Transcript Basic Search and Rescue

BASIC SEARCH AND RESCUE
Indiana Department of Homeland Security
1-800-669-7362
http://www.in.gov/dhs
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Welcome
On behalf of Joe
Wainscott,
Executive Director,
Indiana
Department of
Homeland
Security, welcome
to class!
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Administrative Information
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Pagers/telephones
Lunch, breaks
Restrooms
Smoking
Fire exits
Parking
Lodging
Special needs participants
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Outline
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Over view of SAR
Lost Person Behavior
Clue Awareness
Search Tactics
Search Theory
SAR Process
Questions
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If you don’t understand a term, or
have a question stop me and ask,
right then. This applies to
anything else you may not
understand
A Thought before we begin
“An individual who considers taking up volunteer mountain
rescue must recognize the need for great dedication in addition
to possessing a somewhat masochistic, patient and bit crazy
personality. He should be prepared for sleepless nights, sizable
loss of otherwise free time, hard tiring work, sometimes large
personal expense and often not even a “thank you” from the
rescued upon completion of a difficult mission, There is seldom
any glory in mountain rescue, and publicity seekers should look
elsewhere for for their kicks.”
W.G. May
Mountain Search and Rescue Techniques
Rocky Mountain Rescue Group
Chapter 1
Search and Rescue
What is it?
How do you fit in?
Objectives
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Define:
Search
 Rescue
 L. A. S. T.
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Preplanning
 Notification
 Planning/Strategy
 Tactics/Operations
 Suspension
 Critique
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Objectives (Continued)
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List the major responsibilities for search
and rescue for the following:
U.S. Coast Guard
 U.S. Air Force
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Civil Air Patrol
Federal Aviation Administration
 State SAR authorities
 Local SAR authorities
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Search
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Defined as:
Looking for a subject who
is missing, overdue, or
injured, whose location is
unknown.
Rescue
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Defined as:
Removing a person from a
hostile environment to a
safe environment.
Search and Rescue Is . . .
A transportation problem:
Either the victim must be
transported to the solution,
or the solution must be
transported to the victim.
Basic SAR Skills are a combination of search,
rescue, and survival/support skills
SEARCH
Skills
RESCUE
Skills
SURVIVAL/SUPPORT
Skills
SAR Training
Search training continues one’s education in
the area of searching only
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Specialties includes land search,
water search, air search, etc
Rescue training includes diverse specialties
that differ in terrain and equipment
 Mountain, wilderness, ice, water, and
urban rescue, as well as many others
 Equipment differs greatly from rescue type
to rescue type
SAR Training (Continued)
Survival/Support training is an area
of study that includes many skills that
are also needed in search and rescue
 Such skills include survival,
navigation, improvisation, fitness,
communications, etc.
Four Core Elements of SAR
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L Locate
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A Access
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S Stabilize
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T Transport
Locate
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First step
Can be as simple as asking for an address or
Can be as complex as an extended search for
a missing subject or subjects
Nothing else can be accomplished until the
subject is located
Once the subject is found, the next phase
takes place
Access
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Could be as simple as walking into a room
Could be as difficult as rappelling from a
helicopter
On access, rescuers assess the subject’s
condition and the situation
Rescuers must assess the scene and take
precautions to prevent injury to themselves
and the subject during the operation
Stabilize
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After assessing the subject and the
scene:
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The subject is treated so that he or she is
medically stable
The scene must be made safe so the
subject is not injured further and the
rescuers are not in danger
Transport
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In this phase, the subject is moved to
where he or she can get necessary care
Subject is “packaged” so that
movement is safe and efficient
The SAR incident is not resolved until
the subject is delivered to definitive
care
6 Components of SAR
Operation
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Preplanning
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Tactics/Operations
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Notification
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Suspension
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Planning & Strategy
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Critique
Preplanning
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The overall planning which occurs before an
incident
Being ready in terms of equipment,
organization, management, and training
The most important, yet most overlooked,
component of the SAR incident cycle
Good preplanning enhances the safety of
every action at an incident
Examples of Preplanning
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Equipment
Training
Maps
Area
Public Education-PSAR
Trail Marking
Photos of residents/ID Tags
Notification
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The moment in time that an incident is made
known to SAR personnel
A 911 call, a parent reporting a lost child to a
ranger, and the FAA reporting a missing
aircraft are all examples of notifications
SAR personnel are made aware of an incident
and planning for the incident begins
Notification Actions
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Know what to do
Know whom to call
Establish Command
Establish Check-In
Planning and Strategy
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Investigation is the first step of planning
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Involves the timely gathering of accurate
information so an affective assessment is made
Lost Person Questionnaire is completed
List of options and back-ups are planned
