April Risk Management: Preventative Search and Rescue

Placeholder Contact Profile Keith Stinebaugh
April 10, 2026
Preventative Search and Rescue (PSAR) is not a commonly used term within the CMC (yet), but it it actually part of almost everything we do. In basic terms, PSAR seeks to eliminate "avoidable" accidents while minimizing the number and severity of "unavoidable" accidents. The term was introduced to CMC Leadership at a Leadership Summit in May 2024 by Art Hogling, you can read his background paper on the topic here.
The foundational document for PSAR at the CMC is the Leader Manual. The document contains some excellent checklists for trip leaders to use while planning a trip, at the trailhead, while on the trip, and after trip. The March 2026 edition of "The Lead" had an excerpt from a PSAR Corner in the Boulder Group "Compass" newsletter which focused on preparations at the trailhead (Ch 5). In this edition we will go back and review the previous Leader Manual entry from "The Compass" series on pre-trip planning, and then look at things to do while on the trip and after the trip is complete.
Pre-trip and field day planning considerations.

These planning guidelines apply not only to trip leaders, but also to instructors running field days, and all members to review. Everyone has responsibilities in the field, not just those in leadership roles.

On page 5 of the Leader Manual, two essential pre-trip responsibilities are outlined:

1. Plan thoroughly - route selection, weather, permits, and emergency plans
2. Screen participants - experience, fitness, and equipment

These responsibilities are expanded in Chapter 4 (starting on page 16), which includes detailed planning checklists on pages 16 and 21.

One area that’s often overlooked, or feels especially challenging for new leaders, is pre-trip participant screening. While this step is critical for advanced or technical trips, it can feel awkward to navigate. Page 21 offers excellent sample screening questions and guidance. It’s also a helpful self-check for participants to ask whether a trip is a good fit for their current experience and skill level.

On/After the Trip

If you’re looking for what to do during and after a trip, it’s not all in one place. The key sections to review are:

- Chapter 5: On Your Trip or Class
- Chapter 6: Group Dynamics, Decision Making, and Problems
- Emergency Preparedness

A quick refresher on these goes a long way.

Where the manual really shines is in its checklists. As Bruce Tremper points out in Avalanche Essentials, even simple checklists help us make better decisions in the field. The big ones to know:

- Pre-trip planning (p.22)
- On-trip (p.26)
- Group dynamics (p.32)
- Emergency response (p.39)

They’re simple, but they work.

One thing the manual doesn’t cover: how to use trip feedback. The best leaders don’t just read the compliments. They pay attention to what might not be so positive. It can be uncomfortable, but it’s how you improve.


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