Inserting troops in very dangerous situations is common to military activity, so training troops to rescue other troops is part and parcel to every branch of military service. Though the circumstances may be different than other kinds of rescues, the skills taught in military rescues are similar to those required for fire, natural disaster, and water or other outdoor rescues. Subsequently, organizations from the Civil Air Patrol to local Fire Departments draw heavily from former military personnel, because of the training they receive.
The Coast Guard is a unique branch of the military. Many Coast Guard activities focus more on civil service than military service, such as monitoring and patrolling U.S. coastlines, and rescuing boaters or anyone else unfortunate enough to find themselves in the ocean. The Coast Guard's primary method of water rescues is to insert a rescue swimmer by helicopter to save a victim, then remove both swimmer and victim with a cable which pulls them to the safety of the aircraft. The U.S. Coast Guard's Rescue Swimmer school is world-renowned as one of the premier rescue schools of any kind.
The Whitewater Rescue Institute is indicative of a trend of private rescue schools. Specializing in fast water rescues, the Whitewater Rescue Institute trains professional search and rescue members, whitewater raft guides, or anyone else who has a potential need for fast water rescue skills, such as a park ranger or resort operator.
NASAR or the National Association for Search and Rescue is a private organization, creating and maintaining training standards for search and rescue personnel. NASAR conducts SAR, or Search and Rescue, training courses as well as administers tests. Applicants are tested on their understanding of search and rescue procedures and their physical skills required to execute search and rescues.