purpose educate the emergency response community about fundamentals of ground search and rescue...

PurposePurpose

• Educate the emergency response community about fundamentals of ground search and rescue & initial response to the same

• Train individuals in search skills and tactics so they can function effectively on a search crew

• To promote searcher safety and risk management in an operational environment

AdministriviaAdministrivia

• Organization of the Course• Scope of the Course• War Stories vs. Illustrative Examples• Professional courtesy• Breaks• Fire Exits• Pagers / Cell Phones / Radios• EMS continuing education• Sign-in sheet

InstructorsInstructors

Name, Agency, Lead Instructor

Name, Agency, Instructor

Name, Agency, Instructor

Name, Agency, FTO

Name, Agency, FTO

Represents 40 Land SAR agencies or organizations serving Illinois

• Education • Training• Standards• Networking• Resource Coordination• Professional Development

www.illinoissar.org

Illinois SAR CouncilIllinois SAR Council

• Search & Rescue Initial Operations (3)– Initial response & reflex tasking for a missing person incident

• Basic Land Navigation (8)– Basic searcher skills, patterns, and techniques

• G649: Ground Search & Rescue Operations (16)– Basic searcher skills, patterns, and techniques

• SAR Water Rescue Level I (8)– Land-based search of moving water and self/shore based

rescue

ISARC Searcher CurriculumISARC Searcher Curriculum

SAR Training MatrixSAR Training Matrix

MenuMenu

• General Concepts

• Lost Person Behavior

• Searcher Skills

• Searcher Safety & Equipment

• Search Resources

• Outdoor Skills

Search and Rescue: Search and Rescue: What Is It?What Is It?

• Search: To locate persons in distress • Rescue: To retrieve persons in distress,

provide for their initial medical or other needs, and deliver them to a place of safety

Working Definition• SAR is the application of all available

resources to locate and assist persons who are, or are feared to be, in actual or potential distress.

SAR EducationSAR Education • Search and rescue skills are diverse and

cover many areas. • Divided into three basic categories

– Search– Rescue– Survival/support

• This course covers search skills

Search is an Search is an Emergency!Emergency!

Much like HazMat, treat SAR as an emergency until you know otherwise!

• The subject may require emergency care• The subject may need protection from themself

or their environment• Time and weather destroy clues• The size of the search area increases with time• Not everyone will, if left alone, survive & walk out

Four Phases of SARFour Phases of SAR

1. Locate

2. Access

3. Stabilize

4. Transport

Local SAR AuthoritiesLocal SAR Authorities

• Local Law Enforcement are typically the first to arrive and begin the SAR response

• The actual conduct of SAR typically falls upon units of local government– Assisted by local volunteer and nonprofit

groups with SAR capability– Jurisdictional authorities may vary in County,

State, or National Parks / Forests

Local SAR ResourcesLocal SAR Resources

• Law Enforcement

• Emergency Management

• Fire/Rescue/EMS

• Forest Preserve/Parks & Recreation Departments

• Private volunteer non-profit SAR groups

MenuMenu

• General Concepts

• Lost Person Behavior

• Searcher Skills

• Searcher Safety & Equipment

• Search Resources

• Outdoor Skills

Subject ProfileSubject Profile

• Profile is a physical and mental description of the missing subject(s)

• Profile is highly dependent on thorough investigation

• Profile is dynamic and is continually evolving and developing

• Search managers / planners will categorize the subject

General FactorsGeneral Factors

All things being equal, overall survival risk is based on a number of factors

• General state of health

• Mental / behavioral capacity

• Past experience in the environment

• Physiological effects of the environment

• Biological cycles (Biorhythm)

Mental Impact & FactorsMental Impact & Factors

• “City Folk” are dependent upon technology and modern conveniences

• How a person reacts under stress when isolated is unknown

• Mental impact of being lost varies, usually shock-like disbelief

• Subjects normally overcome their emotions

Mental Impact & FactorsMental Impact & Factors

• Existing fears may be enhanced and overcome rational behavior

• Cycles of fear, abandonment, and embarrassment are normal

• Cognitive mapping & development

• ”All lost persons are also missing, but most missing persons are not lost”

