SEARCH TYPES

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Various kinds of search exist for different settings, either of the subjects or of the searchers.  Three obvious distinctions are between land, sea, and air searches; for the first two there are also important differences between surface and subsurface operations.  Yet another distinction is between urban and rural searches.

Despite these variants, all SAR has as its objective the acronym LAST (Locate, Access, Stabilize, and Transport).   We will concentrate on rural land surface search techniques, with particular focus on locating and accessing subjects.

Passive Searches

Passive searches are those that check areas for absence of, rather than presence of, clues or subjects.  Essentially, you are hoping the subject will find YOU.  There are several variations, but two of the more common tactics are Attraction and Confinement.  Attraction searches are those where you draw the attention of a subject, and if there is no response you try the attraction method again somewhere else.  This is a good initial technique if there is only one searcher.  Attraction techniques often include noise (whistles), visuals (smoke flares or strobe beacons), or even smells (such as food aromas to attract a lost dog!).  Confinement involves multiple searchers that converge from the perimeter of a likely area from all directions; upon meeting they presume that no subject is present.

Active Searches

An active search is one where YOU seek to detect the presence of clues or a subject.  The three levels of active search pose a trade-off between efficiency, time, and probability of detection.

Type I (Hasty) Search

• top priority is SPEED

• concentrate on high probability areas (last known point, perimeter check, sign cutting)

• assumes subject is capable of response

• appropriate for rapid reconnaissance

• check and report searcher hazards

• 3-6 person teams; all must be immediately available and highly mobile

Type II (Efficient) Search

• top priority is HIGHER DETECTION PROBABILITY

• concentrate on larger areas with less-known subject presence (defined sectors, clue follow-up)

• subject may be capable of response

• systematic "sweep" with wide searcher spacing

• "purposeful wandering" except guide position

• appropriate for rapid evidence follow-up

• has little visual overlap between searchers

• usually 3 persons; center guide and 2 rovers

Type III (Thorough) Search

• top priority is COMPLETE AREA EXAMINATION

• concentrate on small areas with high-probability of subject detection (frequent clues, evidence)

• last resort because this obscures evidence

• subject often absent or incapable of response

• systematic "line" with close searcher spacing

• appropriate for tedious evidence follow-up, often by law enforcement authorities; they have priority

• has high visual overlap between searchers

• 4-7 person teams; may intersperse unskilled searchers; all must have close visibility

We will try some of these searches during the exercise below (click the picture for a fullsize view; use the Back button to return).