Outdoor Search Methods

04/19/23 1Special thanks to Pierce County Explorer Search and Rescue, Tacoma WA

SEARCH BASICS

• KNOW what to look for.• EXPECT to find something!• FOCUS on pertinent issues.• Who can halt a team?• Who can re-start a team?• Look side to side, forward, up and behind.• KEEP SAFE. Don’t add to the number of

subjects.

04/19/23 2Special thanks to Pierce County Explorer Search and Rescue, Tacoma WA

WHAT EACH SEARCHER SHOULD KNOW:

• Name of subject• Description of subject• Clue information• Clothing, equipment, …• PLS or LKP• Search area assignment• Command structure

04/19/23 3Special thanks to Pierce County Explorer Search and Rescue, Tacoma WA

DO’s:

• Keep you pack & gear ready.• Respond whenever you can.• Dress appropriately for the weather.• Sign in on arrival at rendezvous or base.

Sign out when leaving.• Listen to your TL regardless of their age.• Behave respectfully in base (you never know

who is listening).

04/19/23 4Special thanks to Pierce County Explorer Search and Rescue, Tacoma WA

DONT’s:

• Smoke or drink alcohol on missions.• Use profanity or foul language.• Show excessive affection w/ significant

other.• Give your opinions to the news media. Do

refer them to the Incident Commander. • Make negative comments about other SAR

units.

04/19/23 5Special thanks to Pierce County Explorer Search and Rescue, Tacoma WA

CHAIN OF COMMAND

• Incident Commander – law enforcement officer

• ESAR• OL – Operations Leader• FL – Field Leader• TL – Team Leader• B - Brushmonkey

04/19/23 6Special thanks to Pierce County Explorer Search and Rescue, Tacoma WA

How many types of search techniques do we use?

• TYPE 1 – HASTY SEARCH• TYPE 2 – OPEN GRID• TYPE 3 – CLOSED GRID• TYPE 4 - EVIDENCE• URBAN

• What kind of search is each search type? Notice the progression.

04/19/23 7Special thanks to Pierce County Explorer Search and Rescue, Tacoma WA

• TYPE 1 – HASTY SEARCH– A quick, efficient search of specific high

probability areas

• TYPE 2 – OPEN GRID– A more organized yet still rapid search of a

high probability area– Highest results per man hour of effort

• TYPE 3 – CLOSED GRID– A thorough, slower search of a specific

area

04/19/23 8Special thanks to Pierce County Explorer Search and Rescue, Tacoma WA

• TYPE 4 – EVIDENCE– Extremely thorough search usually for

small evidence

• URBAN– Type 1 or 2 search in an urban setting– Often subject will be a child or someone

with dementia.

04/19/23 9Special thanks to Pierce County Explorer Search and Rescue, Tacoma WA

When are the different search types used?

04/19/23 10Special thanks to Pierce County Explorer Search and Rescue, Tacoma WA

TYPE 1 – HASTY SEARCH

• Used in the early stages of a search

• Anytime to check on unconfirmed sightings or to re-check a high probability area.

04/19/23 11Special thanks to Pierce County Explorer Search and Rescue, Tacoma WA

TYPE 1 SEARCH METHODS

• Take the path of least resistance• Roads, trails, drainages, ridge areas,• Look for clues, trails not on the map and info

about the area• Clothing, footprints, food wrappers,

equipment ...• Do voice checks about every 300’ (based on

how far voices will carry)

04/19/23 12Special thanks to Pierce County Explorer Search and Rescue, Tacoma WA

04/19/23 Special thanks to Pierce County Explorer Search and Rescue, Tacoma WA

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URBAN SEARCH METHODS

• Go door to door.• Talk to people.• Search likely spots where someone could

hide.• Remember children fit in small places.• Be aware of hazards. Use your judgment on

safety.• Traffic, chemicals, animals, private property

04/19/23 14Special thanks to Pierce County Explorer Search and Rescue, Tacoma WA

TYPE 2 – OPEN GRID

• Used when Type 1 doesn’t work and a more thorough search is needed.

04/19/23 15Special thanks to Pierce County Explorer Search and Rescue, Tacoma WA

TYPE 2 SEARCH METHODS

• Center person stays on compass bearing (Compass person)

• Outside searchers space at critical spacing from compass person

• Weave back and forth taking path of least resistance

• Mark start and end• Voice checks

04/19/23 16Special thanks to Pierce County Explorer Search and Rescue, Tacoma WA

04/19/23 Special thanks to Pierce County Explorer Search and Rescue, Tacoma WA

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TYPE 3 – CLOSED GRID

• Used when Type 2 doesn’t work and a more thorough search is needed.

04/19/23 18Special thanks to Pierce County Explorer Search and Rescue, Tacoma WA

TYPE 3 SEARCH METHODS

• Guide off Compass person, road, trail, creek, …

• Guide Left / Right (keep searcher to your left/right slightly ahead of you.

• Tight spacing – you should be able to see the feet of the person next to you.

• If you can’t see through an obstacle you must go through the obstacle.

• Voice checks

04/19/23 19Special thanks to Pierce County Explorer Search and Rescue, Tacoma WA

04/19/23 Special thanks to Pierce County Explorer Search and Rescue, Tacoma WA

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TYPE 4 – EVIDENCE

• Looking for small evidence such as weapons, bullet casings, bone fragments, …

• Keep good records. Evidence searches are part of a criminal investigation.

• You could be asked to testify at a trial.

04/19/23 21Special thanks to Pierce County Explorer Search and Rescue, Tacoma WA

TYPE 4 SEARCH METHODS

• Search shoulder to shoulder.• Will be given specific instructions• Hands and knees, clear vegetation to bare

ground, …• DO NOT TOUCH evidence. • Tell your TL.• DO NOT TOUCH evidence.

04/19/23 22Special thanks to Pierce County Explorer Search and Rescue, Tacoma WA

04/19/23 Special thanks to Pierce County Explorer Search and Rescue, Tacoma WA

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