Light Search and Rescue Operations

1. Light Search and Rescue Operations CERT Basic Training Unit 5

2. Unit Topics CERT Basic Training Unit 5: Light Search and Rescue Operations • Safety During Search and Rescue Operations • Conducting Interior and Exterior Searches • Conducting Rescue Operations

3. Unit Objectives CERT Basic Training Unit 5: Light Search and Rescue Operations • Identify size-up requirements • Describe most common search techniques • Use safe techniques for debris removal • Use safe techniques for survivor extrication • Describe ways to protect rescuers

4. Search and Rescue • Consists of three separate operations • Size-up: Using 9-step, continual model • Search: Locating survivors and documenting • Rescue: Extricating survivors CERT Basic Training Unit 5: Light Search and Rescue Operations

5. Deciding to Attempt Rescue CERT Basic Training Unit 5: Light Search and Rescue Operations • Decision based on three factors • The risks involved for the rescuer • Greatest good for the greatest number • Resources and people available

6. Effective Search and Rescue CERT Basic Training Unit 5: Light Search and Rescue Operations • Depend on: • Effective size-up • Available Resources • Rescuer safety • Survivor safety • Rescuer Teamwork • Continuous monitoring & communication

7. Effective Search and Rescue • Trapped victim survival rate. Time of rescueSurvival rate 30 minutes 99.3% 1 day 81.0% 2 days 36.7% 3 days 33.7% 4 days 19.0% 5 days 7.4% CERT Basic Training Course Unit 5: Light Search and Rescue Operations

8. REMEMBER: CERT SIZEUP IS A CONTINUAL PROCESS CERT Sizeup • Gather Facts • Assess Damage • Consider Probabilities • Assess Your Situation • Establish Priorities • Make Decisions • Develop Plan of Action • Take Action • Evaluate Progress CERT Basic Training Unit 5: Light Search and Rescue Operations

9. Sizeup – Step 1 Gather Facts • Time of event and day of the week • Construction type/terrain • Occupancy • Weather • Hazards CERT Basic Training Unit 5: Light Search and Rescue Operations

10. Sizeup: Step 2 Assess and Communicate Damage • Survey entire perimeter to get full picture • Evaluate type of building construction • The CERT mission changes if: Damage is light Damage is moderate Damage is heavy CERT Basic Training Unit 5: Light Search and Rescue Operations

11. Light Damage • Superficial • Broken windows • Superficial cracks or breaks in wall surface • Minor damage to the interior contents • Safe to enter and remain • Treat injured in place CERT Basic Training Unit 5: Light Search and Rescue Operations

12. Moderate Damage • Visible signs of damage • Decorative work damaged or fallen • Many visible cracks or breaks in wall • Major damage to interior contents • Building still on foundation • Enter only to save lives CERT Basic Training Unit 5: Light Search and Rescue Operations

13. Heavy Damage Do not enter a building with heavy damage under any circumstances • Partial or total collapse • Tilting • Obvious structural instability • Building off foundation CERT Basic Training Unit 5: Light Search and Rescue Operations

14. Identifying Structural Damage Stay away from leaning buildings – there is a great possibility of a future collapse with an aftershock or from the weight of the building CERT Basic Training Course Unit 5: Light Search and Rescue Operations

15. Identifying Structural Damage • Examine floor lines from foundation to roof - Window and Door lines - Garage doors & Entry - Is the building leaning? - Sides of building - Look at nearby buildings • Look for any parts of building not parallel to each other CERT Basic Training Course Unit 5: Light Search and Rescue Operations

16. Identifying Structural Damage • Look for large cracks around: - Foundation and or mud sills - Garage doors - Entry ways • Out-of-line cripple walls CERT Basic Training Course Unit 5: Light Search and Rescue Operations

17. Structural Damage CERT Basic Training Course Unit 5: Light Search and Rescue Operations

18. Structural Damage CERT Basic Training Course Unit 5: Light Search and Rescue Operations

19. Sizeup: Step 3 Consider Probabilities • How stable is the situation? • What else could go wrong? • What does it mean for the search and rescue? CERT Basic Training Unit 5: Light Search and Rescue Operations

20. Sizeup: Step 4 Assess Your Situation • Is the situation safe enough to continue? • What risks will rescuers face? • What resources are needed? • What resources are available? CERT Basic Training Unit 5: Light Search and Rescue Operations

21. Rescue Resources (If Available) • Trained Firefighters Police Nurse, Doctors Contractor • Tools Crowbars Auto jacks Chainsaws • Equipment CERT Basic Training Unit 5: Light Search and Rescue Operations

22. Sizeup: Step 5 Establish Priorities • What should be done? • In what order? • How to rescue the greatest number in the shortest amount of time? CERT Basic Training Unit 5: Light Search and Rescue Operations

23. Sizeup: Step 6 Make Decisions • Keep in mind: • Safety of CERT members • Life safety for survivors and others • Protection of the environment • Protection of property • Communicate with Command Staff • Actions, Needed resources CERT Basic Training Unit 5: Light Search and Rescue Operations

24. Sizeup: Step 7 Develop Plan of Action • Focus operation on established priorities and decisions • Provide for documentation to give to responding agencies • Provide for documentation to become part of CERT records CERT Basic Training Unit 5: Light Search and Rescue Operations

