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Glossary of Basic Ground Search and Rescue TerminologyAccident - An unplanned and uncontrolled
event in which the action or reaction of an object, wildlife or person
has the potential to cause personal injury or property loss. Active Search Tactics - Includes all types of searching
other than passive. Open
grid, closed grid, initial response, canine search, and so on… Air SAR - The
employment of aircraft for the conduct of any type of SAR operation.
In the context of federal SAR operations, the term defines a SAR
incident that involves an aircraft. Air Scent Dog -
A search dog that attempts to find a lost subject by locating the
cone of airborne scent that is emitted by the person. Agency - An
agency is a division of government with a specific function, or a non-governmental
organization (e.g. private contractor, business, etc.) that offers a particular
kind of assistance. In ICS,
agencies are defined as jurisdictional ( having statutory responsibility
for incident mitigation) or assisting and / or cooperation ( providing
resources and / or assistance). Agency Representative - An individual assigned to
an incident from an assisting or cooperating agency who has been delegated
full authority to make decisions on all matters affecting the agency’s
participation at the incident. Agency Representatives report
to the Incident Liaison Officer. Aging sign and track - The ability to determine how
long ago a particular piece of sign or track was produced. Alert Data - Generic
term for COSPAS-SARSAT 406 Mhz and 121.5 Mhz alert data derived from 406
Mhz and 121.5 Mhz distress beacon information.
Alert data may contain beacon position and other beacon information
such as beacon identification data and coded information. Altimeter - An
instrument that measures elevation by using barometric ( air ) pressure. Archival Data -
Information from past search incidents which is collected and collated
for future search planning. Assignment - The
task assigned to a member of the search team that falls within their scope
of training. Assisting Agency - An agency directly contributing
tactical or service resources to another agency. Attraction - A
search tactic involving attempts to signal the subject and get him or
her to travel toward searchers. Techniques include the use
of sound as well as visual signals. Avalanche - Defined
in dictionaries as a mass of snow, rock, and ice falling down a mountain.
In practice the term avalanche refers to the snow avalanche unless
the words rock, ice, mud, etc. are specifically used. Azimuth - Same
as bearing. Refers to the degree of bearing from your current position
to a landmark or destination. Reversing the bearing would
be known as a back azimuth or back bearing. Back Bearing - The 180-degree opposite of
the azimuth or bearing. Also
known as a back azimuth. Back Country -
The area beyond mid-country access. More than four hours walking
distance of a vehicle-navigable road/track or trail head. Base - The
location at which primary logistics functions for an incident are coordinated
and administered. There is only one Base per
incident. ( Incident name or other designator will be added to term Base.)
The incident Command Post may be co-located or shared with the
Base. Basic Life Support - A combination of emergency
responses which maintains the ABC priorities: AIRWAY, BREATING, and CIRCULATION. Bastard Search -
A search for a subject that is not in the area. Same as Bogus search. Bearing - The
direction of travel from your current position to a landmark of destination
expressed in degrees from 1 to 360. Same as azimuth. Belay - To
belay is to use a rope or ropes attached to a secure position and used
to steady the movement of stretchers or to facilitate the secure movement
of searchers up or down a slope. Bench Mark - A
permanent object that is either natural or man-made and is a known elevation
that can be used as a reference point when navigating. Binary Search Method - A search strategy that involves
sending sign cutters in a direction that is perpendicular to the subject’s
assumed direction of travel, in an effort to narrow down the size of the
search area. Body Recovery - The retrieval of human remains following
a fatal incident. Bogus Search -
A search for a subject who is not in the area. Same as a bastard search. Briefing - The
process of providing searchers with the information they need to adequately
perform their task. Branch - That
organization having functional or geographical responsibility for major
parts of incident operations. In ICS the branch level is
organizationally between Section and Division/Group in the operations
Section, and between Section and Units in the Logistics Section.
