Light Search and Rescue
LIGHT SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS ---
Remember - CERT training will familiarize yourself with these operations.
Search and Rescue consists of 3 seperate operations ---
1. SIZEUP - involves assessing the situation
and determining a safe action plan. The decision to attempt a rescue should be based on 2 factors:
a. The risks involved to the rescuer.
b. Overall goal of doing the greatest good for the
greatest number of people.
A. GATHER FACTS - examples -- the time, type of
constructuion, occupancy of structure, weather,
(hazards - locations of mine shafts, mountains,
desert), age of people.
B. ASSESS AND COMMUNICATE THE DAMAGE -
is damage beyond CERT capabilities?, are
communication channels functioning?
C. CONSIDER PROBABILITIES -any life threatening
hazards, examples: electrical, rising water, gas,
structural collapse, hazardous materials.
D. ASSESS YOUR OWN SITUATION - equipment
availability.
E. ESTABLISH PRIORITIES - safety to rescuers, are
there other pressing needs at the moment.
F. MAKE DECISIONS - deployment of avaliable
resources while maintaining safety of CERT
members, victims, others, the environment, and
property.
G. DEVELOP A PLAN OF ACTION - deployment of
personnel and other resources. Keep a notebook
for jotting down notes.
H. PUT PLANS INTO EFFECT.
I. EVALUATE PROGRESS - continually size up the
situation and make any changes in strategies of the
problem, safety risks, and any availability
of resources.
REMEMBER: CERT training will familiarize
yourself with search and rescue procedures.
2. SEARCH involves locating victims and documenting their
location. TWO processes are involved:
1. gathering search techniques based on the size up.
2. locating potential victims.
a. Begin in a search by calling out to victims.
b. Use a systematic search pattern, listen for any
sounds, mark areas searched, report results.
c. 3 functions of a rescue - create a safe rescue
environment, stabilize victims, removing victims.
CERT members are restricted to light Search and Rescue under the supervision of the command center whether it be
the Sheriff's Department, Fire Department, or the Search and Rescue Department.
3. RESCUE - rescue the greatest number of people in the shortest amount of time.
a. Create a safe rescue environment.
b. Stabilize victims.
c. Removing victims.
d. Rescue lightly trapped victims first.
e. Know your own limitations (physical & mental).
The most important person in a rescue attempt is
the RESCURER.
Follow safety procedures:
1. Use proper safety gear.
2. Work in pairs.
3. Never enter an unstable structure.
4. Lifting - bend knees, keep back straight and push up
with legs.
5. Lifting and carring no more than is reasonable.
6. Use a buddy system, be alert of hazards.
7. When removing victims: victim may remove self or
be assisted, or removal of victims by lifts or drags.
8. Have backup teams available
A quick reference when sizeing up victim scenario -
LOCATE, ASSESS, STABILIZE, TRANSPORT.
Successful search and rescue depends on teamwork!
REMEMBER: to respond with "open eyes" - train yourself to shift your mind thoughts to the matters at hand, slow down, size up situation.
Popular Light Search and Rescue webpage -
CERT Unit 5 – Light Search and Rescue Operations
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