Search and Rescue or SAR goes back to man’s beginning. There has always been someone to look for. In today’s age and world, there are many forms of Search and Rescue and in today’s SAR, there are many different specialties or technical that make us up. From K-9 teams (typically Air Scent, Trailing and cadaver), Collapsed Structure Teams, Swift Water, High/Low Angle, Drone, and much more.

While I do not claim to be an expert, I can hopefully convey what our team does, uses and what we train on as well as write a quick and dirty explanation of each search type.

Loose Grid Search
Our team implements a loose grid search which is a small team of 3 to 7 people who are tasked with a segment (area). Rather than walking shoulder to shoulder in a straight path, this type of search team moves in a “S” or snaking pattern. We do this because it uses less resources and allows for more segments to be searched. This also employs seasoned searchers which may have untrained emergent people (untrained volunteers who show up asking to be used) between trained personnel. The terrain and growth of the area will determine the amount of time needed to complete this task and the possibility of detection. If one of our crews return and during the debrief, they say the underbrush is so thick the probability of detection is low, then search coordinators most likely send a larger team with more time to re-search the area. Likewise, if they say you could see hundreds of feet in each direction, then the probability of detection would be high making it less likely another team would be sent to research that area.

Hasty Search
At every Search and Rescue operation, this type of search should be in use. This is a 2 person, highly mobile and clue conscience team. They are typically sent out while other teams are arriving at the onset of a search. These teams are sent to obvious hazard areas such as cliff sides, creek, lakes or other bodies of water and along trail heads. They look for any clues that the subject may have been there. These teams are important. Take for instance an autism subject that has wondered off. In studies, it shows that these subjects lean towards going to bodies of water, hence sending a Hasty Team to these areas can make for a short, successful search.

Grid Search
Most law enforcement tend to use this form of search which can be highly successful when searching for evidence. However, this form is not the most efficient when searching for lost of missing persons. A grid search needs more time and people involved in order to maintain the shoulder or arm’s length apart line. The line constantly stops in order to straighten up before continue on. These searches often end up with the line fracturing and leaving huge gaps of unsearched areas or even with segments of the line completely losing the main group and searching in areas unknown to the group leaders. Additionally, it is a good way to destroy any subtle evidence of a person’s movement through an area that law enforcement is not necessarily trained to identify.

Grid Searches are highly effective when searching for evidence of a crime. You want a slow-moving line looking for the smallest thing. However, due to the time sensitive nature of lost person location, SCSAR has chosen not to use this technique and have adopted a Loose Grid Search method.

How we do it

SCSAR Team Members are required to have:

• Proper footwear (hiking boots), long pants, Team issued shirts and hats, and helmets when necessary.
• Small pack with water and basic first aid items.
• Compass and smartphone with SarTopo mapping system installed to allow for a live mapping of each searcher’s movement.
• SARTECH III certification at a minimum.
• Ham Radio Licenses.
• Crime Scene Preservation (through NASAR).
  We use Hasty Searches and Loose Grid Searches to more quickly and efficiently cover larger areas leading to a faster location of a missing person. Searchers provide only basic life saving measures such as hydration and CPR if needed. Any minor care such as splints or wound packing is provided by SCSAR Team members trained in Wilderness First AID (SARTECH II Level). These team members are trained to stabilize a found person. Once stabilized, EMT Staff arriving on scene will perform further care as necessary.
  
  The Team operates out of a trailer that has been converted into an office and sleeping/resting areas. The office area is set up as workstations with computer, monitors, base Ham Radio’s, printer/copiers, and all team medical and office supplies. The sleeping/Resting quarters have bunk bed cots for sleeping and an area where searchers can eat or hydrate. Most searches last about 6 hours, however, we have been out as many as 3 days and having a resting area for our Team is crucial to conducting long searches or searches under extreme hot or cold temperatures. We always have some food and water in a small refrigerator, Meals Ready to Eat, snacks, small microwave to heat food and a coffee pot. All necessary supplies to keep searchers hydrated and fueled to conduct searches.
  
  SCSAR also has a drone, a couple handheld GPS units, radios and a generator to run the equipment in the trailer. Trailer updates will be completed soon at which time we will hold a Public Dedication, and all will be invited to meet the team, see the trailer and enjoy some food with us. We hope to see you there!

Hope this post was informative and if you have questions, feel free to ask