Paper short abstract:

The Icelandic search and rescue teams are based on voluntary work where people from all sectors of society participate in a training program to become qualified rescuers. As part of studying these communities of voluntary rescuers the researcher is participating in the two year training program.

Paper long abstract:

The dominant image of Icelandic search and rescue team members is that of tough men with specialized equipment. They are strong both physically and mentally and are able to control and survive in tougher situations than normal people. There are many search and rescue teams in Iceland and they are scattered over the whole country. The work is all voluntary and both men and women participate. One of the oldest teams, Flugbjörgunarsveitin í Reykjavík, did not accept women until 1995. This team is the main theme of the research. The research objective is to describe and analyze the cooperation and communication of the team, the participation of new members, and to look for a common initiative for joining this type of voluntary work.

The research is both based on interviews and on observational documentation as the researcher enters the training program. To become a qualified rescuer a participant has to fulfill two years of training finished by a qualifying test. The direct participation of the researcher poses several methodological challenges. Most of the observational documentation is in the field where the researcher participates in the training. Being a young woman the researcher directly observes the attitude towards women and especially the attitude towards new members. It is a challenge to adapt well to the training and simultaneously gain certain respect from the fellow team members. It is the researcher's belief that direct participation will facilitate and enlarge the space for the research, and that people will be more willing to answer questions honestly and thoroughly.