Search and rescue is changing. Satellite technology makes it easier to call for help, mapping software is available to facilitate route planning, and outdoor gear is lighter and better. But Instagram rewards stunts that put people at risk, or shows pretty picture spots that are out of the range of some hiker’s abilities, and some
The MRA community, and the larger search and rescue community, is a special place and we are lucky that so many people work so hard at making it safe, welcoming and supportive. I see this locally when I get to work with other teams in California, and nationally when I get to reach out to
Sitting here in California hoping for snow, but mostly getting rain. I know the snow will come, but patience isn’t exactly my strong suit. Recent missions for my team have definitely required patience as we have had several searches this year with no find of our missing person. Most searchers find these to be the
It’s been many years since I was in school, but fall has always brought me back to that feeling of starting a new journey. This year, I actually am returning to school for the first time in several decades, having enrolled in a writing program where I hope to marry my two passions – SAR
As someone who enjoys learning new things and taking on new challenges, I have often taken classes or trainings or committed to a physical challenge to stretch my limits. I have been a journalist, a stay at home mom, a hospice volunteer, a retail employee, an EMT, and trained as a college counselor. I have
As we start a new year, and I reflect on the year that has passed, my 11th year in Search and Rescue, I am thankful for all that this community has taught me and ways in which it has helped me grow. I have learned so many things – from hard skills like building a
This marks my first edition of the Meridian as Editor in Chief, and I am excited about this new adventure. Thanks to Rick Lindfors-Ackerman for all his dedication to the team and for answering my thousand questions as I embark on this new journey. As Rick mentioned in his last letter, I have a background
Once again I’d like to thank you for downloading and reading this issue of Meridian and hopefully enjoying the stories and contributions of MRA team members. We are used to downloading this as a file but we’ve recently taken a big step: Meridian is available as a dedicated web page on the Mountain Rescue Association
“Self-selection” is a phrase I’ve heard every now and then in my SAR career. It has always meant that an individual needs to recognize if they are able to meet the demands of a mission whether it is physical readiness or technical capacity and if necessary, opt out of a mission to ensure they are
Another year down and many stories to look back on for MRA teams. I hope all of us are able to look back on the year with lessons learned in missions and training and be proud of what we’ve accomplished. One thing to look forward to this coming year is the continued distribution and event planning
Courage, Compassion, Commitment. Those are the words that surround the Mountain Rescue Association logo on the organization’s challenge coins. They represent the core of our volunteers; courageous people who have committed to saving lives in search and rescue through a sense of compassion for our subjects. The first two can be easier to gather within
The essential personality traits for a search and rescue volunteer include determination, problem solving, grit and perhaps most important is a sense of humor. There is plenty to laugh about in our trade from harmless training mishaps (yours truly has spent quite a bit of time strapped into a litter and pressed into a cliff
Letter from the Editor We’ve all been the “new guy” a few times in our lives. All of us were the newest members on the team when we joined and we had to learn a new set of skills with a new group of people. Every now and then, we get to be the
A couple things as we close out this edition of Meridian. First off, thank you for your continued reading and sharing of the publication. This marks two full years of Meridian under my editorial responsibilities, and the task has been quite fulfilling. I get to talk to MRA volunteers from across the U.S. and learn
As I’m writing this letter (mid April) there was just a healthy dose of snow on the Oregon Cascades, which made for an enjoyable weekend of snowboarding, my first since the 2020 closures. It was much needed. However, before going into the snowy weekend I had just finished reading over a series of briefings
“Yeah, we’re getting OT for this.” “Oy! What’s one and a half times… zero?” Such is a common joke shared among rescuers during missions. I usually hear this one when the mud reaches a certain depth, a hill takes a certain incline or if our team has been out past zero dark thirty. Occasionally I’ll
Situational awareness. Head on a swivel. There are plenty of phrases or keeping an eye out and pointing out anything out of the ordinary. As SAR people we’re pretty good at this; clue awareness, rigging inspection and kit preparation all require attention to detail and are things we train and maintain our skills in. It
As a writer and editor with many years of experience, I can tell you that it doesn’t take a specialist to cover the stories I have in my career. I’ve been a newspaper police reporter, magazine editor, columnist, correspondent and consultant for such diverse entities as John Jay College of Criminal Justice, the International Association
