T E A M O H I O S P E C I A L R E S P O N S E

The following power point training presentation must be viewed at unit training and/or under the supervision of an OSRT officer.

Members viewing the presentation must sign an OSRT sign in sheet. The completed sign in sheet signed by an officer must be submitted to the OSRT planning (Training) Section to receive credit for the training.

T E A M O H I O S P E C I A L R E S P O N S E

Search Tactics

T E A M O H I O S P E C I A L R E S P O N S E

Reference: MRA 105-1, Para 1.3, f, vi.

Source: National Association for Search and Rescue (NASAR) Fundamentals of Search and Rescue textbook, Chapter 15- Search Operations Training Powerpoint slide program prepared by Headquarters OSRT- 29May2013

T E A M O H I O S P E C I A L R E S P O N S E Initial actions should have three objectives:

1. Confine the subject(s) travel; prevent enlargement of the search area 2. Effectively use the resources that are immediately available 3. Find the subject or any possible clues

T E A M O H I O S P E C I A L R E S P O N S E

Two types of search tactics:

1. Indirect 2. Direct

T E A M O H I O S P E C I A L R E S P O N S E Indirect Tactics:

1.Fact Finding 2.Continuous limited search 3.Attraction

4.Containment

T E A M O H I O S P E C I A L R E S P O N S E Fact finding:

Collecting any information that can help or resolve the search • Missing person questionnaire

T E A M O H I O S P E C I A L R E S P O N S E Continuous limited search:

When all leads have been exhausted and the search has been limited to continued investigation Using the area for regular training purposes

T E A M O H I O S P E C I A L R E S P O N S E Attraction techniques:

1. Noise • Yelling • Siren • Whistle • Horns 2. Smoke 3. Lights 4. Aircraft 5. Balloons

T E A M O H I O S P E C I A L R E S P O N S E Containment Techniques:

1.Road or trail blocks 2.Track traps 3.Road or trail patrols 4.Lookouts

5.String lines

T E A M O H I O S P E C I A L R E S P O N S E Clue Finding:

Clue finding and/or clue subject finding resources should be used as early in the search effort as they can be requested and moved to the search area.

T E A M O H I O S P E C I A L R E S P O N S E Clue Finding Resources:

1.Visual trackers (man-trackers) 2.Tracking/trailing dogs 3.Air scent dogs 4.Trained, clue conscious hasty (rapid) Teams 5.Air search 6.Electronic direction finding (DF) equipment to locate and activated ELT or EPIRB

T E A M O H I O S P E C I A L R E S P O N S E Direct Tactics:

1.“Hasty search” or now referred to as a “Rapid Search” 2.Grid Search 3.Area Search • Tight • Loose 4.Evidence Search

T E A M O H I O S P E C I A L R E S P O N S E Hasty or Rapid Searches:

Generally, available, trained personnel will be dispatched immediately, as hasty teams, to the area of highest probability in attempt to locate the subject or any clues.

T E A M O H I O S P E C I A L R E S P O N S E Hasty or Rapid Searchers:

1. Highly trained 2. Clue consciousness 3. Self-sufficient 4. Very mobile

T E A M O H I O S P E C I A L R E S P O N S E Hasty or Rapid Searches:

1. Following known or suspected routes 2. Trail running 3. Sign cutting 4. Search areas of high attraction 5. Search of especially hazardous areas 6. Along roads 7. Along drainages, streams, river banks and other high probability terrain features 8. Search of and from ridge tops 9. Easily forgotten places: restrooms, tents, vehicles, intended destination, etc.

T E A M O H I O S P E C I A L R E S P O N S E Hasty or Rapid Searches:

1. An immediate show of effort 2. Requires few resources 3. Frequently successful 4. Helps to define the search area by gathering intelligence or locating clues

T E A M O H I O S P E C I A L R E S P O N S E

Every reasonable effort should be made to locate the subject using indirect methods or rapid searches before using any grid or area searches…..even though

large numbers of searchers might be immediately

available. The use of grid or line search techniques must be regarded as a last resort. Efficiency, economy, and control of the mission can be expected to substantially diminish when these techniques are utilized. Large numbers of searchers, even when reasonably trained, virtually obliterate clues. As a result, the effectiveness of those resources that have the highest and quickest probability of detection (POD) is considerably reduced or even eliminated.

T E A M O H I O S P E C I A L R E S P O N S E

This concludes the training on this subject