deserts, on the snow or rock, day or night. Our responders are highly trained in ground search, medical care, communication, and technical rope rescue.

We welcome people with backcountry experience; however, no experience is required to join our team, just some enthusiasm, a flexible schedule, and a basic level of commitment.

New members to our team will be assigned a mentor who can show you the ropes and help you obtain all of the necessary gear and information. 

​If you don’t already know someone on the team, John Becker is the point of contact for new members, and will act as your mentor. You can contact John by email: johndbecker@hotmail.com.

We look forward to meeting you!
​John Becker
President of Atalaya Search and Rescue

MEETINGS

​Our meetings are held every other Wednesday at St. John's College at 6:30 pm; ESL 111 classroom located in building 8.  St. John's College is located at 1160 Camino De Cruz Blanca, Santa Fe, NM.  Campus Map - PDF

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
John Becker, President
Aaron Lovato, Vice President
Ben Yeamans, Secretary
Aimee Adamek, Treasurer
Rick Allen, Gear Officer
Kevin Schmittle, Training Officer

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ACTIVE MEMBER QUALIFICATIONS
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The following is required in order to become an Active Team Member on Atalaya Search and Rescue: 

• You must have completed an Application Form
• Have attended 4 total weekend trainings
• Have attended 5 total team meetings
• Have passed a Qualification Hike
• Have passed ICS 100 and 200 online tests
• Have passed a New Mexico Field Certification Test. For more information and specific test details please visit the New Mexico SAR Council Website. (May be an internal test officiated by Atalaya SAR, provided that an official state test is passed within one year.)
• Current CPR/BLS or higher within 1 year

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RECOMMENDED GEAR LIST
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If you don't have all these items, don't fret.  This list is compiled from many sources and may be used as a checklist. When packing gear for a specific mission or training, consider the following: weather, location/altitude, time of day/night, type of mission (ground pound, tech rescue, trail evac, necessary speed, etc.), your own specific needs (meds, caloric requirements, hygiene). Pack accordingly!  This list is ASAR's recommended mission gear list.  ​For the NMSARC gear list for Field Certification, please see the Study Guide (PDF).

ON YOU

• Standard clothing:
  • Wool or polypro socks appropriate for footwear
  • Wind / waterproof pants
  • Wool or cold-weather pants
  • Long underwear, tops and bottoms, no cotton
  • Fleece, wool or other mid-layer, no cotton
  • No matter what you wear, follow the principles of a three-layer system - no cotton!
• Sturdy, waterproofed hiking boots
• Gaiters - waterproof, mid-calf or taller, large enough to cover hiking boots
• Sunglasses or goggles (helo-operations)
• Watch with ability to measure seconds
• Small wallet with ID and cash
• Extra set of car keys (if you drive)
  
  

ON YOU OR ON YOUR PACK

• Pack - minimum 2,000 cubic inches, larger for winter (3,500 to 5,000 cubic inches)
• Extra clothing (for you or for subject), extra layers for cold/wind (middle layer)
• head cover (heat, sun and cold)
• water repellent gloves/mittens and liners
• extra socks
• poncho or waterproof jacket with hood (outer layer)
• Ditty bags for small items, inside and attaching to outside of pack
• Food and snacks for 24 hours
• Water (2 qts/ltrs minimum, more for hot weather)
• Water purification system (iodine tablets or filter)
• Foam pad & ground cloth
• Sleeping bag (one per team)
• Space blanket or bivy bag (e.g. Adventure Medical Kits Thermo Lite Bivvy http://www.adventuremedicalkits.com
• Multi-blade knife and/or Leatherman-type multi-tool
• Helmet
• Bandanna
• Climbing harness, two (2) locking carabiners, prusicks
• Fire starter (waterproof matches, lighter - consider keeping a lighter in every jacket you own, plus with your stove)
• Compass with 5 degree accuracy
• Whistle
• Signal mirror (glass preferred, or best plastic with high reflective properties)
• Headlamp and extra batteries and bulbs
• clear safety glasses / extra eyeglasses or contacts if you cannot function without them
• Personal first aid kit, reflecting your level of medical training and personal needs - personal drugs (allergy, aspirin, anti-acid, etc.) - see recommended first aid kit list
• Surgical gloves, 2 pair (personal protection from body fluids of subject)
• Cable ties/zip ties
• Stove, fuel, cook pots (one per team)
• Thermos filled with hot liquid
• TP or Kleenex, toiletries, contact lens care, etc.
• sewing kit
• chemical hot and/or cold pack - hand warmers
• earplugs
• Pencil or pen and waterproof paper (e.g. Rite In The Rain http://www.riteintherain.com)
• Leather gloves
• 20' of tubular webbing
• 50' of 8 or 9mm cord
• Extra shoelace, heavy string or utility cord
• Sunscreen, lip balm, insect repellent
• Duct tape and repair kit
• Trail marking tape (brightly colored)
• Large heavy duty trash bags (2)
• Maps in large zip-lock bag
• Camera
• Bow saw or other packable saw

OPTIONAL

• GPS with spare batteries
• Handheld radio (155.160 MHz) with spare battery pack and high-gain antenna
• Snowshoes
• Ski poles / Trekking poles
• Avalanche Beacon / Snow Shovel / Avalanche Probe
• Shelter
• Snow study kit