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include your thoughts and techniques for success.
include your thoughts and techniques for success.
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Thanks to Roy Davidson for much of this text.
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==Planning a Mock Search==
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== Recruit a planning group ==
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If possible, develop a group
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to help with the planning.
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-
 
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Determine what planning information should not be widely known. This may affect who can be in your planning group.
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== Goals ==
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Decide what the goals of the training exercise are.
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Decide what the goals of this mock search will be and whether
Decide what the goals of this mock search will be and whether
the emphasis will be for the overhead team or for the searchers. In
the emphasis will be for the overhead team or for the searchers. In
some cases the emphasis can be on both. These notes concentrate
some cases the emphasis can be on both. These notes concentrate
-
mostly on a mock search for searchers.
+
mostly on a mock search for searchers. If possible, develop a group
-
 
+
to help with the planning. Set a suitable date that will give the
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For example, if the intent is to test the the overhead team, the
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-
members of the team should not be involved in the planning. It
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-
might be intended that they not even be aware that a mock search is
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-
being planned.
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Some sample goals:
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* GPS navigation
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* radio communication
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* urban search techniques
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* training for new search managers
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* allow members who are at risk of losing their certification to partipate
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== Participants ==
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Determine major participants.
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Some participants requested before:
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* PCSAR members (of course)
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* LASARA
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* CNP SAR
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* RCMP
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== Set a date ==
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Set a suitable date that will give the
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best turnout. Announce the date and invite participants well in
best turnout. Announce the date and invite participants well in
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advance.
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advance. It may be useful to announce some of the detail of the
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mock as an enticement to attend. Consider whether there will be a
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People tend to forget about the mock. Dates that are soon after
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social function (pot luck/BBQ) at the conclusion of the
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the monthly meeting may work better because the members will have
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search.
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the reminder from the monthly announcements and from the
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-
meeting.
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* Check with participants for possible conflicts.
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Mini-mocks on the evening of our regular training are often moved up to start at 18:30 or 18:00.
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== Announce ==
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It may be useful to announce some of the detail of the
+
-
mock as an enticement to attend.
+
-
 
+
-
Announce the date. Invite the participants.
+
-
* Give each group as much lead time as possible.
+
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* Gently twist the arm of important participants that are otherwise reluctant.
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-
== Size ==
 
Try to determine how many people will be participating in the
Try to determine how many people will be participating in the
search. It will be necessary to know how many teams you will have
search. It will be necessary to know how many teams you will have
Line 74: Line 25:
reduced or expanded, depending on numbers.
reduced or expanded, depending on numbers.
-
Decide how long the exercise will take.
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Decide how long the exercise will take. Develop the scenario.
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The scenario must suit the terrain. Once you have determined the
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== Scenario ==
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site, secure the necessary permissions for the use of the land. If
-
 
+
you intend to alter the terrain in any way, get the permission of
-
Sketch the scenario.
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the land owner. Consider whether you will need to notify neighbors
-
 
+
or others who may be affected by the search, bearing in mind the
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Develop the scenario.
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fact that searchers may end up outside the search area. If the
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The scenario must suit the terrain.
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weather is subject to change, how will that change affect the site
-
 
+
and the search, e.g. What will happen if it snows or rains?
-
 
+
Consider what hazards may be present. Besides examining the area,
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some possibilities from our past:
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ask the landowner(s) about any hazards on or near the site. Develop
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* hospital walk-away
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* alzheimer's victim
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* diabetic
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* dispondant
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* lost child
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* visitor
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* foul play
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* hiding
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-
* animal attack
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-
* vehicle breakdown
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-
* delayed hunter
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* injured hunter
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-
* weather prevents travel
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-
* downed plane
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* disaster
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-
* lost vehicle
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* accident
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* evidence
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* rescue.
+
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+
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* Type of Setting.
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-
 
+
-
 
+
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Develop
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a profile of the subjects(s) including name, age, health (nature of
a profile of the subjects(s) including name, age, health (nature of
any injury, signs, symptoms), clothing and footwear, behavior, what
any injury, signs, symptoms), clothing and footwear, behavior, what
they were doing there, etc. as well as a cause of crisis
they were doing there, etc. as well as a cause of crisis
-
 
-
* Subject Profile(s).
 
