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The graduation marks the successful completion of an intense year of training that prepares students to become primary care paramedics armed with expertise in land and sea survival, parachuting, mountaineering, diving and flying operations. Mike Reyno Phot

Royal Canadian Air Force marks graduation of 50th SAR course

National Defence Press Release | July 7, 2017

Estimated reading time 5 minutes, 35 seconds.

Defence Minister Harjit S. Sajjan and Royal Canadian Air Force leaders welcomed 11 new search-and-rescue technicians (SAR techs) into their trade on July 6, at 19 Wing Comox, B.C.

SAR techs are present on every CAF primary SAR aircraft deployed on a SAR mission and they have saved thousands of lives nationwide. Mike Reyno Photo
SAR techs are present on every CAF primary SAR aircraft deployed on a SAR mission and they have saved thousands of lives nationwide. Mike Reyno Photo

The graduates from the Canadian Forces School of Search and Rescue (CFSSAR) are part of the 50th SAR Tech course in the Canadian Armed Forces’ (CAF) history. The graduation marks the successful completion of an intense year of training that prepares students to become primary care paramedics armed with expertise in land and sea survival, parachuting, mountaineering, diving and flying operations.

“It is a pleasure to congratulate Canada`s newest search-and-rescue technicians, and to mark the 50th search-and-rescue technician graduation class of the Canadian Armed Forces,” said Sajjan. “After almost a year of some of the most intensive training in Canada’s toughest terrain, these SAR techs have earned the right to join their colleagues in carrying out the most demanding of rescue missions.”

The graduation marks the successful completion of an intense year of training that prepares students to become primary care paramedics armed with expertise in land and sea survival, parachuting, mountaineering, diving and flying operations. Mike Reyno Photo
The graduation marks the successful completion of an intense year of training that prepares students to become primary care paramedics armed with expertise in land and sea survival, parachuting, mountaineering, diving and flying operations. Mike Reyno Photo

BGen David Cochrane, Commander, 2 Canadian Air Division, added, “From the demanding selection process right through to the completion of their training, these search-and-rescue technicians have worked tirelessly and have rightly earned their place in the proud SAR tech occupation that embodies their motto–“So Others May Live.”

“Being the 50th graduating class, these search-and-rescue technician students had a rich and proud heritage to live up to, and they have. Those who have passed through this school have gone on to save thousands of lives and I am confident these graduates will proudly follow in their footsteps,” Maj John Coffin, Commandant, Canadian Forces School of Search and Rescue.

Defence Minister Harjit S. Sajjan and Royal Canadian Air Force leaders welcomed 11 new search and rescue technicians into their trade on July 6, at 19 Wing Comox, B.C. National Defence Photo
Defence Minister Harjit S. Sajjan and Royal Canadian Air Force leaders welcomed 11 new search-and-rescue technicians into their trade on July 6, at 19 Wing Comox, B.C. National Defence Photo

Quick Facts:

  • The year-long course trains SAR techs to be primary care paramedics armed with expertise in land and sea survival, parachuting, mountaineering, diving and flying operations;
  • The course graduated 11 students who will now be posted to SAR squadrons across the country; and
  • Training took place in numerous locations including: Comox, Victoria and Vancouver, B.C.; Jarvis Lake and Jasper National Park, Alta.; Winnipeg, Man.; Halifax, N.S.; and Resolute Bay, N.W.T.

History of SAR training:

  • The CAF have been training personnel in search-and-rescue techniques since 1944. While this is the 50th graduating course of SAR techs, courses have not been run every year;
  • Originally called “Para Rescue,” the concept was the brain child of Wilfrid Reid (Wop) May who envisioned a team that would be able to parachute into a crash site to administer first aid and organize the recovery of accident victims;
  • The first Para Rescue School formed in Edmonton in 1944 and started the first course on Feb. 12, 1945, with 12 candidates. Course duration was originally planned for 15 weeks, but due to weather and equipment delays, the course lasted 19 weeks;
  • In 1964, the Para Rescue Course came under the RCAF Survival Training School in Edmonton;
  • In 1996, CFSSAR was created in Comox, graduating its first course in 1998; and
  • CFSSAR has been graduating courses annually since 2005.

Search-and-rescue technicians “That Others May Live”:

  • CAF have approximately 140 SAR techs. They are highly trained specialists who provide advanced pre-hospital medical care and rescue for aviators, mariners and others in distress in remote or hard-to-reach areas. These men and women are trained to a primary care paramedic national standard with additional advanced skills; and
  • SAR techs are present on every CAF primary SAR aircraft deployed on a SAR mission and they have saved thousands of lives nationwide.

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