Bush Search and Rescue Victoria (BSAR) is a volunteer search and rescue group active in the state of Victoria (Australia) and is affiliated with Bushwalking Victoria. Bush Search and Rescue participates in land-based search and rescue activities for persons lost in the bush, in conjunction with and under direction from the Victoria Police Search and Rescue Squad.
Members are selected by bushwalking, mountaineering and outdoors clubs affiliated to Bushwalking Victoria. From 2007, members could also be selected from individual members of Bushwalking Victoria.
Bush Search and Rescue has provided volunteer search and rescue services to the people of Victoria on over 100 occasions, usually in bush or alpine areas. BSAR volunteers are often asked to participate in searches at short notice, in adverse weather conditions and in rough and extreme terrain. BSAR has the ability to send out small self-sufficient search groups which can navigate accurately without landmarks and stay out overnight.[1]
Bush Search and Rescue was formed in 1949 after several volunteer bushwalkers were involved in an extended search at Wilsons Promontory.
Until the 90s, the organisation was known as the "Federation of Victorian Walking Clubs Search and Rescue Section", often abbreviated to "The Federation". In the 90s, the organisation name transitioned to "Bushwalkers Search and Rescue".
In 2008, the organisation name Bush Search and Rescue Victoria was formally adopted.[2]
Bush Search and Rescue is registered as an Emergency Service in the Emergency Management Manual Victoria.[3]
Some notable searches that Bush Search and Rescue has participated in include: