Search and Rescue

2013

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Agreement on Inter-Entity Boundary Line

and Related Issues
Air Force Rescue Coordination Center
AFRCC .

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.

Airborne SAR .
Aircraft SAR
Aircraft SAR
Archival Data -

Information from past search incidents which is :

collected and collated for future search planning. .

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.

Auto hover (computer controlled hover)

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.

Bastard Search - A search for a subject that is not in

the area. Same as Bogus search. .

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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. .

Body Recovery - The retrieval of human remains

following a fatal incident.
.

Bosun's Chair
It is a device used to suspend a person from a
rope in order to perform work aloft.

" "

Briefing - The process of providing searchers with the
information they need to adequately perform their
task. :
.

Call-out - The executive command to mount an

operation whereby all personal are required to deploy.
.

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. .

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Casie III - A popular computer program used for
search planning.
.

Casualty clearing station

An area set up at the scene of an emergency by the :
ambulance service in liaison with the Medical Incident
Officer to assess, triage and treat casualties and direct their .
evacuation.

Casualty status
Checklist
a list of items (names or tasks etc.) to be
checked or consulted
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 PODs. ( 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 .) 10 (
the victim or clue is not in the area searched.
.

Clue Awareness
Having the training and experience to understand:
the importance of clues to the overall search effort :
why we search for clues first, not the subject
which clues could possibly be found that are associated with the
lost subject s .
how to handle clues once they are found
understand the importance of the lack of clues

CODE OF CONDUCT

combat search and rescue

combat search and rescue - CSAR
Combined Rescue Coordination Centre
Confinement - Containment 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

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blocks, trail blocks, lookouts, camp-ins, track traps
and string lines.

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.

Co-ordinated SAR System

The combined facilities, equipment and .
procedures established in each search
and rescue region to provide the .
response to search and rescue incidents.
Coordinated SAR System - The combined facilities,
equipment, and procedures established interacting, to
provide the response to search and rescue incidents. .

Cordon inner
Surrounds and protects the immediate scene of an incident. .

Cordon outer
Seals off a controlled area around an incident to which .
unauthorised persons are not allowed access.
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.
.

Crash Position Indicator

Crash Position Indicator: An automatic
.
emergency radio locator beacon to help
searching forces locate a crashed

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aircraft.
Critical Incident Stress

CIS is the adverse psychological and/or
.
physiological reaction to a stressful incident.
CSAR or C-SAR -- see: combat search and
-
rescue
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.
.
Debriefing
a meeting after a search or after a team has

been called in, in which all information found
.
is disclosed and where suggestions can be
made for the future.
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.

Deck winching (lifting of a casualty from a

vessel)
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). .) (

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

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Despondent - A type of missing person who is severely
depressed or suicidal
) (
Disaster Dog
Disaster dogs are used to locate victims of catastrophic or mass-
casualty events eg, earthquakes, landslides, building collapses,
aviation incidents . .
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.

) (

Dry winching (lifting of a casualty from the

land)

Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) -

Aeronautical radio distress beacon for alerting and
enabling 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.

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.
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.

Fixed Wing
The term used to refer to airplanes as .
opposed to helicopters (Rotary Wing).
.
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.

Forward Looking Infrared FLIR

A sensor which uses variations in heat to
detect objects. Unlike NVGs, FLIR is still
effective in extremely low light
.
conditions. Its use in SAR is restricted
due to the high cost of the units,
although the new SAR aircraft are likely
to be equipped with FLIR
Forward Operations Base
A base, located as close as possible to an
incident site, which is capable of
.
handling large aircraft and has sufficient
facilities (with augmentation, if
.
necessary) to support a major
aeronautical disaster operation.

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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 Search
All searchers move forward on a line. They :
are spaced closely together. This search is .
slow and methodical and takes a lot of time.
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 4 3
creeping line search ).
.

Ground SAR - The conduct of a search and rescue

operation to assist persons lost, stranded, trapped, or
injured in an area on land.
. ( )

Ground Search And Rescue Incident

Any incident not otherwise classified as
an aeronautical or maritime incident and .
involving missing persons or persons in
distress.
Hasty Search
A search whose purpose is to cover the most
:
obvious places a subject might be in the least
.
time possible. Usually the first kind of search
tactic to be utilized
HazMat - Hazardous Materials / / :
Heat Exhaustion
heat related condition in which the victim
:
shows elevated temperature, poor heart

action, clammy skin, cramping and dizziness.
.
It is caused by prolonged exposure to high
temperature.
Heat Stroke . .

