Quick Facts about military search-and-rescue technicians
OTTAWA — As Canadians mark Remembrance Day on Friday, they are being encouraged to remember the 13 military search-and-rescue technicians who have died in the line of duty since 1947. Here are some facts about search-and-rescue technicians, or SAR techs:
— The military has about 150 SAR techs, with 112 of them in operational roles and the remainder at the SAR tech school in Comox, B.C., and various staff positions.
— Prospective SAR techs typically have between four or five years of previous military experience and are all enlisted members (non-officers).
— Training takes about a year and includes scuba diving, parachuting and extreme weather survival.