Search and Rescue Training

1. Search and Rescue Training CLASS 5 Learning to Search Efficiently and Accurately

2. Agenda Class 5 • 3 ½ Hours. • SAR Resources. • Ropes and Knots in SAR. • Victims Packaging and Stabilization. • Transport. • Practical Exercise.

3. SAR Resources • Resources: A source of aid or supply! • Any good SAR plan will include general SAR resources and a list of specialized resources. This list will be a continuous changing document. • SAR resources come in a variety of ways such as types of strategy and tactical capabilities of each unit or unit members.

4. SAR Resources (continued) • SAR resources can be categorized by the types or tactical capabilities. • The type of environment and special techniques needed for each mission such as: • Air Search • Water/river search • Technical rock/high angel • Land search • Specialized-dive or cave rescue

5. Resource Evaluation • AVAILABILITY: Are they available immediately to respond? • RESPONSE TIME: How long will it take them to arrive? • CAPABILITY: Can they do what you want them to do? • QUALIFICAITONS: Are they the state-of the-art? • BACK UP: Do you have a Plan “B” in case they call and cancel? • COST: Do they charge for their service?

6. Trained Searchers • Hasty teams are highly mobile, clue conscious teams which can quickly check “high probability” areas, hazardous areas. Search for “clues” and the “victim”. • Can provide thorough search.

7. SAR Resources • Four to Six Hours: is generally considered the average usefulness of a field searcher per 24 hour period. • Effective searching requires: • an alert mind • an able body • acute senses • Every searcher must be: • rested • conditioned (mentally and physically) • well nourished

8. Water Rescue/Recovery Units • Units or individuals with skills and equipment to search, rescue, or recover in swift water or deep water. • Drowning recovery operations resources: • Trained Personnel: how many needed and for how long? • Boats: how many needed and appropriate for mission? • Divers: are they qualified? • Search dogs: are they trained? • Fish Finders with Print-Out: can you interpret? • Drag Bars: do personnel know how to use? • Pike Poles: Good for probing. • Underwater video/cameras: • Marker buoys and GPS.

9. Aircraft Fixed Wing • KY Civil Air Patrol. (CAP) • Mostly small single engine aircraft. • Most effective in large open areas. • Finding lost subjects in heavy forest is extremely difficult therefore POD is relatively low. • The CAP will not be activated unless there is the possibility of subject still being alive. • Allow two to four hours for response. • Must receive approval from US Air Force Langley AFB, VA.

10. Aircraft-Kentucky National Guard Helicopters • KyNG helicopters are used on a highly limited basis. • KyNG must pay for flight crews when used for civilian purposes and is extremely expensive. • Several hours to get approval and another few hours to contact flight crews. • KyNG has two Black Hawk Helicopters with Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR). Can be used for search but limitation of their use, they are not effective in forests.

11. Aircraft-Private Medical Helicopters • Aero-Medial are accessible since many rescue missions occur near a town with a Class I Trauma Center. • Flight Nurses specially qualified in critical care and medical. • Carry from two to four patients, depending on the type of craft. • These “Air Ambulance” services provide immediate response by an emergency medical team going to the patient, once stabilized, the patient is then returned as rapidly as possible to the hospital.

12. Aircraft-Law Enforcement • Many local law enforcement departments operate helicopters for law enforcement. • SAR teams should know the limitations of local law enforcement helicopters and their pilots.

13. Aircraft-Military Medical Helicopters • TIKI MAST: Tennessee, Indiana, Kentucky, Illinois, Military Assistance to Safety and Traffic. • Hospital officials, or other responsible persons as designated in MAST Operational Plan may initiate a MAST request. • MAST Missions are of three kinds: • On-Site pickups (Road Sides) • Urgent Patient Transfers (Inter-Hospital Transfers) • Medical Supplies Support (Blood Runs, etc.) .

14. Aircraft-TIKI MAST (cont.) • Fort Campbell maintains one helicopter and crew (Primary) in an immediate alert status 24 hours a day, seven days a week. • A second (Standby) helicopter and crew is maintained on a 30 minute response alert. • Criteria required for the acceptance of MAST mission. • A need to prevent the death or further injury to a patient. • A need for evacuation where MAST is the only available means of transportation. • If a mission can be completed by a civilian organization, the mission must be turned down by that organization before MAST is called. • Can fly when other units can not, due to weather etc.