Notable Behaviors of Lost Notable Behaviors of Lost PeoplePeople

• Failure to take shelter or build a fire

• Discarding equipment

• Discarding clothing or disrobing

• Detectability varies from hour to hour

• Use travel aids when available

• Belief that they are on their own and nobody will be coming looking for them

Common Lost Person Common Lost Person StrategiesStrategies

• Following a Travel Aid

• Traveling a straight line

• Direction Sampling

• View Enhancement

• Backtracking your route

• Folk Wisdom

• Staying put in one place (they will come looking for me )

Children 1-3 Years OldChildren 1-3 Years Old

BEHAVIOR• Have no concept of being "lost"

– No navigation skills or sense of direction• Tend to wander aimlessly (Hill ’98)• Tend to seek out a location to go to sleep• Naturally tend to seek shelter in bad weather• Sometimes drawn away by an animal• They are generally inquisitive• Often not responsive to searchers• Abduction is always a possibility

Children 1-3 Years Old Children 1-3 Years Old

TRAVEL AIDS• 57% used path of least resistance• 43% found in brushy areas or thicketsSTRATEGY IMPLICATIONS• In, on, and under• Tend more towards thorough techniques• Concentrate within 300m of PLS• Distances tend to be shorter, so confinement is

not as big a priority

Children 4-6 Years OldChildren 4-6 Years Old

BEHAVIOR• More mobile than 1-3 year olds• Will try to return home, or to familiar

surroundings• Have definite interests which may determine

where they are• When tired will hole up and sleep• Stranger danger may affect searcher

response, but wears off after significant time

Children 4-6 Years Old Children 4-6 Years Old

TRAVEL AIDS

• 57% used path of least resistance

• 43% found in brushy areas or thickets

STRATEGY IMPLICATIONS

• Focus on clues linked to definite interests

• In many respects may be similar to 1-3, especially if sleeping or holed up

Children 7-12 Years OldChildren 7-12 Years Old

BEHAVIOR• More developed navigational skills, become

confused in strange surroundings• Often lost due to “short cutting”• Often resort to trail running• Often are preoccupied and fail to pay attention

to where they are going• May intentionally run away to avoid punishment

or gain attention• Often will not answer when called

Children 7-12 Years Old Children 7-12 Years Old

TRAVEL AIDS

• 67% used path of least resistance

• 33% found in brushy areas or thickets

STRATEGY IMPLICATIONS

• Focus on clue seeking at likely spots

• Confinement of trails and the general area should be a top priority

Youths 13-15 Years OldYouths 13-15 Years Old

• Frequently become lost while exploring

• Rarely travel far

• Usually respond to searcher's calls

• Often resort to direction sampling

• Consider runaway or domestic factors

Elderly (exhibiting signs of Elderly (exhibiting signs of dementia, senility or Alzheimer’s)dementia, senility or Alzheimer’s)

BEHAVIOR• Poor memory and cognitive reasoning ability• Oriented to the past – disease sends them back• Medical problems generally limit mobility• Generally start by using a travel aid and lack the ability

to turn around• Do not leave many physical clues• Will not cry out for help or respond to shouts• May try to return to former residence or favorite location• Will normally travel until physically stopped

Elderly (exhibiting signs of Elderly (exhibiting signs of dementia, senility or Alzheimer’s)dementia, senility or Alzheimer’s)

DETECTABILITY

• 35% usually found by non-searchers

• 16% found by hasty teams

• 15% found by efficient searching

• 15% found by helicopter

• 10% found by search dogs

• 5% found by road patrols

Elderly (exhibiting signs of Elderly (exhibiting signs of dementia, senility or Alzheimer’s)dementia, senility or Alzheimer’s)

RURAL AREAS• 47% found in creeks, drainages, thick

brush, briars, or dense cover• 18% found in an open field• 18% found in a house• 7% found on a road• 7% found in the woods• 4% found in swampy, wet areas

