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Machu Picchu Search and Rescue
updated: Dec 17, 2012, 9:47 AM
Source: SB County Search and Rescue
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY SEARCH AND RESCUE TEAM MEMBERS RETURN FROM ANNUAL TRAINING FOR
MACHU PICCHU SEARCH AND RESCUE TEAM
Team members trained rescuers in the sacred city on swiftwater and rope rescue techniques
Santa Barbara, CA - Five members of Santa Barbara County Search And Rescue (SBCSAR) yesterday
returned home from an annual two-week trip to Peru to train local rescuers in swiftwater and rope
rescue techniques.
Apu Waynapicchu Search And Rescue, also known as Machu Picchu Search And Rescue, began training in
2007 and became a unified team under SBCSAR's tutelage in 2010. Each winter, SBCSAR team members
pay their own travel expenses to Peru to train Machu Picchu SAR on specific rescue techniques. This
year's training focused on swiftwater rescue, training in the Urubamba River's Class IV and Class V
rapids. Methods taught included offensive and defensive swimming, strainers, shallow-water crossing,
live bait, throw bags, and rescue swimming. Additionally, SBCSAR members taught both Machu Picchu
SAR and the community first aid and CPR.
"The sacred city of Machu Picchu and its surrounding areas are awe-inspiring, but the environment itself
can be very dangerous," said SBCSAR Team Member Rick Stein. "It's not unlike Santa Barbara with steep
mountains and cliffs, beautiful but potentially dangerous rivers, and exotic wildlife. SBCSAR team
members train rigorously in this type of environment, and it's an honor to train the local Search &
Rescue team so that residents and visitors alike can enjoy the outdoors, knowing that first responders
can come to their aid in an emergency."
Stein and fellow SBCSAR Team members Linda Phillips, Charles Gelinas, Kevin Hess, and Kerrie
Valdiviezo trained 27 members of Machu Picchu Search And Rescue.
Swiftwater and rope rescue gear was donated by Goleta-based rescue gear manufacturer CMC Rescue,
Inc. (stretcher, wheel, and dry suits), REI of Santa Barbara, and SBCSAR (personal flotation devices).
SBCSAR is an all-volunteer unit of the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office. The team consists of 38
highly trained unpaid professionals, 16 certified Swiftwater Rescue Technicians, and 25 Emergency
Medical Technicians. Members are on call 24/7 and serve all 2,735 square miles of Santa Barbara
County, including Santa Cruz, San Miguel, and Anacapa Islands.
Downloadable images can be found on SBCSAR's Facebook: www.facebook.com/SBCSAR.
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