15. Search Dogs • Different types of search dogs there use, and restrictions. • The types of dogs used in searching for lost persons vary. The primary questions a search manager must consider: • Can they do what you want them to do? • Is the handler skilled and knowledgeable in SAR? • Is the dog non-aggressive (not attack trained)? • Can they work with other SAR dog teams? • Are they air scenting or tracking/trailing dogs? • Do they search at night and in any weather?

16. Search Dogs • AIR SCENTING: • Dog works with their nose up into the wind. • Does not require a scent article. • Works off-lead. • Seeks source of generic human scent. • Performs a recall when a person is found.

17. Search Dogs • TRACKING: • Dog works with nose down to ground, follows the persons footsteps. • Works on-lead. • Scent discriminate and requires a scent article. • Must keep search area clear of searchers to be effective.

18. Search Dogs • TRAILING: • Dog works with nose down, follows scent. • Works on-lead. • Is scent discriminate and requires scent article • Must keep search area clear of searchers to be effective.

19. Search Dogs Environmental Factors • WILDERNESS: Search area of moderate to rough terrain with underbrush. Can search at night during most weather conditions. • WATER: Search extensive areas of water for drowned persons from boat or bank. • CADAVER: To find bodies hidden from view. • COLLAPSED STRUCTURE: Search small areas for survivors, bodies buried under debris. • POPULATED AREAS: Can indicate if and where a person left area by entering vehicle.

20. BREAK

21. High Angle/Helicopter Rescue

22. High Angle/Rough Terrain Teams • Teams trained in high angle or rough terrain rescue with skills and equipment to operate effectively in mountainous, hilly or remote areas.

23. Cave Rescue Teams • Ky has many caves, we also have some of the nations finest cave rescue teams. • A network of cave rescue teams are available to assist with cave or high angle rescues. • Teams have trained personnel and equipment to respond within a few hours.

24. Urban Search and Rescue Teams • FEMA has created twenty-five rescue teams, specialty trained for response to large catastrophic events. • They are self-contained with equipment for extricating victims trapped in collapsed structures. • Activation is authorized by FEMA. • Kentucky is developing smaller versions of these teams in Western Ky, in event of EQ.

25. Other Specialized Resources • Attraction Devices: Lights, sirens, lights, etc. • Night Vision Goggles: Highly beneficial but cost prohibits large quantities for ground teams. • Photos-Aerial-Infrared: Detect5 warm bodies or warmth of any kind. Aerial photos could yield signs of tracts, wreckage, etc. • Communications Support: Additional support from HAM operators, ARES/RACES units or REACT units. • Logistical Support: Food and shelter, by civic organizations, Red Cross, Salvation Army, Church groups, etc. • Weather Information: Flight Service, National Weather Service, TV and Radio stations.

26. “Ropes and Knots” Used in Search and Rescue • Types of Rope. • Rope Design. • Importance of care. • Use of Ropes and Knots in SAR.

27. Ropes and Knots • Two categories of ropes: • Natural materials are silk, manila, sisal, and cotton. However, these types of rope are no longer recommended for rescue. • Synthetic fiber ropes are stronger, last longer and do not rot.

28. Ropes and Knots • Synthetic ropes characteristics. • NYLON: Is most commonly used in rescue. Used in caving, mountain climbing, rappelling. • Higher melting points. • Higher breaking strength. • Has some stretch is good for absorbing shock. • Damaged when exposed to gasoline, battery acid, bleaches and strong hazardous materials

29. Ropes and Knots • Synthetic ropes characteristics. • POLYESTER: Has approximately half the shock load of nylon • Has excellent breaking strength similar to nylon • Resist water and most chemicals. • More susceptible to damage from strong alkalis. • Has same melting temperature as nylon.

30. Ropes and Knots • Synthetic ropes characteristics. • POLYOLEFINS (polypropylene/polyethylene): Primarily used in marine applications and particularly suited for all types of water activities. • Floats in water • Resists freezing. • Does not absorb water. • Is not weakened by water. • Has a low breaking strength. • Has a low melting point. • Less energy absorption of nylons therefore stretch quite a bit.

31. Ropes and Knots • Synthetic ropes characteristics. • KEVLAR: Many rock and mountain climbers use it in their cords for protection (chocks, nuts, etc.) • Has poor energy absorption. • Resists high temperature very well. • Damages very easily if frequently flexed, and from abrasion. • Is not recommended for rappeling, ascending, belaying or in lowering or hauling systems.

