Search and Rescue Handbook
1 INTRODUCTION
Welcome to Search and Rescue (S&R). This document will define the role of S&R, and should answer any questions you may have.
1.01 AGENCIES
There are 3 agencies that use a law enforcement S&R team:
Blaine County Sheriff's Office (BCSO);
Los Santos County Sheriff's Department (LSSD); and,
United States Coast Guard.
BCSO covers S&R across the whole of Blaine County and provide mutual aid to Majestic County, utilising off-road vehicles and helicopters to aid their operations.
LSSD covers S&R across the entire Los Santos County, excluding the City of Los Santos which is covered by Urban Search & Rescue (USAR) from the Los Santos Fire Department (LSFD).
USCG covers S&R across the coasts surrounding San Andreas, utilising marine units and helicopters to aid their operations.
1.02 DEPLOYING AS SEARCH AND RESCUE
Any non-probationary member of Law Enforcement may deploy as Search and Rescue.
1.03 UNIFORMS AND EQUIPMENT
Blaine County Sheriff's Office. Uniforms can be found in the EUP Menu under Search & Rescue. For most operations, the SAR Tech uniform shall be worn.
Los Santos County Sheriff's Department. Uniforms can be found in the EUP Menu under Search & Rescue. For most operations, the SAR Tech uniform shall be worn.
United States Coast Guard. Uniforms can be found in the EUP Menu under USCG. For most operations, the Onepiece or Swimmer uniform shall be worn.
1.04 VEHICLES
Blaine County Sheriff's Office. S&R personnel shall use specialised off-road vehicles which include any of the following:
Off-road Vehicles:
Alamo (Off-road variant)
Landstalker (Off-road variant)
Caracara
Sadler
Trek
Air Units:
Maverick
Valkyrie
Marine Units:
Predator
Los Santos County Sheriff's Department. S&R personnel shall use specialised vehicles which include any of the following:
Off-road Vehicles:
Yosemite
Riata
Enduro
Alamo (Retro S&R variant)
Air Units:
Maverick
United States Coast Guard. S&R personnel shall use specialised vehicles which include any of the following:
Air Units:
Swift
Marine Units:
Dinghy
Predator
2 EXPECTATIONS
Common sense should always dictate your participation in S&R operations.
Example: Attempting to participate in an operation with an injury is dangerous not only for yourself but for your team mates and the subject you're searching for.
2.01 WORSENING A SITUATION
No rescue, evacuation, medical treatment, field tactic, or other element of any missions should be conducted when such action has the clear potential of worsening the situation or unnecessarily endangering S&R personnel or others.
2.02 PRIORITIES OF A MISSION
Priorities that control the reality of any S&R mission:
Yourself - safety is always the number one concern;
Your team; and,
Your mission and the subject.
2.03 BEFORE DEPLOYMENT ON A SEARCH
24 Hour Field Pack. Personnel shall check their 24 hour S&R pack to make sure they have everything needed.
2.04 REFUSING AN ASSIGNMENT
All personnel have the right to refuse an assignment that they feel they have either not been trained for, or they feel is too dangerous. Refer to 9 Safety for more information.
3 24 HOUR S&R PACK CHECKLIST
Rain Gear
Coat
Extra shirt
Extra socks
Bandana
Gloves
Eye protection
Ear protection
Sleeping bag
Hat
Compass
Handheld Personal Locator Beacon
Flashlight with extra batteries/bulbs OR 2 flashlights
Chemlights (x4 red, x4 green)
Waterproof matches/fire starter kit
Water - 1L minimum
Water purification system - tablets or filtration system
Food and high energy snacks
Tape
Nylon paracord
Knife/multitool
Wipes
Small tarp
Waterproof notebook + pen/pencil
Small tape measure
Ziplock bags
Garbage bags
Any prescribed medication for yourself
Small first aid kit
Personal Protective Kit
Whistle
4 PRIMARY MEETING POINTS
Once a mission is underway, personnel shall designate a meeting point to collect necessary vehicles and equipment from the following:
Blaine County Sheriff's Office:
MCSO Station, Sandy Shores
3004 Alhambra Drive
No air unit
BCSO Station, Paleto Bay
1038 Paleto Blvd
Air unit available
Los Santos County Sheriff's Department:
LSSD Station, Davis
9148 Innocence Blvd
Air unit available
United States Coast Guard:
Los Santos International Airport, Los Santos
10014 Los Santos International Airport Airside
Air unit available
Fort Zancudo, Lago Zancudo
5006 Fort Zancudo Approach Road
Air unit available
When deploying a marine unit, a boat may be brought to the nearest accessible boat ramp/waterway access route for launching.