Urgency is determined by accounting for
subject’s age, health, skill, clothing, etc.
Planning and Strategy II
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Think about who needs to do what, when, and
where. Resources used to do the proper job at
the proper time.
Goals and objectives for first phase of plan are
established
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These are key to proper field operations
Direction of travel established
Confinement
Do it fast!
Tactics/Operations
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In this component of the cycle, plans
are implemented and physically carried
out in the field
Tactical assignments may include both
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Active (field searching, dog teams, flights,
tracking, etc.) and
Passive (investigation, confinement,
attraction, etc.)
Tactics/Operations II
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What are the best resources for a
strategy
Where and When to use them
How to search
Must be effective and efficient
Operations Section Chief assigns
tactics to resources
Suspension
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Two types of suspension:
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Once one phase of LAST is completed, that
phase is suspended, and the SAR workers
move on to the next phase
Mission suspension occurs when an
incident is not solvable at that time and
resources are demobilized to a “Ready”
status
A missing person or aircraft search is never
cancelled—it is either resolved or suspended
Suspension Considerations
Hazards
Lack of Clues
Duration of Search
The IC or Responsible Agent
can suspend an incident
Critique
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Evaluation of the entire incident, from
beginning to end
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If you had to do the mission all over
again, what would you change?
Can be formal or informal
Documents the lessons learned
Serves as basis for revision of Preplan
Not a finger-pointing or blame session
A Critique Is . . .
A summary of who, what, where,
when, and why...
What could we do to improve?
Was I prepared?
What could I do to be better prepared?
What are my training needs?
A SAR Event Is a Continuous Process
Preplanning
Critique
Notification
Suspension
Planning/Strategy
Tactics/Operations
National SAR Plan
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The National SAR Plan specifies federal roles
and responsibilities for SAR
The National SAR Manual:
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Discusses SAR organizations, resources, methods,
and techniques
Provides a network between SAR agencies
coordinated by a single federal agency
States maintain established responsibilities
within own borders
Agencies with SAR
Responsibilities
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US Coast Guard
US Air Force
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Civil Air Patrol
Federal Aviation Administration
State SAR Authorities
Local SAR Authorities
US Coast Guard
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Coordinates federal assets for SAR in all
maritime or navigable waters of the
Continental US
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Coastal areas
Great Lakes
Navigable rivers (i.e. The Mississippi, and
Ohio River)
US Air Force
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Coordinates federal assets for SAR in the inland
region of the Continental US
Operates the Air Force Rescue Coordination
Center (AFRCC) at Florida
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AFRCC is the single federal “agency” responsible for
coordinating SAR in the lower 48 states
Doesn’t “hire” resources; maintains list of available
federal, state, local, & volunteer organizations
AFRCC contacts the FAA for assistance in tracking
active Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) signals
Civil Air Patrol
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Civilian auxiliary of the USAF
Can be activated by the USAF or by state or
local agencies
Trained in incident command, base support,
communications, and ground and air search
Responds to 75% of the downed or missing
aircraft searches in the US
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Missions are not only for missing aircraft
Federal Aviation
Administration
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Keeps track of all instrument flight rules and
many visual flight rules aircraft flights
Usually the first agency to notify the AFRCC of
an overdue aircraft
Works with AFRCC to determine if the plane is
safely on the ground (phone calls, ramp
checks, radio communications)
Helps locate source of ELT signals with AFRCC;
provides radar tracking assistance (NTAP)
State Government
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Normally provides coordination and support
Many states have one agency to coordinate
state and federal SAR resources
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At this time, Indiana Department of Homeland
security provides this service
Initiates laws that are necessary to enhance
effective actions of SAR responders
Provides resources that are not available at
the local responders level
Local Agencies
Local response is usually delegated to a
political subdivision within the state
 Legal responsibility is generally vested
with the county sheriff or the area’s
chief law enforcement officer
Know who is legally responsible for SAR in
your areas of response.
Know which agency/s is in charge of SAR
operations in your area.
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Local Response Manpower
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EMS, fire departments, law enforcement
departments, and rescue squads
Professional and volunteer SAR
organizations
The dedicated and unfailing willingness of
local professional and volunteer
emergency service personnel to respond
and work is the backbone of Search and
Rescue in the United States.
Risk vs. Benefit
 Before an action is taken, the risks
involved in taking that action should be
compared to the benefits that will be
derived
 There must be a reason or justification
for every action so that we are not
risking lives unnecessarily; the safety of
all concerned is paramount
Weak Link Theory
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All people, skills, knowledge, and equipment
involved in SAR are links
Chain only as strong as the weakest link
A weak link is identified as a limiting factor in
the system
Each rescuer must be able to identify his or her
own limitations and weaknesses and be able to
communicate them to fellow workers
Knowledge of one’s own personal limitations is probably the number
one lifesaver in rescue today.
Correspondingly, the lack of such knowledge is probably the number
one killer.
