This test is designed to meet and exceed the ASTM guidelines outlined in the ASTM Destination: F 2209-03 Standard Guide for Training of Level I Land Search Team Member. It will also meet many of the guidelines outlined in Chapter 2,4 and 10 of the NFPA 1670. This test is a requirement and the minimum needed for all Long Island Search and Rescue Associate members to be called out with the Long Island Search and Rescue Team. Long Island Search and Rescue can be called out on Long Island by the NYS Forest Rangers or any accredited agency on Long Island. Long Island Search and Rescue also gets call outs through the NYS FEDSAR and SARCNJ to areas outside of Long Island. (All Long Island Search and Rescue members must also take the Industry Standard NASAR SAR Tech II exam within their 1st year of membership to LISAR) 

Written Test 

Before you begin the test, please download and print the following materials. The maps can be downloaded at the links below. Please make sure that you print both maps with the scaling set to 100% or "Actual Size" If you select "fit to page" your map will not be a true 1:24000 map.

1 ) Hawaii

2 ) Vermont

Also please have in your possession:

• Grid reader for a 1:24000 map
• Pencil
• Eraser
• Ruler
• Calculator
• Compass
• Protractor

The Written test can be found at the below link. You must pass this test with a 75% in order to go on to the Field Part of the Exam. You will be given 2 hours to complete the exam. Please fill in your first and last name and your email address to receive credit for the exam. Please email Heidi for the password for the written test here.

Written Test

Field Test

The Field Exam will take 2 days to complete. This test will generally be given on a Saturday and Sunday, but it must be 2 consecutive weekend days. It will be broken down into 7 components.

Prerequisites are as follows: First Aid/CPR(AHA or Red Cross only), Blood borne Pathogens, LISAR written exam, ICS 100,200,700, 800 &809

You are also asked to bring your log books and your task book to be evaluated during the exam.

Part 1: Pack Check

Candidates will be asked to show proof of specific items in their pack. The pack list is list located on the Long Island Search and Rescue yahoo group site.

Part 2: Daytime Navigation

• You will be asked to wear your SAR ready pack for this part of the exam.
• Orient the TOPO map to North and tell the evaluator where you are on the map using 3 land or man made features reflected on the map to show your location.
• Complete a Land Navigation Course consisting of 3-5 points. The points will be given in Grid North and/or Magnetic North. You will be expected to navigate around a large object while keeping pace count. At least 1 leg of the course will be between 600 and 800 meters. You will be asked to navigate on the specified heading till you run into your marker. (There will be either a post with an 8" Letter on it and/or a piece of flagging tape minimum of 4' in length tied to a tree and marked with the date of the exam). Finally, the candidate will be asked to plot their track traveled onto their TOPO map. To complete this part of the exam the candidate must have a solid understanding of magnetic declination and how to account for it. The candidate must also be able to convert pace counts into meters and stay on a designated heading accurately around large obstacles. Candidates cannot use a GPS for this part of the exam.
• The Candidate will be given a TOPO map and 3-5 UTM coordinates. The candidates will be asked to navigate to those points using any way they like such as terrain features and/or Map and Compass. Candidates cannot use a GPS for this part of the exam. They are to write down the corresponding information found at each point.

Part 3: Shelter Building and Fire Starting

• Candidates are to choose an appropriate location for their shelter and build one for themselves using what is in their pack as well as what is in the wilderness.
• Candidates are to start a fire with the fire starting material in their pack and found in the wilderness.

Part 4: Man-Tracking

• Candidates are shown to an area that contains 10 -15 prints. Candidates are expected to properly mark the prints while keeping in mind that the area must be kept clean like a crime scene. Candidates are expected to talk out their entire process.

Part 5: Team Line Search using GPS(You may borrow someone’s GPS for this part of the test if you have not purchased one)

• You will be asked to wear your SAR ready pack for this part of the exam and have your GPS on and ready to go.
• This section will be completed with other candidates_(3-7 team members) The team will be given an area on the map to search with a UTM coordinate. Navigate to the area. As a team discuss which strategy you will use to complete a Type III grid search. You may use a route or a compass heading to guide off of. Discuss proper spacing and maintain that spacing throughout the search. There will be clues in the area given to be searched. Please identify all clues. Team POD must be = or greater than 50%. For this section you will be evaluated as an effective member of the line search team, clue consciousness, communication skills, searching your 360 degree cube, and GPS skills.
• For the GPS part, candidates must identify the Datum on their TOPO map and set their GPS to match that Datum. Candidates are to mark and label their starting point. Candidates are to enter the given UTM point into their GPS and label it. Candidates must clear all previous tracks. Candidates are to record, save, and name the track they walked during their line search only. Please turn off the tracks for navigating to your starting location and turn off your tracks when returning to base.

Part 6: Ropes, Knots and Designing a hazards terrain or low angle belaying system

• Candidates are expected to know the uses and create the following knots

1) Create a harness out of webbing

2) Create a Figure 8 on a Bend

3) Create a Figure 8 on a Bight

4) Create a Figure 8 follow through with a 75 foot life line around a tree to be used as an anchor

5) Create a Double Figure 8 on a Bight

6) Create a Water knot.

• Using a minimum 75 foot safety rope, design a tension less anchor point and belay either yourself across a hazards terrain or a low angel situation. The system must have a safety in it and must be able to safety catch the candidate and prevent them from further movement when the prussic is let go.

Part 7: Patient Packaging & Transport.

• Using webbing, a stokes basket and a team of 4, candidates working as a team must secure a subject into the stokes basket so the subject will not be able to fall out and be safe for transport. As a team, the candidates are expected to carry out the subject a minimum of 100 meters. Proper lifting techniques must be used as well as proper carry techniques.