SAR Flashcards
State the SAR Response Standard
Units should provide no greater than a 2 hour total response time within AOR. Units shall maintain B-0 status and launch within 30 minutes.
National Distress and Response System (NDRS) Coverage. (VHF STANDARD)
A minimum 90% continuous coverage for reception of a 1-watt signal of a 1-meter antenna out to 20 NM.
Time to initiate initial action for a distress incident notification
5 min
Define SMC
SAR Mission Controller - The person assigned to carry out all aspects of planning, coordinating, and managing the response to a SAR incident.
SMC - Single Sector
Sector
SMC - Multi-Sector
District
SMC - Within SRR but outside Sector AOR
District
SMC - Multi District SRR’s
AREA
SAR cases that don’t require D8 Notification
Marine SAR Assistance Policy cases
State 3 Emergency Phases
UNCERTAINTY - Doubt
ALERT - Apprehension
DISTRESS -
UNCERTAINTY PHASE
When there is knowledge of a situation that may need to be monitored, or have more information gathered, but does not require moving resources.
ALERT PHASE
Craft or person experiencing some difficulty and may need assistance, but is not in immediate danger or in need of immediate response. APPREHENSION is associated.
DISTRESS PHASE
When a person or vessel is in danger and requires immediate response from the Coast Guard.
Factors that may contribute to a change in the emergency phase (10 factor)
NPCVT WMCDP
Nature of the Situation
Position
Condition of VSL, food/water, emergency supplies
Visibility including Day/Night
Tide, and ability for VSL to anchor
WX (present and forecasted)
Medical Concerns
Communications reliability
Degree of concern from POB
Potential for the situation to WORSEN
Major SAR CASE
Life/Property Lost/Saved
A shift of SMC to the next higher level
SAROPS used to calculate drift
High media / political interest
Minor SAR CASE
Lives/Property only assisted
False alerts
Cases that resolve on their own
When only a COMMSKED was used
Vertical Separation for Multiple aircraft
At least 500 ft.
CG Policy on Searching for Bodies
Not required to search for bodies, but can if requested
Define OVERDUE VSL
Confirmed departure and set arrival date. Report is at or after this arrival date.
Define UNREPORTED VSL
Confirmed departure and set arrival date. Report states they have not heard from VSL and this is before arrival date.
When to open and claim SAR CASE in MISLE
When we render assistance,
notification of distress has been received, or
SRU launched.
What are the 4 SAR Program Objectives? MMOM
(1) Minimize loss of life, injury, and property loss and damage in the maritime environment;
(2) Minimize crew risk during SAR missions;
(3) Optimize use of resources in conducting SAR; and
(4) Maintain a world leadership position in maritime SAR.
What are the 8 SAR Program Standards?
1) SAR Readiness
2) SAR Response
3) SAR Training
4) SAR command and control responsiveness
5) SAR unit training
6) NDRS (National Distress and Response System) coverage
7) Employement of approved SAR planning methods
8) AMVER system
OU responsibilites CC Manual
1) Coordinate initial actions, planning and execution for any emergent incident.
2) Interview reporting sources and conduct research for emergent incidents
3) Coordinate planning with CDO and SME’s for al emergent incidents
4) Coordinate with SU to retrieve and update information pertinent to ongoing case(s)
5) Document cases in MISLE
6) Act as primary POC for emergent incidents
When SHALL UMIB’s be issued?
Uncorrelated MAYDAY calls (CH16), Uncorrelated VHF-DSC distress calls, Flare sightings, Overdue vessel reports, Any situation deemed necessary by the SMC
Describe the Coast Guard’s Authority to forcibly evacuate a VSL.
Mariners may be compelled to abandon their vessels when a life-threatening emergency exists, and there is an immediate need for assistance or aid.
When can the USCG conduct Salvage of a VSL?
When no commercial salvage is o/s and when limited salvage operations (un-grounding / pumping / damage control) can prevent a worsening situation or complete loss of the VSL
When can the USCG engage in Firefighting?
The CG shall not engage in independent firefighting except to save a life or in the early stages of a fire to avert a significant threat without undue risk.
What can the CG provide in regards to navigational information to mariners?
Printed / Charted information from a recognized source: Chart info, LNM, Light List
The CG shall not do what for disoriented/lost mariners?
