rants 'n rides: SAR, SAR, and more SAR

Don't remember the last time I went this long without riding a bike, but apart from a jaunt to the grocery store, I didn't even touch a bike all week.

Feels weird.

Monday night: rope rigging practice.
Tuesday night: SAR team monthly meeting.
Wednesday night: rope rigging practice.
Thursday night: BBQ at Mom & Dad's w/ Diana.
Friday night: One more, last minute, rope practice, prior to Saturday's TRBC certification test.

TRBC is the San Bernardino County Sheriff's basic level of rope rescue certification. Without a TRBC cert. a SAR team member can't participate in a rope rescue, in any capacity which requires operation or rigging of the rope rescue system.

A TRBC certified individual is expected to demonstrate competency in several aspects of a rope rescue operation, under time constraints. The skills tested include:

Anchor construction, including pre-tensioned back-ties

Construction and operation of a mechanical advantage system using rope and pulleys. (Operation includes a "hot changeover" from lower-to-raise, and raise-to-lower, and the "Arizona Progression" for pulley rigging: 3:1, 3:1 w/ change of direction, 5:1, 9:1)

Litter rigging and patient litter packaging

Saturday was the TRBC test. Thanks to a lot of practice, and the tireless assistance of some dedicated team members, who helped me prep for the test, I easily passed.

Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning was more SAR activity, as this weekend was also our team's monthly training. We ran a mock search scenario followed by an overnighter at Grinnell Camp. I opted to camp with only what I usually carry in my 3-season SAR pack, which does not include a tent, sleeping bag, stove, or sleeping pad. Instead I had a gore-tex bivy sack with a silk liner, underneath a tarp shelter pitched on a taut-line between two trees. I was plenty warm, but the lack of a sleeping pad made for a fitful night's sleep.

We hiked back out on Sunday morning, followed by an early lunch at The Oaks, in Angelus Oaks, where I happened to come across Matt, Joy, and Shelli, who apparently still ride their bikes, and were taking a break at the store, before continuing on down the hill.

I was jealous of their itinerary, in all its singletrack-laden glory. Unless some ~~fool~~ poor soul gets lost, I think I'm caught up on SAR stuff, for a little while at least. I plan to ride this week.