25. Sizeup: Step 8 Take Action • Based on plan developed during Step 7 • Be watchful for the unexpected • Document actions CERT Basic Training Unit 5: Light Search and Rescue Operations

26. REMEMBER: CERT SIZEUP IS A CONTINUAL PROCESS Sizeup: Step 9 Evaluate Progress • Most critical step • Monitor plan’s effectiveness and safety CERT Basic Training Unit 5: Light Search and Rescue Operations

27. Creating a Safe Environment Maintain rescuer safety Triage in lightly and moderately damaged buildings Evacuate survivors as quickly as possible CERT Basic Training Unit 5: Light Search and Rescue Operations

28. Specific Safety Considerations • Make rescuer safety primary concern • Use a buddy system • Be alert for hazards • Use safety equipment • Rotate teams Biggest dangers: secondary collapse, disorientation CERT Basic Training Unit 5: Light Search and Rescue Operations

29. If you see collapsed floors or walls, get out! Structural Voids X X X • Utilities Pancake Void X X ‘V’ Void X = Voids X Lean-to Void CERT Basic Training Unit 5: Light Search and Rescue Operations

30. Individual Voids • Spaces where survivors may seek protection • Bathtubs • Underneath desks • Inside cabinets • Under/next to beds • Inside closets • Children may be too frighten to respond CERT Basic Training Unit 5: Light Search and Rescue Operations

31. Utility Dangers • When approaching fallen or damaged utility wires, assume that all wires are charged (even phone & TV lines!) • If you smell gas as you enter the building, get out and shut the gas off • Only reenter the building when the smell of gas has disappeared Safety is first priority! CERT Basic Training Course Unit 5: Light Search and Rescue Operations

32. Rescue Operations • Remove objects and debris to free survivors and create safe rescue environment • Triage survivors • Remove survivors CERT Basic Training Unit 5: Light Search and Rescue Operations

33. Precautions to Minimize Risk • Know your limitations • Follow safety procedures • Remove debris by: • Leveraging • Cribbing CERT Basic Training Unit 5: Light Search and Rescue Operations

34. Search Markings CERT Basic Training Unit 5: Light Search and Rescue Operations

35. Upon entering search area: Make a slash Enter info Search Markings Date Time In Time Out Areas Searched CERT I.D. • Upon leaving search area: • Complete ‘X’ • Enter info Survivors CERT Basic Training Unit 5: Light Search and Rescue Operations

36. Search Markings Example: 2/15/08 In: 1430 Out: 1515 Floor 1-2 searched Stairs to Floor-3 unsafe CERT-23 2 Live Moved to CERT-23 med ops CERT Basic Training Unit 5: Light Search and Rescue Operations

37. Search Methodology • Call out to survivors, “If anyone can hear my voice, come here.” Then listen. • Ask any survivors who do respond for more information about the building or others who may be trapped • Survivors might be in shock or confused • Children tend to hide CERT Basic Training Unit 5: Light Search and Rescue Operations

38. Search Methodology • Bottom-up/top-down for a multi-story building • Right wall/left wall for a single floor • Check all 6 sides • Stop frequently to listen CERT Basic Training Unit 5: Light Search and Rescue Operations

39. Search Methodology • Stop frequently to listen for: • Tapping • Movement • Voices • Pet sounds • Triangulate to locate a hidden victim • Move slowly, testing the floor • Mark each individual apartment CERT Basic Training Unit 5: Light Search and Rescue Operations

40. Search Methodology Triangulation allows rescuers to view a location from several perspectives CERT Basic Training Unit 5: Light Search and Rescue Operations

41. Search Methodology Keep records of rescued survivors and of those who remain trapped or are dead Report information to Incident Commander who reports to emergency services personnel CERT Basic Training Unit 5: Light Search and Rescue Operations

42. Exterior Search • Set up a grid search • Set distance between searchers according to visibility and debris • Overlap patterns for full coverage • Search in as straight a line as possible • Mark areas that have been searched CERT Basic Training Unit 5: Light Search and Rescue Operations

43. Back straight Bend knees Keep load close to body Push up with legs Proper Lifting Procedures CERT Basic Training Unit 5: Light Search and Rescue Operations

44. Leveraging and Cribbing • For heavy lifting • Performed in tandem • Helps extricate survivors • Various materials and objects may be used. ~ Video CERT Basic Training Unit 5: Light Search and Rescue Operations

45. Leveraging and Cribbing • Need 5 or 6 person squad • First stage in crib Support space under object to stabilize Lever with fulcrum • Next stage is lift one cribbing height Add cribbing pieces but never reach under Lower onto crib to test • Repeat to free victim (Manual pp 5-30 to 5-34) CERT Basic Training Course Unit 5: Light Search and Rescue Operations

46. Two Types of Removal • Walking Wounded • Lifts and drags CERT Basic Training Unit 5: Light Search and Rescue Operations

47. Which Extrication Method? • General stability of the immediate environment • Number of rescuers available • Strength and ability of the rescuers • Condition of survivor CERT Basic Training Unit 5: Light Search and Rescue Operations

48. One-Person Arm Carry Lift around survivor’s back and under knees Lift survivor by keeping your own back straight and lifting with legs CERT Basic Training Unit 5: Light Search and Rescue Operations

49. Pack-Strap Carry CERT Basic Training Unit 5: Light Search and Rescue Operations

50. Two-Person Carry CERT Basic Training Unit 5: Light Search and Rescue Operations