5 SEARCH AND RESCUE CALL-OUT PROCEDURE
5.01 RESPONSE
S&R personnel may deploy if numbers allow for it, as per the deployment criteria in Unit Roles.
5.02 ALERTS
When a situation that requires S&R response is received by law enforcement, an officer may:
Designate an appropriate primary meet-up point for anyone deploying; and,
Include whether it's for an operation or not. If it is an operation, willing S&R personnel shall respond Code 3 to the designated primary meet-up point.
Example: 17L31 - "17L31, requesting search and rescue to Code Alpha at BCSO Paleto Bay for a SAR operation."
Officer's Responsibility. Responding S&R units shall all broadcast a Code 3 notification.
5.03 MEETING UP AT THE PRIMARY MEETING POINT
Once all available S&R personnel have convened at the primary meeting point, a team leader shall be designated (firstly based on rank, then seniority). The team leader shall make sure all personnel have checked their 24 hour S&R pack to make sure they have everything needed for the operation. The checklist for the 24 hour S&R pack is found above in section 4.
The team leader shall give a very brief summary of the situation they are about to enter (a full briefing shall be held once at the incident site).
The team leader shall designate a secondary meeting point; a staging area for units to meet up at the incident site. This secondary meeting point will become the base of operations for that incident.
Vehicles shall be checked over before heading out.
S&R personnel shall attempt to drive a vehicle each to gain as much mobility as possible when on scene.
5.04 ARRIVING AT THE SECONDARY MEETING POINT
Team Leader:
Designate the Staging Area where all personnel shall meet;
Designate a radio frequency for all personnel to join;
Split personnel up into teams;
Brief the personnel once everyone is at the staging area; and,
Lead the team into the field.
All S&R Personnel:
Adjust their gear and head to the staging area ready to be briefed by the team leader;
Check batteries, water and snack supplies; and,
Get briefed by team leader.
5.05 DURING THE MISSION
Team Leader:
Make sure personnel are drinking water and eating calories;
Monitor the condition of your team;
Preserve any evidence found;
Arrange transport back to base if necessary; and,
Address any safety concerns.
All S&R Personnel:
Listen for whistle blasts at all times. 2 blasts is used for searching. 3 blasts is used to signal distress; and,
Listen to the instructions of the team leader.
5.06 SUBJECT LOCATED
Activate handheld PLB;
Note the location/postal you're at;
Notify the team leader; and,
Assess the subject.
Subject found, alive.
Broadcast over the radio that you have found the subject. Include your team number, subject's age, gender, injuries, and any complaints they may have;
If possible, send a medic to assess the subject;
Assist in treatment (go to 7 MEDICAL TREATMENT); and,
Team leader should begin planning a safe evacuation route and request any evacuation equipment if needed.
Subject found, possibly deceased.
If death is not obvious, check for vital signs and follow medical training;
If death is obvious, attempt minimum exposure to the subject - move all team members away;
Secure the scene and establish a perimeter, with searchers entering and exiting by the same route; and,
Protect the scene from any contamination and wait for instructions.
6 POST SEARCH
Turn in any evidence collected;
Meet up at staging area; and,
Team leader shall hold a debrief of the mission at the staging area.
Debrief. The team leader shall cover multiple points in their debrief including, but not limited to:
Physical and mental check up on all team members;
Make sure all S&R personnel are accounted for;
Determine if personnel are safe to drive back to station; and,
Summary of how the mission went. What went well? What could be improved upon next time? Is there anything we could cover in training that would better prepare us for something similar in the future? etc.
7 MEDICAL TREATMENT
7.01 SCENE SIZE UP
Size up the scene and assess the area for danger:
Safe for rescuer?
The subject's method of injury?
Maintain body substance isolation (wear PPE if necessary)
Are there any other patients?
Severity of the injuries?