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a heat related condition which is serious and
life threatening. The victim will show rapid
pulse, no sweating, and hot skin. It is caused
by prolonged exposure to high temperature.
heavy transport helicopter unit ) (
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.

Hoist cable (cable attached to rescue hoist) ) (

Human Remains Detection Dog HRD
Human Remains Detection HRD or cadaver dogs are used to .
locate the remains of deceased victims.
Human Trackers - Searchers who attempt to follow
the visible signs left by the lost person; aka
mantrackers or visual trackers

Hypothermia
A generalized cooling that may lower the .
body temperature below normal.
Hypoxia - Low oxygen levels. .
Incident Command Post
That location at which the primary command .
functions are executed.
Incident Commander
The individual responsible for the .
management of all incident operations.
Incident Critique - Procedure for constructive review
of an incident.
. :
Initial Response - The first response to a search event :

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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.

.
International Convention on Maritime

Search and Rescue
International Convention on Maritime

Search and Rescue; SAR 1979
International Search and Rescue Advisory

Group
Joint Rescue Coordination Centre
The Joint Rescue Coordination Centre or
JRCC is the office which has operational
control of all military and Coast Guard
rescue resources within their SAR
Region. Any call for assistance is relayed
from its source - Coast Guard radio,
overdue airplanes, witnesses, etc. - to
the RCC. The RCC Controllers then decide
.
which is the most appropriate resource
for the job. Any requests for emergency
assistance from other levels of
government or other agencies also go
through the RCC. It is staffed jointly by
Canadian Forces and Coast Guard
personnel with SAR backgrounds.

Karabiner - 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.

.
landing platform-helicopter; helicopter/dock
/
landing ship
liaison/light transport helicopter unit ) (
liaison/light transport helicopter unit ) (
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.
.

Likely Spot - Features or areas that may offer :

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attraction to the lost person. .
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 someones attention. .

Litter
A stretcher like device utilized in rescue to ) (
transport a victim.
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.
Low Angle
45 .
anything under 45 degrees.
Marine Response Centre
A co-ordination centre established by the MCA in marine
pollution cases requiring a national response. .

Marine SAR - The employment of vessels and/or

aircraft for the conduct of a SAR operation that
occurs on or under water. :
.

Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre

(MRCC)
Coast guard regional centre responsible for promoting the :
efficient organisation of search and
rescue services and for co-ordinating the conduct of search
and rescue operations within a search and .
rescue region.

Marshalling area
Area to which resources and personnel not immediately :
required at the scene or being held for further use
can be directed to stand by. .

Medical Evacuation (Medevac) Routine

The routine medical evacuation of
patients or vital medical resources from
one medical facility to another

(aeronautical or maritime ambulance
service).
;
medium transport helicopter unit

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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.
.

Message Dropper
The message dropper is a 14 foot piece
of cloth, weighted at one end. It has a
pouch sewn into it, into which a written
message is placed. The message is

dropped at low altitude from the Buffalo
or Hercules. It is usually used when an
.
aircraft has been located undamaged on
the ground. The message will usually
alert the Pilot to turn on his/her radio
and contact the search aircraft.
Mission Coordinator
The person designated by the legal
responsible authority to coordinate and
manage on-scene operations during a specific
SAR incident. Depending upon the
) ( .
management system used and the
organizations involved, this person may be
called the Mission Coordinator, On-Scene
Commander or Incident Commander.

Mock Search
:
Staged training that is set up to approximate
.
as closely as possible, a real search effort.
Mutual Aid Search
A search that is too large scale to be handled
.
by one organization. One or more
.
organizations or groups outside the initial
group are called in to assist in the effort.
Night Sun
The night sun is an externally mounted
spotlight used on both the Labrador and
Griffon. It is used to illuminate objects
on the ground or in the water at night.
.
The beam can be focused on a small area
or widened to give a general view of a
.
larger area. The night sun can be easily
identified on both aircraft; it is black,
about the size of a five gallon pail and
mounts under the nose of the Labrador

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and on the right side of the Griffon.
Night Vision
- A monocular or binocular piece of
equipment that allows you to see in near total
.
darkness by intensifying existing light. It may
.
also be utilized in total darkness with an
infrared attachment. Night vision is very
useful for search and rescue missions.

