114 Search and Rescue Fundamentals

Question 1

Discuss and demonstrate the hand signal for Raise Hoist

Answer 1

Raised thumbs up

Question 2

Discuss and demonstrate the hand signal for Stop Hoist

Answer 2

Raised clenched fist

Question 3

Discuss and demonstrate the hand signal for Lower Hoist

Answer 3

Raised thumbs down over head

Question 4

Discuss the use of the Rescue Strop

Answer 4

Over water, always goes down with the Rescue Hook to provide flotation for whatever gear is on the hook, or to be used at the swimmer’s discretion. Typically for uninjured personnell.

Question 5

Discuss the use of the High-Intensity Chemlights

Answer 5

6 general purpose -12 hours

Question 6

Discuss the use of the Rescue Hook Chemlight Straps

Answer 6

3 in the SAR Curtain, used to illuminate the Rescue Hook and whatever equipment may be on it. Can be used to hang IV bags in the helo

Question 7

Discuss the use of the MK 58 Smoke Flares

Answer 7

Long burner-about 45 minutes. Don’t deploy this thing in a hover. Eruption of the second flame can go up to 50 feet. Dual candle, saltwater use, not resealable.

Question 8

Discuss the use of the MK 25 Smoke Flares

Answer 8

Short burner-about 10-20 minutes. Don’t deploy this thing in a hover either, because it could shoot a plastic cap high enough to impact the helo. Salt and fresh water, resealable.

Question 9

Discuss the use of the Electrical Sea Marker Lights

Answer 9

Marine lights encased in PVC and powered by a giant 6V battery. Gravity activated (they flip over when entered into water). Use when there is expected fuel/oil in the water.

Question 10

Discuss the use of the Rescue Seat

Answer 10

Has 2 seat flukes and is used to extract personnel from foliage and forestry that is too dense to land a helo.

Question 11

Discuss the use of the Rescue Net

Answer 11

No longer in service, however, we still use the Rescue Basket. Typically made for 1 survivor. THERE IS NO SPECIFIC POINT TO ILLUMINATE THE BASKET WITH A CHEMLIGHT.

Question 12

Discuss the use of the Quick Strop

Answer 12

A simpler quicker version of the Rescue Strop for direct deployment. Can be used in conjunction with the rescue strop for “double lifts”

Question 13

Discuss Altitude as it pertains to SAR

Answer 13

Search areas and patterns, rescue hover, etc. Keep in mind that compressor stall could become an issue if you hover for too long. Be mindful of what your pilots are telling you

Question 14

Discuss Color Contrast as it pertains to SAR

Answer 14

Finding your survivor. Look for their helmets, especially at night. Sea Dye Markers are awesome for this during the daytime. Eye fatigue becomes an issue after a little while so be mindful of that.

Question 15

Discuss Communications as it pertains to SAR

Answer 15

Essential for the ease of locating the survivor and for conducting the SAR. ICS/PRC-149/Hand Signals/search light

Question 16

Discuss Lighting Conditions as they pertain to SAR

Answer 16

Low light levels = NVDs. Be mindful of what time sunset is when you go on a mission.

Question 17

Discuss Object of Search as it pertains to SAR

Answer 17

Know what you’re looking for.

Question 18

Discuss Sea State as it pertains to SAR

Answer 18

Douglas Sea State of 3 or above requires that the swimmer be lowered via hoist into the water. Heavy sea states in most areas are usually indications of bad weather.

Question 19

Discuss Signaling Devices as they pertain to SAR

Answer 19

Locating the survivor. Some devices are ineffective at certain altitudes, and some are more effective at others

Question 20

Discuss Weather as it pertains to SAR

Answer 20

Are you VFR? Can you legally do the mission? Weather can dramatically affect the safety of the crew and the mission.

Question 21

Discuss Lookout Doctrine as it pertains to SAR

Answer 21

Pilots take the 2-10 o’ clock lookout positions in the front, aircrew will take the back and provide overlapping FOV. Don’t get fatigued. Switch every 60 minutes.

Question 22

Discuss Wind/Water Chill Factor as it pertains to SAR

Answer 22

The SAR TACAID has a table listing wind chill and water chill and approximately how long a survivor has to live based on temperatures

Question 23

Discuss Parachute Drift Distance as it pertains to SAR

Answer 23

The SAR TACAID has a table listing various altitudes and wind speeds to help determine approximately how far an ejection survivor will drift

Question 24

Discuss the SAR Brief as it pertains to overwater SAR

Answer 24

4 B’s: Buster, Bingo, Brief, Base… sea state, bingo, lost comms brief, ejected pilots? litter?

Question 25

Discuss Crew Coordination as it pertains to overwater SAR

Answer 25

Make sure everyone knows who is the swimmer and the crewchief and make sure everyone is communicating effectively. If the swimmer is done dressing out, he will help the crewchief with either lookout procedures or cabin rigging

Question 26

Discuss the Onscene Commander as he pertains to overwater SAR

Answer 26

OSC does not take part in the actual rescue. The OSC is there to relay information to appropriate authorities while the Rescue Unit is involved in the rescue itself.

Question 27

Discuss the Rescue Unit as it pertains to overwater SAR

Answer 27

Primary SAR asset in the area. The OSC supervises and relays information as necessary so that the Rescue Unit can focus on the rescue mission at hand

Question 28

Discuss SAR Organization as it pertains to overwater SAR

Answer 28

SAR Coordinator-SAR Mission Coordinator-On Scene Commander-SAR Unit

Question 29

Discuss the use of NVGs during a SAR effort

Answer 29

Be mindful of eye fatigue and the fact that your normal 180-degree FOV is reduced to 40 degrees. Be sure to look under goggles and get a good reading on everything.