Searcher

The core role in any search mission is the searcher.

Responsibilities of a Searcher

• Participate in Search Operations: Search team members are actively involved in ground searches, which may include walking grid patterns, sweeping terrain, and investigating clues. Their actions are guided by established SAR protocols and search plans.

• Maintain Situational Awareness: The searcher must be alert to environmental hazards, changing weather, and potential clues indicating the missing person’s whereabouts. They communicate observations with the team leader and adjust tactics as needed.

• Operate Safely and Efficiently: Safety is paramount in wilderness SAR. Members follow safety guidelines, use appropriate equipment, and look out for themselves and teammates to prevent injuries or accidents.

• Work Collaboratively: Effective communication and teamwork are essential. Members coordinate with each other, share information, and support the group’s efforts to maximize search coverage and efficiency.

• Document and Report Findings: Accurate documentation of search activities, terrain covered, and clues found is crucial. Members report information using SAR Topo to command staff to help guide the overall operation.

Essential Skills and Qualities

• Navigation and Terrain Assessment: Proficiency with maps, compasses, and GPS devices is vital. Members often traverse rugged, unfamiliar terrain and must assess risks and choose safe routes.

• Physical Fitness: Searches can be physically demanding, requiring stamina and endurance to cover large areas, often in challenging conditions.

• First Aid and Emergency Response: Basic first aid skills enable team members to provide immediate assistance to victims or injured teammates until help arrives.

• Adaptability and Problem-Solving: Wilderness SAR situations are unpredictable. Members must adapt quickly, think critically, and solve problems as they arise.

• Communication: Clear and concise communication with team leaders, other searchers, and command staff is necessary for effective coordination and safety.

Search team members in wilderness search and rescue play a vital role in saving lives and protecting communities. Their responsibilities demand a unique blend of skills, teamwork, and resilience. By maintaining high standards of training and preparedness, these individuals contribute significantly to the success of SAR missions and the safety of those in need.

Hazardous Materials

Topic	Skill	Criteria
Encountering Types of Hazardous	Types of Hazardous Materials	List and describe the type of hazardous materials that may be encountered while on SAR operations.
	Safety Precautions	Show what to do when encountering hazardous materials.
	Documentation	Demonstrate how to document and report finding hazardous material.

Compass

Topic	Skill	Criteria
Compass Skills	Declination	Describe magnetic declination and how it affects a compass reading.
	Azimuth	Show how to take an azimuth.

Legal Issues

Topic	Skill	Criteria
Illegal Activities	Encountering Illegal Activities	Know the proper response when illegal activities are encountered on a mission.
	Prioritize Safety	Rember the safety of your team is the first priority
Entering Private Property	Procedures	Know the procedures to be followed when entering private land.
	Trespassing Laws	Understand the laws concerning private land and trespassing.

Crime Scenes

Topic	Skill	Criteria
Securing scene	Restrict Access	Describe the methods for restricting access to a crime scene.
	Minimize Disturbance	Show steps to take to minimize disturbance at a crime scene.
	Balance	Understand the need for balance between the urgency of medical intervention with the need to protect evidence.
Preserving Clues	Document Clue	Be able to properly document clue on SAR Topo.
	Collect Clue	Know the procedures on how to properly collect a clue.

Route Search

Topic	Skill	Criteria
Route Search Tactics	Linear and Trail Searches	Be able to conduct a proper Linear and Trail search
	Attraction or Calling Out	Know how to attract a lost subject.
	Visual Scanning and Clue Awareness	Demonstrate how to scan for clues.
	PLS and LKP	Know the meaning and porpoise of LKP and PLS
Team Organization and Roles	Organization and Roles	Describe the roles and function of the different members of a Route Search team.
	Effective teamwork	Demonstrate that you are capable of functioning in a Route Search team effectively.
Communication and Documentation	Maintain Contact	Maintain regular radio or phone contact with the incident command post.
	Report Clues	Report any clues, sightings, or hazards immediately.
	Document	Document search routes, times, weather conditions, and any findings for debrief and planning of subsequent search phases.

Location Search

Topic	Skill	Criteria
Grid Search	Grid Method	Discuss the reason and methods for Grid Search.  Be able to participate in a grid search
Line Search	Line Search Method	Know the reason and methods to conduct a line search.

Lost Person Behavior

Topic	Skill	Criteria
Behavioral Studies	Lost Person Behavior Knowledge	Know the expected behavior of a lost person based on statistics and experience
Approaching Lost Persons	Lost Person Contact	Show the prover technics for approaching a lost person once found.
Alzheimer’s Subject	Alzheimer’s Subject Behavior	Demonstrate knowledge of the behavior of a lost Alzheimer’s subject.
Autistic Subject	Autistic Subject Behavior	Show knowledge of an Autistic subject’s behavior.

Recovery

Topic	Skill	Criteria
Finding Deceased Persons	Physical Safety	Show how to properly use caution when approaching remains and the use of proper PPE.
	Preserve Evidence	Know how to preserve evidence and avoid disturbing remains.
	Mental Health	Describe the mental health issues that may be encountered when discovering deceased subjects.
	Respect and Dignity	Demonstrate the concerns for friends and family and how to show dignity for the remains.
Field Id of Human Bones	Distinguishing Human from Animal Bones	Show how to distinguish human from animal bones.