Members of the Santa Barbara County Search and Rescue (SAR) team spent Sunday training on the Arroyo Hondo Bridge near El Capitan State Beach.

The bridge, which is 100 feet tall, has a panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean. The span can be seen from the 101 freeway and is accessible via a scenic overlook offramp.

This training was an opportunity for team members to practice setting up rappel lines, negotiating the edge, and rappelling smoothly to the bottom.

Team members worked on safety, situational awareness, and best practices for rappelling. Working in small teams, members also focused on communication skills and radio commands.

There were 18 SAR team members participating. After three to four rappels, they converted to ascending systems, and finally to individual subject-based pick-offs.

This training on the Arroyo Hondo Bridge is an example of how the SAR team stays sharp and ready to respond. Team members regularly participate in extended scenario-based trainings offered twice monthly (on a Saturday and a Sunday), as well as multiple open skills training sessions on weekday evenings.

Focused team-based trainings are regularly offered as well. Several times a year members travel to state and national trainings.

Santa Barbara County Search & Rescue is a professional, all volunteer and unpaid 501(c)3 organization that is community supported by giving to provide services to Santa Barbara County under the direction of the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office.

To learn about supporting SBCSAR, visit https://www.sbcsar.net/.