7.02 ABCDE
All S&R personnel, before providing basic life saving treatment to a patient, should firstly assess the patient before moving along with medical treatment. You should follow:
Airway - If talking and responsive, presume it's clear. If unresponsive, or not able to talk, check airway to look for any blockages.
Breathing - Check if the subject is breathing.
Circulation - Check their pulse. Check if they have any severe bleeds/wounds.
Disability - If possible spinal/neck injury, try to stabilise head.
Environment - Consider warm/cold environments, and treat to prevent hypo/hyperthermia if necessary.
7.03 MEDICAL TREATMENT
All S&R personnel are EMT certified, and have the ability to utilize basic life saving equipment during operations when advanced life saving methods are not readily available. The following are basic life saving methods used when faced with scenarios such as lower than average vitals, no vitals, traumatic injuries, etc.
DIFFICULTY BREATHING / LOW RESPIRATORY RATE:
Administer oxygen with the assistance of an oropharyngeal airway or nasopharyngeal airway if the victim is unconscious. If the victim is conscious and can breathe on their own, a nonrebreather mask is used to administer the oxygen. If the patient cannot breathe on their own or is having severe difficulties breathing, a bag valve mask is used.
NO PULSE:
Check the patient’s breathing and administer oxygen if the patient is not breathing. Then complete 30 chest compressions. Attach the patient to an automatic electronic defibrillator, and allow it to analyze. If the patient has a hairy chest, shave the patient’s chest before attaching the pads. If no shock is advised, check the patient’s pulse. If no pulse is detected, then the patient is dead on arrival. If shock is advised, make sure anyone in the immediate area is clear, make sure that the patient is dry, and then deliver the shock. If the heart rate does not return to normal, continue with 30 chest compressions and allow the automatic electronic defibrillator to analyze again. Complete until paramedics take over or the automatic electronic defibrillator no longer advises a shock.
TRAUMATIC INJURY / GUNSHOT WOUND:
Pack the patient’s wound with gauze. If an internal organ is showing or a lung has been punctured, utilize an occlusive dressing. Check and see if the wound goes through, if it is through and through, be sure to pack both sides of the wound.
TRAUMATIC INJURY / BLEEDING:
Pack the wound with gauze. Continue applying gauze to the patient’s wound if the wound bleeds through previously applied gauze. If the injury occurs on a limb and the bleeding is heavy, apply a tourniquet. If a tourniquet is applied, note the time of application, as it usually should not be kept on for longer than 2 hours.
TRAUMATIC INJURY / IMPALEMENT:
Pack gauze around the wound to keep the object stable. Do NOT remove the object. If the object is attached to something, attempt to move the patient with the item, or remove the object from the item it is attached to, keeping it within the patient.
TRAUMATIC INJURY / AMPUTATION & SEVERING:
Apply a tourniquet above the injury. If a tourniquet is applied, note the time of application, as it usually should not be kept on for longer than 2 hours. Attempt to recover the missing limb if possible. If the missing part is small, store in a bag with saline solution/salt water during transport.
TRAUMATIC INJURY / SPINAL:
In an injury where the head/neck/back was hit with considerable force, check for abnormal eye movement and clear fluid coming from the ears. If either symptom is present, secure the patient’s neck with a cervical collar. Roll the patient if necessary, using spinal roll techniques such as a cervical spine hold and then secure the patient to a spinal board/backboard.
TRAUMATIC INJURY / BROKEN BONES:
Injuries characterized by the presence of abnormal orientation of limbs/extreme bruising, tenderness, or visible brokenness. If the broken bone is in the arm, treat it with a sling and a splint. If the injury is in the leg, splint only. If the injury is in the chest/head, wrap with gauze roll and transport.
CARDIAC EMERGENCIES:
If the patient is conscious and has a pulse transport as soon as possible and monitor. If the patient has no pulse but is conscious, hook the patient up to an automatic electronic defibrillator and follow automatic electronic defibrillator instructions, it will likely advise shock. Do not attempt chest compressions. Transport as soon as the patient shows a pulse. Airlift if in a remote area.
ALLERGIC REACTIONS:
Characterized by hives, and difficulty breathing due to swelling airways. Administer oxygen to the patient. Check their medical history for information on the allergy if you cannot obtain an oral history. If the patient has an inhaler and or medication on them you can administer it for them, this could be an epinephrine auto injector, inhaler, etc.
