SEARCH AND RESCUE TECHNIQUES 1.0 REPORTING PARTY INTERVIEW AND SUBJECT INFORMATION

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1 SEARCH AND RESCUE TECHNIQUES 1.0 REPORTING PARTY INTERVIEW AND SUBJECT INFORMATION The reporting party interview is typically the responsibility of the responding officer. During this interview the responding officer will try obtain all information that will be helpful in locating the subject. A lost person questionnaire, such as the one found in appendix A, may be used for documenting information. The responding deputy or Base Operations Leader will most likely do this process. They will use this information to develop the best possible search plan. Information in the following areas is vital to carrying out search and rescue operations. Source: The source of information is needed in case further information or verification of information is necessary. Multiple sources may provide different perspectives and give a better overall view of the situation. Subject name and address: Of course we need to know who we are looking for. Physical description is used to visually identify the subject Trip plans will help determine a search area. Clothing description is useful for visual identification and also identification of clues. Point Last Seen (PLS) or Last Known Position is vital in determining the search areas. Outdoor Experience: Can help us determine the subject s abilities and likely actions. Habits / Personality: Valuable in determining the subject s likely actions. Health / General Condition: Can help us determine the subject s abilities and likely actions. Equipment: Is useful for visual identification and also identification of clues. Contacts Subject would make: These should be contacted and routinely checked on. Children specific questions are valuable in determining the subject s likely actions. Group specific questions are valuable in determining the subject s likely actions.

2 Actions taken can help reduce duplication of efforts and help identify clues in the field. Media / Family Relations: Reference information for notification. Each little piece of information may seem unimportant but put together they will provide the overall picture of the situation and help us locate the subject. While you may not have access to all of the information, you should have a summary and keep these items in mind while searching. This is where we play mental detective. It is important to remember that the search plan is only as good as the latest information. Many times, pertinent facts will come to light, or change, while the search is in progress. An example would be a parent that was reluctant to report that they had recently disciplined a child. This would drastically change the scope of the search. 2.0 CONFINEMENT Confinement is the first objective in the field. As the time a subject is missing increases the possible area grows exponentially. The sooner you can confine the subject the less area that needs to be searched. Confinement can be achieved with multiple methods. With most of these methods you can use attraction techniques to draw a subject to you. 2.1 Trail Blocks ESAR teams or equivalent can place trail blocks to catch a subject traveling out of the search area. If acting as a trail block, the location should be manned until it is determined that it is not needed. 2.2 Road Blocks Roadblocks are similar to a trail blocks but on a road. This may be one of the functions of Four Rivers. Non-search and rescue personnel can also use roadblocks to limit access to area. 2.3 Lookouts Lookouts can be manned to monitor a large area or likely exit path. A small field team may be used to follow up on possible clues noted by the lookout. 2.4 Track traps Track traps are not necessarily a confinement technique but a location technique. Four Rivers can easily use track trap on road systems. By spinning a tire across a spur road intersection with a main road you create a trap. Then mark the road so that other teams know that there is a track trap. The trap can later be checked to see if any one has driven out.

3 2.5 String lines String lines can be run by an ESAR unit to provide a physical barrier for the subject. These lines sh1ould have markers showing the proper direction to base camp. 2.6 Natural Barriers Natural barriers may be waterways, mountains, ravines, or other geological boundary. These are very convenient because they are already in place. 3.0 DETECTION Detection is the deliberate attempt to locate the subject or clues left by the subject. There are basically four different categories of detection or searching. Type I - High Probability The objective of a Type I search is to quickly perform an informal check of high probability areas. The majority of subjects are found in this stage of the search. Type I searching consists of running major trails and roads to locate the subject on a defined path. This is the level of searching used to locate vehicles. This type of searching may continue even when higher levels are being implemented. The purpose would be to locate a subject that has walked out onto a road or trail.

4 Type II - Loose grid A type II search is a more formal searching method with search teams following a loose grid line, along a drainage, or natural obstacle. This is a major part of ESAR functionality. Teams will follow their barrier, or baseline, with wide spacing. Team members should be spaced so that they between two members the can see the area between them.

5 Type III - Tight grid A type III search is a formal searching method with search teams following a strict grid line with standard spacing between searchers. The first team through and area will lay a string line on a specific bearing. Members will guide left or right off of the string line. Members should be spaced so that each member can see the ground all the way to the next team member. The last person in the line will lay another grid line for the next team to follow.

6 Type IV - Evidence Searches Evidence searches occur when a law enforcement agency is in need of extra manpower to help locate evidence or clues at a crime seen. An evidence search is basically a Type III search with very close spacing -many times shoulder to shoulder and on hands and knees. Crime scene integrity is of utmost concern on an evidence search. If possible wear leather gloves. If needed, use rubber gloves under the leather gloves. Keep disturbance of the crime scene to an absolute minimum. Clues should not be handled by searchers unless under the specific instruction of law enforcement. In this type of searching nothing is too small to notice.

7 4.0 PMA During all types of searching a positive mental attitude (PMA) and keen awareness are the most valuable tools to a search. Actually concentrate on finding clues. If you were a clue, where would you be hiding? Remember to look behind you and above you. Many times a different perspective on the same area can lead to finding a clue. Finding a clue will help narrow the search area or help define a new search area, allowing resources to be used more efficiently. 5.0 ATTRACTION It is important not to rely solely on visual searching for subjects. Audio and visual attraction techniques can be very useful in drawing the subject to you, or at least to let them know that help is on the way. 5.1 Voice Checks Stop periodically and have your team yell the person s name. Listen carefully for a response. On many occasions you can hear someone before you can see them. 5.2 Sound Checks Sirens, gunshots, whistles, or other devices may be used in place of voices. The devices may be louder and their sounds may carry farther. Again listen carefully for a response. 5.3 Visual Attraction Visual attraction devices may include flashing lights, fire, smoke, aerial flares, or other devices. These techniques are especially useful at night, and can be used in conjunction with detection techniques.

8 6.0 TRACKING There are basically three methods of tracking 6.1 Tracking with trained dogs Dogs generally require a scent article for the dog to know what it is looking for. Some dogs do not require scent articles and will distinguish between tracks in the field with the help of its handler. 6.2 Man tracking Man tracking is a great method of locating a subject, but requires great skill and can be quite time consuming. 6.3 Electronic tracking Electronic tracking has multiple forms. The method we are most familiar with is the operation of Emergency Locating Transmitters, or ELT s, for locating downed aircraft. Other methods of electronic tracking will be available with the public use of Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and other technologies. In both dog tracking and man tracking the key is to start soon enough to have fresh sign and an uncontaminated search area. While Four Rivers may not be involved directly in dog tracking or man tracking, they may be used for transportation and confinement. 7.0 Evacuation 7.1 Four Goals Once a Subject is Located 1. Give immediately needed medical treatment. 2. Give the subject confidence and reassurance that they have been found and will be all right 3. Notify base operations of the location of the subject. 4. Evacuate the subject 7.2 Condition of Subject The proper methods to achieve these goals with depend upon the condition of the subject. Subjects will be found in one of three basic conditions. Lost or slightly injured, requiring only a little assistance. Injured severely enough to require assistance from others. Deceased. In all three situations notification of base is necessary as soon as possible. Base operations will need to know your location and the general condition of the subject. This will give base operations information it needs develop an evacuation plan. If the subject is deceased use a previously agreed upon code to notify base.