Priorities in SAR
 You (the rescuer)
 Your team
 If you or a team member is hurt, the
focus of the effort changes from the
subject
 Without the rescuers there can be no
rescue
 The casualty (subject)
An unprepared or ignorant rescuer actually detracts
from the efforts of others
Areas of Involvement
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Operations
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Field Personnel
Aircraft Operations
Planning
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Interviewing
Computers
Resource
Management
 Logistics
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Communications
Transportation
Food Services
Medical
Indiana State Ground
Search Course
Awareness Level
Unit 2
Lost Person Behavior
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Unit 2 Objectives
The student will be able to define
and understand the importance of
determining a search subject’s
general profile:
By age
By disability
By activity
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The Importance of Knowing
a Subject’s Profile
Knowing the ‘profile’ of the lost person can
greatly influence a SAR manager’s strategy
and the search crew’s tactics!
Helps you know “what to look for”!
Helps to put yourself into subject’s shoes!
Where would you go?
What would you do?
How would you act?
What clues would you leave behind?
How easily would you be detected?
• Detectability?
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Statistical Information has
been gathered on Lost Persons
What might the subject do to effect
survivability and detectability?
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After 72hrs, survivability drops drastically!
Can the subject build a fire and/or shelter?
Is the subject carrying equipment?
Will subject move a long distance?
Will the subject respond when called?
Will the subject hide and/or evade or come
running to searchers?
Is the subject alone or with a group?
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Lost Person Questionnaire (LPQ)
A form which systematically and thoroughly
guides you during an investigation of a
‘potential’ search.
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Physical description, clothing, equipment?
Point Last Seen (PLS) or Last Known Point (LKP)?
Activities and friends?
Troubled relationships?
Standard practices?
Personality traits?
Has this happened before? If so, where was
he/she found?
Physical and mental condition?
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General Behavior by Age
Toddlers (ages 1 to 3)
Young Children (ages 3 to 6)
Children (ages 6 to 12)
Young Adults (ages 12 to 18)
Adults (ages 18 to 65)
Elderly (ages 65+)
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Younger Children
Toddlers: Age 1 to 3
• Unaware of being “lost”
• No navigation skills (“What’s N-S-E-W?”)
• Wanders aimlessly (no destination in mind)
• May seek out most convenient location and then go to
sleep under logs, brushes, overhangs, or picnic tables.
Young Children: Age 3 to 6
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May be aware of being “lost” and will try to return home
• More mobile than toddlers
• Likes to explore – chases animals and play
• Will look for sleeping spot if necessary
• Told to stay away from strangers at this age!
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Older Children
Children: Age 6 to 12
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Better navigational and direction skills than young
children or toddlers (knows what N-S-E-W are)
• Becomes easily confused in strange areas
• May have intentionally “run away” to avoid
punishment, gain attention, or to sulk
• Often will NOT answer when called (“I’m in trouble”)
• Darkness will scare them enough to “want to be found”
(“What was that noise?!”)
• Same fears and problems as adults, but feel helpless
• Many times they have been brought into an outdoor
situation by parents, scout masters, or others.
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Young Adults & Adults
Depending on their maturity,
they tend to fit into one or both
of the “Activity” and/or
“Disability” categories.
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Elderly (Above age 65)
• May be suffering from senility or Alzheimer's
disease.
• May be “living in the past”.
• May be attracted to something that “strikes
their fancy”.
• May be hard of hearing or deaf or visually
impaired.
• May pose same problems as children.
• Likely to over-extend and exhaust
themselves.
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General Behavior by
Disability
Sensory Deprived
Sight (Visually impaired)
Sound (Deaf)
Mentally Challenged
Alzheimer Disease
Despondent/Suicide
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Despondents
May be depressed / May be suicidal
May only want to get away for a while!
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May just be seeking solitude.
Generally won’t respond to searchers. (“Leave me
alone!”)
Generally, will be within sight and sound of
civilization, perhaps near prominent locations:
- Lakes
- Lookouts
- Areas “with a view”
- If suicidal, wants to see the world for the last time!
- But, some have been found in the underbrush!
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General Behavior by Activity
Game hunters
Mushroom hunters
Day Hikers
Backpackers
Climbers
Boaters, canoes, kayakers
Fishermen/women
Adventure sports enthusiasts
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Game Hunters
• May only go into the woods two or three
times a year to hunt.
• Tend to concentrate more on game than
on navigation!
• May get excited pursuing game and
crashes through hazardous areas, while
ignoring exhaustion and navigation!
• Tend to over-extend themselves into
darkness!
• May be unprepared for extremely bad
weather.
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Mushroom hunters, Cone
pickers, Berry pickers, Rock
hunters, Photographers, Etc.
• Usually intends to stay in one location.
• Usually carry’s NO survival gear or
provisions.
• Usually goes out in good weather, but
doesn’t plan for bad weather.
• Mislead by subtle terrain changes.
• Attempts to return home (gets lost “deeper”)
• High risk for survival!
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Day Hikers
• Generally has a destination and stays on
trails.
• Usually, won’t have sufficient gear for an
overnight stay.
• Problems happen when they have navigational
problems such as when a trails split or they
“take a short cut”.
• Often, hiking parties are mismatched in
abilities – get left behind.
• If “cuts” switchback, disoriented, goes down
wrong trail or drainage.
• Very dependant on travel aids and trails.
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Backpackers
Again, generally has a destination and stays on
trails.
