GSARA Activity Description

The WAWG GSAR Academy training involves preliminary task training, followed by field exercises. Field exercises will be conducted in any weather, at any time, during the Academy. Scenarios will develop your skills as a Ground Team/UDF member in as many field situations as you might encounter in your SAR career.

Many field exercises will be lengthy (several kilometers), to test the knowledge you’ve acquired during the Academy. They will involve a wide variety of terrain and elevations, climbing, descending, subject evacuations, simulated/actual first aid treatment and several navigational opportunities during day and night scenarios. Each student will handle the DF equipment and operate communications in the field as well.

In this light, participants must be physically and mentally prepared to endure strenuous activity during the Academy. Cadets should be in the Category 1 physical fitness level. Different categories will require Director and/or Operations Section Chief review and evaluation.

Additionally,  participants may be exposed to natural hazards, such as:

• Bees and other stinging insects – if allergic – bring TWO (2) EpiPens

• Native plants (nettles) and thorny plants (devil’s club, blackberries, etc.)

• Extreme heat

• Extreme terrain

• Rain and Cold

PLEASE advise the GSARA staff of concerns that may be a factor during the registration process.

The Academy website, has a packing list page. Your equipment check will take place on arrival day. Your transportation is not to leave until you have successfully passed your equipment check!   This check fulfills the CAP 24 and 72 hour equipment requirements and addresses Academy specific needs.  Any short comings will be determined acceptable by the Academy Director.

The GSAR Academy has two course levels:  Basic and Advanced.  The Basic course is designed to produce a Ground Team Member 3 (GTM 3) qualification.  The Advanced course is designed to produce GTM 2 and 1 qualified members.  The GSAR staff is capable of instructing through Ground Branch Director if participants are eligible for that training. 

Participants will also receive instruction on Washington State SAR policies, to further qualify and eventually register as Emergency Services Workers, with successful completion of this course (assuming residency in Washington State).

The Academy staff is pleased to bring this training to you, combining many years of SAR experience and the desire to continue to train top-notch Ground SAR volunteers in the Civil Air Patrol!

Bryan Watson, Major, CAP
Director, WAWG GSAR Academy
gsara@wawg.cap.gov