Unit 5 – Light Search & Rescue

Unit Objectives Identify sizeup requirements for potential search and rescue situations. Describe the most common techniques for searching a structure. Use safe techniques for debris removal and victim extrication. Describe ways to protect rescuers during search and rescue.

Search and Rescue Operations Size up Helps determine a safe action plan Use the 9-step size-up model Search involves: Locating victims. Documenting location. Rescue involves: Removal of victims Debris removal

Use Caution – Think Before You Act The first response to trapped victims is by spontaneous, untrained, and well-intentioned persons who rush to the site of an incident in an attempt to free the victims.

The Would-Be-Rescuer Don’t become a statistic!

Decision To Attempt Rescue Risk involved to the rescuer You are no good to the operation if you get hurt. Greatest good for greatest number of people

Goals of Search and Rescue Rescue greatest number in shortest amount of time Rescue lightly trapped victims first Yell “if you can walk, walk to my voice”

Effective Search and Rescue An effective S-n-R involves: Effective sizeup Rescuer safety Victims safety

CERT Search and Rescue Sizeup Gather Facts Assess Damage Consider Probabilities Assess Your Situation Establish Priorities Make Decisions Develop Plans of Action Take Action Evaluate Progress

What is your size-up?

Gather facts accurately. Step 1: Gather Facts Consider the: Time of event and day of week. Type of structure. Construction type. Weather. Hazards. Gather facts accurately.

Step 2: Assess and Communicate Damage CERT mission changes if: Damage is light. Damage is moderate. Damage is heavy. Consider structure type and age. Never enter a structure with heavy damage!

Search and Rescue Slight Damage

Search and Rescue Moderate Damage

Search and Rescue Heavy Damage

Step 3: Consider Probabilities Identify potentially life-threatening hazard How stable is the situation? What else could go wrong? What does it all mean to the search and rescue effort?

Step 4: Assess Your Situation Take what you have learned from 1-3 to determine: 1. Whether the situation is safe enough to continue. 2. The risks that rescuers will face if they continue. 3. What resources will be needed to conduct the operation safely.

S-n-R Resources Personnel Tools Equipment

Step 5: Establish Priorities What should be done? In what order? Your safety is always the first priority and will dictate some of the other priorities. For example removing or mitigating known hazards must be completed before teams begin to search (turning off the power). Think through the situation logically. Look at the “big picture”, avoid tunnel vision.

Step 6: Make Decisions Deploy your resources to do the most good, while maintaining a high margin of safety. Remember: Safety to each CERT member Life safety of the victims Protection of the environment Protection of property

Step 7: Develop An Action Plan Focus the operation on established priorities and decisions. Provide documentation to be given to responding agencies when they arrive. Provide documentation that can be used after the incident.

Step 8&9: Take Action, Evaluate Progress Remember size up is on-going! Any information gathered during these last two steps needs to be fed back into the decision-making process for possible revision.

Safety Considerations Make rescuer safety your primary concern. Use a buddy system. Be alert for hazards. Use safety equipment. Rotate teams. Teamwork=Success

Conducting Search Operations Inspect area by: Employing search techniques based on size up. Locating potential victims.

Void Types Pancake Lean-to V Individual

Pancake Void

Lean-to Void Victims have the greatest chance of survival!

V- Void

Individual Void

Search Methods Call out to victims. Use a bull horn Use systematic search pattern. Stop frequently to listen. Triangulate. Mark searched areas to document results. Report results.

Triangulation Triangulation enables rescuers to view a single location from several perspectives. Three rescuers, guided by a victim sounds, form a triangle around the area and direct flashlights into the area. The light shining from different directions will eliminate shadows that could otherwise hide victims.

Triangulation

Infrared Cameras Infrared cameras can be found on most Norfolk fire apparatus and a few TV station helicopters to ease night time searching.

Search Marking Indicates rescuer location Prevents duplication of effort

Conducting Rescue Operations Primary Functions: Creating safe rescue environment Lift objects out of the way. Use tools to move objects. Remove debris. Triaging or stabilizing victims Removing victims

Creating a Safe Environment Goals: Maintain rescuer safety. Triage in lightly and moderately damaged buildings. Evacuate victims quickly from moderately damaged buildings-minimize injury. Work in teams of 3!

Precautions to Minimize Risk Safe Environment: Know your limitations both physically & mentally Follow safety procedures. If possible assign a Safety Officer Remove debris by use of: Leveraging. Cribbing.

Cribbing & Leveraging Debris

Removing Victims Types of victim removal include: Self-removal or assist. Lifts and drags. Chairs, doors, blankets or rugs Allow victims to extricate themselves when possible.

Victim Removal Depends upon: General stability of immediate environment. Number of rescuers available. Strength and ability of rescuers. Condition of victim.

Carries

Drags

CERT in action

The End