Usually does have sufficient gear to stay out
for a night or two.
Again, problems may happen when they have
navigation problems or trails split or change.
Again, hiking parties are mismatched in
abilities.
May try to cut switchbacks and take short cuts.
May drop gear to “lighten load”.
Dependant on travel aids and trails but may
have map & compass.
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Climbers
• Generally may be very well equipped and
self-sufficient.
• Tends to remain on or near designated
routes to a climbing area.
• Primary reason for being overdue:
weather and accidents! (lightning, falls,
beyond abilities)
• Other reasons: falling debris and
avalanche
• Technically trained personnel most likely
needed!
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Fishermen/women
• Generally very well oriented to water.
• High percentage of mission is boat
related.
• Reason for being overdue ~ accident!
• Unfortunately, often will result in a
recovery mission!
Any missing/overdue subject that is
around water (such as lakes, rivers, lowhead dams, flooded caves and so forth.),
consider a possible drowning!
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Always Consider Other Factors
General health & emotional wellbeing?
Specific health problems (heart problems?
asthmatic? diabetic? bee-sting allergic?
orthopedic injury? other?)
Experience in the past with similar subjects?
The subjects wilderness experiences?
Environmental effect on the subject?
Terrain, vegetation, and weather?
What caused the incident?
What activity was the subject doing?
Was the subject abducted by family or stranger?
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Questions over Unit 7?
Do you have any question over
importance of determining a
search subject’s general profile:
By age?
By disability?
By activity?
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Unit 9
Clue Consciousness
Indiana State Ground
Search Course
Awareness Level
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Unit 3 Objectives
• The student will be able to define and
understand the importance of the:
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Definition of a Clue
Clues as a Communications System
Search Subject (Clue Generator)
The Environment
Searcher (Clue Receiver)
Types of Clues
Factors Affecting Observation
Clue Awareness
Clue Relevancy Determination
Aging Clue Items
Environmental Considerations
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Definition of a Clue
Clues are any information, objects,
or disturbances that indicate the
passage of a subject.
• There will be thousands and perhaps
millions of clues left by the passage
of a subject!
• This is why we train to find CLUES
instead of just the subject!
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Clues as
Communications?
• Think of clues as a form of nonverbal communications system
(The “clue” is a message from
the subject!) :
– There is a transmitter
• The subject
– There is a channel
• The environment
– There is a receiver
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• The searcher
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The Search Subject
• Every subject will leave clues!
• Clues may tell us the direction-oftravel of a subject.
• Clues may tell us where to look next.
• The LACK OF CLUES FOUND can tell
us just as much information as the
discovery of clues!
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The Environment
• The subject (perhaps unknowingly) will be
“dropping clues” as they travel through
the environment!
• The environment will “age” and dissipate
clues as time goes by due to natural
erosive forces (weather, wind, water,
etc.).
• The environment will also share the
passage of others (humans, animals, or
vehicles).
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The Searcher
• The searcher concentrates on seeking or
gathering clues!
• The searcher also records the type of clue,
location of the clue, and the time that the
clue was found.
We strongly suggest that an ICS Form 214
(Unit Log) or some other pre-made form
be used to record all clues or suspected
clues discovered!
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Types of Clues
• Physical Clues
– Tangible clues
– Can be “touched”
• Transient Clues
– Intangible clues
– Cannot be touch and are likely to
occur only once
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Physical Clues
• Articles
– Any item that can be touched
– Examples: Clothing, footprints, scent,
etc.
• Documents
– Special kind of article which includes
written information
– Example: Trail logs, letters, suicide notes,
etc.
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Transient Clues
• Witness
– Reports of seeing the subject by
creditable observers
– Example: Someone saw the subject on
a trail, etc.
• Event
– Reports of seeing, hearing, or smelling
something unusual by creditable observers
– Example: Someone heard a yell for help, etc.
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Factors Affecting
Observation
• Clue Awareness
• Clue Relevancy Determination
• Environmental Considerations
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Clue Awareness
• Personal Preparation
– Health & Physically
• Mission Preparation
– Equipment
– Subject Information
• Prepare for Observing
– Mental
– Use all of your senses (sight, sound, smell, &
touch) (taste?)
– Switching on “Search Mode”
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Personal & Crew Morale
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Clue Relevancy
Determination
• “Tune” yourself to all categories of clues
– Article, Document, Witness, & Events
• There’s lots of clues in the environment
– Passage of humans, animals, & vehicles
• Study “Lost Person Questionnaire (LPQ)
– The development of LPQ is an ongoing process
• “Aging” Clue Items
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Aging Clue Items
Ask yourself these questions:
Q: How long has the search subject been
lost or missing?
Q: How “old” does this clue article look?
Q: Does this clue article fit into the
timeframe of the lost or missing
subject?
But, when in doubt, report it!
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Environmental
Considerations that Effect
Clue Aging and Seeking
• Natural Lighting
• Weather Conditions
• Terrain
• Vegetation
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Questions over Unit 2?
• Do you have any question over
importance of determining:
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Definition of a Clue?
Clues as a Communications System?
Search Subject (Clue Generator)?
The Environment?
Searcher (Clue Receiver)?
Types of Clues?
Factors Affecting Observation?
Clue Awareness?
Clue Relevancy Determination?
Aging Clue Items?
Environmental Considerations?
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Search Tactics

