1. Huron Area Search and Rescue
Search Tactics
Ontario Search and Rescue Volunteer Association

2. Overview Why Do We Search? How Do We Search? Search Positions
Search Patterns

3. Definition
Search and Rescue (SAR) is defined as 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 - defined as, looking for an overdue, missing or lost person(s) whose location is unknown.

4. Why Do We Search? To find a missing or lost person
Find clues related to a missing or lost person
Eliminate a search area
Advance the LKP (Last Known Position)
Give a clearer picture of what happened
Give a better idea of how someone may be found

5. How Do We Search?
There are two types of initial response search methods:
Passive Method – Using attraction methods to assist in locating missing or lost person(s)
Active Method– Searchers actively searching for and/or containment the missing or lost person(s) or clues
Several different resources may be used:
SAR Dogs
Mountain Bikes
ATV’s
Snowmobile
Boats
Horses

6. How Do We Search? How a search should be searching:
Travel a search area slowly, no more than half your normal speed.
Be clue conscious; always be on the lookout for clues. Look up, down, left, right and all around.
Keep focused on the task at hand; no phone calls, texting, picking berries, idle chit chat.
Use all your senses
Stop periodically and listen; look behind you
Maintain a positive outlook
Never assume anything
Use sound attraction
Know your limitations and convey that to your Team Leader

7. Search Positions Team Leader Flag Person Communicator Navigator
Medic/Dedicated First Aider
Note Taker
Searcher
Pacer

8. Search Patterns
The following are the different types of search patterns and techniques utilized:
Grid Search
Hasty Search
Track Crawl
Binary Search
Contour Search
Perimeter Search
Purposeful Wandering
Attraction Methods (sound/visual)
Confinement Methods

9. Grid Search
Definition of grid - a network of horizontal and perpendicular lines, uniformly spaced, for locating points on a map, chart, or aerial photography by means of a system of coordinates.
Grid search is used when the initial quick response search has been unsuccessful
Grid Search is usually used as a last resort due to the number of people required
Used for a small area where the Probability of Detection (POD) needs to be high

10. Grid Search

11. Hasty Search Also known as sweep search, or an open grid search
Used when a search area must be covered quickly and by a minimum number of searchers
Used to find responsive of highly visible targets
Team will normally consist of 3 persons
Team leader/navigator
2 searchers

12. Hasty Search

13. Track Crawl Consists of 3 to 5 searchers
Utilized when following a man-made feature (i.e. road, path, or trail)
Searchers will line up and follow this man-made feature, or clue which indicates direction of travel
Spacing of the team members will be determined by the team leader

14. Track Crawl

15. Binary Search
The binary search technique is the most efficient in terms of limited resources. It also utilizes sign cutting. From the LKP or PLS of the missing or lost person(s), clue conscious searchers make sweeps ahead through the probable search area trying to detect some clues that the missing or lost person(s) may be in the area.
If a clue is detected, large areas can be eliminated from the search and other searchers can now leap frog ahead (points A and B) to try and intersect the missing or lost person(s).
The leap frogging searchers may not intersect the subject but may find more clues which will again allow other searchers to leap frog ahead of them (points D and C).

16. Binary Search

17. Contour Search

18. Perimeter Search
The purpose of performing a perimeter search is to determine if the missing or lost person(s) has left and/or re-entered the search area. There is no reason to search an area if there is no person in it.
The diameter of the search or containment area will be determined by the search manager and command post based on:
Age
Physical condition
Weather
Ailments
Knowledge of the bush
History
Preparedness
Number of hours passed
Statistics, behavior and characteristics of missing or lost persons

19. Perimeter Search

20. Purposeful Wandering Used to cover larger area in less time
Can use anywhere from 4 - as many searchers as you would like
This search pattern is to allow the searcher to wander back and forth while moving forward following a bearing
Spacing should be 20-30m apart
Can be used to create a up-to-date map of the area

21. Purposeful Wandering

22. Confinement Methods
Confinement methods are implemented along the search perimeter to ensure the missing or lost person(s) does not leave the search area undetected. Confinement of the search area must be continuously monitored 24 hours a day once the perimeter has been established.
Some confinement methods include:
Road Block
Trail Block
Camp Ins
Look-Out Post
Listening Post
Hip Chain
Track Trap

23. Questions