Section 5: Light Search and Rescue

1. 1 Light Search and Rescue Operations

2. 2 Search and Rescue

   • Consists of three separate operations
     • Sizeup: Using 9-step, continual model
     • Search: Locating survivors and documenting
     • Rescue: Extricating survivors Operations

3. 3 Operations Deciding to Attempt Rescue

   • Decision based on three factors
     • The risks involved for the rescuer
     • Greatest good for the greatest number
     • Resources and manpower available

4. 4 Goals of Search and Rescue

   • Rescue greatest number in shortest amount of time
   • Get walking wounded out first
   • Rescue lightly trapped survivors next
   • Keep the rescuer safe Operations

5. 5 Operations Effective Search and Rescue

   • Depends on:
     • Effective sizeup
     • Rescuer safety
     • Survivor safety

6. 6 Operations Unit Objectives

   • Identify sizeup requirements
   • Describe most common search techniques
   • Use safe techniques for debris removal
   • Use safe techniques for survivor extrication
   • Describe ways to protect rescuers

7. 7 Operations Unit Topics

   • Safety During Search and Rescue Operations
   • Conducting Interior and Exterior Searches
   • Conducting Rescue Operations

8. 8 REMEMBER: CERT SIZEUP IS A CONTINUAL PROCESS

   • 1. Gather Facts
   • 2. Assess Damage
   • 3. Consider Probabilities
   • 4. Assess Your Situation
   • 5. Establish Priorities
   • 6. Make Decisions
   • 7. Develop Plan of Action
   • 8. Take Action
   • 9. Evaluate Progress Operations CERT Sizeup

9. 9 Sizeup – Step 1 Gather Facts

   • Time of event and day of the week
   • Construction type/terrain
   • Occupancy
   • Weather
   • Hazards Operations

10. 10 Assess and Communicate Damage The CERT mission changes if:

    • • Damage is light
      • Damage is moderate
      • Damage is heavy Sizeup: Step 2

11. 11 Light Damage

    • Superficial
    • Broken windows
    • Superficial cracks or breaks in wall surface
    • Minor damage to the interior contents
    • Safe to enter and remain

12. 12 Moderate Damage

    • Visible signs of damage
    • Decorative work damaged or fallen
    • Many visible cracks or breaks in wall
    • Major damage to interior contents
    • Building still on foundation
    • Enter only to save lives

13. 13 Heavy Damage

    • Partial or total collapse
    • Tilting
    • Obvious structural instability
    • Building off foundation Do not enter a building with heavy damage under any circumstances

14. 14 Consider Probabilities

    • How stable is the situation?
    • What else could go wrong?
    • What does it mean for the search and rescue? Sizeup: Step 3

15. 15 Assess Your Situation

    • Is the situation safe enough to continue?
    • What risks will rescuers face?
    • What resources are needed?
    • What resources are available? Sizeup: Step 4

16. 16 Rescue Resources

    • Personnel
      • Firefighters
      • Police
      • Nurse, M.D.
      • Contractor
    • Tools
      • Crowbars
      • Auto jacks
      • Chainsaws
    • Equipment

17. 17 Establish Priorities

    • What should be done?
    • In what order?
    • How to rescue the greatest number in the shortest amount of time? Sizeup: Step 5

18. 18 Make Decisions

    • Keep in mind:
      • Safety of CERT members
      • Life safety for survivors and others
      • Protection of the environment
      • Protection of property Sizeup: Step 6

19. 19 Develop Plan of Action

    • Focus operation on established priorities and decisions
    • Provide for documentation to give to responding agencies
    • Provide for documentation to become part of CERT records Sizeup: Step 7

20. 20 Take Action

    • Based on plan developed during Step 7 Sizeup: Step 8

21. 21 Sizeup: Step 9 REMEMBER: CERT SIZEUP IS A CONTINUAL PROCESS Evaluate Progress

