Certified Training Programs

Search & Rescue

Professional-grade SAR training and certification courses in real mountain terrain. Prepare for the moments that matter most.

Our Mission

Train Where It Counts

SAR team training in mountain terrain

Real Terrain. Real Scenarios.

Cowboy Gun Camp sits on rugged mountain land — the same kind of terrain where people get lost, injured, and need help. Our SAR training programs use this landscape as a living classroom.

Courses are designed for volunteer SAR team members, first responders, outdoor professionals, and dedicated civilians who want the skills to save lives when minutes matter.

All certificate programs are developed in alignment with NASAR (National Association for Search and Rescue) standards and taught by experienced SAR professionals with real-world deployment history.

Training Programs

Core Courses

From fundamentals to advanced field operations — structured programs that build real competency, one skill at a time.

Wilderness search operations
Foundation

SAR Fundamentals

3 Days • 24 Hours • Certificate

The essential starting point for all SAR volunteers. Covers search theory, team operations, safety protocols, and field readiness.

  • Search theory & probability
  • Team organization & ICS
  • Grid, sweep & hasty search
  • Radio communications
  • Personal readiness & gear
  • Night operations basics
Technical rope rescue
Technical

Rope Rescue & Vertical

4 Days • 32 Hours • Certificate

Technical rope systems for cliff rescue, high-angle extraction, and steep terrain operations. Hands-on from day one.

  • Anchor systems & rigging
  • Rappelling & ascending
  • Litter packaging & haul systems
  • High-angle patient extraction
  • Edge management
  • Mechanical advantage systems
Wilderness first aid training
Medical

Wilderness First Responder

5 Days • 40 Hours • Certificate

Extended-care medical training for remote environments where evacuation is hours or days away. The gold standard for backcountry medicine.

  • Patient assessment system
  • Trauma & wound management
  • Splinting & spinal care
  • Environmental emergencies
  • Improvised evacuation
  • Scenario-based simulations
Search and rescue K9 team
Specialty

Tracking & K9 Support

3 Days • 24 Hours • Certificate

Ground-based tracking techniques and working alongside K9 SAR units. Read sign, follow trails, and understand how dogs work a search area.

  • Track identification & aging
  • Step-by-step trailing
  • Lost person behavior patterns
  • K9 handler integration
  • Clue awareness & marking
  • Night tracking techniques
Navigation in mountain terrain
Navigation

Land Navigation & GPS

2 Days • 16 Hours • Certificate

Map, compass, and GPS proficiency for SAR operations. Navigate with confidence in any condition, day or night, on or off trail.

  • Topographic map reading
  • Compass & bearing navigation
  • GPS waypoint management
  • UTM coordinate systems
  • Night navigation exercises
  • Route planning for search ops
Incident command operations
Leadership

SAR Team Leadership

3 Days • 24 Hours • Certificate

For experienced SAR members ready to lead. Incident command, mission planning, resource management, and operational decision-making.

  • Incident Command System (ICS)
  • Mission planning & strategy
  • Resource allocation
  • Interagency coordination
  • Debriefing & after-action
  • Stress management & resilience
Earn Your Certification

Certification Tracks

Structured pathways from entry-level to advanced SAR certification. Each level builds on the last.

Level I

SAR Technician

40 hours total • 2 courses
$495
  • SAR Fundamentals (required)
  • Land Navigation & GPS (required)
  • Field readiness assessment
  • Written examination
  • Certificate of completion
Enroll
Level II

SAR Specialist

96 hours total • 4 courses
$1,295
  • All Level I requirements
  • Rope Rescue & Vertical
  • Tracking & K9 Support
  • 48-hour field exercise
  • Skills assessment & exam
  • NASAR-aligned credential
Enroll
Level III

SAR Team Leader

160 hours total • All courses
$2,450
  • All Level II requirements
  • Wilderness First Responder
  • SAR Team Leadership
  • 72-hour capstone mission
  • Peer evaluation & board review
  • Full SAR Leader credential
Enroll
Upcoming Sessions

Training Schedule

Course Dates Duration Status
SAR Fundamentals Aug 15–17, 2026 3 Days Open
Land Navigation & GPS Sep 6–7, 2026 2 Days Open
Rope Rescue & Vertical Sep 19–22, 2026 4 Days Limited Spots
Wilderness First Responder Oct 7–11, 2026 5 Days Open
Tracking & K9 Support Oct 24–26, 2026 3 Days Open
SAR Team Leadership Nov 14–16, 2026 3 Days Limited Spots

Be Ready When It Matters

The mountain doesn't wait. Neither should your training. Enroll in a course and join a community of people committed to saving lives.

Register Now