The student will be able to define and
understand the importance of:


Crew Member Techniques
Crew Tactics



MAY 2005
Crew Formations
Crew Search Tasks
Specific Search Tasks for Crew Members
INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF
HOMELAND SECURITY
Techniques, Tactics, & Strategy

Search Techniques


Search Tactics


Skills that each individual searcher brings to the
search crew
The collective skills of all searchers brought together
on a search crew
Search Strategy

All the collective tactics brought together to
accomplish an objective
MAY 2005
INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF
HOMELAND SECURITY
Search Techniques
There Are Two Distinct Aspects

Scanning

Physical process of moving eyes, head &
body to to observe the environment for
clues

Observing

Mental process of clue seeking

“Processing” what you scan
MAY 2005
INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF
HOMELAND SECURITY
Scanning



Look forward
Look to both sides
Look behind



Research shows that 56% of clues are
found by “back scanning”
Look up
Look down
MAY 2005
INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF
HOMELAND SECURITY
Factors Affecting Observation



Clue Awareness
Clue Relevancy Determination
Environmental Considerations
MAY 2005
INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF
HOMELAND SECURITY
Vision Theory
How do People See




MAY 2005
People actually sees everything within about
a 10 degree cone of vision which is called
central vision
If you hold up your fist at arms length this
covers your area of central vision
The brain actually only recognizes objects
with in a persons central vision
Outside of this area for about 140 to 180
degrees is peripheral vision, objects in this
area are not really seen, vision reacts more
to color, contrast, movement and changes
in light.
INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF
HOMELAND SECURITY
Vision Theory
How do People See


MAY 2005
In order for the eye to see an object eye
movement must stop for 1/3 of a second,
the brain will not fully recognize an object if
the eyes are moving.
If you are moving the brain will be using
the eyes to keep you from hurting yourself
by walking into things, or stepping
somewhere you shouldn’t. You must stop to
look so the brain can focus all of its
attention on recognizing objects instead of
keeping you from walking into things.
INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF
HOMELAND SECURITY
Human Visual Field
MAY 2005
INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF
HOMELAND SECURITY
Searcher Spacing



The spacing between the searchers will
determine the probability of detection
(POD) for each search sortie
The closer together the higher the POD,
but the longer it will take to cover the
assigned search area
If the searchers are to far apart to
speed the search the POD will be very
low and the subject may be missed
Critical Separation

Each searcher must do the “Rain
Dance” in order to determine their
individual search range. Search range
is the distance that you can see and
recognize an object the same size and
color of the subject lying in the search
area. The rain dance must be done
each time the terrain and or vegetation
changes
Rain Dance

The Rain Dance Start close to the test
subject keep going back away from the
test subject till you can not easily
recognize the subject, walk all the way
around the test subject as the view can
change, you want to find the smallest
distance that you can see the subject
at.
Critical separation is the sum
of two search ranges
Search Corridor

Once critical separation distance is
determined each searcher is responsible
for their search corridor since
vegetation and terrain may block your
line of vision it is important that
searchers look under and around
anything that blocks there view. This is
known as Purposeful Wandering.
Searching

As discussed in the vision theory
section, your brain cannot actually see
while you’re moving so it is important to
stop and look. Each searcher should
move forward a distance equal to their
search range then stop and look. Be
sure to look all the way around in a
complete circle, this helps to make sure
the subject is not missed.
Search Crew Formations




Tandem (Inline) Formation
Sweep Formation
Wedge Formation
Sign-cutting Formation
MAY 2005
INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF
HOMELAND SECURITY
Tandem (Inline) Formation

Very fast – good for travel or route
searches
“Whip”
MAY 2005
“Point”
INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF
HOMELAND SECURITY
Sweep Formation

Somewhat fast – covers wider area
Left Flanker
Navigator
Right Flanker
MAY 2005
INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF
HOMELAND SECURITY
Wedge Formation

Somewhat fast – good for nighttime
“Guide” or Navigator
Right Flanker
MAY 2005
INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF
HOMELAND SECURITY
Sign-cutting Formation

Slow – good for sign-cutting
Left Flanker
Point
Right Flanker
MAY 2005
INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF
HOMELAND SECURITY
Sweep (Grid) Naming System
Number – Word – Number
1)
2)
3)
MAY 2005
Number of searchers on the line
Compass (with azimuth) or Guide
(with left or right)
Separation between searchers
INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF
HOMELAND SECURITY
Example of Compass Sweep
3 – Compass (360°) – 15
meters
Left Flanker
MAY 2005
Navigator
15 meters
INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF
HOMELAND SECURITY
Right Flanker
15 meters
Example of Guide Sweep
4 – Guide ® on road – 10 meters
________________________________________________________________
______________________ROAD_____________________________ _______
5 meters from road
Guide Person
Guide “Right” Sweep
10 meters apart
10 meters apart
10 meters apart
Left Flanker
MAY 2005
INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF
HOMELAND SECURITY
Setting Up a Sweep Search
__________________________________
___
_________Guideline or Control line_____________
__________________
B
A
S
E
Guide Person
L
I
N
E
MAY 2005
Right Flanker
INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF
HOMELAND SECURITY
Guide “Left” Sweep
Search Lane Distance
____________________________________________________________________
____
_____________________________ROAD__________________________________
___
15 meters
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
15 meters
INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------MAY 2005
HOMELAND SECURITY
---------
Crew Member Duty
Assignments


As a crew leader, you should assign each
search crew member to a part of the 360°
quadrant
The crew collectively becomes a “new”
creature, the so called “360° Eyeball”!
MAY 2005
INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF
HOMELAND SECURITY
Crew Assignment Example
(Route Search)

Crew travel direction
Backscan
MAY 2005
Scan Right
Scan Left
INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF
HOMELAND SECURITY
Scan Forward
Crew Assignment Example
(Area Search)