    • Most critical step
    • Monitor plan’s effectiveness and safety

22. 22 Specific Safety Considerations

    • Make rescuer safety primary concern
    • Use a buddy system
    • Be alert for hazards
    • Use safety equipment
    • Rotate teams

23. 23 If you see collapsed floors

    or walls, get out! Pancake Void ‘V’ Void Lean-to Void X X X X X XX X = Voids Structural Voids

24. 24 Individual Voids

    • Spaces where survivors may seek protection
      • Bathtubs
      • Underneath desks
      • Inside cabinets
      • Under/next to beds
      • Inside closets

25. 25 CERT I.D. Search Markings Date Time In Time Out Areas Searched Survivors

    • Upon entering search area:
      • Make a slash
      • Enter info
    • Upon leaving search area:
      • Complete ‘X’
      • Enter info

26. 26 CERT I.D. Areas

    Searched Date Time In Time Out Victims What information do you mark? Search Markings

27. 27 CERT-23

    FL 1-2 searched Stairs to FL-3 unsafe 2/15/08 In: 1430 Out: 1515 2L Moved to CERT-23 med ops Example: Search Markings

28. 28 Search Methodology

    • Call out to survivors, “If anyone can hear my voice, come here”
    • Ask any survivors who do respond for more information about the building or others who may be trapped
    • Survivors might be in shock or confused

29. 29 Search Methodology

    • Bottom-up/topdown for a multistory building
    • Right wall/left wall for a single floor
    • Stop frequently to listen

30. 30 Search Methodology

    • Stop frequently to listen for:
      • Tapping
      • Movement
      • Voices

31. 31 Search Methodology

    • Triangulation allows rescuers to view a location from several perspectives

32. 32 Search Methodology

    • Keep records of rescued survivors and of those who remain trapped or are dead
    • Report information to emergency services personnel

33. 33 Exterior Search

    • Set up a grid search
      • Set distance between searchers according to visibility and debris
      • Overlap patterns for full coverage
      • Search in as straight a line as possible
      • Mark areas that have been searched

34. 34 Rescue Operations

    • Remove objects and debris to free survivors and create safe rescue environment
    • Triage survivors
    • Remove survivors
    • Remove debris

35. 35 Creating a Safe Environment

    • Maintain rescuer safety
    • Triage in lightly and moderately damaged buildings
    • Evacuate survivors as quickly as possible

36. 36 Precautions to Minimize Risk

    • Know your limitations
    • Follow safety procedures
    • Remove debris by:
      • Leveraging
      • Cribbing

37. 37 Proper Lifting Procedures

    • Back straight
    • Bend knees
    • Keep load close to body
    • Push up with legs

38. 38 Leveraging and Cribbing

    • For heavy lifting
    • Performed in tandem
    • Helps extricate survivors
    • Various materials and objects may be used

39. 39 Two Types of Removal

    • Self removal or assist
    • Lifts and drags

40. 40 Which Extrication Method?

    • General stability of the immediate environment
    • Number of rescuers available
    • Strength and ability of the rescuers
    • Condition of survivor

41. 41 One-Person Arm Carry

    • Lift around survivor’s back and under knees
    • Lift survivor by keeping your own back straight and lifting with legs

42. 42 Pack-Strap Carry

43. 43 Two-Person Carry

44. 44 Chair Carry

45. 45 Blanket Carry

46. 46 Log Rolling

47. 47 Blanket Drag

48. 48 Unit Summary

    • You should know:
      • How to decide whether to attempt rescue
      • The objectives of interior and exterior search and rescue
      • How to perform search and rescue sizeup
      • Building markings
      • Rescue functions
      • How to remove debris
      • How to extricate survivors

49. 49 Homework Assignment

    • 1. Read unit to be covered in next session
    • 2. Bring necessary supplies to next session
    • 3. Wear appropriate clothes to next session

Course material: FEMA's CERT Basic Training (2019), in the public domain. For study only, not medical advice: in an emergency, call 911.