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** Name.
 
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** Age.
 
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** Classification (Dispondant, Berry Picker, etc.)
 
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** Clothing.
 
-
 
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* Cause of crisis.
 
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* Nature of injuries, signs, symptoms.
 
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* Before crisis behaviour.
 
-
* After crisis behaviour.
 
Unless there is some specific aspect of searching that you wish
Unless there is some specific aspect of searching that you wish
Line 159: Line 75:
* have searchers encounter wildlife or unanticipated hazards. This can be done by planting a sign describing the hazard. E.g. You have encountered a large brown bear standing over something that it appears to have been burying. E.g. You have just heard a gunshot to the northwest.
* have searchers encounter wildlife or unanticipated hazards. This can be done by planting a sign describing the hazard. E.g. You have encountered a large brown bear standing over something that it appears to have been burying. E.g. You have just heard a gunshot to the northwest.
-
If the search requires
+
In preparation for the search day, ensure that all equipment
 +
that might be necessary is on hand and available to the overhead
 +
team. Ensure radios are charged. Recheck with the landowner. Ensure
 +
that any props and clues are in place. Have rabbit(s) who will lay
 +
the trail and clues exactly coinciding with the scenario. If having
 +
live rabbits, ensure they are capable, adequately prepared and have
 +
proper clothing, food and necessities. Consider any hazards and how
 +
they should be handled. Always ensure the safety of the rabbits and
 +
all search participants. Consider whether you need to appoint a
 +
search manager in advance of the search. Consider alternatives for
 +
weather changes, expected participants not showing up, too quick or
 +
too slow resolution of the search and rescue components and other
 +
contingencies.
 +
 
 +
On the search day, if having live rabbits, send them out with
 +
specific instructions at times corresponding to the scenario. Brief
 +
the rabbits thoroughly, including there expected behavior on being
 +
found. Make sure that there is someone to drive the bus. If the
 +
number of searchers is more or less than what was anticipated,
 +
reduce or expand the search as may be necessary. This can be done
 +
by creating search boundaries or making an assumption that certain
 +
areas are being searched by other groups. If the search requires
special skills (e.g. High angle rescue) but you don't have the
special skills (e.g. High angle rescue) but you don't have the
resources to handle that skill, determine how that situation will
resources to handle that skill, determine how that situation will
-
be handled when encountered.
+
be handled when encountered. Always bare safety in mind. Someone
 +
should be ready to inform the search manager of safety concerns
 +
that have been overlooked.
-
== Real vs. Pretend ==
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At the conclusion of the search, make sure that every searcher
-
Determine what portions of the scenario will be acted out exactly and what portions will be recreated so as to assume they've actually happened.
+
is accounted for. Make sure there is time and space for a
 +
debriefing and critique. Pick up any clues or props that were
 +
missed. Make sure that all equipment is clean and put away
 +
properly. Thank landowners and people who contributed to the
 +
search.
 +
 
 +
= Steps for Preparing Mock Search =
 +
 
 +
== Determine what planning information should not be widely known. ==
 +
Decide what the goals of this mock search will be and whether
 +
the emphasis will be for the overhead team or for the searchers. In
 +
some cases the emphasis can be on both. These notes concentrate
 +
mostly on a mock search for searchers.
 +
 