The CG shall not provide courses to steer
What actions should you take if a mariner insists on filing a float plan with the CG?
Record pertinent information on Overdue QRC, and retain it for a minimum of 1 month beyond the provided final expected arrival date. Read disclaimer in SAR addendum.
Factors determining duration of CG Participation in a search for someone who has fallen or jumped from a bridge
1) Chances of Surviving the fall
2) Chances of continued survival in the water
3) Will to live
4) Availability of adequate resources
When can USCG efforts be suspended for persons falling or jumping from a bridge?
After searching the specific area around the water entry point and,
When deemed by the SMC that the chance of survival is negligible,
Cases that require D8 concurrence for ACTSUS
1) Suspected False Alert / Hoaxes
2) Cases where persons are known to be missing
3) When First Light search not conducted
4) Any deviation from the USCG policy in regards to case suspension.
Cases that have been delegated to Sector Commander for ACTSUS
1) VHF DSC Alerts
2) All uncorrelated distress
3) Flare cases with First Light search conducted
4) Bridge Jumpers
5) Unmanned adrift vessels without signs of recent occupancy
6) Distress Alert - Unknown
Who can authorize a MEDEVAC?
SMC
State role of Flight Surgeon for MEDEVAC/MEDICO?
Flight surgeons provide SMC recommendations to assist SMC in deciding whether or not a case is urgent enough to justify the risk to the patient and the responding resource.
Who has the final decision to conduct a MEDEVAC, and to transport NOK along with the patient?
Aircraft commander, Cutter CO, or Coxwain
What organization provides emergency medical advice and assistance for underwater diving accidents?
DAN (Diver Alert Network)
What altitude must non-pressurized aircraft fly below when transporting dive accident patients?
1000ft or below
What is the purpose of SLDMB’s
Compare with EDS surface currents to help aid in selection of the best use during search efforts
What information should be acquired from a unit deploying a SLDMB
Time, Position, Argos ID number
Operating life minimum for SLDMB
14 days
Minimum water depth for air deployment of SLDMB
10 ft.
What are the 3 types of flares?
Meteor, Parachute, and Handheld.
Meteor Flare - Height and Burn duration
250-400ft, and 5.5 seconds
Parachute Flare - Height and Burn duration
1000-1200ft, and 30-40 seconds
Handheld Flare - Height and Burn duration
10ft, and 1-2 minutes
What 2 factors must the first light search decision meet to not conduct the search?
1) Area in which flare was sighted is confined
2) The area was effectively searched.
If peak of flare was observed above fist how far would the source be?
Within 1.4 NM
Define uncorrelated distress broadcast
A distress broadcast that does not include position, or information sufficient to generate a reasonable search area.
What is a “reasonable search area”?
Ability to cover an area with a 50% POS with a 2 hr search by water or a 1 hr search by air.
What is the minimum response for an uncorrelated distress?
UMIB broadcast at 15 min intervals for 1 hr.
State the formula used to determine the maximum radio range ring for an RFF?
D-1.23 x Sq Root of the height of Antenna
Who is responsible for Next of Kin interactions
Whoever is exercising ACTSUS authority
When can names of individuals being sought or having been rescued by the USCG be released?
While SAR case is open and active. Either by PAO or SMC
If case is closed how can a requester retrieve information about a SAR case?
They must submit a FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) request. (LT Garafolo)
When should PSDA (Probability of Survival Decision Aid) be used?
Shall be used for all cases involving persons in the water (PIW’s) and where persons are at risk of hypothermia or dehydration when not immersed.
What should units do after receiving a DSC distress alert?
Acknowledge the DSC alert, after 1 minute, but within 2.75 minutes. Units shall also monitor the corresponding frequency for at least 10 minutes. (Ch 70).
Coast Guard rescue surface assets may conduct an AE rescue operation in a coastal State’s territorial sea, when in the judgment of the unit or operational commander:
(a) There is reasonable certainty (based on the best available information regardless of source)
that a person is in distress;
(b) The distress location is reasonably well known; and
(c) The surface asset is in position to render timely and effective assistance.
Coast Guard rescue assets shall NOT conduct AE rescue operations under any of the
following conditions:
(a) To perform a search
(b) To rescue (or salvage) property
(c) To assist persons not in distress; or
(d) Within the internal waters or over the land mass of a coastal State.
