Subject Evacuation by horseback

 During the Kitsap County Mock Search a horse team was requested to conduct an evacuation of a subject who was unable to walk. Although this is not the first time we had done this,  it was the first time since we had received training to do it properly.  Two members of our team had attended A subject evacuation course at the 2006 State SAR Conference taught by Jorene Downs  http://www.ceoates.com/msar/.  There is a definite method of doing this safely.

 During a multiple subject search a K-9 team located one subject that was unable to walk. He called base and asked for evacuation assistance. There was a small ESAR (ground team) close by but they were not large enough nor equipped to conduct a litter evacuation. When the mounted team arrived the Team Leader discussed the ride out procedure with the subject and asked if he wanted to try. He thoroughly briefed the subject on the reins and how and when to use them and all things he could expect during his ride. 

Notice the subject is wearing the Team Leader’s Helmet

While this was going on the ESAR team was briefed on their duties in the evacuation. We explained they were the safety walkers on both sided of the subject and their job was to catch or at least break the fall should the subject come of the horse for any reason. They were also to ensure his feet cleared the stirrups.

Safety Walker directly behind the subject’s horse.

The most important member of this effort is the Safety Walker who walks immediately behind the horse and watches the subject. Should he tilt to one side or the other the safety walker will alert the side walker on that side of a potential problem.

Packs should be as evenly balanced as possible.

The ground team’s packs were tied together on the ground then loaded on the other two horses. One thing we did notice we need to add more light cord or small straps to our packs. It would have made joining the backpacks and attaching them to the saddles easier. The trek back to Search Base was uneventful.

The last person’s job is to follow and ensure anything dropped is picked up.