One of my main aims behind launching SAR-Knowledge is to try and improve the quality of reviews of SAR equipment, publications and services. There really is very little information out there to allow SAR team to make good informed decisions about what will suit them best. It’s great if teams can get equipment to review for themselves, but this does take effort and there is only so much any team can do.

We’re going to try and improve this situation with the Reviews Scheme. This scheme aims to put suppliers in direct contact with people in the SAR community who are recognised for their informed opinions.

The Reviews Scheme launches today for registered members of the Search and Rescue Knowledge exchange who have a reputation over 100. It is completely free to both register as a member and for suppliers to get the contact details of scheme members. It is not going to be a quick fix, and is going to take some time for SAR suppliers to use the system extensively, but I’m hoping that is a good step in the right direction, that given time will enable SAR teams to make better informed choices.