Elderly (exhibiting signs of Elderly (exhibiting signs of dementia, senility or Alzheimer’s)dementia, senility or Alzheimer’s)

URBAN AREAS

• 55% found in streets, sidewalks, parking areas, and residential yards

• 25% found in businesses

• 10% found in hospitals & senior centers

• 6% found in public areas

• 2% found in a remote area

Elderly (exhibiting signs of Elderly (exhibiting signs of dementia, senility or Alzheimer’s)dementia, senility or Alzheimer’s)

GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS

• 89% found within one mile of IPP– 50% of those found within 0.5 miles

• Usually found a short distance from a road (33 meters / 100 feet)

Elderly (exhibiting signs of Elderly (exhibiting signs of dementia, senility or Alzheimer’s)dementia, senility or Alzheimer’s)

STRATEGY IMPLICATIONS• Early containment / confinement actions• Early use of trackers or tracking dogs at IPP and

along roadways• Search nearby previous residences or

employment location and the routes between• Search heavy briars, bushes, and thickets• Expand search outwards from IPP• 100m trackline searches parallel to roadways

Elderly (others over 65)Elderly (others over 65)

BEHAVIOR• Capable of traveling just as far as younger

persons engaged in same activity• Tend to behave more rationally than younger

counterparts• More willing to build shelter and aid in their own

rescue• Easily attracted to something that interests them• Likely to overextend themselves and exhaust

themselves rapidly

Elderly (over 65) Elderly (over 65)

TRAVEL AIDS• 47% used path of least resistance

– Particularly if they had a hunting background

• 53% found in brushy areas or thickets

STRATEGY IMPLICATIONS• Hearing problems may affect detection, so they

may not respond to searcher calls• Consider their activity as the basis for search

planning, not their age – they may surprise you!

AutisticsAutisticsBEHAVIOR• May not understand what they see, hear, or sense• Tend to tune out the world around them• May appear deaf, and fail to respond to words or

sound• May become distressed at everyday sounds or

occurrences• May show insensitivity to pain, cold, heat, or may

overreact to any of the same

Psychotics / SchizophrenicsPsychotics / Schizophrenics

BEHAVIOR• Many will not respond to their name (93%),

but are verbal (21%)• May evade searchers• Typically do not get into brush/briars• Typically not traveling to an identifiable

location• Lack of medication is typically the factor• None “got lost” in the traditional sense

Psychotics / SchizophrenicsPsychotics / Schizophrenics

STRATEGY IMPLICATIONS• Early use of trackers / dogs from IPP• Containment & road patrols are important• Cut for sign along roads & trails• Subject may have fear of authority, so uniforms

may be an issue• Investigation, re-checks of residence, and

involvement of LE is particularly critical• Evasion may require areas to be re-checked and

other actions to be taken strategically & tactically

DespondentsDespondentsBEHAVIOR• Suffering depression, sometimes severe• Most just want to get out of sight or are seeking a

specific, significant location• Are generally seeking solitude• Will not generally respond to searchers, and may

actively evade searchers• Are generally within sight and sound of civilization• Rarely take steps to protect themselves from the

environment• Drugs, alcohol, medication may be factors

Despondents Despondents STRATEGY IMPLICATIONS• Should be considered extremely urgent• Most likely require medical aid or evaluation• Containment is not a priority• Early use of trackers and dogs at IPP• Hasty search of all scenic and significant locations• Lean towards more thorough search spacing of a

relatively small area• Consider subject non-responsive possibly evasive

Despondent / SuicidalDespondent / SuicidalBEHAVIOR• Will generally take a road or trail which starts near

the PLS/LKP– Travel until they decide to commit suicide

– Will leave the road or trail and continue, usually at a right angle, until they are out of sight of the road or trail on which they were walking

