Search and Rescue (SAR) are a core function of IRB operations that an IRB Driver and IRB Crewperson may perform at the request of a Patrol Captain/Water Safety Coordinator/Powercraft Coordinator.
This activity will normally be led by the Patrol Captain or a senior lifesaver such as a Duty Officer or similar.
In the event that a person is reported missing in the water, ensure all necessary information is gathered to commence appropriate actions within the first 2 minutes. Keep the informant with the Patrol Captain or other suitable team member.
There are five broad stages to effective management of a SAR incident. The Patrol Captain will be responsible for the first two stages, Police the middle two – with assistance from SLS personnel and the final stage (recovery) will be managed by SLS personnel in accordance with local SOPs. The SAR briefly outlined in this module is to provide a basic understanding only. It is strongly recommended that you consider completing the SLS Silver Medallion Aquatic Rescue module for more detailed information.
- Awareness
- Initial response
- Planning
- Operations
- Recovery
1. Awareness
Knowing that an emergency situation exists or may exist
A Search and Rescue (SAR) operation is defined as a situation that involves the dispatch of a rescue team to an incident—the exact location of which may, or may not, be known. Lifesavers and Support Operations personnel may manage the search and rescue for missing persons at their normal patrol location (e.g., children, others) either in the water, or on land.
2. Initial response
Preliminary action taken to coordinate personnel and obtain more information (What happened? When? Where? What else do you know about the person (e.g. age, gender, clothing, swimming ability, affected by alcohol, drugs or a medical condition). Advise SLS Communications Centre or relevant emergency services.
This phase of any SAR operation involves the following three steps:
- information gathering
- initial search and marking of location
- notification to authorities
This will be led by the incident commander and this is normally the Patrol Captain until a Lifesaving member of a higher qualification often a Duty Officer or equivalent attends the scene. Any initial response or tasking should be under the direction of the Incident Commander.
Information gathering
This step involves seeking information to determine the details of the incident and the type of operation required. This includes establishing the following about an incident:
- What has happened?
- When did it happen?
- Where did it happen?
- Who does it concern?
Initial search and marking of location
If the incident involves a missing person, a swift initial search may be conducted followed by marking the last known location they were seen to provide a reference point for further searches is important. Best practice would be to use a buoy or can as a marker of the last known location. Also take note of two land-based markers as a back-up. Use observation skills to identify any clues or objects that may help inform the SAR plan and begin a search.
Notification to authorities
As soon as practical the incident commander should notify the authorities based on local procedures.
3. Planning
Development of operational plans to deliver a response. On collecting as much relevant information about the emergency you will need to pause and plan.
Police are the Incident Controller and shall have overall management of the incident requiring a multi-agency emergency response, such as a search and rescue (SAR). Planning involves the development of operational plans to deliver a response including a SMEACS brief.
A SMEACS brief would outline:
| S | Situation | What has happened? |
| M | Mission | Objectives of the operation – What are you trying to achieve? |
| E | Execution | Action plan – How are you going to achieve the outcome? |
| A | Administration & Logistics | Sourcing and preparing personnel and logistics – Who will use your resources? |
| C | Command & Communication | Reporting hierarchy and communications methods – Who are you reporting to and how? |
| S | Safety | Identify known or likely hazards, or welfare concerns – What could cause harm? |
Ensure that you prepare all your equipment as per local SOPs. For SAR operations, you may require additional equipment for searching (e.g., mask and snorkel, dye) or safety of personnel (e.g., EPIRB or PLB). SAR operations are critical incidents. Clubs and Support Operations are advised to take into consideration the age and experience of personnel when planning a SAR operation.
When planning, use the dynamic risk assessment process to determine the most effective approach.
4. Operations
Dispatching personnel to scene, incident management response including conducting searches and rendering assistance and care to patients where applicable.
For inshore SAR operations the use of IRBs is extremely useful. They are designed and suited for these operations. For SAR beyond these boundaries, larger craft are more suitable due to reduced Crewperson fatigue and longer operational range.