Crew travel direction
LF
NAV
BK
RF
MAY 2005
INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF
HOMELAND SECURITY
Turns on a Sweep


“Shift Left” or “Pivot Left” for Left Turns
“Shift Right” or “Pivot Right” for Right
Turns
MAY 2005
INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF
HOMELAND SECURITY
Hasty Search (Type I)





Fast, initial response of well-trained, selfsufficient, & very mobile searchers that check
points and routes that most likely produce either
the subject or major clues the soonest.
Utilizes tandem formation
The crew is mobile & agile!
May be used to gather information about a
search area (reconnaissance)
Search, Move & Communicate
MAY 2005
INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF
HOMELAND SECURITY
Loose Grid Search
Efficient Search (Type II)



Relatively fast, systematic search of
high-probability segments of the search
area that produce high probabilities of
detection (POD) per search-hour effort
Utilizes sweep formations
“Loose Grid” or “Wide Grid”
MAY 2005
INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF
HOMELAND SECURITY
Expanding Square
Contour


Contour - Follows contour of the land,
usually start high and work down
Tight Grid Search
Thorough Search (Type III)



Slow, highly systematic search using the
most thorough techniques to provide the
highest probability of detection (POD)
possible
Utilizes sweep formations
“Tight Grid” or “Close Grid”
MAY 2005
INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF
HOMELAND SECURITY
Evidence Search
Highly Thorough Search (Type IV)




A very highly thorough grid search used
for evidence only!
Time is not usually as important as in a
lost/missing person search.
Sometimes done on hands and knees
sifting through debris on the ground.
Very tight grid lines.
MAY 2005
INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF
HOMELAND SECURITY
Specific Tasks for Crew Members






Navigation (Azimuth & Tally)
Radio Telephone Operator (RTO)
Log Keeper (recorder) using ICS form
214
Scan Forward
Scan Left or Right
Back-Scanning
MAY 2005
INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF
HOMELAND SECURITY
Indiana State Ground
Search Course
Awareness Level
Unit 5
Search Theory
125
Unit 5 Objectives

The student will be able to define and
understand the importance of:











Full & measured response
PLS, LKP, & IPP
Lost person information
Focus on clues
Utilizing ICS
Search goal & objectives
Search planning, strategy, tactics,
operations, & techniques
Minimizing the search area
Prioritizing the search area
Subject’s direction-of-travel
Search probabilities
SEPTEMBER 2005
INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF
HOMELAND SECURITY
126
Full & Measured Response to a
SAR Incident



Determine the agency or agencies having
jurisdiction and overall responsibility for the
incident.
Determine the type of search (civil, disaster,
or man-hunt)
Determine the Search Urgency:


Full Response?: GO right now with everything!
Measured Response?: Send an advanced party
and investigate further to determine if more
resources are needed.
SEPTEMBER 2005
INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF
HOMELAND SECURITY
127
PLS, LKP, & IPP

PLS (Point-Last-Seen or Place-Last-Seen):

The exact place that the subject was last seen
by a creditable witness. PLS can change
during a search!

LKP (Last-Known-Point or Last-KnownPlace):

The place that the subject was last known to
have been by a proven clue. LKP can change
during a search!

IPP (Initial-Planning-Point):

The initial location were all search planning is
established. IPP does not change during a
search!
SEPTEMBER
2005
INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF
HOMELAND SECURITY
128
Planning & Searching Data

Planning Data:


Information that the search
managers use to base their
strategy, make their plans, and
assign tasks to their search crews.
Searching Data:

Information that each and every
searcher needs to perform their
task of searching for a subject.
SEPTEMBER 2005
INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF
HOMELAND SECURITY
129
Obtaining Lost/Missing
Person Information

Some of the Planning & Searching data
from a Lost Person Questionnaire (LPQ)
includes:

Planning Data:





Where is the PLS or at least the LKP?
Where do we set the IPP?
What is/was the subject’s planned activities?
What is the subject’s “profile” or lost person
category?
Searching Data:

What clues do the crews need to “key” on?
SEPTEMBER 2005
130
Asses the situation




Determine what the immediate NEEDS
are.
Determine the TASKS to accomplish those
needs.
Determine the RESOURCES you have on
hand.
ASSIGN a resource to accomplish each
task.
SEPTEMBER 2005
INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF
HOMELAND SECURITY
131
Search Goal & Objectives

Search (& Rescue/Recovery)
Goal


To safely locate and remove the subject (s)
from the area within the operational period.
Search Objectives

The major needs that must be both addressed
and accomplished to achieve the SAR goal
within the operational period. All objectives
must be both realistic and measurable.
SEPTEMBER 2005
INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF
HOMELAND SECURITY
132
Search Planning & Strategy

Search Planning


Determining the tactics
necessary to accomplish all of
the objectives of a search.
Search Strategy

All the collective tactics
brought together to
accomplish a particular search
objective.
SEPTEMBER 2005
INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF
HOMELAND SECURITY
133
Search Tactics & Operations

Search Tactics



The collective skills that all searchers bring
together on a search crew.
Search tactics are applied by crews to
accomplish a search strategy.
Search Operations
The process of performing all of the tactics
to accomplish all of the objectives of the
INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF
search.
SEPTEMBER 2005
HOMELAND SECURITY
134

