Subscribe to get notified about new events!

New Mexico Search and Rescue Council

The New Mexico Search and Rescue Council is dedicated to saving lives by providing search and rescue services, training volunteers, and enhancing public safety through education and community outreach in New Mexico's wilderness areas.

Join our nonprofit&#39;s raffle for a chance to win big while supporting our mission too! Your participation is not only a chance to win prizes, but also plays a vital role in supporting our mission. Each ticket you purchase directly contributes to our efforts in making a meaningful impact in our community. 🎟️ Thank you for your support. Every contribution, big or small, makes a significant difference. ✨

New Mexico Search & Rescue Council Outdoor Adventures Show Raffle

Your gift keeps New Mexico&rsquo;s search and rescue teams ready when they&rsquo;re needed most. Donations help provide training, equipment support, and coordination for volunteers who respond in wilderness and remote areas across the state. NMSARC uses every contribution to strengthen real, on-the-ground response&mdash;from statewide training programs to resources that support safe, effective missions. Thank you for standing behind the teams who stand ready for others.

Your gift keeps New Mexico’s search and rescue teams ready when they’re needed most. Donations help provide training, equipment support, and coordination for volunteers who respond in wilderness and remote areas across the state.NMSARC uses every contribution to strengthen real, on-the-ground response—from statewide training programs to resources that support safe, effective missions. Thank you for standing behind the teams who stand ready for others.

New Mexico Search & Rescue Council Website Donation

Welcome to our online shop 🛍️ Every purchase you make directly supports our mission. Browse our selection and find the perfect items for you. By shopping with us, you help us achieve our goals and positively impact our community. Thank you for supporting our mission &mdash; your contribution is invaluable. Happy shopping! 🌟 New Mexico Search and Rescue Council

Welcome to our online shop 🛍️Every purchase you make directly supports our mission. Browse our selection and find the perfect items for you.By shopping with us, you help us achieve our goals and positively impact our community. Thank you for supporting our mission — your contribution is invaluable.Happy shopping! 🌟New Mexico Search and Rescue Council

NMSARC ESCAPE 2026 Shop

Support SAR Responder David: Help Replace His Mission-Critical Search DroneWhen a life is on the line in New Mexico&rsquo;s rugged wilderness, Search and Rescue (SAR) responders drop everything to respond. For years, David Ripple&mdash;a dedicated Albuquerque-based SAR responder&mdash;has answered those calls across the entire state and beyond, even assisting in search operations in Colorado.David has personally invested thousands of dollars of his own money to purchase and operate specialized drone technology for search missions. From high-altitude mountain terrain to dense forest canyons, his aerial search capabilities have provided a vital eye in the sky during critical, time-sensitive operations.Now, David needs our community&#39;s help to get back in the air. The Incident: SAR Mission #2608396On July 19, 2026, David was called to deploy on a search mission near Sandia Crest after reports of an individual calling for help near the La Luz Trail.Launching his DJI Enterprise Mavic 3T from the observation area at the top of the crest parking lot alongside a visual observer, David began thermal and aerial mapping operations. Just three minutes into the flight at 5:17 PM, the drone experienced a sudden, sudden loss of control and fell from the sky, tumbling into extreme, precipitous terrain&mdash;a catastrophic drop highly suspected to be caused by an unexpected bird strike.In the weeks following the incident, four separate high-risk ground and aerial recovery operations were conducted by fellow SAR team members:<ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Multiple ground and aerial grid searches utilizing spotlights and specialized detection software (Eagle Eyes Scan).</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Rappel teams scaling limestone bands and dangerous vertical rock faces to reach the last known GPS coordinates ($35.210442^\circ\text{N}, -106.454579^\circ\text{W}$).</li></ul>Despite these extensive efforts, the drone was not recovered, and further physical searches have been suspended to protect team safety in the treacherous terrain.The Reimbursement GapIn 2019, New Mexico passed House Bill 225, amending state law to allow state resource officers to submit claims to the Risk Management Division for damage to personal property incurred by volunteers during authorized SAR missions.Unfortunately, due to state administrative limitations and coverage exceptions, the state will not reimburse David for the loss of his personally funded equipment on this official mission.Without a functional drone, David&rsquo;s ability to deploy as an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) asset for local and statewide emergency operations is severely limited.How You Can HelpDavid&#39;s original drone setup was valued at $7,000. Rather than simply replacing the lost unit, the New Mexico Search &amp; Rescue Council is rallying to raise funds for an updated, next-generation Enterprise drone setup. This upgraded equipment will offer improved stability, advanced thermal imaging, and enhanced flight safety features to better serve missing persons and search teams across New Mexico.Our Goal: $8,500100% of the proceeds from this campaign will directly fund the procurement of David&rsquo;s replacement UAS package, including necessary flight batteries, thermal payloads, and essential operational accessories.Ways to contribute:<ol fr-original-style="" style="width: 100%; box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Donate directly using the form on this page. Every contribution&mdash;no matter the size&mdash;helps get a proven rescuer back in the field.</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Share this campaign with friends, family, and outdoor communities across New Mexico.</li></ol>Thank you for supporting the volunteers who step up when our community needs them most!