• Search head rows of corn fields• Search thickets along prominent paths

• Suicidals are not typically homicidal• Use profile for Despondents

Mental SubjectsMental Subjects

BEHAVIOR• Act like a blend of children 7-12 & Alzheimers• Do not respond to their spoken name (97%)• Most often will be hidden from view• Often will hole up for days in the same location• May have no physical impairment, but lack the

understanding and will to help themselves• Easily attracted by interesting sights and sounds• Often found in structures• Do not travel to an identifiable target

Mental SubjectsMental Subjects

STRATEGY IMPLICATIONS• High urgency due to inability to protect themselves• Focus on clues linked to definite interests• If capable of good mobility, confinement should be a

priority• Check drainages/streams, brush/briars, and area of

residence systematically• Evasion may require special tactics & re-search of areas• Air scent dogs & trackers into forest / drainages near IPP• Expand outward from the IPP after initial hasty tasks

have been completed

Mental SubjectsMental Subjects

SUBJECTS FOUND• Structures – 21%• Drainages – 21%• Woods / forest – 16%• Open fields / yards / gardens – 16%• On a road – 11%• Brush / briars – 11%• 85% found physically uninjured

HikersHikersBEHAVIOR• Rely on trails with a set destination• Problems occur when trail conditions change, or

injury occurs• Mismatched hiking parties can lead to separation• Cutting switchbacks a leading cause of disorientation• Highly dependent on trails and travel aids for

navigation - many carry no compass• Most poorly prepared, poorly equipped, and generally

lack experience in remote areas• Tend to travel further than other categories

HikersHikers

BEHAVIOR PATTERNS (Mitchell)

• 46% followed a travel aid at some point after they determined themselves to be lost / overdue

• 43% found themselves and walked out on their own• 92% found within the first 24 hours• Those traveling the greatest distance from PLS also

descended by roughly the same proportional amounts• 30-40% travel at night• Subjects were usually responsive to searchers• Subjects were usually young and in good physical

condition but were not well prepared

Hikers Hikers

TRAVEL AIDS• 75% used path of least resistanceSTRATEGY IMPLICATIONS• Confinement is a very high priority• Trackers and clue aware searchers to run trails,

paths, roads, ridges, etc• Consider aerial photos to plot lines of least

resistance, trails, navigation aids, etc• Small widely spaced rapid response efficiency

search crews and air scent dog crews• Consider sound and light/sound sweeps

HuntersHuntersBEHAVIOR• When laws require “hunter orange” this may aid in

helicopter detection (unless it’s fall)• Many hunters will fire shots if they believe

searchers are looking for them, and respond to sounds if they are able

• Many will go to great lengths to walk out due to ego or punitive after hours hunting fines

• Experienced hunters may build a fire and shelter at night and walk out at daybreak (1/3)

HuntersHunters

BEHAVIOR Cont’d• Concentrate on game more than navigation• In pursuit of game often wind up in deadfalls,

boulder fields, thick underbrush or heavy snow• Tend to overextend themselves into darkness• Tend to push beyond their physical abilities• Typically under-prepared for foul weather

Hunters Hunters

TRAVEL AIDS• 52% used path of least resistance / travel aidsSTRATEGY IMPLICATIONS• Confinement is a very high priority• Attraction methods may be particularly effective• Check decision points along route for clues/sign• Local knowledge of favorite places, tree stands, animal

movements, hunting areas is important• Small rapid efficiency search of high probability areas• Aerial surveys may be useful to determine paths of least

resistance, trails, clearings, etc

FishermenFishermen

CONSIDERATIONS• May be lost traveling on trail to/from fishing site,

or by boat trying to return to launch site after dark

• Engine problems / lack of fuel for boat• Consider drowning, alcohol may be a factor• Generally well oriented to the environment• Being overdue is likely accident-related• Often these incidents will be a recovery mission

