The IKAR history in mountain rescue operations and standards goes back to 1948, and their work has affected the improvement of rescue operations everywhere in the world. The IKAR has 31 member countries who meet regularly and whose activities are closely followed by the climbing and manufacturing communities in Europe and other countries. IKAR will celebrate its 50th anniversary in Switzerland in 2008.

The IKAR permits one voting delegate from each country to each of the four committees, Terrestrial, Avalanche, Medical and Aviation. IKAR requires delegates to be field-experienced rescue team leaders who are preferred to have bilingual capabilities (German or French, although English is becoming more common). In its recent meetings the IKAR has provided professional translators and first rate simultaneous translation through headphones at the annual events. US delegates provide an annual report to various SAR audiences each year and are expected to attempt to impact SAR by cooperation across the borders, and standardization, such as with International SAR and Wilderness Accident Statistics.

Individual IKAR commissions generally meet at least twice per year, although this is at times combined with the annual meeting. In September or October each year the entire IKAR congress meets for presentations, papers and demonstrations. The Reports of US delegates are listed on this page.

Joint cooperation by NASAR (National Association for Search and Rescue), the MRA (Mountain Rescue Association) ICSAR (US Federal Interagency Commission for SAR), the Wilderness Medical Society, Helicopter Association International, National Ski Patrol, Association of Avalanche Professionals, and additional financial support from CMC Rescue and Boeing have enabled the US delegation.

IKAR Website

Reports Available in PDF format. All downloads will require Adobe Acrobat Reader

2002 IKAR Report Main		2002 IKAR Report Terrestrial, Brasov
2002 IKAR Report Medcom		2002 IKAR Report Avalanche Rescue, Malbun
2002 IKAR Report Terrestrial, Malbun		2004 IKAR Avi Report from IKAR (Dale Atkins)
2004 IKAR Report Terrestrial, Zakopane		2004 Avalanche Report to IKAR
2004 Avalanche Training Recommendations		2004 Avalanche Marking Recommendation
2005 IKAR Report Terrestrial, Cortina		2005 IKAR Air Rescue Report
2006 IKAR Air Rescue Report		2006 IKAR Report Terrestrial, Slovenia
2007 IKAR Air Rescue Report