Support SAR Responder David: Help Replace His Mission-Critical Search DroneWhen a life is on the line in New Mexico’s rugged wilderness, Search and Rescue (SAR) responders drop everything to respond. For years, David Ripple—a dedicated Albuquerque-based SAR responder—has answered those calls across the entire state and beyond, even assisting in search operations in Colorado.David has personally invested thousands of dollars of his own money to purchase and operate specialized drone technology for search missions. From high-altitude mountain terrain to dense forest canyons, his aerial search capabilities have provided a vital eye in the sky during critical, time-sensitive operations.Now, David needs our community's help to get back in the air.The Incident: SAR Mission #2608396On July 19, 2026, David was called to deploy on a search mission near Sandia Crest after reports of an individual calling for help near the La Luz Trail.Launching his DJI Enterprise Mavic 3T from the observation area at the top of the crest parking lot alongside a visual observer, David began thermal and aerial mapping operations. Just three minutes into the flight at 5:17 PM, the drone experienced a sudden, sudden loss of control and fell from the sky, tumbling into extreme, precipitous terrain—a catastrophic drop highly suspected to be caused by an unexpected bird strike.In the weeks following the incident, four separate high-risk ground and aerial recovery operations were conducted by fellow SAR team members:Multiple ground and aerial grid searches utilizing spotlights and specialized detection software (Eagle Eyes Scan).Rappel teams scaling limestone bands and dangerous vertical rock faces to reach the last known GPS coordinates ($35.210442^\circ\text{N}, -106.454579^\circ\text{W}$).Despite these extensive efforts, the drone was not recovered, and further physical searches have been suspended to protect team safety in the treacherous terrain.The Reimbursement GapIn 2019, New Mexico passed House Bill 225, amending state law to allow state resource officers to submit claims to the Risk Management Division for damage to personal property incurred by volunteers during authorized SAR missions.Unfortunately, due to state administrative limitations and coverage exceptions, the state will not reimburse David for the loss of his personally funded equipment on this official mission.Without a functional drone, David’s ability to deploy as an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) asset for local and statewide emergency operations is severely limited.How You Can HelpDavid's original drone setup was valued at $7,000. Rather than simply replacing the lost unit, the New Mexico Search & Rescue Council is rallying to raise funds for an updated, next-generation Enterprise drone setup. This upgraded equipment will offer improved stability, advanced thermal imaging, and enhanced flight safety features to better serve missing persons and search teams across New Mexico.Our Goal: $8,500100% of the proceeds from this campaign will directly fund the procurement of David’s replacement UAS package, including necessary flight batteries, thermal payloads, and essential operational accessories.Ways to contribute:Donate directly using the form on this page. Every contribution—no matter the size—helps get a proven rescuer back in the field.Share this campaign with friends, family, and outdoor communities across New Mexico.Thank you for supporting the volunteers who step up when our community needs them most!

New Mexico Search and Rescue Council

Past events

Past events

New Mexico Search & Rescue Council Outdoor Adventures Show Raffle

More ways to support us

New Mexico Search & Rescue Council Website Donation

Donate today

NMSARC ESCAPE 2026 Shop

View shop

Drone's For NMSAR

$0 of $10,000 goal

Donate today

Powered by