FishermenFishermen

STRATEGY IMPLICATIONS• Thorough investigation, including favorite fishing

sites and routes to and from• Determine if subject is usually mobile or

stationary• Direction of wind and currents for lost or drifting

boats, if a boat is in play

SkiersSkiers

BEHAVIOR• Most are young (<35) and in good physical

condition• Usually well equipped and dressed for the WX• Most become lost due to human error - wrong

route or misjudgment of time and distance• Injury may lead to immobility and high risk for

hypothermia• Usually wearing bright colored clothing

SkiersSkiers

BEHAVIOR PATTERNS (Mitchell)

• 60% had survival training of some sort• 33% blamed weather as a factor• 25% followed path of least resistance once lost• 20% blamed darkness as a factor• 20% had a poor map or no map at all• 83% stopped moving within 24 hours• 30-45% moved at night• 50% self rescued themselves• 50% found by SAR hasty and visual tracking resources

Others Lost & OverdueOthers Lost & OverdueWalkaways, Campers, Picnickers, OthersWalkaways, Campers, Picnickers, Others

BEHAVIOR (Mitchell)

• Most in good physical & mental condition• Most lost due to disorientation, poor supervision, or

intentional group separation• 40-50% adequately equipped• Clothing: 45-55% adequately, 30% questionable, 15%

inappropriately clothed for activity• Greater likelihood to wander about or go cross-country

than most other profiles• High percentage communicative with searchers

Others Lost & OverdueOthers Lost & OverdueWalkaways, Campers, Picnickers, OthersWalkaways, Campers, Picnickers, Others

TRAVEL AIDS• 50% followed path of least resistance at some

time while missing• 90% not moving more than 24 hours• 30-50% moved at nightDISTANCES• 33% found within ½ mile of PLS• 69% found within 2 miles of PLS• 90% found within 5 miles of PLS

MenuMenu

• General Concepts

• Lost Person Behavior

• Searcher Skills

• Searcher Safety & Equipment

• Search Resources

• Outdoor Skills

Vision TheoryVision Theory

• Central vision is that portion of your field of vision where the images are sharp and fully recognizable by the brain for what they are

• A person who fixates on a point “sees” everything within approximately a 10º cone called the area of central vision

• Peripheral vision extends approximately 140-180º

• Peripheral vision reacts more to color, contrast, movement, or light

Central VisionCentral Vision

Putting Vision Theory to WorkPutting Vision Theory to Work

• Search Range is the distance at which the searcher can see and recognize an object the size and shape of the search target

• Search range is a factor of searcher ability, terrain, vegetation, target composition (shape, size, color), & environment

• Search range is “field calibrated” at the beginning of each search

Determining Search RangeDetermining Search Range

• Average Maximum Detection Range• Place an object of similar composition to

the search target in a sample environment• Measure outbound and inbound surveys of

the object on 6-8 distinct “legs”• Mark the paces at limit to where the

searcher can see and recognize the object for what it is

• Take the average of the distances

AMDR Video DemonstrationAMDR Video Demonstration

CLICK HERE

Critical SeparationCritical Separation

• Critical Separation is the sum of two searchers’ individual search ranges

• AMDR1 + AMDR2 = 1 Critical Space

Visual Search TheoryVisual Search Theory

• To fully “see” an assigned area, a searcher must systematically sweep the area, stopping the eye for at least 1/3 second for the brain to fully see and recognize the objects in the area of central vision

• Remember - the area of central vision is only 10º

Visual SearchVisual Search

Focus Point or Fixation Point

Fixation Area

The Golden RuleThe Golden Rule

• DON’T SEARCH WHILE WALKING!– While repositioning the eye, the eye

unfocuses slightly– Searcher movement causes further

degradation of vision– There are usually terrain obstacles which

already provide incomplete coverage– You should be watching where you are going

The Search CycleThe Search Cycle

• In order to ensure the most complete coverage, the search cycle is:– StopStop– Search 360ºSearch 360º– Walk (with purposeful wandering)Walk (with purposeful wandering)– StopStop– Search 360ºSearch 360º– Repeat…Repeat…

