The Ultimate Guide to Search and Rescue (SAR) Training Online

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Search and Rescue (SAR) is not just a role—it’s a calling. The work is demanding, often unpaid, and emotionally challenging. Before deciding to volunteer, consider these key questions:

  1. What knowledge and skills are required?
  2. How much time and money will it cost?
  3. How and where can you get involved?

While some join SAR for personal reasons, like enhancing their resume or enjoying the outdoors, these motivations rarely sustain long-term commitment. Instead, those who thrive in SAR are motivated by the opportunity to help others during their most challenging moments and to face tasks and environments that many cannot.

Online SAR Training

Level 1: Free SAR Training via Email

This two-week, email-based introductory course provides foundational knowledge to help you decide if SAR is the right path. Lessons are drawn from the SAR Fundamentals course and offer a no-obligation way to explore the field.

  • How to Enroll: Enter your name and email to begin. New subscribers only.
  • Note: If you don’t receive a confirmation email, check your junk folder.

Enroll in the Free SAR Training Course here.

Level 2: SAR Responder Essentials Membership

For individuals and teams serious about SAR, this membership offers a comprehensive training platform, including all SAR-related courses and resources in one place.

  • Membership Features:
    • Unlimited access to foundational and advanced SAR topics like:
      • SAR Fundamentals
      • Disaster Response
      • Bloodborne Pathogens
      • K9 Handling
      • Navigation
      • Emergency Operations Center Collaboration
      • Responder Safety
    • Available as monthly or annual plans.
    • Memberships can be paused and restarted at any time.

Explore the SAR Responder Essentials Membership here.

Team Enrollment and Advanced Management

Team Enrollment Options

  1. Single-Payer Model: One leader pays for all team members. Ideal for agency-sponsored teams or grant-funded groups.
  2. Individual Enrollment Model: Each team member enrolls individually and is later linked to the team.

Benefits of Team Enrollment:

  • Certificates and transcripts for members.
  • Self-paced courses accessible on any device.
  • Built-in note-taking tools.

Advanced Team Management Features

For team training managers, additional features include:

  • Member progress tracking.
  • Certificate and transcript management.
  • Custom course assignments.

Learn More About Team Enrollment here.

Course Catalog and Key FAQs

Browse All Courses

Explore the full range of courses covering foundational to advanced SAR knowledge.

View the Course Catalog here.

Key FAQs

SAR Certifications and Standards

State-Level SAR Standards

Some states, like Oregon and New Mexico, have specific SAR standards. Reciprocity across states is rare, so responders may need to re-certify if they relocate.

Federal-Level SAR Standards

Federal standards are diverse, with FEMA leading in urban SAR guidelines. FEMA also offers CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) training for disaster response.

Local-Level SAR Standards

Local SAR teams often set their own standards. Many align with NASAR’s certifications, but these are typically not sufficient on their own. Teams often blend various certifications to create a comprehensive training framework.

Urban SAR (USAR)

Urban SAR focuses on disaster scenarios like hurricanes and building collapses. FEMA sponsors 30 USAR teams across the U.S., each consisting of specialists in:

  • Medical
  • Canine
  • Logistics
  • Command/Leadership
  • HazMat

At the state level, most states (and some large metro areas) also sponsor USAR teams, which are part of the same system but organized under the membership-based State Urban Search And Rescue Alliance.

USAR teams are categorized into types, such as:

  • Type 1: 72 responders operating autonomously for 14 days.
  • Type 3: 23 responders with focused capabilities.

Learn More About USAR here.

Becoming a SAR Volunteer

Start by identifying which agency oversees SAR in your area—Sheriff’s Departments, Fire Departments, or Emergency Management Agencies are good starting points. Align with teams that are trusted by local authorities to ensure you’re part of official callouts.

Also, some other volunteer community service groups may offer limited SAR services without the demands of a SAR team.  Groups such as: 

Using Animals in SAR

Many people explore SAR because they have a dog with potential. However, suitability for SAR work is rare and requires rigorous training, certification, and reliability.

SAR K9 Readiness

K9 candidates should be at least 10-12 months old before officially screening them for search work. Besides having the opportunity to mature, by then, they should have also had their hips and eyes evaluated for genetic issues by a qualified veterinarian.

Prospective search dogs should be evaluated by an experienced working-dog evaluator who will look for strengths and weaknesses in the dog's genetic nerve strength, drives, etc. Evaluating a dog is an exhaustive but extremely critical process. Forms and guidelines are included for those enrolled in our SAR K9 Intro course.

Even if they pass an initial screening, the time it takes for a dog to be deemed 'mission ready' can range from 6 months to 2 years. Those extraordinary dogs that become 'mission ready' meet three essential standards:

  • They're TRAINED - backed by comprehensive training records
  • They're CERTIFIED - by a reputable, outside evaluator
  • They're RELIABLE - they perform consistently regardless of conditions

Early Preparation Tips

  • Play hide-and-seek or fetch with your dog. 
  • Introduce them to diverse environments (empty bathtub, under a parked car, loud environments, etc.).
  • Teach basic obedience.

SAR K9 Summary

  1. Training: Dogs must be comprehensively trained and certified by reputable evaluators.
  2. Proficiency: Handlers must be skilled searchers first.

Learn More in the SAR K9 Intro Course here.

Becoming a Certified SAR Instructor

Competent SAR instructors must meet five criteria:

  1. Subject Matter Knowledge
  2. Classroom and Student Management
  3. Instructional Ability
  4. Humility
  5. Use of Professional Curriculum

Certification requirements vary by course. For example:

  • NASAR Certifications: Focus on field skills but lack stringent instructional standards.
  • FEMA Certifications: Require extensive training, documentation, and evaluation.

The process is demanding.  So much so that at last check, I am the only person on the planet to ever be simultaneously certified to teach FEMA’s three primary search courses: Technical Search Specialist, Canine Search Specialist, and Wide Area Search.  A reflection of the high bar required for federal-level instruction.

Learn More About Becoming a Certified Instructor (COMING SOON)

Paid Roles in SAR

While SAR is predominantly volunteer-based, paid opportunities exist with:

  • Government Agencies: Coast Guard, Forest Service, National Park Service.
  • Law Enforcement: Sheriff’s Departments, Border Patrol.
  • Fire service:  Swiftwater, flood and disaster rescue. Paid and volunteer.
  • Military: Pararescue or rescue swimmer roles.

However, even in these paid positions, search and rescue might not be your primary function. It might be a duty you perform alongside other responsibilities.

Another option to consider is getting an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification. While not directly search and rescue, EMTs can be called upon to assist search and rescue teams in providing medical care to those found.

My route started with local volunteer SAR prior to joining a state team who also has a federal mission.

State and federal missions were paid jobs but the vast majority of the training - which was a massive amount of time and effort - was not.

International SAR

The International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) sets global standards for international SAR efforts, emphasizing coordination and minimum competency benchmarks.

Learn More About INSARAG here.

SAR Gear and Supplies

Essential gear includes:

  • FEMA Search Stickers
  • Medical kits
  • Lighting equipment

View Recommended Gear (COMING SOON)

Downloads, Tools, and Job Aids

Free Pocket Cards

Additional Resources

Access more Downloads and Job Aids here.

Articles and Insights

Explore SAR and leadership insights here.

Contact Information

Have questions or need guidance? Reach out or subscribe to our newsletter for tips and updates.

Contact Us here.

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