Where personnel are in the water, the role of an IRB can vary from undertaking searches, acting as observation points and communication relays, to coordinators for in-water personnel and water safety for in-water personnel. It is important that in-water personnel keep in constant contact with IRBs, overseeing their safety and constantly communicate, including use of signals.
- IRB Operators will be instructed to keep safe distances from personnel in the water and to react immediately if assistance is required.
When participating in a SAR, the following general principals and elements will need to be considered:
- Dispatching SAR assets to the scene
- Conducting searches
- Rescuing survivors,
- Assisting distressed targets
- Providing necessary emergency care for survivors
- Handover casualties to medical professionals
Visibility from an IRB on the water is limited. The maximum distance that an object on the surface of the water will be visible from the IRB depends on its height above sea level and the water conditions at the time. The direction of the sun and the height of the sun above sea level can also impact on your ability to see the patient.
If you are searching for a person in the water, they will be at or below the surface of the water and therefore visibility will be extremely compromised.
Search patterns
For any water-based search to have a good chance of success, the search must be carried out in a methodical fashion—that it starts in the place where the missing person is most likely to be located and also ensuring it covers the area thoroughly.
Whichever search pattern is used, it must be suitable, feasible, acceptable and safe. The time, water conditions, wind drift and water currents will all influence decisions about which search pattern to use. Marking dye may also be used to help determine the water movement to assist in selecting the appropriate search pattern.
The distance between each leg of the search will depend upon these factors, with the guiding principle being to ensure the search area is visually covered.
The objective of surface searches is to look from above the water surface for submerged objects.
A number of patterns may be applied, a sample of common searches are listed on the following pages.
Line search
Line search pattern, also known as parallel line search, involves team members moving in a straight line from the last know location in the direction of the wind or current. The distance between personnel participating will depend on factors including:
- What gear and equipment they are using
- The depth of the water
- Sea conditions
- Water clarity—the less clear the water, the closer together the searchers must be
Creeping line
The creeping line search pattern involves moving back and forth in making gradual increments parallel to the previous track. Starting from the last known location, the pattern will follow the measured direction of the current where the missing object or person is likely to have also drifted.
Square
The square search pattern is often used by IRBs (although can be used by swimmers) and involves the search starting from the last known location and moving outwards in a square pattern.
It is typically used where there is little ocean current or drift, or where it is highly likely the object has remained static.
Interoperability
The IRB may be working with other assets and agencies when conducting a search. In many SAR operations, IRBs can work as a vital link with helicopters in bringing a mission to a successful conclusion. Check your local SOPs on procedures for working with helicopters.
5. Recovery
Debrief, replenish resources, complete required documentation and prepare for future operations.
Clean, check and restore any equipment used so that it is ready for use again. Complete all the necessary documentation including Incident report forms, equipment logs, patrol logs and any other required external forms (such as a maritime incident form). Ensure that an operational debrief is conducted by the patrol captain, that a critical incident debrief is arranged and that access to appropriate psychological support services is provided as required.
Recovering objects
The primary function of Surf Life Saving is the safety and saving of life, not the recovery of property or salvage operations. The recovery of objects should not be a significant concern of surf lifesaving operations, unless the object is posing an immediate danger to the public or lifesavers.
Patient retrieval
Hypothermia is a likely condition of patients who have been recovered from the water during SAR operations. Team members should be aware of this condition and check for and provide appropriate first aid where applicable.
Body retrieval
Body retrieval must be undertaken only under the direction of the Police Service. It is not appropriate to risk life, injury or equipment damage in body retrieval operations.
Refer to the Body Retrieval section of the SLSA Emergency Management Guideline in the SLSA Members Area Library and your local SOPs for further information.
It is important to remember that specific information regarding incidents must remain confidential and must not be discussed outside the requirements of your role. Remain vigilant of confidentiality. It is not appropriate to discuss any incident details publicly, especially on social media.
Failure to maintain privacy and confidentiality requirements is considered a serious breach of SLSA policies.