Search Techniques

Search Techniques


Skills that each individual searcher
brings to the search crew.
All crew members apply appropriate
techniques in order for their crew to
properly perform a particular search
tactic.
SEPTEMBER 2005
INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF
HOMELAND SECURITY
135
Minimize the Search Area


The potential search area grows
exponentially by the formula for the area
of a circle, A = πR2
To keep the area manageable, we apply
search area minimization strategies :

Search area confinement strategy


Be able to determine if the subject leaves the area
Once confined, we can also split the area with:

Binary search strategy


SEPTEMBER 2005
Divide the area with special tactics
Continue to divide the smaller areas (segments or
DEPARTMENT OF
sectors) INDIANA
HOMELAND SECURITY
136
Prioritize the Smaller Segments
within the entire Search Area

We may Prioritize search segments.
Remember, we will have limited
SAR resources on hand for many
searches!
Which segments (sectors) within a
search area should be searched first?
 Which segments (sectors) within a
search area could be searched last?

SEPTEMBER 2005
INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF
HOMELAND SECURITY
137
Determining the
Direction of Travel


Determining the subject’s direction of
travel can greatly enhance planning &
strategy as well as further minimizing
the potential search area!
Establishing the Direction-of-Travel
(DOT) strategy

Every clue discovered may provide the
DOT of the subject!
SEPTEMBER 2005
INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF
HOMELAND SECURITY
138
Probability Theory


Probability theory is the branch of mathematics
that systematically deals with uncertain events.
Probability theory does not give definite answers
(such as 3 + 2 = 5), but it does give a
‘quantified’ (a number) for the likelihood of an
uncertain outcome to occur (i.e. you have a 50%
chance of acquiring a head during a coin toss).

Probability theoryINDIANA
has DEPARTMENT
been applied
to search.
OF
SEPTEMBER 2005
HOMELAND SECURITY
139
Search Probability Theory
Applies the mathematics of probability
theory to searching an area (i.e., an ‘uncertain’
event).
Q: Where do
we start
searching?
Q: Where is the subject located?
Search Area
1
?
SEPTEMBER 2005
2
?
3
?
4
?
5
?
6
?
7
?
INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF
HOMELAND SECURITY
8
?
140
Why are Search Probabilities
Needed and Used?

Helps search planners with:






Distributing scarce search resources
Deciding when to search a segment
Deciding whether to decrease or increase a
search segment’s size
Deciding when to suspend a search
Rationalizing their actions
Mitigating possible litigation
SEPTEMBER 2005
INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF
HOMELAND SECURITY
141
Probability of Containment
(Probability of Area)
The chance that the search object
(subject) is within the area
(segment) that you are searching.

How do you find POC (POA)?
Depends on several factors:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Where is the PLS or LKP?
What is the lost person’s behavior category?
Were are clues found or not found in the area?
Others,…
Answers: “What is the chance that we
are looking for the subject in the right
place?”
SEPTEMBER 2005
INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF
HOMELAND SECURITY
142
Probability of Detection
(POD)
The chance that you will detect the search
object.
By “object”, we mean either the subject or a
clue.
 In other words, POD is the chance that we will
find the subject or certain sized-clues by using
a particular search tactic.

Answers: “How effective are our search
tactics?”
SEPTEMBER 2005
INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF
HOMELAND SECURITY
143
Probability of Success
(POS)
The chance that your search in the area
(segment) will be “successful”.
 POS is a planning tool used by the managers.
It is based on the area’s POC and your crew’s
POD.
POS = POC times POD
(POS = POC X POD)

Answers: “What is the chance that our search
tactic that is being applied in this area will
result in our locating the subject?”
SEPTEMBER 2005
INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF
HOMELAND SECURITY
144
Questions over Unit 6?
SEPTEMBER 2005
INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF
HOMELAND SECURITY
145
Indiana State Ground Search
Course
Awareness Level
Unit 11
Search Operational Process
Unit 6 Objectives

The student will be able to describe the process of
responding to a SAR incident:













Pre-Planning for a SAR incident
Initial callout
Rally points & transportation to the scene
Arrival at the incident scene – checking in
The General Briefing
Reporting to the Staging Area
Crew mission briefing (the “Tactical Briefing”)
Crew deployment, assignment, and extraction
Crew mission debriefing & downtime
Departing the incident – checking out
Incident demobilization
Incident critique
Return to service
SEPTEMBER 2005
INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF
HOMELAND SECURITY
147
Pre-Planning for a SAR
Incident





Determining the need for a SAR team.
Establishment of a SAR team.
Education, training, and certification of a
SAR team and its members.
Developing cooperative agreements with
appropriate agencies and other SAR teams.
Developing Standard-OperationalProcedures (SOP) for the SAR Team .
SEPTEMBER 2005
INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF
HOMELAND SECURITY
148
Initial Callout




Determining the primary contact
members of the SAR team.
Determining the callout of the
secondary members of a SAR team.
Resource Status: “Allocated”.
Reminder: DO NOT SELF-DEPLOY!
SEPTEMBER 2005
INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF
HOMELAND SECURITY
149
Rally Points & Transportation to
the Scene
Determining the initial location for the
SAR team to rally and then to convoy
to an incident:


Example: If called out, all personnel will
meet at the sheriff’s station first and will
depart from there. Perhaps getting a
police escort.
Safety consideration during
transportation:
INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF

SECURITY
Volunteers,HOMELAND
do NOT
road-race!
SEPTEMBER 2005

150
Arrival at the Incident Scene
Everyone involved in the incident must
sign-in! (accountability)



ICS Form 211
Determine where to go next and who
to report to specifically.
SEPTEMBER 2005
INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF
HOMELAND SECURITY
151
The General Briefing
The primary briefing that is done at the
beginning of each and every operational
period. ALL personnel need to attend!