Night Vision Goggles

Night vision goggles (NVGs) are used to
spot objects from the air at night. The
goggles intensify the ambient light. They
are particularly effective in full moon
conditions.

.
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. "incident
non SAR"
Notice of Crash Location
The NOCL or Notice of Crash Location is a
message sent from SAR Techs on the
ground to an aircraft and in turn onto the :
Rescue Coordination Centre. The NOCL is
encoded for reasons of confidentiality. It .
details whether the object found is in .
fact what was being searched for, the
condition of personnel and the
requirements for the rescue.
Nuclear, Biological, Chemical -NBC .
On-Scene Commander
(OSC) The commander of a search and
rescue unit designated to co-ordinate .
search and rescue operations within a
specified search area.
Orienteering - Using map and compass in the field to
determine your route of travel. :
.

Other Search And Rescue Resources :

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Resources other than primary or
secondary which participate in search . .
and rescue activities when required. This
includes civilian agencies and volunteers
.

.
Paramedic

Specially trained and capable of providing

advanced life support.

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.
.

Personal Locator Beacon - PLB

- The personal version of the "ELT" designed
.
to be carried by a person on foot. It is
manually activated.
Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) - Personal radio
distress beacon for alerting and transmitting homing
signals.

personal locator beacon; survival beacon ;

Pilot-in-Command - The pilot responsible for the
operation and safety of the aircraft during flight time.
.

Plan of Action
A written document that consolidates all of

the operational actions to be taken by various
personnel in order to stabilize the incident.
Point (or Place) Last Seen - PLS
The location where the missing subject was .
actually seen by another person.
Point Last Seen (PLS) - An essential bit of

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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.

Primary Search And Rescue Resources

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 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 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
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. .

ready reaction group; quick reaction force ;

Recovery - The restoration to normal or useful
condition. See Body Recovery
. ) (
Relief - The elevations or inequalities of a land
surface.

rescue blanket; space blanket ;

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Rescue Breathing - Mouth-to-mouth or mouth-to-nose
artificial respiration.

Rescue Co-Ordination
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 Co-ordination Centre
(RCC) A unit responsible for promoting :
efficient organization of search and

rescue (SAR) services and for co-
ordinating the conduct of SAR operations
.
Rescue hoist (the motor and cable used to (
lower & raise the casualty) )
Rescue hook (hook at the end of hoist cable) ( )
Rescue strop (rescue devise used to lift

casualty)
Rescue Sub-Centre
(RSC) A unit subordinate to a rescue co- :
ordination centre established to
complement the latter within a specific .
area within a Search and Rescue Region.
Resilience :
The ability of the community, services or infrastructure to
withstand the consequences of an incident. .

Resource List - A list of search or logistical resources

that can be employed during an incident; part of the
preplan.
Resources
All personnel and major items of equipment
:
available, or potentially available, for
.
assignment to incident tasks on which status
is maintained.
Rest centre
Premises used for temporary accommodation of displaced :
persons and evacuees following an incident. .

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Rotary Wing
The term used to describe helicopters as
opposed to airplanes (Fixed Wing).

:
Runner - a loop of nylon webbing commonly used in
rope rescue to connect items, anchor or tie off
rescuers, and a variety of other purposes.

SAR SAT

Satellite-aided search and rescue program

Satellite-aided search and rescue program
Satellite-aided search and rescue program
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 persons PLS or direction :
of travel. .

Scent Article - An article of clothing or other material

with which a trailing dog can determine the subjects
unique scent.
.

Search & Rescue System ...

Search and Rescue - SAR
Search And Rescue Incident
A reported situation which requires a
response from the search and rescue
:
system
Search and Rescue Manual .
Search and Rescue Mission Co-ordinator
The official temporarily assigned to co- :
ordinate response to an actual or .
apparent distress situation.
Search And Rescue Region
An area of defined dimensions associated :
with a rescue coordination centre within
which search and rescue services are .
provided.

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Search And Rescue Region Commander
The person designated by the Chief Staff
:
and he is responsible for search and
rescue operations within a Search and
.
Rescue Region.
Search and Rescue Response
An action required to resolve a situation,
such as:(a) the tasking of search and :
rescue units (singular or multiple);(b) - 1
acting as search and rescue mission co-
ordinator, the issuance of any "All
2 .
Stations" communications (e.g. distress,
urgency or marine assistance request . 3
broadcasts, etc.);(c) extensive
monitoring.
Search and Rescue Satellite
Search and Rescue Satellite ;
Search and Rescue Technician
The SAR Techs are Non-Commissioned ) ( :
Officers trained in land and sea survival,
parachuting, SCUBA diving, mountain
climbing, helicopter rescue techniques
and most importantly advanced trauma .
life support.
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 master
An individual who has been appointed by
:
a Search and Rescue Region Commander
to co-ordinate and direct a specific
.
search and rescue operation.
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.
.
Tactics
Searching Data - That information that searchers
require in order to search for the lost subject, such as
the subjects name, description, clothing, footwear, :
and items carried. .