Branches are identified by the use of Roman Numerals or by functional
names (e.g. medical, security, etc. ) Cache - A pre-established complement
of tools, equipment, and/or supplies stored in a designated location,
available for incident use. Call-out - The
executive command to mount an operation whereby all personal are required
to deploy. Camp - A
geographical site, within the general incident area separate from the
incident Base, equipped and staffed to provide sleeping, food, water,
and sanitary services to incident personnel. Carabiner - An
oval or pear shaped snaplink usually made of aluminum or steel that connects
different elements of a rescue chain, such as a rope to an anchor, or
two ropes. All carabiners used in SAR
must have a locking gate. Cardiac Arrest -
Heart action has ceased and the blood no longer circulates. Cardinal Points - The four main points of direction
on a compass are North, 360 degrees; East, 90 degrees; South, 180 degrees;
and West, 270 degrees. Casie III - A
popular computer program used for search planning. Casualty Staging Area - An intermediate forward location
where survivors can be treated prior to evacuation to appropriate medical
facilities. Class I Tactic -
Rapid response to areas of high probability by immediately available
search resources. See also
Hasty Search. Class II Tactic - A fast but systematic search
of high probability areas using techniques that produce relatively high
POD’s. ( probability of detection)
Class III Tactic - A slow, systematic search,
using highly thorough techniques such as grid searching. Closed Grid Search - A closed grid search will
normally be carried out with searcher spacing of less than 10 metres.
This method of is considered extremely thorough and is often taken
as evidence that the victim or clue is not in the area searched. Clue - A
message or signal that serves to reduce uncertainty with respect to the
subject’s location, as well as identification purposes for Police authorities. Clue Awareness -
The ability to perceive clues left by the subject ( e.g. tracks
and other sign), rather than just the subject himself. Command Post (CP) - That location at which the
primary command and control functions are executed. It is usually located with
the search base. Command Staff -
In ICS those officers who contribute to the command function and
report directly to the Incident Commander ( or Search Manager ) and may
include any Safety Officers, Liaison Officers, Information Officers, and
Technical Specialists. Confinement -
Confinement procedures ensure that the subject of a search cannot
leave the area without the searchers being aware of the departure.
Some of the techniques used are: road blocks, trail blocks, lookouts,
camp-ins, track traps and string lines.
Containment -
Taking steps to ensure that the subject does not travel out of
the search area, aka confinement. Contour Lines -
Each contour line on a map comprises an often irregular closed
loop that connects points of equal elevation. Elevations are printed on
some of the lines on a regular basis and elevations refer to elevation
above sea level. Contusion - An
injury resulting from the impact of a blunt object is called a bruise
or a contusion. Although the skin is not broken,
tissue damage and swelling often occur. Coordinated SAR System - The combined facilities, equipment,
and procedures established interacting, to provide the response to search
and rescue incidents. COSPAS-SARSAT -
A satellite-aided search and rescue system based on low-altitude
near-polar-orbiting satellites designed to locate distress beacons transmitting
on frequencies 121.5 Mhz, 243 Mhz, and 406 Mhz. Craft - Any
air or water-surface vehicle, or submersible of any kind or size. Crew Leader -
In ICS, the person who is in charge of a single search resource
in the field (aka) team leader or sector leader. Critical Incident Stress - A stress reaction experienced
by emergency responders during the incident that may have long term, debilitating
psychological and physiological effects upon them. Critical Separation - Critical separation is determined
by two searchers walking away from a simulated subject in opposite directions,
until each searcher can just see the simulated subject.
The distance between them is the critical separation. CSAT - Pertaining
to the large family of satellite assisted communication networks and the
devices used for satellite communication.