SearchingSearching

• Historically, line search has been the method of choice for search teams

Line Search Ground CoverageLine Search Ground Coverage

• Searching from left to right…

Effects of Terrain & VegetationEffects of Terrain & Vegetation

• Terrain features can mask the target

• Vegetation can restrict the search range

Purposeful WanderingPurposeful Wandering

• Technique used to ensure that terrain and vegetation concerns are addressed

Search Cycle Search Cycle Video DemonstrationVideo Demonstration

CLICK HERE

Search MethodsSearch Methods

• Active

• Passive

Passive SearchPassive Search

• Investigation– Neighborhood interviews, telephone calls

• Confinement– Establish a perimeter

• Visual attraction– Helicopter, signal fire, flashing lights

• Sound attraction– Siren/PA

Time vs. Search AreaTime vs. Search Area

One Hour

Two HoursTime doubles, search area is now 4 times

as large.

The chance of success is directly related to the size

of the search area.

Confinement: Confinement: Limiting the Search AreaLimiting the Search Area

• Initial tactical procedure used to limit the size of the search area

• Establish specific boundaries beyond which the missing person could not have reasonably passed

• Because of the time criticality, initial resources should be utilized to establish confinement

• Road or trail blocks

• Perimeter patrols

• Lookouts

• Track traps

Confinement MethodsConfinement Methods

Active SearchActive Search

• Initial Search

• Efficiency Search

• Thorough (Evidence) Search

Initial SearchInitial Search

• Formerly referred to as Type I or Hasty Search

• Rapid search of high probability points and routes by immediately available resources

• Major criterion is speed

• Hasty search should never last beyond 3 hours at the most

Initial Search ProcedureInitial Search Procedure

• Search area immediately surrounding the PLS to 100 yards in all directions

• Run trails and paths looking for the subject, or someone who may have seen the subject

• Search likely places indicated by the subject profile and investigation, as directed by search management

• Protect clues which may exist or be discovered• Continue containment, as applicable• Continue investigating and gathering information

Reference ISARC Form 501

Efficiency Search Efficiency Search

• Formerly referred to as Type II Search

• Systematic search of high probability areas by specially trained resources

• Typically 5-7 person crews

• Balances speed with thoroughness to maximize efficiency

Tight (Closed) GridTight (Closed) Grid

• Efficient Search Tactic (formerly Type II)

• Used for search of an area

• Traditional method of search

• Best with 5-7 trained searchers

• Line up along base line at CS=1

• Proceed along guide line spacing off guide flanker

Loose (Open) GridLoose (Open) Grid

• Efficient Search Tactic (formerly Type II)

• Used for search of an area

• Performed very similar to tight grid

• Best with 3-5 searchers

• Spacing is greater than CS=1 and is usually specified by search planners

Sound SweepSound Sweep

• Credited in 1992 to Martin Colwell of Lion’s Bay SAR, BC, Canada

• Attraction technique with field searchers spaced very widely

• Blowing whistles then listening for a response– Be sure to cover your ears

• Easily combined with grid searches

Thorough (Evidence) SearchThorough (Evidence) Search

• A slow, systematic search of all areas using the most thorough techniques

• The major criterion is thoroughness

Thorough SearchThorough Search

• Formerly referred to as Type III Search• Commonly used for Evidence Search• Performed essentially the same as a tight

grid search• May use more than 7 searchers• All in a straight line moving in unison• CS < 1• No purposeful wandering

Search Technique SummarySearch Technique Summary

• Initial Search– Points and routes (not areas)

• Efficiency Search– Open Grid : CS > 1– Closed Grid: CS = 1

• Thorough (Evidence) Search– CS < 1

Search Crew PositionsSearch Crew Positions

• Crew Leader (behind)

– Manages and directs the crew in the fulfillment of its assigned task(s)

• Flanker (both ends)

– Responsible for navigation, flagging, and positioning of the crew

• Searcher (in the middle)