 +
For example, if the intent is to test the the overhead team, the
 +
members of the team should not be involved in the planning. It
 +
might be intended that they not even be aware that a mock search is
 +
being planned.
 +
== Recruit a planning group. ==
 +
 +
== Decide what the goals of the training exercise are. ==
 +
 +
== Determine major participants. ==
 +
 +
== Set a date. ==
 +
If possible, develop a group
 +
to help with the planning.
 +
 +
People tend to forget about the mock. Dates that are soon after
 +
the monthly meeting may work better because the members will have
 +
the reminder from the monthly announcements and from the
 +
meeting.
 +
 +
* Check with participants for possible conflicts.
 +
 +
== Announce the date. Invite the participants.==
 +
* Give each group as much lead time as possible.
 +
* Gently twist the arm of important participants that are otherwise reluctant.
 +
== Sketch the scenario.==
 +
some possibilities: hospital walk-away, dispondant, lost child,
 +
visitor, foul play, hiding, animal attack, vehicle breakdown,
 +
delayed hunter, injured hunter, weather prevents travel, downed
 +
plane, disaster, lost vehicle, accident, evidence, rescue.
 +
 +
* Type of Setting.
 +
 +
* Subject Profile(s).
 +
** Name.
 +
** Age.
 +
** Classification (Dispondant, Berry Picker, etc.)
 +
** Clothing.
 +
 +
* Cause of crisis.
 +
* Nature of injuries, signs, symptoms.
 +
* Before crisis behaviour.
 +
* After crisis behaviour.
 +
 +
== Determine what portions of the scenario will be acted out exactly and what portions will be recreated so as to assume they've actually happened.==
For example, will the mock victim actually be
For example, will the mock victim actually be
out as long as the scenario says he has been. What resources will
out as long as the scenario says he has been. What resources will
Line 174: Line 170:
* From the victims' point of view.
* From the victims' point of view.
-
* From the searchers' point of view. The portions that will be recreated may require special planning to carry them off. PCSAR has a bag full of props in the [[equipment shed]] that can be used as clues, including old cell phone, clothes, shoes, etc.
+
* From the searchers' point of view. The portions that will be recreated may require special planning to carry them off. PCSAR has a bag full of props in the shed that can be used as clues, including old cell phone, clothes, shoes, etc.
There's a dummy of a child. We can also borrow the fire
There's a dummy of a child. We can also borrow the fire
department's Rescue Randy.
department's Rescue Randy.
-
== Area ==
+
== Pick the search area.==
-
Pick the search area.
+
-
 
+
-
Once you have determined the
+
-
site, secure the necessary permissions for the use of the land. If
+
-
you intend to alter the terrain in any way, get the permission of
+
-
the land owner. Consider whether you will need to notify neighbors
+
-
or others who may be affected by the search, bearing in mind the
+
-
fact that searchers may end up outside the search area. If the
+
-
weather is subject to change, how will that change affect the site
+
-
and the search, e.g. What will happen if it snows or rains?
+
-
 
+
-
 
+
* Arrange permission with necessary authorities.
* Arrange permission with necessary authorities.
 +
== Estimate how long the exercise will run.==
-
Recheck with the landowner on the day of the search.
+
== Pick the volunteer(s) to act as mock victims.==
-
=== Often used areas ===
+
-
West end of Town
+
-
* {{link|Image:Members:TownWestSearchAreas.odg}}
+
-
* {{link|Image:Members:TownWestSearchAreas.pdf}}
+
-
* {{link|Image:Members:2013-09-03 23 57 49u-scan.pdf|possible segmentation}}
+
-
== Equipment ==
+
== Plan how to maintain the safety of the mock victims.==
-
In preparation for the search day, ensure that all equipment
+
-
that might be necessary is on hand and available to the overhead
+
-
team. Ensure radios are charged.
+
-
 
+
-
Make sure that there is someone to drive the mobile command post.
+
-
 
+
-
== Props ==
+
-
Ensure
+
-
that any props and clues are in place.
+
-
 
+
-
== Pick mock victims ==
+
-
Pick the volunteer(s) to act as mock victims.
+
-
 