DIABETIC EMERGENCIES:
Characterized by low energy, unconsciousness, and difficulty speaking. Attempt to determine medical history of patients electronically or verbally. Use an insulin test kit and give them orange juice, candy, or oral glucose. Following this, transport as soon as possible.
STROKE:
Characterized by loss of feeling in arm/leg, facial drooping, and trouble speaking. Put the patient in the recovery position on the unaffected side and transport.
8 SEARCH PROTOCOLS
8.01 SEARCH TYPES
Hasty Search. 2-person teams will move along the paths of least resistance to points of interest, looking for obvious signs of passage or places where a fatigued or injured subject would seek shelter.
Usually used early on during an incident.
Probability of Detection: 15-30%
Area Search. 3-person teams; 1 member will follow a bearing or head towards an identifiable terrain feature, with the other 2 moving in the same direction to the left and right within visual distance.
Probability of Detection: 25-40%
Loose Grid Search. Thorough search of a smaller area, usually used later in an incident when some clues have been located and the subject is more likely down and not responsive.
A large number of members will move in a line, in a direction perpendicular to the line. Movements will be slow and their spacing will be close. Members should not lag behind or storm ahead of the line.
Probability of Detection: 40-60%
Tight Grid Search. Used to locate small items of evidence. Involves members spaced very close together, looking closely at each square foot of area. Metal detectors or infrared devices may also be used.
The most thorough type of search.
Probability of Detection: 80%; however, will trample all remaining clues in the location.
9 SAFETY
9.01 PERSONAL LIMITATIONS
Personnel shall not participate in any mission beyond their skills, ability, training and/or experience. Personnel have the responsibility to inform the team leader if they cannot complete the mission.
9.02 RIGHT TO DECLINE ASSIGNMENT
Personnel have the right to decline an assignment or temporarily disengage themselves from any S&R activity when in their opinion such activity is believed to be unnecessarily dangerous or beyond their skill or ability.
9.03 FIREARMS
S&R personnel, while involved in S&R activities, will not display firearms of any kind.
However, S&R personnel may possess a backup firearm in an ankle holster; the magazines must be kept separate from the firearm itself.
10 RECOVERY AND HANDLING OF HUMAN REMAINS
When there is no unusual risk to S&R personnel, the recovery of bodies is considered an appropriate S&R activity.
10.01 ABSENCE OF THE CORONER
In remote or inaccessible areas where it may not be possible for the Coroner to be present, the removal of human remains may be accomplished with the verbal permission of the Coroner.
11 CANINE
11.01 EXPECTATIONS
The K9 Unit is a resource which personnel can use to their advantage in expediting the process of searching & rescuing. A team leader may choose to enlist K9 handlers from the K9 Division if the opportunity arises.
11.02 USE OF CANINE SUPPORT DURING A MISSION
Canines have many uses that S&R personnel can use on missions to search for missing people and evidence. The following circumstances must be present for a rescue K9 to be deployed:
S&R personnel must have access to an item which carries the common scent of the missing person to provide to the K9; and,
The conditions of the mission must permit for the safe deployment of a K9 and it’s handler.
Recognizing Disadvantages:
S&R personnel must recognize that in order to recover articles such as firearms or narcotics, specialized K9s are to be requested in lieu of a typical bloodhound or equivalent.
S&R personnel must recognize the limitations of K9s, that being that even specialized K9s cannot detect articles outside the scope of their training.
12 AIR OPERATIONS
12.01 EXPECTATIONS
The Air Support Division is a resource which personnel can use to their advantage in expediting the process of searching & rescuing. With this, members of S&R are expected to follow all air support division standard operating procedures if a team leader decides that a helicopter is necessary for the mission.
12.02 USE OF AERIAL SUPPORT DURING A MISSION
Helicopters have many uses that S&R personnel can use to:
Scan large areas using cameras capable of thermal vision & nightvision;
Illuminate large areas using spotlights;
Deploy members in locations inaccessible by foot or by land vehicles; and,
Remove victims from situations via helicopter.
