Lake Mead's Preventative Search and Rescue Volunteer Program

PSAR Volunteer duties:

The primary responsibilities of a VIP PSAR Volunteer are to provide hike safety messaging to the public to mitigate the number of injuries and incidents taking place on the park’s busiest and most strenuous trails. The volunteer may perform one of two main tasks of sharing hike safety messaging while stationed at a trailhead information table or hiking along a trail to provide safety messaging to the public hiking the trail.

PSAR Tabling Duties

• The volunteer will staff a stationary information station at a designated trailhead. The volunteer will provide high quality customer service and information in every contact they make.
• Utilizes a park radio to communicate with park dispatch about hiker incidents or visitor rule violations.
• Volunteer will interact with the public sharing safety messaging related to a trail’s unique hazards and other hike safety tips.
• If planning and preparation do not match, the volunteer works with the hiker(s) to create an alternative plan that would reconcile those components.
• If an alternative plan is not viable, or if the hiker(s) are unwilling to negotiate, the volunteer should provide education on signs and symptoms that are indicative of the on-set of heat or hydration related illnesses.
• During tabling explains basic requirements to visitors concerning safe hiking procedures in the Mojave Desert and trail specific information. Also gives information regulations to park visitors and provides advice on park activities and cultural, historical, and/or natural resources history within the park.

Trail Roving Duties

• The volunteer will hike one of the following trails: Gold Strike Hot Springs, White Rock Canyon Trails, and Historic Railroad Trail. Volunteers can hike a portion of the trail solo that does not require technical abilities; although, if hiking the entirety of the trail, they must hike in pairs.

Record Keeping

• Patrol Logs’ capture the information necessary for the justification of the funding basis, allocation of resources, and logistical decisions. All volunteers need to complete these forms at the end of each patrol. All patrol logs will be distributed to the PSAR Volunteer supervisor at the end of their shift.    

PSAR Volunteer Physical Requirements –Volunteer will be working outside in temperatures ranging from 45 degrees in the winter to 100 degrees in the spring and in a variety of weather conditions- rain, sun, daylight, evening, and high winds. Volunteer will be tabling with another volunteer. The volunteer may be required to provide first aid/CPR to the level trained until requested help arrives in the case of a first-aid scenario.

Qualifications: Must be at least 18 years old, enjoy working with people from a variety of backgrounds, and have a willingness to learn about the park resources. Volunteer must be physically able to do some walking and standing on uneven surfaces at trailheads. Must have the ability to function calmly and effectively under emergency conditions or in dealing with distraught/hostile/injured persons.

Training: All volunteers accepted in the PSAR program must attend 4-6 hours training session. Dates will be determined based on volunteer's availability.

Note: Must wear a NPS volunteer uniform. Volunteers must present a positive image of the NPS.