SAR COORDINATES

August 2008

TONTO RIM SEARCH AND RESCUE SQUAD, Inc.

P.O. BOX 357
STRAWBERRY AZ 85544

www.trsar.org

A self-supporting, not-for-profit group of volunteer citizens dedicated to improving safety in the Arizona wilderness.

Operating under the authority of the Gila County Sheriff's Office

John Armer; Sheriff

TRSAR Squad meets monthly

General Public Welcome
2nd Thursday @ 7:00 - 9:00 PM
Payson Public Library Meeting Room
328 N. McLane Road - Payson, Arizona

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Don’t forget; the meetings this month are August 12th for the Board and August 14th for the General Meeting.

Click on pictures to enlarge

Payson Roundup Article

They serve so others may live

Payson Roundup Boomers edition
August 1, 2008
By Teresa McQuerrey, Staff Writer

Their average age is 59 - the median age is 62. They’re no spring chickens, but if you are injured or lost in the backcountry of the Rim, they are there for you. The motto of Tonto Rim Search and Rescue is “So Others May Live,” says board member Dave Pirtle.

“It is a pretty good bunch. It is rare when you have such a large group (about 70) and everyone is there to provide a service. There really is no ‘I’ in this team,” he said.

There are some young people in the group, the ages range from 27 to 77, but the majority of the members are active men and women who can count themselves among the Baby Boom generation.

TRSAR is a Baby Boomer too. It was founded in 1964 (the last year counted in the Baby Boom era) by Gila County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Jim Blackburn to assist him in handling the many civil rescues in the Pine-Strawberry area. At that time, one deputy took care of all the activities in this area. With the region almost as popular then as it is now, there were more calls than Blackburn could handle on his own.

In those early years, the squad assisted people stuck in the snow as well as those lost or injured. It was activated by any request, and did not have to wait for the sheriff’s office to approve the mission.

That changed in 1977 when the state made it a law that all SAR activity was the responsibility of each county sheriff’s office. The change was beneficial and resulted in better training and equipment, plus better coordination and cooperation between the counties.

Coordinating search and rescue operations for the sheriff’s office in Northern Gila County are Sgt. Terry Hudgens and Deputies Rod Cronk and Colt White, Pirtle said. Other sheriff’s office personnel coordinate efforts elsewhere in the county.

“We can go anywhere in the state to help,” said Pirtle.

If the need arose, he said TRSAR members could assist search and rescue efforts anywhere in the country.

The 70 men and women of TRSAR are all volunteers, paying $20 a year in dues and providing most of their own equipment. The cost of that equipment depends on what an individual owns and how involved they want to become in the efforts of TRSAR. The equipment recommended for active (on call) members: heavy-duty clothing for both summer and winter, compass, pack, flashlights, whistle, hiking stick and other small items. Other items that members have found useful: a global positioning system (GPS), 2 meter radio, a four-wheel drive all terrain vehicle, rope gear and personal computer.

Some equipment is provided, such as radios, Pirtle said. Almost all of the training is provided free of charge. Members must complete training in such skills as survival, tracking, navigation, first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation, rope rescue and ATV operation, as well as others.

Because of the extensive training provided, no SAR skills are needed to join the squad, however successful applicants must pass a background check by the sheriff’s office and cannot have a felony record.

To join, interested persons only need to attend two consecutive squad meetings - held at 7 p.m. the second Thursday of each month in the meeting of the Payson Public Library, 328 N. McLane Road – and fill out an application. Both the TRSAR board and the Gila County Sheriff’s Office will review the application. The applicant must also attend a personnel committee interview. Once an applicant receives favorable recommendations from the sheriff’s office, the membership committee and board, the full membership votes on acceptance.

An individual’s spouse may also join, through the same process, with dues reduced by half.

Physically limited individuals may also join.

The main requirement of membership is to give of their time, not only training and on active missions, attending meetings and providing community service, but in fund-raising as well. In fact, as a nonprofit, about two to three times as many hours must be devoted to fund-raising as those spent on active missions. No public funds are provided for the operation or the highly specialized rescue and medical gear required on its missions.

One of TRSAR’s primary fund-raising projects, a raffle for a 2008 Arctic Cat Prowler XT 250 and a Big Tex Trailer, is winding down. The drawing will be held Sunday, August 31 at the Labor Day 2008 Arts and Crafts Fair at the Pine Community Center.