Cumulative Probability of Detection - The overall probability of
detection that results when a segment has been searched more than once. Cyanosis - A
condition which is characterized by a noticeable blue or gray colour in
the tongue, lips, nail beds, and skin. Cyanosis indicates that the
blood is not carrying an adequate supply of oxygen, or blood flow is curtailed. Datum - The most probable position
of a search object, corrected for drift, at any specific time. Datum Line - A
line that runs perpendicular to the base line of a search area and are
usually marked at either end of the search area to define the area adequately. Datum Marker Buoy - Droppable floating beacon
used to determine actual sea/wind vectors, or to serve as location reference. Debriefing - The
exchange of information, usually at the close of a situation, that conveys
important knowledge and experience. In critical incident stress
management, a meeting between peers and a trained counselor after a stressful
encounter at which techniques of review are used to defuse the cumulative
effects of psychological stress. Declination -
The difference in degrees between magnetic north (the direction
the magnetic needle on a compass points) and true or geographic north
(the direction maps are printed towards). Delegation of Authority - In ICS, a statement provided
to the Incident Commander by the Agency Executive delegating authority
and assigning responsibility. The Delegation of Authority
can include objectives, priorities, expectations, constraints, and other
considerations or guidelines as needed. Many agencies require written
Delegation of Authority to be given to Incident Commanders prior to their
assuming command on larger incidents. Demobilization -
Occurs at the end of a search successful or otherwise and includes
all of the sign out procedures and the return of equipment and the debriefing
as well as the reorganization of personal gear for the next response Department of National Defence (DND) - The Department of National
Defence is responsible for conducting searches for lost or downed aircraft
over internationally agreed areas of Canadian responsibility, and for
the management of three Rescue Coordination Centres across Canada. Despondent - A
type of missing person who is severely depressed or suicidal. Director - The
ICS title for individuals responsible for supervision of a Branch. Distress - A
search and rescue incident where there is a reasonable certainty that
one or more individuals are threatened by grave and imminent danger and
require immediate assistance. Distress Alerting - The reporting of a distress
incident to a unit which can provide or coordinate assistance. Distress Beacon - A generic term used to describe
any emergency locator transmitter (ELT), emergency position-indicating
radio beacon (EPIRB), or a personal locator beacon (PLB). Ditching - The
forced landing of an aircraft on water. Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) - Aeronautical radio distress
beacon for alerting and enabling rescue units to locate the scene of the
distress. Emergency Measures Organization (EMO) - Provincially mandated organization
responsible for plans and operations of major emergency events in the
province. Also usually the
representative of the provincial authority for SAR. Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) -
A marine radio distress beacon carried aboard maritime craft, that
transmits a signal that alerts search and rescue authorities and enables
rescue units to locate the scene of the distress. Evidence - Something
legally acceptable before a court, such as an object or a witness, which
bears on or establishes an issue. In tracking, evidence is divided
into physical and incorporeal. Evidence Search - The facts, circumstances and
proof that a certain chain of events have taken place in regards to the
subject of a search. Extrication - The act of releasing people trapped in or under vehicles, industrial machines, or natural or man-made enclosures or crevices as a result of an accident. These people may or may not be injured. Field Craft - The overall body of knowledge
and experience related to the safe and successful conduct of activities
in a wilderness area. Field Evacuation - The removal of a person, usually
injured of adversely affected, from an isolated wilderness environment
to a secure staging area, command post, or control centre. First Responder - A person trained in the medical
and mechanical skills and knowledge necessary to successfully manage the
care of an individual on the first discovery until the person can either
be evacuated or placed under more intense care.
The term “First Responder” is usually associated with police, fire,
and ambulance response in the non-SAR environments. FLIR - Stands
for Forward Looking Infrared and can be mounted on a helicopter or fixed
wing aircraft. FLIR provides images
of the ground based on temperature differences, humans and animals are
easily identified on the screen. Fracture - a)
open: a situation in which a broken bone has punctured the skin surface.
