BRSARA trains CASARA volunteers in winter survival skills

BRSARA led a day of winter survival training for about 20 CASARA volunteers, with classroom instruction at the Brandon Municipal Airport and a field exercise at CFB Cornwallis Camp.

The Brandon Regional Search and Rescue Association ran a full day of winter survival training for Civil Air Search and Rescue Association volunteers. The day began with a classroom session at CASARA's office at the Brandon Municipal Airport and moved to a hands-on field exercise at CFB Cornwallis Camp. Instructors emphasized preparation and basic survival priorities for cold conditions. Organizers said the session also aimed to strengthen coordination between air and ground search teams. Key details: - The joint session drew about 20 participants and combined classroom instruction with an outdoor exercise. - Instructor Brian Wiltshire highlighted the "three T's" of outdoor safety: trip planning, training and taking the essentials. - The field exercise at CFB Cornwallis Camp included simulated emergency work: building shelters, starting fires and boiling water in frigid conditions. - Zonal commander Daryl Neustater noted that refresher training is valuable because members’ outdoor experience varies. - Brandon Regional Search and Rescue operates with about 30 to 38 volunteers, responds to roughly 10 physical searches a year, trains once or twice monthly and delivers dozens of school presentations annually. - Volunteers said the session reinforced that teams must be able to look after themselves in winter conditions and that practical outdoor practice is different from summer training. Summary: The exercise reinforced practical winter survival skills and improved coordination between air and ground search teams. Organizers described the session as a useful refresher given varying levels of outdoor experience among volunteers. Undetermined at this time.