Tickets are $10 each, six for $50 or 12 for $100 – and you need not be present to win. To purchase tickets in person: DJ’s Bed And Bath in the Swiss Village Shopping Center, 806 N. Beeline Highway, Payson, (928) 474-9680; Rim Country Power Sports, 3898 E. Highway 260, Star Valley, (928) 468-6164; Payson Athletic Club, 400 E. Highway 260, Payson, (928)474-0916. You may also contact Bill Pitterle at (928) 978-9105 or Dave Pirtle at (928) 970-3830.

(SAR Coordinates editor’s note: You may also purchase tickets on-line on our website at www.trsar.org. Click on Raffle 2008 in left hand column and follow instructions.

Many of our drawings have been won by friends from far away places; the drawings are not limited to Rim Country residents.)

August 2008 Training & Events Schedule

9-Aug (Sat) Tracking Classroom – Time: 0800 – Place: Squad Building – Les Hulse in charge

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13-Aug (wed) CPR

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16- Aug. (Sat) Rope Training – Time: 0700 – Place: Second Crossing – Roger Miotto and rope instructors in charge

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23 Aug. (Sat.) Project Lifesaver - Time:0800 - Place: Squad Building - Instructors: Terry Hudgens

Training Sessions (Coming this Year)

Requested Training Sessions

? If you would like to volunteer to run a training session, or if you have a training session request contact any Board Member or Don Johnson

Active: Members wishing to remain on active status must attend at least three official Squad functions per quarter of the calendar year, as well as two training exercises per six months of the calendar year.

Reserve: Members who wish to remain on reserve status must attend at least one official Squad function per quarter of the calendar year as well as one training exercise per six months of the calendar year.

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Laws that are still on the books

	If you’re riding through Charleston, South Carolina, your horse had better be wearing diapers.
	In Columbus, Ohio, you cannot legally sell corn flakes on Sunday.

Taking a bath during the winter months is against the law in Indiana.

Planned Fundraising Events for Raffle Ticket Sales

Pine /Strawberry Arts & Crafts Festivals - Pine AZ

30 - August - Saturday

31 - August - Sunday

Time 0800 - 1700

Time 0800 - 1600

Business Cards for Active Members

All active members are permitted to have business cards with your SAR info on them. If you do not have them yet, or if you have used up the ones you had, contact Mike Taylor to place your order. They are nice to have when you are doing any Squad activities, and the best part is they are free. A common use for them is to hand out to family members of the search/rescue subject.

Email miket@trsar.org or call 978-8009.

Don’t forget; the meetings this month are August 12th for the Board and August 14th for the General Meeting.

Computer Tips, Techniques, Rants, Raves, and Netiquette
Submitted by Jack Quinn and Les Hulse

Waterproof/Water Resistant Digital Cameras for SAR

Do you hesitate to bring a digital camera along on missions because you’re concerned with the dust, moisture, or maybe just dropping it?

Well, here is the solution for you, brought to you through extensive research by your newsletter reporters from Computer Tips, Techniques, Rants, Raves, and Netiquette - Les and Jack.

There are different kinds of waterproof and underwater cameras, and you need to pick one that makes sense for you.

This article will focus on Olympus & Pentax.

There are also specialist manufacturers that sell digital cameras with waterproof housings and flashes optimized for underwater photography. Unfortunately, they usually cost quite a bit, and they’re very bulky for Search and Rescue use.

Olympus

Olympus currently makes four models, although only two fit the requirements for SAR use. The Olympus cameras, depending on the model, are shockproof, waterproof and freeze proof. The weight ranges from five ounces to six ounces. Neither of these cameras has an optical viewfinder; the LCD screen must be used.

Prices are approximate.

1030SW (10mp) ($325)

The current king of the outdoor digital cameras is, without a doubt, the new 10-megapixel, shockproof and waterproof Olympus Stylus 1030SW. It can be dropped from six feet, submerged to 30 feet, frozen, stepped on, fallen on, etc.

The camera has a slightly extended 3.6X zoom that starts at a wide 28mm and goes up to 102mm. Thanks to a rugged metal body, extensive sealing, and shock-absorbing construction, the 1030 can survive drops from 6.6 feet. And we thought the 5-foot drop spec of the also new Stylus 850SW was impressive!

Freezing temperatures do not affect this camera, as it is freeze proof down to 14 degrees Fahrenheit. It's a perfect companion for sledding, skiing and snowboarding. Finally, unlike the lesser SW series cameras, this one is crushproof. Its tough case and reinforced LCD can withstand 220 pounds of pressure.

