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Requirements

There are a set of minimum requirements every member of KCSARA must adhere to in order to participate in mission activities.

Personal Training Records

Your personal training records are available here. Please periodically review this information and help us keep your records up-to-date.

Unit Training

Each of the member units within KCSARA establishes and holds their own training. Some of this unit training satisfies the minimum training required by KCSARA.

KCSARA Academy

Once or twice a year, KCSARA holds an academy which offers entry level classes and refreshers for the required courses, in addition to some educational electives.

Washington State SAR Conference

Once a year the Washington State Search and Rescue Conference is held. Hosted by different Washington counties, the conference rotates to a different county each year.

Mission Time

Some training requirements can be satisfied though participation in missions.

Third-party Courses

Some third-parties conduct training that satisfies the minimum training required by KCSARA.

Training Directors

Unit Training Directors and staff, this page is for you.

First Aid, CPR & Pathogen Awareness

Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 118.04(3)(c) requires that all SAR personnel possess knowledge in first aid for the control of bleeding, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, bone immobilization, protection from the elements, and protection from exposure to bloodborne pathogens. The exact content, length, and refresher cycle has been interpreted through an agreement of King County Sheriff's Office, and the unit leaders of King County Search and Rescue Association.

Due to the ubiquitous inclusion of bloodborne pathogen awareness within first aid classes, it will be assumed that anyone holding a current first aid card has also satisfied their bloodborne pathogen requirement.

Full or Initial  8 hours - This Community First Aid and Adult CPR class covers basic first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and bloodborne pathogen awareness. There are no pre-requisites for this class. The certification for this requirement expires two-years after the date of the class. It is a standard American Red Cross course, with an additional section on SAR specific applications.

Refresher or Review  4 hours - This refresher will recertify a person who has already taken a full class and holds a First Aid/CPR card no more than 3-months past its expiration date. Participants are expected to already be proficient in their first aid and CPR skills before the start of class. This is a tune-up session as all of the full course material is reviewed. This also provides additional SAR specific applications and scenarios.

Challenge - Variable - The challenge course requires you to be proficient in skills and knowledge before you enter the course. As no instruction or training is given in the class, a practical test and written test must be successfully completed. Anyone is eligible to participate in a challenge course for basic-level courses. Individuals who do not possess a current American Red Cross Certificate may participate in a challenge course only once. If they do not pass the challenge course, they will be given information on taking a full course. They will not be allowed to attempt a challenge course again. Individuals who hold a current American Red Cross Certificate may challenge as often as they like and as often as the challenge is available, as long as their certificate remains valid.

Wilderness First Aid - 16 hours - This is an additional training opportunity and provides information and scenarios on longer term patient care than typical first aid course. The course is conducted completely outside and entails an amount of discomfort for all involved.

Splinting and Bandaging - 2 hours - This is an optional training opportunity provided at the SAR Academy. While discussion is provided on the art of knotting a subject into a nice little bundle, much of the time is practical applications on willing (and sometimes unwilling) classmates.

AED training has been added to the standard curriculum as of spring 2010. Over the next two years, as recertifications occur, all SAR members will be certified with AED training. During the next two years, a separate AED course will be offered to those who wish to take it.

Questions

  1. For how long is my American Red Cross certification valid?

    For King County SAR purposes, CPR and FA are recognized for 2 years. If you require CPR certification outside of King County SAR, for instance, as a requisite for you day job, the certification is valid for 1 year; first aid is valid for 3 years. This is done to synchronize the recertification cycle with other WAC-required certifications.

  2. I am a nurse/doctor, but am not currently certified in CPR. Since CPR is integrated into my professional training and on-the-job experience, why can't I take the Review course to become certified?

    Review courses are for currently certified individuals only. However, you can take a Challenge course to become certified.

  3. I took CPR a few years ago. Can I take a Review course?

    No. In order to take a Review course, your certification must be current.

  4. I took CPR with the American Heart Association; I'm an EMT. Can I take an American Red Cross Review course?

    You can if the certification is within the first year of issue since the American Heart Association certifications are valid for two years while the American Red Cross requires annual recertification. Since EMTs are not usually issued cards, if you have a valid WA State EMT license or are less than one year from completing your EMT class, you can take the Review course.

  5. I took CPR from Joe's CPR shop. Can I take an American Red Cross Review course?

    Following King County's direction, we recognize American Red Cross, American Heart Association, and American Safety & Health Institute programs as providing the necessary skills foundation.

  6. Why do you only teach American Red Cross? All the fire guys say AHA is better.

    We continually evaluate the three recognized programs for, primarily, teachability, cost, and related factors such as how it fits with the EMT program. We have a large investment in American Red Cross materials and instructors. We will continue to evaluate competing programs and if presented with a solution that benefits our members, we will likely switch providers.

Last updated on April 14, 2010.