Purpose
To provide guidelines regarding the process of evaluating risk versus gain in relation to SAR operations.
Policy
Surf Life Saving NSW (SLSNSW) requires lifesaving personnel to evaluate SAR operations to determine the level of risk versus the likely gain before commencing activities to ensure the ongoing safety of personnel.
Procedure
SAR facilities are responsible for taking whatever action they can to save life at any time and place where their facilities are available and can be effectively used. Nevertheless, there may be a point beyond which SAR services are not expected and cannot be justified.
Known and inherent and residual risk must be carefully weighed against the mission’s chances for success and the gains to be realised.
SAR personnel and equipment shall not be placed at risk, nor the mission attempted, unless lives are known to be at stake and the chances for saving lives are within the capability of the personnel and equipment available.
All reasonable action shall be taken to locate distressed personnel, determine their status and bring about their rescue. Prolonged SAR operations after all probability of survival has been exhausted are uneconomical and not warranted. The decision to conduct such operations must be based on probability of detection.
Studies have shown that the period within 12 to 24 hours of a distress incident is the most critical for recovery of survivors. The best chance of successful recovery occurs during this period. After 48 hours the chance of successful recovery decreases rapidly.