b) closed: a situation in which there is no broken skin over the
site. This is also known
as a simple fracture. Front Country -
The area within one hour walking distance of a vehicle-navigable
road/track or trail head. Game Trail - A common route of travel for
animals, large and small, that usually follows the path of least resistance
in terms of terrain and vegetation. General Staff -
In ICS, the Incident Commander and the Section Chiefs ( Planning,
Operations, Logistics, and Finance/Administration ). GIS Mapping -
Geographic Information System, is a system of computer software,
hardware and data that will analyze and present information that is tied
to a spatial search area. Global Positioning System (GPS) - A specific satellite-based
system used in conjunction with mobile equipment to determine the precise
position of the mobile equipment. Grid Location -
Most maps used in search and rescue have a grid superimposed to
aid in describing the location of particular points. The rectangular grid runs
approximately north-south and east-west. A point on the map can be
described by its position relative to the grid. Grid Search -
An attempt to find the subject ( or clues ) by lining up three
or more searchers and having
them proceed in a parallel fashion through their assigned search area
( aka “sweep,” “line,” or “creeping line” search ). Ground (or Ground SAR Incident) - A “ground” search or rescue
activity is one that occurs on land. For the purposes of these
procedures, this includes the ground portion of all activities associated
with missing aircraft, and the air portion of all activities involving
searches for or rescues of people on land. Ground SAR - The
conduct of a search and rescue operation to assist persons lost, stranded,
trapped, or injured in an area on land. In northern areas, ground
SAR also includes operations on frozen waters where “ground” approach
is the most appropriate means of pursuing the incident. Ground Search Party - A group formed to conduct
all or part of an organized GSAR operation. Hasty Search - An Initial response aimed
at searching high probability areas, trails, and likely spots, usually
by the Hasty Team. Hasty Team - A
group of trained individuals, usually part of a police organization, that
can be convened quickly for the purpose of responding to an emergency
situation. Heavy Urban SAR (HUSAR) - The act of searching for and/or
rescuing persons from collapsed buildings normally caused by earthquakes
or explosions. These situations
are characterized by extensive rubble, movement of heavy debris and the
extrication of trapped persons, employing tunnelling techniques and requiring
engineering knowledge and advanced medical skills. Hip Chain - Used
to measure distance. It is a belt case containing
thin string that runs through a measuring device that registers as the
string is paid out. Biodegradable
string is recommended for a hip chain. Humanitarian Incident - A search and rescue incident
which requires a response by the SAR system to preserve human life or
relieve suffering. Human Trackers -
Searchers who attempt to follow the visible signs left by the lost
person; aka “mantrackers” or “visual trackers” Hypoxia - Low
oxygen levels. Incident Action Plans - In ICS, the plan for an incident,
including the incident objectives and other planning documents. Incident Base -
The area where all primary incident services and support activities
are located. Incident Commander - An individual charged with
functional responsibility for an entire incident. Not necessarily the highest-ranking
official, just the one in charge. Incident Command System - A widely applied management
system for handling any type of emergency incident or public event. Incident Critique - Procedure for constructive
review of an incident. Incident Objectives - Part of the Incident Action
Plan, a document outlining search objectives for the current operational
period. Information Officer - The officer in the Command
Staff who serves as the initial contact person for the media and other
persons seeking information about the incident. Initial Response - The first response to a search
event usually by a small team of 3 searchers that are fit, fast and skilled
that can quickly search high probability areas. Initial response teams
are usually trained beyond the level of the basic searcher.
Latitude - The distance in degrees north
of south from the equator. These lines run laterally
(horizontally) around the globe and parallel to the equator. One minute of latitude equals
one nautical mile. Likely Spot - Features or areas that may offer attraction to the lost person. Light Urban SAR (LUSAR) - The act of searching for and/or
rescuing persons from buildings, industrial sites, or confined spaces
using tools and equipment normally found in fire departments and in many
volunteer SAR units. Listening Post -
Can be established anywhere in and around the search area where
there is a chance that a searcher may overhear the subject of a search
trying to get someone’s attention. Local User Terminal (LUT) - A ground receiving station
which receives alert data from COSPAS-SARSAT satellites, derives the position
of the beacon, retrieves and checks coded information and forwards the
resultant information. Longitude - The
distance in degrees east and west from the prime meridian established
in Greenwich, England. These lines run vertically
(lengthwise) around the globe and connect each pole. Lookout - Is
a searcher who takes a position on a hill or ridge affording a view of
several potential travel routes. A look out will often have
a radio and a set of binoculars and will often work with a partner at
a lower elevation to inspect suspicious objects found by the look out. Lost Person -
A known individual in an unknown location, whose safety may be
threatened by conditions related to the environment or other factors.
