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Question 1
Which statement best describes the goal of tracking?
Correct Answer:
To gather evidence of the subject's path through analyzing signs
Explanation:
The goal of tracking primarily revolves around gathering evidence of the subject's path by analyzing signs left in the environment, such as footprints, disturbances in vegetation, or other indicators of movement. This process is vital for understanding where the subject has gone, helping the search and rescue team to formulate an effective strategy for locating them. By meticulously examining these signs, the tracker can create a narrative of the subject's movements, which is essential for guiding the search efforts. Identifying potential hazards, while important, is more of a preventative measure than the core objective of tracking itself. Finding the quickest route to the last known point deals with navigation efficiency rather than the tracking process's primary aim of understanding the subject’s movements. Lastly, effective communication among searchers is essential for collaborative efforts but does not directly pertain to the essence of tracking as a technique focused on interpreting physical signs left by the subject.
Question 2
When is it essential to eliminate exposure in heat-related injuries?
Correct Answer:
As soon as symptoms arise
Explanation:
Eliminating exposure in heat-related injuries is essential as soon as symptoms arise. Heat-related injuries, such as heat exhaustion or heat stroke, can progress rapidly and become life-threatening if not addressed promptly. Immediate action is necessary to prevent further complications, such as organ failure or heat stroke, which can occur very quickly after the onset of symptoms. Symptoms may include heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, nausea, or confusion, and each of these signals indicates the body is struggling to cope with heat. Taking action right when symptoms appear allows for faster cooling of the body and reduces the risk of more severe health issues. It is critical to remove the individual from the hot environment, provide hydration, and utilize cooling techniques to stabilize their condition. Addressing the issue without delay dramatically improves the chances of recovery and reduces long-term effects from heat exposure.
Question 3
Which of the following is a type of trained human search resource?
Correct Answer:
Trackers
Explanation:
The correct answer is the category of trackers. Trackers have specialized training in locating individuals by following signs and evidence that indicate their movements through the environment. This often involves skills in reading tracks, identifying disturbances in vegetation, and understanding how environmental factors can affect a person's path. Trackers are essential in search and rescue operations because they can provide crucial information about where a lost individual might have traveled. Their skills complement the broader search efforts by offering a focused and efficient approach to locating missing persons. While medical teams, rescue dogs, and logistical support are vital components of a search and rescue operation, they serve different roles. Medical teams focus on providing care and treatment to those in distress, rescue dogs help in locating victims using their keen sense of smell, and logistical support involves organizing resources and planning the operation. These roles do not specifically involve the specialized training in tracking that is characteristic of trained human search resources like trackers.
Question 4
What is the most common type of baffling used in backpacking sleeping bags?
Correct Answer:
Shingle
Explanation:
The most common type of baffling used in backpacking sleeping bags is the shingle design. This baffling method consists of horizontal layers of insulation that are arranged in a way that resembles overlapping shingles on a roof. This design effectively minimizes cold spots and allows for better thermal efficiency by preventing the insulation from shifting around. The shingle baffling maintains the integrity of the insulation while promoting even heat distribution, which is crucial in maintaining warmth during outdoor activities. While other baffling methods like box, cylindrical, and continuous may also be used in some sleeping bags, they are less commonly employed in backpacking models. Box baffling, for instance, creates individual compartments that prevent insulation from shifting but can add weight and bulk, which is not preferable for lightweight backpacking. The cylindrical design is usually found in more specialized or luxury sleeping bags, while continuous baffling can lead to uneven insulation distribution due to the lack of separate compartments. Thus, shingle baffling stands out as the most practical and popular choice among backpackers.
Question 5
A primary goal of SAR operations is to:
Correct Answer:
Find and assist missing persons
Explanation:
The primary goal of Search and Rescue (SAR) operations centers around locating and assisting missing persons. This is the main focus because SAR missions are initiated when individuals are reported lost or in distress, requiring immediate action to provide aid and ensure their safety. The process typically includes systematic searching of areas where these individuals might be found, coordinating with various agencies, and employing specialized techniques to effectively locate and assist them, which often involves the use of teams trained in various SAR methodologies. While ensuring personnel safety is critical during operations and may be a priority in the execution of a rescue mission, it is ultimately a means to achieve the broader aim of locating and assisting those in distress. Similarly, obtaining photographic evidence and improving team member strength may contribute to overall operations, but they do not define the primary objective of SAR initiatives. The essence of SAR is profoundly focused on the humanitarian aspect of preventing loss of life and aiding those in need, which is encapsulated in the effort to find and assist missing persons.
Question 1
Exam overview

About this Exam

The Search and Rescue Technician Level II (SARTECH II) certification is the cornerstone intermediate qualification for all aspiring and active ground search and rescue personnel.

This certification, provided by the National Association for Search and Rescue (NASAR), is specifically designed for individuals who function as field searchers during actual search and rescue missions. It is the gold standard for operational readiness, ensuring that responders possess the critical knowledge, decision-making abilities, and practical field skills needed to operate effectively and safely in wilderness and rural environments.

SARTECH II is ideal for volunteer searchers, members of specialized SAR teams, and professionals from related fields who participate in search and rescue operations as part of their duties.

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Additional Information

What the Course Entails and Exam Details

To prepare for the SARTECH II certification, candidates typically complete the Fundamentals of Search and Rescue (FUNSAR) course, which provides the theoretical and practical foundation.

