SARBC

Search and Rescue Society of British Columbia

RECON - Information/Observation

Information:

Numbers trapped

Locations

Type & extent of damage

What rescue being done now (if any)

Hazards - locations

Observation:

Think about time of day/day of week

Where large numbers of people should have been prior to the disaster

Looking over damage, finding available equipment and helpers

Team can now deal with walking wounded and Stage 2.

STAGE 2

All walking wounded sent to triage areas

All casualties found in non-difficult situations are removed

Casualties requiring extraction - located, mapped, advised crews will be with them ASAP

Rough sketches and maps essential to organize equipment and personnel effeciently

All available equipment and supplies to be mapped, if not gathered and brought back to base

The KEY is improvisation!

The search in Stage 2 is also to assess, and do it fast - so a rescue plan can be put together.

It is important to identify all likely spots (survival points) as these voids will be searched in Stage 3

STAGE 3

Search areas of high survivability - blocked by light debris

Complete search of the likely survival points

Rescue of survivors found

Reporting to base with numbers and briefing planners is important

Incredible amounts of dust created - which suffocate victims

STAGE 4

Selected debris removal and further searching where any chance exists for survivors

Carried out if people still unaccounted for

No heavy equipment used, but human debris chains are effective

STAGE 5

Systematic debris removal

Start in voids

Use of heavy equipment supervised by safety officer

Shoring and risk assessment should take place

Pile it neat, avoid rehandling - do it right the first time

Mark all areas searched to avoid wasting time re-searching