Olympus uses ISO-boost Digital Image Stabilization instead of the more-common mechanical stabilization. Dimensions are 3.7"W x 2.4"H x 0.84"D; the weight is 6.3oz without battery and media card.

If you need a camera that can take a beating, the Olympus Stylus 1030SW is the best there is.

850SW (8mp) ($250)

850SW The Olympus Stylus 850SW is an 8-megapixel point-and-shoot digital camera, featuring a 3x optical zoom (38–114 mm equivalent in 35mm photography), Digital Image Stabilization, and a 2.5 inch LCD screen. The Stylus 850SW has a 640 x 480 movie mode with sound, and it shoots at 30 frames per second for video.

Like other Olympus cameras, the 850sw has both a macro and a super-macro mode. The macro mode goes from eight inches to infinity, whereas super-macro goes from 2.8 inches to a bit over two feet.

The flash range has been extended to 17.4 feet in wide mode and 12 feet in tele mode. Olympus uses ISO-boost Digital Image Stabilization instead of the more common mechanical stabilization. The Olympus Stylus 850SW is also a shockproof, freeze proof and waterproof camera, with dimensions of 3.7"W x 2.4"H x 0.84"D, and it weighs 4.8oz.

More info here: http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/cpg_digital_sw.asp

Pentax

Optio W60 (10mp) $300

The new Pentax Optio W60 has a 10-megapixel sensor and can be submerged up to 13 feet for as long as two hours. The W60's 5X optical zoom is entirely internal. It is one of those intricate folding zoom mechanisms, which means that the lens never barrels out.

The 5x internal zoom lens has a 28-140mm, (35mm equivalent) wide end, and the camera can also be used at temperatures below freezing. Among other improvements, the new Optio W60 also has Face Detection and sensitivity up to ISO 6400. A new 1280 x 720 movie mode lets you record in high definition. Looks like Pentax has been paying attention to the competition.

Optio W30 (7.1mp) $250

Both the Optio W60 and the Optio W30 cameras use the Pentax shake reduction system. Neither camera uses an optical viewfinder; the LCD screen (Live View) must be used.

The W30's 3X optical zoom (38-114mm) is entirely internal. It is one of those intricate folding zoom mechanisms, so the lens never barrels out. The W30 uses face recognition autofocus and face recognition auto exposure in the portrait, kids, and self-portrait modes. Because it is a waterproof camera, there are also dedicated underwater still and movie modes.

In movie mode, you can zoom in and out during recording 640 x 480 pixel format video at a full 30 frames per second. And the zoom is not just digital; you can also use the full optical 3X zoom.

More information at: http://www.h20camera.com/home

We need all the good publicity we can get! The more pictures that we take, the more we get noticed!

Question: Do any of you find this section useful?

We can rant and rave about many topics, but do not know if it is appreciated. Also, we will most likely choose topics that “tick us off” and ignore the ones that you may be interested in. We can give you our opinion on just about anything (opinions are cheap).

So let us know if this section is useful, and if you would like us to tear into some topic, just tell us.

Send any comments and/or suggestions to the editor; Mike – address at bottom of newsletter.

Website

Tonto Rim SAR Members can now have your very own email address through our site. Just contact our Webmaster at jack@jackswebs.com to arrange for it, no cost to you or us.

Unrelated SAR news

I don’t know anything about this store but did see the ad in the Roundup that they are “Going Out of Business” and thought some of us might find some good deals in their merchandise. Check out; Rim Country Outdoors, 3906 E Highway 260, Star Valley

Humor me

Students in a Biology class were taking their mid-term exam.
The last question was, 'Name seven advantages of Mother's Milk,' worth 70 points or none at all.
One student, in particular, was hard put to think of seven advantages.

He wrote:
1.) It is perfect formula for the child.
2.) It provides immunity against several diseases.
3.) It is always the right temperature.
4.) It is inexpensive.
5.) It bonds the child to mother, and vice versa.
6.) It is always available as needed.

And then, the student was stuck. Finally, in desperation, just before the bell indicating the end of the test rang, he wrote...
7.) It comes in cute containers.

He got an A*

::: BREAKING NEWS :::
In 2009 the government will start
killing all the mentally ill people.
I started crying when I thought of you.
Run little buddy, run!

Thanks to those who contributed to this issue of the newsletter.

Mike 502 miket@trsar.org