32. Ropes Design • LAID ROPE (hard or soft): Three twisted strands. • Most laid ropes have been replaced by kernmantle ropes. • KERNMANTLE (static=low stretch/or dynamic=high stretch): Braided sheath covering a core. • Difficult to damage the core without damaging the sheath. • Does not twist as much as laid rope. • Most common used rope in rescue. • BRAIDED: Three ropes braided together. • Venerable to abrasions. • DOUBLE BRAIDED: A solid-braded sheath surrounding a single braided core to form a single rope. • Flexible in design. • Easily damaged to abrasion. • Easily breaks.

33. Ropes and Knots • STRENGTH: Strength is only one of the criteria for choosing a rope. • Ropes rarely fail in the field or during use. • Rather they are damaged by the environment or by misuse or improper handling. • COLORS: The natural color of nylon is off-white, dye must be added which affects its strength. • Coloring rope serves a purpose; • To distinguish the difference between hauling, rappeling, and lowering systems. • Colors may indicate differences in use, size, length and age of rope.

34. 10 Rules of Rope Etiquette • Never Step on or Drag a Rope. • Use a Rope in a Reasonable Manner and Keep a Log. • Protect Rope from Abrasion. • Do Not Leave the Rope Under Tension for Long Periods of Time and Remove Knots After Immediate Use. • Store Rope Properly. • Soiled Rope Should be Washed so it Will Last Longer and Perform Better. • Avoid UV Light and High Temperatures. • Try to Avoid Kinking from Occurring While Coiling a Rope. • Check the Rope for Damage Often.

35. Ropes (Should be replaced if) • DISCOLORATION: May indicate heat or chemical damage. • SHEATH WEAR: If more than half the fibers in the sheath are broken or the core is visible. • SOFT or SHINGY SPOTS: • Indicates the inner core has been damage or if shiny, heat fusion has occurred. • DIRT, CHEMICALS, or FOREIGN MATERIALS: Oil, grease, chemicals,or just plain dirt can be harmful to the rope. • HISTORY and/or CONFIDENCE: Has the rope been subjected to overloading, stress and shock loads? Who used it last and for what purpose? How old is it?

36. Knots • “Knot” is a term used to describe any one of many ways to attach rope or webbing to an object or itself. • A “hitch” is a knot where a rope is tied to an object or another rope. • A “bend” is a knot that joins two ropes. • A “bight” is an open loop formed when a rope is doubled back on itself. • A “backup knot” is a knot used to secure the tail of another. • A backup” knot is also called a safety or keeper. • The key to knowing knots and remembering knots is practice, practice, practice.

37. Knots • Knots have certain characteristics and sometimes specific uses. When considering which knot to use, consider the following: • Is it easy to tie? • Is it easy to untie after loading? • Is it secure or will it work itself loose? • Can it be easily inspected to see if its tied correctly or properly? • Is it easy to teach to others? • Is it strong relative to other knots? • Neatness does count with knots. Make sure all stands within the knot are not unnecessarily crossed or tangled. A sloppy knot is tied wrong!

38. BREAK

39. Know how to tie a few knots well, and use them often

40. Knots-Overhand Knot

41. Knots-Half Hitch

42. Knots-Simple Figure Eight • The figure eight family of knots is the most versatile group of knots and is the one highly used in rescue today. • Versatility in knots means that one knot can be used safely and appropriately in several situations.

43. Knots-Simple Figure Eight

44. Stabilize • Includes caring for any injuries as well as providing for physical comfort and safety of subject. Injures may be potential ones, prevented by water or warm dry clothing, or may be real ones such as a fractured femur or severe hypothermia.

45. Victim Packaging and Stabilization • First Aid: Always provide First Aid to your victim! • A. Airway- Is airway open? • B. Breathing- Are they breathing? • C. Circulation- Is their heart working? • “If not” start CPR. Call for help!

46. Victim Packaging

47. Victim Packaging and Stabilization • Stabilization of Patient! • Splint Breaks and Fractures. • Stop Bleeding. • Support Cervical Spine. • Immobilization: • Use Spine Board! • Use Stokes Basket. • First Aid: Always provide First Aid to your victim!

48. Transport • May be as simple as leading subject down a trail, or an extremely difficulty evacuation.

49. Evacuation

50. Transport of Victim • If the subject is deceased, evacuate only if and when there is no risk to rescuers. • Decide on the easiest route. • Appoint route-finder, with radio and markers, to report hazards, problems. • Use litter teams of 6-8. Normally, more then 20 minutes per shift. (3 teams min.) • A radio carrier brings up rear.