Basic Search and Rescue Techniques

[AZ Prepper]

When doing and kind of search and rescue operation there are a couple points to remember BEFORE you even start searching.

1. You are #1. You are not any good to anyone if you are injured or dead. Safety first! Be sure that the scene is safe for you to enter.
2. Use proper safety equipment which should include: a hard hat, goggles, dust mask or respirator work gloves, closed sturdy work shoes, flash light or light sticks for dark areas, and common sense.
3. Work with a buddy - never search alone. It is even better to work with a team of minimum 6 people. It takes 6 people to properly manage one adult on a backboard.
4. Never enter a structure that is heavily damaged. Leave it for the professionals. Secure the perimeter on the outside to ensure that no untrained people enter the structure and become victims themselves. Take notes on what you have found and alert the proper authorities.
5. Search lightly or moderately damaged structures only.
6. Obtain any necessary supplies you might need for a proper search and rescue effort. This might include: cribbing material, fire extinguishers first aid supplies, water, flashlights, ropes, ladders, prybars, axes, saws, blankets, buckets for debris removal, blankets, backboards, stretchers, etc.

During the initial search

1. Upon entering the structure mark the door or outside with half of an “ X ” or a “ / ” mark to indicate that you are inside. Also write down how many rescuers are entering the structure and the time and date entered.
2. Check the scene to ensure your safety and note safety hazards.
3. Call out in to the structure for anyone who can hear you and move themselves to come to the sound of your voice. This will eliminate you having to search for them. Remember that just because a person does not have physical injuries does not mean that they are not in shock or disoriented from the disaster. They may still need assistance.
4. Use proper systematic search techniques that include triangulation, search patterns, and stopping regularly to listen.
5. Stop and listen periodically for sounds that might indicate the location of a victim.
6. Do proper triage first BEFORE treating any victims. Triage includes sorting ALL victims according to injuries whether they are “ I “ immediate, “ D” delayed, or “ M “ dead. Conduct a full head-to-toe assessment before moving on to the next victim. Tag each victim according to their condition.
7. After you have preformed triage go back and begin treating the immediate victims with life threatening injuries first. Perform basic lifesaving first aid techniques. Be careful not to focus to much on treating one injury if there are many other injuries to care for.
8. If the structure is deemed uninhabitable move victims to a safe location outside the structure until you can transport them to a better facility.
9. For victims trapped under moderately heavy objects - use proper lifting techniques to extract them.
10. For victims trapped under heavy objects - use proper cribbing techniques to extract them.
11. For victims that need transportation - use proper lifts and carries to transport them. Be sure all victims with spinal or neck injuries whether real or suspected are transported on a backboard or other similar hard surface splint and secured to it. Be sure victims are stabilized before transporting them.
12. Remove any debris necessary to free victims using proper debris removal techniques.
13. Before ending your search be sure to check all voids and cavities whether natural or created by the disaster for potential victims.

After the search & rescue operation

1. Upon leaving the structure mark the door or outside with the other half of an “ X ” or a “ \ ” mark to indicate that you have left. Also write down how many rescuers and victims are exiting the structure and how many victims (and their condition) that are being left in the structure. Write down the time and date exited.
2. Document your findings.
3. Transport any immediate victims to the local hospital, Red Cross station, critical care unit or first aid station (depending on what is available).
4. Never leave an unsafe environment.
5. Properly remove any cribbing materials used. You may need them later.
6. Report to your local CERT or emergency leader your findings before moving on to the next structure.
7. Follow any direction from your local CERT or emergency leader.
8. Gather any additional supplies you might need.
9. Take a physical and an emotional break before moving on to any further search and rescue.

This information was taken by permission from the author of, "Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Response" by Kenneth Moravec. This booklet (very highly recommended) can be purchased for a very low cost by contacting the author at: Kenneth Moravec - MoravecKennethB@aol.com - (801) 492-9029

[drennen17@gmail.com]

Very nice "Cheat sheet" (job aid) ... emailed Moravec for a copy of manual! txs, john drennen