– Primary responsibility for the search function

FlankerFlankerVideo DemonstrationVideo Demonstration

CLICK HERE

Crew Leader Crew Leader Video DemonstrationVideo Demonstration

CLICK HERE

Search PatternsSearch Patterns

• Parallel

• Trackline

Parallel SearchParallel Search

• Used in grid search & area search• Search starts at one boundary and

continues to the opposite boundary of the segment– If one stops, all must stop

• Flankers blaze a track with flagging tape• At opposite end, the crew pivots on the

flanker and returns along the original line to continue with the next sweep

F1 S S S F2

CL

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

CL

F2 S S S F1X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

F1 S S S F2

CL

Trackline SearchTrackline Search

• Used in route search

• Point man follows centerline of track with equal number of searchers on either side

• Flankers on either side of line

• Crew Leader usually even with flankers

• “V” formation usually used

S

S S

F1 F2

CL x x

x x

x x

MenuMenu

• General Concepts

• Lost Person Behavior

• Searcher Skills

• Searcher Safety & Equipment

• Search Resources

• Outdoor Skills

Searcher SafetySearcher Safety

An injured rescuer is no good to the victim

Safety FactorsSafety Factors

Environmental– Climate– Inclement weather– Darkness

Natural– Poisonous plants– Wild animals– Stinging insects

Safety FactorsSafety Factors

Terrain Hazards– Topography– Water features / hazards– Vegetation

Man-made obstructions– Fences, manholes, culverts, etc.– May not be obvious

Personal Protective EquipmentPersonal Protective Equipment

• Long pants• Sturdy boots with

ankle protection• Hat, cap, or helmet• Rain gear• Insect repellant• Sunscreen• Work gloves

Searcher EquipmentSearcher Equipment

• Whistle• Flashlight• Magnetic compass• Personal first aid kit• Water bottle• Pen & paper• Flagging material

Crew EquipmentCrew Equipment

• Portable radio / cell phone

• Global Positioning System (GPS)

• Standard first aid kit

• Extra batteries

• Mission-specific equipment

Safe PracticesSafe Practices

© Gary Larsen - 2001

Safe PracticesSafe Practices

• Use the buddy system

• Maintain contact with the search base

• Avoid hazardous terrain features and/or use appropriate PPE around them(cliffs, swamps, fast flowing creeks, etc)

• Take necessary rest breaks

• Avoid marked danger or no trespassing areas

Risk CommunicationRisk Communication

• If YOU perceive a hazard, it is YOUR responsibility to say so

• Always err on the side of caution and safety

• NEVER assume another crew member sees, hears, or knows what you do concerning safety

MenuMenu

• General Concepts

• Lost Person Behavior

• Searcher Skills

• Searcher Safety & Equipment

• Search Resources

• Outdoor Skills

Resources – BasicResources – Basic

• Untrained searchers– Source of manpower– Not ‘clue aware’– Statistically demonstrate 20-25% success

• Trained SAR teams– Trained specifically for SAR – search for clues– Usually demonstrate 65-85% success– Have to be called and available

Clue Discovery ImplicationsClue Discovery Implications

PLS

2 hours

Clue

New search area = ¼ size1 hour

• Search Dogs– Must know what standard they are trained to,

and what capabilities they have• Tracking – nose down• Trailing – nose everywhere• Air scenting – nose up

– May not be readily available– Have limited time during high

heat / humidity– Have special considerations for use

Resources – SpecializedResources – Specialized

Resources – SpecializedResources – Specialized

• Trackers– Not common or readily available– More effective in “virgin” areas

• Mounted SAR– Must be trained and available– Horses use their sense of detection as well

• Specialized vehicles– ATVs, watercraft, MTB, etc.