What is the incident?
Who is in charge and what is the command
structure?
The distribution of the specific overall objectives
for this operational period by the IC and his/her
staff
The distribution of specific subject information to
all searchers (Searching Data)
Any other information pertinent to the incident
(weather, specific hazards, safety issues, etc.)
SEPTEMBER 2005
INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF
HOMELAND SECURITY
152
Reporting to the Staging Area



Trained & equipped crews are ready
to deploy to the field within 3 minutes
of notice!
Resource Status: “Available”
Reminder: Have yourself and your
gear ready to GO when you report
to the staging area!
SEPTEMBER 2005
INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF
HOMELAND SECURITY
153
Crew Mission Briefing
(The Tactical Briefing)
The specific tasks assigned to each crew








What is the overall mission of your crew during
this assignment?
Where is your starting point?
What specifically is your crew tasked to do?
Where is your ending (stop) point?
Communications details?
Any vehicle transport details?
Any other pertinent information?
SEPTEMBER 2005
INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF
HOMELAND SECURITY
154
Crew Deployment & Insertion



Resource Status: “Assigned”.
Crew-leader quickly briefs the crew.
Crew-leader assigns each crew
member both a search-task (example:
scan left or right, back-scan, etc.) as
well as a crew-task (example: radio,
azimuth navigation, tally, recording,
etc.).

Crew deployment by foot or vehicle.
SEPTEMBER 2005
INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF
HOMELAND SECURITY
155
Crew Assignment

Crew performing the assignment



Begin search at your assigned starting point.
Perform your assigned task to the best of your
abilities, but above all, always keep your crew
SAFE!
End search at your assigned ending (stop) point.
ALWAYS, ALWAYS: YOUR AND YOUR
CREW’S SAFETY IS ALWAYS FIRST!
SEPTEMBER 2005
INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF
HOMELAND SECURITY
156
Crew Extraction

Crew extraction by foot or vehicle

If vehicle extraction, be sure to call the ICP
to inform them of your crew is needing
transportation.
SEPTEMBER 2005
INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF
HOMELAND SECURITY
157
Crew Mission Debriefing






Your assignment is not over, yet!
Crew-leader debriefs all crew members.
Crew-leader then reports to the staff
member assigned to debriefing crews.
Management may want to debrief the entire
crew together.
Do NOT lie about what your crew had
accomplished!
Resource status is still “Assigned”, until the
completion of the debriefing!
SEPTEMBER 2005
INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF
HOMELAND SECURITY
158
Crew Downtime


After debriefing, crew is now Resource
Status: “Out-of-Service”.
Crew rests in the assigned rest-area


Any crew member needing CISD?
Crew behavior during downtime


SEPTEMBER 2005
Watch what you say and do! The press, family,
or others are likely to be nearby!
Always conduct yourselves in a polite,
quiet, and professional manner!
INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF
HOMELAND SECURITY
159
Crew Reassignment



After resting, the crew then reports
back to the Staging Area for their next
assignment.
Resource status once again is
“Available”.
The process repeats.
SEPTEMBER 2005
INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF
HOMELAND SECURITY
160
Departing the Incident
Is everyone well-rested before driving
home?


All vehicles drivers should be able to lay
down in a comfortable, quiet, tent for 15
minutes before being allowed to leave. If
you fall asleep, you’ll sleep until rested.
Everyone signing into an incident must
sign-out of the incident
(accountability)


ICS Form INDIANA
211 DEPARTMENT OF
SEPTEMBER 2005
HOMELAND SECURITY
161
Incident Demobilization



Have all personnel and all equipment
been accounted for?
Have all personnel and all equipment
been returned to their place of origin?
Does any member need CISD?
SEPTEMBER 2005
INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF
HOMELAND SECURITY
162
Incident Critique



Response time?
Equipment needed and didn’t have?
Staff and crew performance?
SEPTEMBER 2005
INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF
HOMELAND SECURITY
163
Return to Service


Determine if repairs to equipment are
needed.
Determine if training or re-training is
needed.
SEPTEMBER 2005
INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF
HOMELAND SECURITY
164
Questions over Unit 6?
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Do you have any question over:
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Pre-Planning for a SAR incident?
Initial callout?
Rally points & transportation to the scene?
Arrival at the incident scene – checking in?
The General Briefing?
Reporting to the Staging Area?
Crew mission briefing (the “Tactical Briefing”)?
Crew deployment, assignment, and extraction?
Crew mission debriefing & downtime?
Departing the incident – checking out?
Incident demobilization?
Incident critique?
Return to service?
SEPTEMBER 2005
INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF
HOMELAND SECURITY
165