+
-
== Mock victim safety ==
+
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Plan how to maintain the safety of the mock victims.
+
-
== Brief the mock victims/witnesses ==
+
== Brief the mock victims.==
* Safety.
* Safety.
* How to help make the training exercise a successful learning experience.
* How to help make the training exercise a successful learning experience.
Line 224: Line 189:
* Appropriate planting of clues.
* Appropriate planting of clues.
* How to communicate nature of injuries.
* How to communicate nature of injuries.
 +
== Plan for unexpected contingencies that may affect the usefulness of the training exercise.==
-
Have rabbit(s) who will lay
 
-
the trail and clues exactly coinciding with the scenario. If having
 
-
live rabbits, ensure they are capable, adequately prepared and have
 
-
proper clothing, food and necessities. Consider any hazards and how
 
-
they should be handled. Always ensure the safety of the rabbits and
 
-
all search participants.
 
-
 
-
On the search day, if having live rabbits, send them out with
 
-
specific instructions at times corresponding to the scenario. Brief
 
-
the rabbits thoroughly, including there expected behavior on being
 
-
found.
 
-
 
-
== Contingencies ==
 
-
Consider alternatives for
 
-
weather changes, expected participants not showing up, too quick or
 
-
too slow resolution of the search and rescue components and other
 
-
contingencies.
 
-
 
-
Plan for unexpected contingencies that may affect the usefulness of the training exercise.
 
* Too many or not enough of the major participants.
* Too many or not enough of the major participants.
* Unexpectedly unavailable volunteer mock victims.
* Unexpectedly unavailable volunteer mock victims.
Line 249: Line 196:
* Weather. Most unexpected weather will enhance the training exercise. Some weather may make the training exercise useless.
* Weather. Most unexpected weather will enhance the training exercise. Some weather may make the training exercise useless.
* Too quick or too slow resolution to the search and rescue components.
* Too quick or too slow resolution to the search and rescue components.
 +
== Determine safety concerns. The search managers will do this as well, but if they miss some aspects, those concerns will have to be pointed out to them to maintain a safe training exercise. ==
-
If the
+
== Plan how to determine whether this was a successful training exercise.==
-
number of searchers is more or less than what was anticipated,
+
-
reduce or expand the search as may be necessary. This can be done
+
-
by creating search boundaries or making an assumption that certain
+
-
areas are being searched by other groups.
+
-
 
+
-
== Safety ==
+
-
Determine safety concerns. The search managers will do this as well, but if they miss some aspects, those concerns will have to be pointed out to them to maintain a safe training exercise.
+
-
 
+
-
Consider what hazards may be present. Besides examining the area,
+
-
ask the landowner(s) about any hazards on or near the site.
+
-
 
+
-
Always bare safety in mind. Someone
+
-
should be ready to inform the search manager of safety concerns
+
-
that have been overlooked.
+
-
 
+
-
At the conclusion of the search, make sure that every searcher
+
-
is accounted for.
+
-
 
+
-
== Lessons learned ==
+
-
Plan how to determine whether this was a successful training exercise.
+
-
 
+
How to find out what to do to make a better training
How to find out what to do to make a better training
exercise next time.
exercise next time.
-
Make sure there is time and space for a
+
== Plan the social component.==
-
debriefing and critique.
+
-
 
+
-
== Assigned roles ==
+
-
 
+
-
Consider whether you need to appoint a
+
-
search manager in advance of the search.
+
-
 
+
-
== Social component ==
+
-
Consider whether there will be a
+
-
social function (pot luck/BBQ) at the conclusion of the
+
-
search.
+
-
 
+
-
Plan the social component.
+
-
 
+
Perhaps a pot-luck afterwards.
Perhaps a pot-luck afterwards.
Family and friends.
Family and friends.
-
== After search ==
+
(Thanks to RoyDavidson for most of this text.)
-
* Pick up any clues or props that were missed.
+
-
* Make sure that all equipment is clean and put away properly.
+
-
* Thank landowners and people who contributed to the search.
+

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