SAR Fundamentals/Search techniques/Theory

Scope

 * SAR Fundamentals Manual:
 * Ch.17 "Search"
 * Ch.19 "Clue Consciousness"
 * Basic SAR Skills Manual:
 * Ch.15 "Search Tactics and Resources"
 * Ch.16 "Search Principles & Techniques (How to Search)"

This section is intended for the presentation "Search Principles and Techniques" for the SAR Alberta SAR Fundamentals course. This corresponds with Chapter 16 of the FOG SAR manual. Excluded are sections 6 "Personal Body Management" (covered under travel skills) and section 7 "Bivouacs" (covered under survival skills). Chapter 17 of the SAR Fundamentals Manual includes search types which is excluded (covered under "Search Tactics").

Objectives
At the conclusion of this lesson the participants:
 * 1) will be able to describe what a clue is
 * 2) will be able to describe what affects the quality of searching
 * 3) know how long searchers are effective
 * 4) describe typical clues to be sought
 * 5) describe where and how to look for clues
 * 6) know appropriate pace to use
 * 7) describe considerations for night searching
 * 8) describe approaches to clue handling

Time Plan
Total Time: 45 minutes
 * 2013-02: 44 min

Introduce topic title

Introduce Instructor

Present Objectives


 * 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]

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

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]

Where to cast your eyes Where to check
 * Use the search cube, up, down, l/r, and behind. [3]
 * squat, kneel, look around from ground level [1]
 * Always check the obvious. [3]
 * never assume [1]
 * check behind, around or in what you can not see through [1]

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]

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]

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]

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

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]

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]

Review Objectives

Questions

Aids

 * non-publishable material

Question bank
See Question bank

Frequently Asked Questions
How to handle evidence.

Feedback
2005-02-26 Wuth presentation at SAR Fundamentals Course.
 * Ran short.
 * Felt disjointed. Missed page 2 & returned to it later.

License
Copyright © 2005-2013, Brett Wuth. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 2.5 Canada License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/ca/ or send a letter to Creative Commons, 559 Nathan Abbott Way, Stanford, California 94305, USA.

Reference Material
[1] SAR Skills Handbook: FOG SAR, Field Operating Guide To Search and Rescue, Richard Smith et al., © ERI Canada et al., 2003, first edition, ISBN 0-9734135-0-6, Chapter 16

[2] 'SAR Skills V1.ppt' part of the course materials CD associated with SAR Skills Handbook[1], slides 364-407

[3] some material from Chris Jorgensen developed for this section, provided personally.

[4] Search and Rescue Fundamentals: Basic Skills and Knowledge to Perform Wilderness, Inland, Search and Rescue, D. Cooper et al., 3rd Edition, revised., © 1996 Emergency Response Institute, Inc. et al., ISBN 0-913724-37-8, chapter 17

[5] Instructor's Outline for Search and Rescue Fundamentals, “Draft Only for Provisional Use”, Donald C. Cooper, Emergency Response Institute, © 1990, First Edition.