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SAR Quiz
It's easy to learn from others' mistakes, so read the following story and see how many ways this searcher and his team could improve. The answers are below.
Meet Walker Roundalot of Friendly, a little town in the Sierra foothills. Walker is a member of the Friendly Local Search & Rescue Team. You'll be going with Walker and his team as they search for a lost child.
Question 1: Walker arrives at about 9 a.m. He's late because his County road map doesn't show campgrounds, but he's a resourceful guy and was able to ask directions. He's designated the team leader, so he listens intently as the Briefing Officer describes the 6-year old boy who hasn't been seen since yesterday. (There are 2 ways Walker can improve here.)
Question 2: It's time to go. Wasting no time, Walker fetches his canteens from the car and fills them up at a faucet. He gets his flashlight and clothes from the car, puts them in his pack, locks his car and zips the keys in the pocket of his camouflage jacket. Then he gets a radio from the Comm Team, stuffs it in his pack, jumps in the truck with his team and says, "Lets go!" (Walker can improve 3 ways.)
Question 3: While riding in the truck, Walker and his team save time by getting out their maps and checking over their assigned area. When they arrive, they jump out, put on their packs and start searching without a moment's delay. (2 ways to improve)
Question 4: Moving silently through the woods, everyone concentrates 100% on the ground, looking for clues. Some candy wrappers lead cross country, but no one's sure if they belong to the boy. Knowing there's a stream about a quarter mile ahead, they track right up to it then check the banks for footprints. (3 ways)
Question 5: Walker spots some prints on the bank. He crosses the stream on a convenient log to check the other side. Turning around, he finds a child's shoe lying under a bush! Hollering to his companions, he takes the shoe back to the prints to see if it matches. It does! (3 ways)
Questions 6: However, during the next hour the team has no luck finding any more clues. Realizing they need some help, Walker gets out the radio, turns it on and says "Hello Command Post? We found a shoe and some matching prints! But then we lost the tracks!" The radio operator seems confused at first, but finally ask for the team's location. "Just a couple of miles from where they dropped us off!" (4 ways)
Questions 7: A dog team is sent out to relieve Walker's crew. Good thing, too - he was getting famished. On the way into camp, his team calls the CP and ask if lunch is ready yet. As they pull up, Walker spots the chow, climbs out of the Jeep and grabs some lunch. Then, after good meal, he finds a nice quiet spot under a tree away from everyone else and reflects on how well his team did. (5 ways)
ANSWERS
Question 1:
- A US Forest Service map would help Walker find campgrounds faster.
- When being briefed, Walker should write down the information rather than trying to keep it all in his head.
Question 2:
- Walker's gear should be packed and ready to go before he leaves home.
- Camouflage clothing is a poor choice for SAR -- it's hard to see from the ground or air. Also, a jumpy marijuana farmer might think Walker was a poacher.
- Walker should do a radio check when he gets the radio. He should also advise Communications that his team is leaving. He should keep the radio turned on and ready to use.
Question 3:
- Before their transportation leaves them, Walker's team should double check their location.
- When they leave the truck and start searching, they should tell the CP.
Question 4:
- Walker's team should be calling the boy's name.
- Instead of concentrating on the ground they should be looking all around.
- One team member should go check the stream ASAP.
Question 5:
- Walker did not flag the prints with flagging tape.
- If there were clues on the log, Walker erased them by walking on it.
- By picking up the shoe, Walker contaminated the scent with his own so a dog cannot use it as a scent article. Better to leave the shoe where it is.
Question 6:
- The clues should have been reported long ago, starting with the candy wrappers.
- Walker's radio procedures leave something to be desired.
- Walker only gave half a message -- he left out his location.
- This location is meaningless; degrees and landmarks are best.
Question 7:
- Walker went into the field with no food.
- Radio queries about food give a "me first, search second" impression.
- Walker didn't check in by radio.
- Walker didn't debrief.
- Walker wandered off after lunch, and now no one knows where he is.
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