Also the person being tracked or looked for in a SAR incident.
Lost Person Behaviour - The travel and self-help behaviour
generally exhibited by persons in various age groups, mental conditions,
or demographic type when lost. Lost Person Incident - An organized search for a
person who has been reported missing to a jurisdictional police authority. Lost Person Profile - A vivid biographical and character
sketch of a lost person, derived from information gleaned through investigation,
interviewing and the Lost Person Questionnaire. Lost Person Questionnaire - A written document that describes
all available physical and mental characteristics of a lost person. Magnetic North - The geographical region towards
which all magnetic needles point. This point is approximately
thirteen hundred miles south of the true north and moves slightly each
year due to the earth’s rotation and the friction between its solid crust
and liquid centre. Marine SAR - The
employment of vessels and/or aircraft for the conduct of a SAR operation
that occurs on or under water. Medical Plan - The plan for treating and evacuating
injured searchers. Memorandum of Understanding - An agreement drawn up to clarify
roles, responsibilities, functions, and procedures between two or more
organizations. Not binding
as a contract, but important to establish understandings and arrangements
prior to the occurrence of an emergency situation. Mid-Country -
The area within one to four hours walking distance of a vehicle-navigable
road/track or trail head. Mission Control Centre (MCC) - A COSPAS-SARSAT ground system
element which receives alert data from its local user terminal (s) and
distributes that information to affiliated SAR points of contact of forwards
it to other MCC’s. The MCC may also receive alert
data from another MCC and receive and distribute COSPAS-SARSAT system
information. Modular Organization - Sections within the ICS structure
are designed to grow in a systematic and orderly fashion as the incident
becomes larger. National Search and Rescue Program (NSP)
- The National Search and
Rescue Program is a unique undertaking involving all of Canada’s search
and rescue activities. It
is designed to integrate and coordinate federal, participating provincial,
territorial, and municipal governments, volunteer and private programs. National Search and Rescue Secretariat (NSS) - Reports to the Lead Minister
for SAR ( currently the Minister of National Defence ), coordinates the
National Search and Rescue Program which aims to facilitate SAR prevention
and response services of involved agencies, and to maintain a coordinated
national perspective on SAR. Near Urban - The
area within one hour walking distance of an urban area. Non-SAR Incident - An incident, other than a
search and rescue (SAR) incident, which requires the provision of assistance
of search and rescue units, including assistance to police for specific
operations such as apparent suicides, drug interdiction, vessel arrest,
body recoveries. Organizational Chart - The component of the Incident
Action Plan that graphically depicts the management structure for a particular
operational period. Open Grid Search - Operational Period - The period of time for which
there is a separate overhead team and Incident Action Plan; normally 12
hours. Orienteering -
Using map and compass in the field to determine your route of travel.
Has commonly come to mean a type of competition at which competitors
try to navigate across challenging terrain from point to point arriving
at the finish first. Pace - The distance between two successive
stationary positions of the same foot in walking. ( For example: 122 steps would
equal 61 paces) Passive Search Techniques - Passive techniques can include
such procedures as looking out or listening or attraction using light
or sound to draw the subject of a search to you as opposed to going out
and looking for the subject. Performance Objective - A level of skill of performance
that must be attained as part of a training program. Perimeter Cut -
Experienced trackers may be able to check the last known position
for tracks, clue, direction of travel, etc. and then sign cut the perimeter
of the area to determine if the subject has left the search area.
