Imagine:
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you are the first responder or a GSAR volunteer on the scene, and have located a “missing person” call. You are about to radio your location for assistance
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you are are a first responder and a call comes in from a communication centre identifying the UTM location. Is the datum the same as the map in your unit? As you drive, your partner is trying to figure this out
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As part of a fire response team, you receive a message from the provincial fire crew of a pup fire which is spreading in a remote section of your township. The location has been transmitted onto you pager and you are expected to head out and check it out.
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The coroner at the inquest for the recent tragedy asked if there were standards for communicating spatial information and if all personnel had undertaken GPS training …you answer …

There are many more scenarios. Will you be prepared and ready to respond?
This is a 2 day foundation course to understand and gain basic land navigation skills related use maps, compasses, and GPS and is focused on using GPS receivers within an ICS and GSAR context.
During this two day course, we will provide a series of tests and challenges following the National Criteria for Search and Rescue performance expectations for basic and advance navigation for search and rescue. Some tests may use different types of GPS units, topographical maps, and compasses. Some of the challenges, (rain or shine), will be outdoors. By the end of this workshop, the participants will:
Demonstrate the knowledge and skills to:
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correctly use the terminology associated with basic map, compass, GPS and land navigation skills
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understand and apply these new fundamental spatial skillscommunicate using maps, compasses, and GPS in an appropriate manner
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navigate to and provide instructions to persons needing to find specific location or search areas
Course Details related to National Criteria for Ground Search and Rescue: NAVIGATION
Map
Map Types
Map Identification
Understanding Datum, Projection
Map scale, distance scale, terrain vs straight line distances
Map numbers, how to acquire/order maps
Marginal information/symbols
Understanding contours
Mapping 3D to 2D, contours, slopes
Differences between digital and hardcopy maps
UTM/grid coordinates
How to read/write grid coordinates
Lines of position/triangulation
Lines of position/bearing, fixes, intersections
Route plotting
Identifying waypoints, bearings, adjustments for topography
Compass
Understanding direction
Degrees and cardinal points
Compass designs
Types, mirrors, sites
Compass maintenance
Finding declination for the area
Setting it on the compass, what it means
Position fixing
How to site, read bearings
How to follow bearings/courses
How to plot a bearing on a map
How to determine bearings from a map
Aiming off
Navigating around obstacles
How to pace
Using map and compass together
Identifying points, relating bearings, keeping track
Practical exercises, activities
Route plotting and search planning
Navigating around obstacles
GPS
Set up
Use and limitations
Practical exercises
Using your map, compass, and GPS
Upload, download your data
Basic introduction to OziExplorer, Mapsource
Contact us for the Next available dates and costs to set up your individual and group training program
Click the National Search and Rescue Banner below for more courses related to search and rescue training