Resources – AviationResources – Aviation

Fixed wing aircraft• Low effectiveness for objects as small as a

person without extensive SAR observer training• Useful for route searches for vehicles or overdue

aircraft• Usually limited to daylight search• Have relatively long time on station• Require airports for landing• May require hours before response

Resources – AviationResources – Aviation

Rotary wing aircraft• Most effective in open areas with

qualified observers• Capable of ‘low and slow’ search

when terrain & conditions allow• May serve as an attraction• Possibility of rescue & medical

transportation• May use hasty landing zones• Have limited time on station• Require special fuel• Response time varies

• Forward Looking Infra-Red (FLIR)– "Sees" heat, but is blocked by vegetation– Useful in detecting an object with a different

temperature from its background– POD much lower than visual search– Touchy - must be used by a qualified operator

• Hand Held Thermal Imaging Devices– Much the same as FLIR, less range, easier to operate

• Night Vision Devices– Not useful unless the user has been trained to operate

with the device in the search environment

Hi Tech (Toys-R-Us)Hi Tech (Toys-R-Us)

LOCAL RESOURCESLOCAL RESOURCES

Discuss resources to assist in local SAR Operations

MenuMenu

• General Concepts

• Lost Person Behavior

• Searcher Skills

• Searcher Safety & Equipment

• Search Resources

• Outdoor Skills

Outdoor SkillsOutdoor Skills

“It’s easy to make an outdoorsman a SAR responder, but challenging to make a SAR

responder an outdoorsman”

Fundamental SkillsFundamental Skills

You will need to develop more outdoor skills to be an effective searcher

• Survival skills

• Distress signals

• Hiking / travel skills

• Environmental skills

• Land navigation

USGS Map Colors & SymbolsUSGS Map Colors & Symbols

• Black – man made features (roads, buildings)• Red – major highways; boundaries of public lands• Blue – water (lakes, rivers, streams)• Green – substantial vegetation (forest, scrub)• Brown – contour lines• WhiteWhite – areas with no significant vegetation or

“plain areas. Also permanent snow (glaciers)• Purple – photo revised areas

Contour LinesContour Lines

• Project 3D terrain on a 2D map• Represent height above sea level• Layout of contours indicates terrain features

– The steeper the slope, the closer the lines are together– Valleys / drainages – V’s pointing uphill– Ridges – V’s pointing downhill– Summits – concentric circles– Depressions – circles with lines radiating toward center

3D Mountain Showing How Contours 3D Mountain Showing How Contours Relate to HeightRelate to Height

Top View of Mountain Showing ContoursTop View of Mountain Showing Contours

Drawn Contour LinesDrawn Contour Lines

Using a Magnetic CompassUsing a Magnetic Compass

• The compass consists of a magnetized needle

• The needle orients itself along the magnetic field lines of the Earth

• A standard orienteering style field compass is shown at right

SummarySummary

This course has given you basic training in essential SAR skills

You must practice the skills you have learned and expand your base of outdoor

and complimentary skills

Outdoor TrainingOutdoor Training

Afternoon (1300-1730)

• AMDR instruction

• Land Navigation

• Evidence, Efficiency, Initial Searches

Nighttime (1900-2100)

• Efficiency & Evidence search - darkness

SundaySunday

• Be in staging, ready to go by 0830 hours

• Simulated search scenario

• We will terminate no later than 1200

• Debriefing and dismissal no later than 1300

AcknowledgementsAcknowledgementsAnthony Marzano, CEM – Will County EMA

Sean Madison – Deputy Director, Kane Co OEM

Stan Krushas – IEMA Region 9 Coordinator

Eric Hodges – Chief of Operations, McLean County EMA

Based on an original presentation by Patrick KeaneIllinois Emergency Management Agency

Photo / Image Credits

US Air Force Rescue Coordination Center

US Coast Guard

Will County EMA

SARBC

El Paso County SAR, Colorado

Rick Curtis, Princeton University Outdoor Action Program

National Association for SAR

Halifax Regional SAR (Canada)

LA County Sheriff’s SAR

Survival Suppliers

Video Courtesy of McLean County EMA

“The Far Side” © Gary Larsen – 2001. All rights reserved. Images used exclusively for educational use.

All animal action was supervised and simulated

No animals were harmed in the production of this presentation.

Portions of this power point are original works that may be subject to copyright law.

Unauthorized use or distribution is prohibited without expressed consent of the author

Produced by Anthony Marzano

ILLINOIS SAR COUNCIL 2010