Therefore eliminating the need to search it. Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) - Personal radio distress beacon
for alerting and transmitting homing signals. Pilot-in-Command - The pilot responsible for
the operation and safety of the aircraft during flight time. Point Last Seen (PLS) - An essential bit of information
when initiating a search, PLS comes from a reliable source that may describe
the direction of travel, the time that the lost of missing person was
seen, and the state of the person. ( distraught, tired, frisky,
etc.). Also described as the location where a confirmed visual sighting
occurred. Police Force of Jurisdiction - The police force within whose
jurisdiction a GSAR response is initiated. As the search progresses,
the police force of jurisdiction may change at the agreement of the police
authorities involved. The
Search Commander will normally be appointed by the police force of local
jurisdiction. Preplan - A
document which provides incident managers with information, instructions,
resource lists, checklists, standard operating procedures, and technical
data that will be used during a search incident. Primary Search and Rescue Resources - Federal search and rescue
(SAR) aircraft and vessels, including those multi-tasked to SAR, established
and equipped specifically for SAR with SAR trained crews aboard.
Primary SAR resources are under the direct operational control
of the Search and Rescue Region Commander for SAR tasking. Probability Density - The POA of a specific area
or segment, divided by the size of the area. High Pden segments will normally
receive higher priority. Probability of Area (POA) - The likelihood or probability
that the subject is located in a specific area; expressed as a percentage
(e.g. 50% ) or decimal number (e.g. .50 ). Probability of Detection (POD) - The likelihood of probability
of finding clues ( assuming that clues are available to be found ), given
the nature of the search and the type of resources employed; expressed
as a percentage ( e.g. 50% ) or decimal number (e.g. .50). Probability of Success - The probability of finding
the subject in a specific place or area, given the type of search tactic
employed. Derived from the
formula POS=POA x POD. Professional -
A person to whom SAR is a principal calling, vocation, or employment
requiring specialized knowledge and often long and intensive academic
preparation, and characterized by or conforming to technical or ethical
standards. Provincial/Territorial Authority - Has overall responsibility
for the organization and management of ground search and rescue policies
within the boundaries of the province/territory, and has the authority
to put in place regulatory measures to govern the conduct of GSAR activities
with in the province. Record - Includes all of the expense forms, all of the sign in/out sheets, as well as the communications log and the equipment sign in/out log and any records or documents related to the search that may pertain to evidence and clues found and the outcome of the search. All of this information is kept as part of the teams or associations records for a reasonable amount of time. Recovery - The restoration to normal or useful condition.
See Body Recovery. Relief - The
elevations or inequalities of a land surface. Rescue - An
operation to retrieve persons in distress, provide for their initial medical
or other needs, and deliver them to a place of safety. Rescue Breathing - Mouth-to-mouth or mouth-to-nose
artificial respiration. Rescue Coordination - The function of integrating
the efforts of search and rescue (SAR) facilities and resources to achieve
concerted and harmonized resolution of SAR incidents in an effective and
efficient manner. Rescue Coordination Centre - (Now called Joint Rescue Coordination
Centre) Operations centres that operate under the overall authority of
the Department of National Defence (DND), but co-function with Canadian
Coast Guard officers. There are three RCC’s in Canada,
and their function in relation to ground SAR incidents is to coordinate,
control, and conduct air and marine SAR operations that involve federal
resources, or that operate under the authority of the RCC.
This includes providing air or marine SAR units to assist in ground
SAR incidents in response to requests from provincial SAR authorities,
depending upon the availability of resources and other priorities. Resource List -
A list of search or logistical resources that can be employed during
an incident; part of the preplan. Risk Control -
The process of decision making for managing risk and the implementation,
enforcement, and re-evaluation of its effectiveness from time to time,
with input form the results of risk assessment. Risk Management - The complete process of risk
management and risk control. A
structured, common-sense approach to reducing the frequency and severity
of loss events. Rough Terrain Responders - SAR people with skills and
equipment to work in mountains; aka “steep terrain” or “high angle” responders. Runner - a loop
of nylon webbing commonly used in rope rescue to connect SAR Volunteers - Members of an organized group
of volunteers who assist in the conduct of ground SAR incidents.