12.03 USE OF SPECIALIZED CAMERAS/LIGHTS DURING A MISSION
While the equipment helicopters are outfitted with are powerful, their uses are limited and have drawbacks:
Lock-ons to a victim/vehicle may be lost if camera passes over shrubbery, which could be an issue in dense forests;
Thermal vision equipment would be incapable of detecting the body heat from a human in average nature conditions after 12 hours;
Night vision equipment can be permanently damaged if accidentally activated/used during the daytime; and,
Spotlights can very easily inhibit the vision of victims and S&R personnel on land if directly positioned towards them.
12.04 PRE-FLIGHT PROCEDURES
The team leader shall confirm that the helicopter has a sufficient crew which consists of a pilot, a TFO, and one S&R member;
The team leader shall confirm that the helicopter’s pilot and TFO have read through and acknowledged the air support division’s standard operation procedures;
Following briefing with the team leader, the pilot and TFO shall do their own pre-flight checks, which ensures the flight team’s safety throughout the mission; and,
Following briefing with the team leader, the S&R member aboard shall load necessary equipment into the helicopter before takeoff.
12.05 USE OF RAPPELLING DEVICES DURING A MISSION
Helicopters approved to be used by S&R personnel will always be equipped with rappelling devices and medical supplies which can be used to remove victims from locations inaccessible by foot or by land vehicles.
During the Mission (Descension):
The TFO shall then ensure that there is enough space for the S&R member to maneuver in when rappelling;
The S&R member shall prepare for the descent, checking their harness, pulling on the rope to check anchor point, ensuring that there are no tangles in rope, make sure rope is touching the ground, and more;
The TFO is to do their own check of the S&R members’ equipment, then give them the go-ahead; and,
The S&R member may begin the descent to the ground, after having made a verbal contract with the pilot.
Ground Procedures:
The S&R member may temporarily disconnect from the winch to make contact with the target subject, if conditions allow, the S&R member may stay connected to the rope to speed up the process;
The S&R member is to follow subsection 5.06 Subject Located, which later entails following section 7 Medical Treatment; and,
The S&R member should stabilize the patient until they are able to be safely secured to a rescue stretcher. If there are injuries which are immediately life threatening, triage should be done before the patient is loaded into the helicopter and transported. Most if not all medical treatment shall continue in the helicopter while enroute to the nearest helicopter accessible hospital or a secondary meeting point.
During the Mission (Ascension):
The TFO is to confirm with the S&R member that they are secured, the patient is secured, finally confirming that the ascent may commence;
The S&R member shall remain alongside the patient while being lifted back up to the helicopter; and,
Upon levelling with the helicopter, the TFO and S&R member are to safely load the patient into the rear of the helicopter.
12.06 USE OF LANDING ZONES DURING A MISSION
Helicopters approved to be used by S&R personnel are equipped with landing gear which will allow helicopters to land in remote locations and remove victims from locations inaccessible by foot or by land vehicles.
During the Mission (Landing):
The pilot should use their discretion when landing in off-road areas, which may include avoiding steep/overly dangerous terrain, and refer to the common sense manual when it comes to landing. (No road flares in the wilderness, thanks).
Ground Procedures:
The S&R member is to follow subsection 6.06 Subject Located, which later entails following section 7 Medical Treatment; and,
The S&R member should stabilize the patient until they are able to be safely secured to a rescue stretcher. If there are injuries which are immediately life threatening, triage should be done before the patient is loaded into the helicopter and transported. Most if not all medical treatment shall continue in the helicopter while enroute to the nearest helicopter accessible hospital or a secondary meeting point.
12.07 POST-FLIGHT PROCEDURES:
The flight team may take the time while back enroute to the station to debrief in the absence of the team leader, following section 6 Post Search.
13 UNMANNED AERIAL SYSTEMS
13.01 EXPECTATIONS
The Unmanned Aerial System Team is a resource which personnel can use to their advantage in expediting the process of searching & rescuing. With this, personnel of S&R are expected to follow any Unmanned Aerial System Team standard operating procedures when working alongside their team, if a S&R team leader decides that a drone is necessary for the mission.
13.02 USE OF UNMANNED AERIAL SYSTEMS DURING A MISSION
Personnel from the S&R Division are unable to launch a drone on their own (budget cuts), and are to request a member of the Unmanned Aerial System Team through the Counter Terrorism & Special Operations Bureau, or, the Detective Bureau.