Secondary Search And Rescue Resources :

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All resources of the Federal government
that are not Primary search and rescue .
(SAR) but which may be tasked to aid in
the resolution of a SAR incident.

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.

Short Take Off and Landing - STOL

Short Take Off and Landing or STOL
refers to an airplane's ability to take off
and land in a limited distance. The .
Buffalo is renowned for its STOL
capabilities. It can actually be landed in
an area as short as a soccer field.
Sight Line - Sometimes called line of sight, this refers
to the imaginary line that you sight along to take your
bearing.
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. ) (

Sky Genie
The Sky Genie is a device used by the
SAR Techs to descend from a helicopter
to the ground. It would normally be used
only if the hoist was broken or the site :
was more than 240 feet below the .
helicopter (the length of the hoist cable).
A SAR Tech will often say that he "Sky
Genied to the ground." To state that he
rappelled would be incorrect
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.

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Sound Sweep Search
An attraction search in which all searchers

call out, whistle or make some other sound at

a prescribed time and then are all quiet and
.
listening for an answer during a second
prescribed time.
Speculative Search
:
- A search based on information not
.
necessarily correct, circumstantial evidence.
Staging Area
:
That location where incident personnel and
.
equipment are assigned.
Standard Operating Procedures - SOP
Stand-Down - That period when the Search
Commander declares that the search is terminated,
personnel are recalled, debriefed and released.
.

Subjective Search Area - the reduced area within a

theoretical maximum search area which is bounded by
physical barriers which would prevent or discourage .
the search subject from passing them
Survivor Reception Centre :
Secure area where survivors not requiring acute hospital
treatment can be taken for short-term shelter,

first aid, interview and documentation.
.
tactical transport unit
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. 100
.

Task Force
A group of resources with common .
communications and a leader temporarily .
assembled for a specific mission.
Tasking - A role delegated to a searcher or to a search
team to carry out as part of a search and rescue
operation :
.

TDS - Time, Distance and Shielding. .

21
Three types of protective measures .
commonly associated with hazardous
materials training.
Team Leader
The Team Leader is the senior in
experience of the two SAR Techs in a :
team. He/she does not lead the entire .
aircraft crew, but only his/her team of
.
SAR Techs. On the aircraft he/she is
responsible for the well being of any
casualties. Once the Team Leader is on .
the ground, he/she is responsible for all
ground operations.
Terrain Analysis - An attempt by a search planner to
determine how the terrain may have affected the lost :
persons 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.
.

To Rappel
.
to descend a rope at a safe controlled speed.
Track Trap - A track trap is an area that is especially
good for finding sign.
.

Tracker
:
An individual who can detect and follow
.
signs of human passage.
Tracking - Following someone of something by
stringing together a continuous chain of their sign. :

.
Tracking Canine
A search dog that will follow the ground
scent of a person who has passed through an .
area in which the dog is searching.
traffic control point (or post); traffic post (or

point)
Trailing dogs
These dogs search by following the actual route taken by the
:
subject from the last known position. .

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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.
.

transponder beacon
Triage
Sorting out the wounded at a major incident
so that the most serious cases are treated .
first.
Urban SAR
A search and rescue mission conducted in
moderately to heavily populated areas given .
primarily to business and residential
development.
Waypoint - A checkpoint used as a point of reference
for GPS.
:
.

Weapons of Mass Destruction ) / / (

wet winching (lifting of a casualty from the

water)

Wilderness SAR
A search and rescue mission conducted in an
area generally uncultivated and uninhabited .
and often inaccessible by roads.
Winch Operator (crew member who controls
()
the rescue hoist)
This terminology document is a
compilation of definitions of terms,
abbreviations, and acronyms used in
the search and rescue field collected in
order to provide consistency in
communication when used in actual
operations, training, and literature
dealing with this field.

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 :
http://www.ussartf.org/glossary_acronyms.htm
http://www.gpsar.org/sarterms.html

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