“Organized” means working cooperatively and systematically to apply
recognized skills toward the successful resolution of a GSAR incident. There are various configurations
of Canadian GSAR volunteers, and many groups have appointed officers to
be responsible for different branches of the organization, such as operations,
safety, and logistics. Scale - The
distance between two points on a map as they relate to the distance between
those two points on the earth. Scenario Analysis - An attempt to prioritize the
segments in the search area when more than one scenario is present, or
when there is conflicting information about the lost person’s PLS or direction
of travel. Scent Article -
An article of clothing or other material with which a trailing
dog can determine the subject’s unique scent. Search - A
search involves assembling, coordinating and using the necessary resources
to find lost, stranded, trapped, or injured people, to save lives or avoid
further injury to them. Searching Data -
That information that searchers require in order to search for
the lost subject, such as the subject’s name, description, clothing, footwear,
and items carried. Search and Rescue (SAR) - The combined activities and
tasks involved in both searching for and rescuing persons who are feared
to be in distress. Many searches
do not involve rescue, and many rescues do not require searches. Search and Rescue Facility - Any mobile resource, including
designated search and rescue units, used to conduct search and rescue
operations. Search and Rescue Plan - A general term used to describe
documents which exist at all levels of the international, national, provincial,
and municipal search and rescue structure to describe goals, arrangements,
and procedures which support the provision of search and rescue services. Search and Rescue Region (SRR) - An area of defined dimensions
associated with a rescue coordination centre within which search and rescue
services are provided. Search and Rescue Unit - A unit composed of trained
personnel and provided with equipment suitable for the expeditious conduct
of search and rescue operations. Search Commander - Has the overall responsibility
for the execution of the SAR operation, and who represents the authority
responsible for the area in which an incident has occurred.
This is usually a police officer assigned to the search operation
by the police force of jurisdiction. In Canadian National Parks,
the Search Commander may be a park warden. Search Dogs -
Dogs who, with their handlers, have successfully completed a course
of training resulting in the ability to track lost persons, and behave
under handler control during the search operation. Search Manager -
Under the general direction of the Search Commander, will manage
the search and lead and direct individual SAR resources. Is usually an experienced
member of a volunteer ground SAR organization or park warden, forest ranger,
or police officer. Under
special circumstances the Search Commander may act as the Search Manager. Search Tactics - Methods of searching; implementation
of strategy. Search Techniques - A body of techniques used
in the orderly conduct of a search. These include patterns of
coordinated movement, employment of sound or visual signals, self-orientation
during movement, and awareness of others and their positions. Secondary Search and Rescue Resources - All resources of the Federal
Government that are not Primary SAR Resources but which may be tasked
to aid in the resolution of a SAR incident. Segmenting the Area - Parceling the search map up
into manageable sections or segments with clearly defined boundaries. Self-locating Datum Marker Buoy - A datum marker buoy that determines
its own position and includes the position information in the transmission
of the beacon signal. These beacons usually transmit
through satellite services. Shifting POA -
Changing the probabilities of area after segments have been searched,
usually by applying the Bayesian formula. Shock - An
inadequacy of the circulation system which supplies the cells.
Shock is marked by pallor and clamminess of the skin, decreased
blood pressure, feeble rapid pulse, decreased respiration, restlessness,
anxiety, and sometimes unconsciousness. Sight Line - Sometimes
called line of sight, this refers to the imaginary line that you sight
along to take your bearing. Sign - Is
regarded as evidence of a person’s passage through a search area.
