Author Archives: kisar1986

For our second April training, KISAR was joined by two instructors (Mark Stigar and Brent Taylor) and a K9 (Lyra) from Matanuska Search and Rescue (matsaralaska.org/) who provided a 4-day, Alaska-focused, search and rescue course they developed called called SAR … Continue reading →

For the first of KISAR’s April trainings, Blaine Smith provided a morning lecture on avalanche accident rescue management followed by a day on Pyramid Mtn demonstrating avy accident response techniques. We also practiced safe mountain snow travel strategies plus crampon … Continue reading →

KISAR will hold its February training at Termination Point on Saturday February 24. The focus of the training will be on orienteering, area search, small hasty team, and radio comms. Depending on the number of participants, we will break into … Continue reading →

For KISAR’s January training we brought Deb Ajango back to Kodiak to teach a full Wilderness First Aid (WFA) certification course. We always enjoy Deb’s charismatic delivery and experience-fueled knowledge of the subject. We invited the Alaska State Troopers and … Continue reading →

For KISAR’s October training we were invited to participate in an inland SAR training exercise with the USCG Air Station and the Royal Canadian Air Force. The Canadian’s CH-149 Cormorant had mechanical issues and did not make it to Kodiak, … Continue reading →

For our June training, Deb Ajango of Safety Ed came down to Kodiak to offer her excellent Wilderness First Aid (WFA) refresher class to KISAR members. We always love when Deb works with us. She has an incredible breadth and … Continue reading →

For KISAR’s May training we headed into Fort Abercrombie State Park and constructed a dual capability two-tensioned rope system to perform a ‘pick off’ rescue of a subject in complicated high angle terrain. The group explored building anchors using the … Continue reading →

For KISAR’s April training we teamed up with the USCG Air Station to practice basket hoists, trail line tending, and helicopter ingress/egress. The air crew was very generous with their time and it was a fun training. Familiarizing KISAR members … Continue reading →

For the training following the March KISAR general membership meeting, Philip presented a talk on resources for planning backcountry travel across the island or throughout the archipelago for SAR missions or personal travel. The focus will be on satellite mapping … Continue reading →

For KISAR’s post meeting training for February, Philip offered a talk on safe mountain snow travel looking at factors affecting avalanche hazard like terrain, snowpack, weather, and human factors.