The scope of knowledge covered is extensive, bridging the gap between basic awareness and advanced leadership. Core topics and skills you must master include:

  • SAR Fundamentals: Comprehensive definitions of search, rescue, recovery, and survival.

  • Organizational Systems: Mastery of the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and the Incident Command System (ICS) as applied to SAR.

  • Search Theory & Management: A deep dive into determining Probability of Area (POA), Probability of Detection (POD), search tactics (hasty, grid, containment), clue awareness, and tracking methodologies.

  • Navigation: Advanced map and compass skills, map-to-terrain association, and use of Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers, including coordinating in various formats like UTM.

  • Survival & Wilderness Travel: Essential wilderness survival principles, environmental emergencies, and techniques for safe movement over difficult terrain.

  • Technical Skills: Introduction to rope rescue, including knots, simple systems, rappelling, and patient packaging for transport.


What to Expect in the Final Exam

The final evaluation for the SARTECH II certification is a rigorous two-part process that tests both your mental and physical capabilities.

1. The Written Examination:

This is the first component, which you must pass to proceed to the practical evaluation.

  • Format: The exam typically consists of approximately 145 questions, covering the entire body of SAR knowledge. It often includes multiple-choice questions, and notably, about 20 scenario-based navigation problems that require direct input (e.g., coordinates, bearings, distances) using a supplied topographic map.

  • Time Limit: Candidates are generally given three hours to complete the written portion.

  • Rules: The written exam is often conducted as an "open-book" evaluation, using the current edition of the FUNSAR textbook.

  • Passing Score: The required passing score is 70% (approximately 102 correct answers). Successfully passing this written test also inherently certifies you at the SARTECH III (Introduction to SAR) level, even if the practical exam is not later completed.

2. The Practical Evaluation (6-Station Exam):

Upon successful completion of the written exam, you must challenge the practical component.

  • Format: This consists of six (6) physical skill stations, where a candidate's performance is evaluated by authorized NASAR lead evaluators.

  • Skills Tested: Stations typically require candidates to demonstrate proficiency in: building an emergency shelter, building a fire, performing topographic map reading, executing day navigation, executing night navigation, and demonstrating various search techniques and knowledge.

  • Rules: Should a candidate fail any station, they may repeat up to two stations on the day of the exam. If needed, re-testing for failed stations can be completed at any subsequent SARTECH II evaluation within one year at no additional cost to NASAR.

Medical & Other Prerequisites:

Starting in 2021, NASAR requires all candidates to hold a current medical certification of Wilderness First Aid (WFA) or higher and satisfy other prerequisites such as completing FEMA ICS-100, ICS-200, and ICS-700.


How to Study and Exam Centers

Preparation is paramount for the SARTECH II evaluation. Success depends on a combination of rigorous study and consistent, hands-on practice. Actionable strategies include:

  • Complete FUNSAR: Enrolling in and completing the NASAR Fundamentals of Search and Rescue (FUNSAR) course is the single most important step. The written exam is directly based on this material.

  • Master Navigation: Do not underestimate the navigation section. Practice finding locations, calculating bearings, and converting between magnetic and true headings daily until it becomes second nature.

  • Practice Practical Skills: You cannot "study" fire starting or night navigation in a classroom. Actively practice all potential practical exam stations, including shelter building, knot tying, and wilderness travel, in varying weather conditions.

  • Utilize Study Guides: Leverage official NASAR study guides, practice question banks, and flashcards that are specifically aligned with the SARTECH II Body of Knowledge to reinforce core concepts.

Exam Centers and Testing:

Unlike exams administered at commercial centers like Pearson VUE, SARTECH II evaluations are hosted and administered directly by NASAR and its network of authorized instructors, evaluators, and search teams.

To find a testing opportunity, you must:

  1. Check the NASAR Course Schedule: Visit the official National Association for Search and Rescue (NASAR) website to find upcoming FUNSAR courses and SARTECH II evaluation dates. Evaluations are typically scheduled at the conclusion of a FUNSAR class.

  2. Contact Local SAR Teams: Many regional and local search and rescue teams host their own FUNSAR courses and evaluations. Inquire directly with teams in your area about their training and testing schedules.


Job Opportunities from the Course

A SARTECH II certification provides immense value, not just as a credential of operational readiness, but as a key enabler for career advancement and professional development within emergency response and public safety fields.

Specific job titles and career paths this certification unlocks, both in a professional and a highly-skilled volunteer capacity, include:

  • Professional Search and Rescue Technician (Operational Level): In agencies and organizations with dedicated SAR units.

  • National Park Ranger: Critical for performing search, rescue, and medical aid in national parks and recreation areas.

  • Law Enforcement Officer (Wilderness SAR Specialist): A distinct advantage for officers in state, county, or municipal agencies handling missing persons in wildland areas.

  • Firefighter (Wilderness and Technical Rescue): Fundamental skills for fire departments that respond to calls outside urban areas.

  • Emergency Management Specialist: Understanding field operations is crucial for the overall management of search and rescue incidents at the local and state levels.

  • Specialized SAR Resource: A gateway to advancing into niche roles, such as Canine Handler, Man-tracker, UAS Operator (Drone Pilot for SAR), and Technical Rescue Technician.

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