Sign Cutting -
The process of looking for sign along natural barriers such as
creeks, banks or roads. SITREP - The
short form for situation report, it usually used to give updates to the
command center and involved personnel and is often done on a scheduled
basis throughout a search. Sound Sweep - Sound sweeps utilize sound
attraction in combination with wide searcher spacing to cover large search
areas. A sound sweep is 3
to 4 times more effective than a visual sweep and is a practical night
searching technique. Specialized SAR Groups - Groups with special skills
needed on ground SAR operations may include police, provincial or federal
officials, volunteers, or military personnel. These could cover such special
areas as avalanche rescue, cave rescue, cliff rescue, crevasse rescue,
flat ice rescue, and underwater photography and rescue. Spontaneous Volunteer - A person not belonging to
a participating agency of SAR team who appears at an incident and volunteers
assistance. Staging Area -
That location where personnel and equipment are assigned to an
operational status. Is usually
in such a location that resources can be immediately committed to the
field. Standby - Is
the period normally following alert when the Search Commander believes
that deployment for the search is imminent. Personnel are placed on standby
being ready to respond immediately Stand-Down - That
period when the Search Commander declares that the search is terminated,
personnel are recalled, debriefed and released. Statistical Search Area - Stress Defusing - A short meeting (30 to 60
minutes) held shortly after an incident, conducted by qualified peer counsellors,
directed at those people who are assumed to be experiencing stress from
the incident. String Line -
Or hip chain consisting of a spool of thin string and a measuring
device that registers as the string is paid out. Can be used to mark search
areas and to guide a lost person out of the wilderness. Biodegradable string is recommended.
Subject - The
object of a search. Subjective Search Area
- the reduced
area within a theoretical maximum Sweep Search -
Can be open grid or closed grid and are conducted in high probability
areas as an efficient way to search for clues and subjects.
Searchers are spaced in a line according to the urgency assessment
and other factors. Tally System - Can be used to estimate distance
and/or time traveled quite accurately. One Tally is equal to 100
metres and the number of steps taken to cover this distance varies from
person to person but once entrenched it is a very useful skill. Task Force - In
ICS, a combination of single resources of various types (e.g. hasty teams,
dog teams, human trackers ) which can be assembled for a specific task. Tasking - A
role delegated to a searcher or to a search team to carry out as part
of a search and rescue operation Team Leader -
The person responsible for the conduct of a Ground Search Party.
The Team Leader reports to the Search Manager. Terrain Analysis - An attempt by a search planner
to determine how the terrain may have affected the lost person’s behaviour,
such as mazes, confusion factors, boundaries, and travel aides. Theoretical Search Area - The area that is defined by
the distance that the subject could theoretically have traveled in the
time elapsed since they became missing. Track - An
impression left from the passage of a person or an animal. Tracking - Following
someone of something by stringing together a continuous chain of their
sign. Following a chronology of
sign. Track Trap - A
track trap is an area that is especially good for finding sign. Trained SAR Volunteer - A person who voluntarily agrees
to participate in search and rescue related activities and has attained
at least the “Basic SAR” performance objectives suggested by the training
requirements for his/her level of involvement. Training Standard - A set of requirements that
define the amount and degree of training necessary to qualify a person
as “trained” in the subject in question. Unified Command - In ICS, agencies involved
in a multi jurisdictional incident participate in the command and control
of the incident. Universal Transverse Mercator - (UTM) On most maps a grid is superimposed
to aid in describing a particular point. This grid is called a UTM
grid and it is rectangular with the grid running north-south and east-west
with north being the top of the map. Unfounded - Refers
to a search subject that was never lost. Unknown Incident - An incident which commences
as a search and rescue incident of unknown type and the source is untraced. Urban (Ground) SAR - The act of searching for and/or
rescuing persons who have become lost of injured in an urban setting;
in many cases, the victims are children and the elderly who have wandered
away form their residences. Urgency Analysis - The use of data collected with values assigned affecting survivability, totalled to give a reasonable estimate of urgency of response. Ventilation - The exchange of air between
the lungs and the atmosphere. Volunteer - An
individual of group donating time and talents to a specific task or project
without salary or compensation other than for allowable out-of-pocket
expenses associated with the volunteer activity. Vulnerability Assessment - Also known as urgency assessment.
The SAR manager will use information collected to develop a relative
urgency rating. Values are
assigned to different factors affecting survivability and by totaling
these values, a reasonable estimate of urgency of response can be determined. Walk away - A type of missing person with
some mental of cognitive deficiency, who has wandered away from a constant
care environment. Waypoint - A
checkpoint used as a point of reference for GPS.
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