SAR Fundamentals/Search techniques/Theory

00:00

3 min

Introduce topic title

Introduce Instructor

Present Objectives

00:03

• finding subject as quickly as possible
• to have the subject reached as soon as possible
• clues may lead to redirection of other field teams
• Search for clues and the subject. There are more clues than subjects. [3]
• The searcher is a clue seeker [1]

2 min

Clues we're looking for

• present location of subject [1]
• past locations of subject [1]
• direction of travel [1]
• destination, intent of subject [1]
• subject was not here
• the subject: the ultimate clue

5 min

Effective Clue Seeking

• clue seeking is a skill [1]
  • must be learned, practiced [1]
  • value of experience [1]
• quality of searching
  • quality of briefing [1]
  • training and experience of searchers [1]
  • motivation of searchers [1]
  • size, terrain, of search segment [1]
  • weather [1]
  • lighting [1]
  • boredom [1]
  • fatigue & body management [1]
  • mental visual vigilance [1]
    • most efficient 1st hour [1]
    • drops sharply after 4 hours [1]
    • take a break after 4 hours [1]

Observation

• observation is the skill of looking for clues [1]
• if not done well, search effort is ineffective [1]
• acquired skill, requires training, much practice [1]
• the ability to "see" not just "look" [1]
• why things are seen [1]
  • what attracts the eye
  • contrast with the background
  • movement [1]
  • shape [1]
  • shadow [1]
  • silhouette [1]
  • spacing [1]
  • position [1]
  • texture [1]
  • colour [1]
  • scale [1]
  • noise [1]
  • shine [1]

Plan your search

• briefing [1]
  • shoe prints, items carried [1]
• consider subjects suspected intentions [1]
  • e.g. fishing -> fishing activities [1]
• be able to describe subject to the public [1]

4 min

Where to cast your eyes

• Use the search cube, up, down, l/r, and behind. [3]
• squat, kneel, look around from ground level [1]

Where to check

• Always check the obvious. [3]
• never assume [1]
  • check behind, around or in what you can not see through [1]

5 min

Things to keep doing

• use all senses: looks, listen, smell, touch [1]
• make sound
  • use sound (whistles) [1]
  • Yell and make noise. Call the victims name. Remember to listen for a response. [3]
• talk to non-searchers you meet [1]
• imagine what subject might do in this place [1]
  • look for what might attract subject [1]

3 min

keep mental focus

• be constantly looking
• be expectant to find clue/subject [1]
• Maintain an aggressive attitude. [3]
• avoid distractions [1]
  • think about searching, not distractions e.g. weather [1]
  • dress to be comfortable, not distracted [1]
  • do not chat unnecessarily [1]
• maintain positive mental attitude [1]

8 min

lead as discussion

Use all your senses

• smell
  • locate sources [1]
• feel
  • what are you treading on?
• sight
  • things that are out of place [1]
    • trampled grass, broken limbs, twigs, slide marks on hills, footprints. [1]
  • discarded items [1]
  • odd shapes [1]
  • things associated with subject's activity [1]
    • e.g. shell cases for hunters [1]
  • subject's attempts to signal
    • flashes, calls
  • signs of fire: smoke, light, smell, ashes [1]
  • animal reacting to subject [1]
    • birds circling [1]
• listening
  • calls, moans, whistles [1]
  • listen for 30 seconds after calling [1]
  • movement [1]
  • animals
    • animal silence [1]
    • squirrels chittering
  • monitor emergency channels: CB9, FRS 1 or 9 [1]

4 min

clue handling [1]

• should be included in briefing [1]
• Protect evidence. [3]
• evaluation of clues
  • trap: forming opinion, seeking only clues that support opinion [1]
  • do not immediately form opinion on value of clue [1]
  • subject profile helps to distinguish clues generated by subject from unrelated clues [1]
  • Overhead team responsible for assessing clue
• call in
• record
  • time tagged [1]
  • exact location
  • Record absolutely everything. [3]
• bag
• bring in

Type 1

• focus: Speed
• most common initial search type
• high probability areas, high subject risk areas
• 2 or 3 in team
• trail sweep
• look left, right, ahead
• no purposeful wandering
• no slowing down to search edges
• maintain pace that will complete assignment
  • fast walk, perhaps jog
• looking for dead obvious
• sound sweep
  • calling, but don't stop when listening
• low POD

Type 2

• focus: Efficent use of resources
• typical groups of 3 to 6
• critical separation
  • e.g. 10m
  • North Umbrian Rain Dance (will be shown in practical portion)
• purposeful wandering
• walking pace
• generally used after Type 1 searches are complete
• POD's 30 - 80%
• sound sweep
  • pause periodically, e.g. every 3 minutes
  • blast, pause to listen

Type 3

• focus on thoroughness
• high POD near 100%
• groups of 10-20
• SAR workers leading spontaneous volunteers
• slow, inefficient
• step by step slow walk
• no calling

Type 4

• focus: fine detail
• typically evidence search
• hands & kness or elbow to elbow
• very slow movement
• no calling

Sound Sweep Only

• pairs spread out approx 200m
• group leader directing pairs over radio
• blast whistles simulanteously
• count down over radio
• all listen
• if hear, point
• move on approx 200m before next blast

2 min

walking and searching [1]

• appropriate speed
  • balance thoroughness with amount of terrain covered
  • beginner searchers tend to go too fast (adrenaline?)
  • intermediate searchers tend to go too slow for Type 1
  • adjust speed for terrain, weather, searcher experience, ability, fatigue [1]
• if necessary, tell other searchers to hold up so you can check something out [1]

3 min

night searching

• same techniques [1]
• more care [1]
• slower pace [1]
• risk: tunnel vision on route finding
  • look up, around, back [1]
  • slow down
  • keep evaluating 3 zones for clues and hazards [1]
    • knees down [1]
    • knees to chest [1]
    • head up [1]
• sound often travels further at night [1]
• peripheral vision is better at low light [1]
• 20 -- 30 minutes to fully regain night vision [1]
  • At night never shine your light in someone's eyes. [3]
  • use red lights to read maps, notes [1]

5 min

Review Objectives

Questions