Search Strategies

&

Tactics

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Strategies vs. Tactics

• Strategy= The macro, how the search manager manages the search.

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• Tactics = The micro, how to do things in the field.

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• We’re going to talk about things in reverse order (sort of)

Ground Search Tactics

4 Basic types of ground search:

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• Type 1: Hasty (aka “Class I” aka “initial” aka “rapid” )

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• Type 2: Loose Grid (aka “Efficient”)

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• Type 3: Tight Grid (aka “Thorough”)

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• Evidence Search

Hasty Search (Type 1)

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Washoe County Search and Rescue

Hasty Search (Type 1)

• Consists of a small group of highly trained crew members, they must be agile, mobile and have knowledge of the area being searched.
• The crew usually will have if available tracker, SAR K9 and handler,

foot based searchers, aircrafts, 4x4 vehicles, drones and boats.

• Having a tracker available would be best before other boots are on the ground contaminating the search area. They are able to eliminate areas, lines of travel, and are able to recognize scenarios within a search area.
• There is a great emphasis on speed and time spent in the field.
• Areas searched are: highest probability (LKP and PLS), access roads, trails, tracks, camp sites, buildings, abandoned cars, etc.
• The crew must be able to be able to pick up on clues while being on the move.

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Hasty Search (Type 1)

There are 2 methods of hasty searching

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• Single File Formation

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• Sweep Formation

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Hasty Search (Type 1)�Single File Formation

• Single File Formation: The lead (aka “point”) assigned as

The tracker, K9 and handler, navigator, or simply a searcher.

• The crew leader follows second
• Other crew members follow in file making sure they are

assigned a direction to search (right or left and periodically

to the back.

• This method is used along routes, or while getting to

the areas of high probability

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Hasty Search (Type 1)�Single File Formation

Pros: Good for finding clues on the route or just off of it, while keeping a fast moving pace.

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Cons: Does not cover a large area. Easy to miss or destroy clues on the route

Hasty Search (Type 1) �Sweep Formation

• Sweep Formation: This is used more for large area searches. You have the ability to use wider spacing between crew members which increases the areas searched.
• Same as the Single File Formation you are assigned a position in the formation. Your position duties change a bit with this formation.
• The crew leader could assign themselves to be the navigator, map, compass, and GPS and scans left and right. Point position will scan the area in front of them, also to the right and left and look for hazards. The point position leads the crew to their assigned destination. The last crew member will be assigned to radio communications and scans right, left and behind every 5 to 10 steps.

Hasty Search (Type 1)

*Statistically, a majority of searches are solved by hasty searches if they are implemented in a timely manner and with an experienced crew.

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Loose Grid Search (Type 2)

Loose Grid (Type 2)

• You are assigned a search lane and spacing which you will be covering.
• The spacing of each lane is determined after the Average maximum detection range (AMDR) is calculated and multiplied by the Effective sweep width (ESW). * we will cover this more later.
• In the middle of the ESW you will walk along line known as the “track line”.
• You are responsible for looking in your search lane to the front of you, to your right, and left, also DO NOT forget to look up and behind.
• This strategy covers a large area quickly with more thoroughness than a hasty search.

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Loose Grid Search (Type 2)

Loose Grid Search- Individual Navigation

• While walking along the track line you will zig zag your way down the path, zigging into your crew member’s zag.
• The searcher will be their own navigator
• The searcher is responsible for shooting your own bearings and keeping track of your position on the map.
• You are responsible for staying within your search lane and try not to overlap into your crew members search lane.
• The more area you are able to cover without crossing into others search lanes the quicker and more effective this type of search will be.

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Loose Grid Search (Type 2)

Loose Grid Search- Guide Center

• The center search lane now becomes the navigator. Moving only in a straight line if possible.
• The searcher who is in the center lane is responsible for shooting the bearing and marking the map.
• The other lanes will rely on the center lane as their guide as they keep a zig zagging pattern.

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Tight Grid Search (Type 3)

• This type of search requires focus on thoroughness to achieve a high POD.
• Searchers move through an area in parallel lines that are 1 ½ times less than the AMDR.
• They consist of more crew members
• This is considered as your “last resort”, as it will destroy any evidence or clues if they are not found.

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Evidence Search

• This is much like the tight grid search.
• Very thorough search used to find EVERYTHING that can be found.

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• Usually used in crime scenes or when a crime has been suspected.

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• It is intended to be a very slow and long search so that nothing is missed

Grid Search�Terminology

• Baseline: Line that searchers line up on.
• Guide/Control Line: Line/direction searchers look for guidance.
• Guide Person: The person navigating in a straight line that everyone cues off of. Might be at the center, or one or both sides.
• Track Lane: The area you stay in/are searching.
• Sweep Width: The width of your line of sight.
• AMDR: Average Maximum Detection Range
• Purposeful wandering: Moving around within your search lane to look under/behind/around obstacles (bushes, logs etc.)

AMDR�Average Maximum Detection Range

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The distance at which the searcher can see and recognize an object and shape of the search target.

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*Used to calculate your sweep width

Determining AMDR�Average Maximum Detection Range

Place an object on the ground, then walk out until you can’t see it anymore. This distance is known as the (extinction distance), while you are still out at that distance move to the next leg, walk in until you see it again. This is known as the (detection distance). The distances are measured by pacing. Move clockwise repeating the steps every 45 degrees.

After this is done you will take the average of the eight measured detection distances and this is your AMDR.

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Calculating your

Effective Sweep Width (ESW)

• The ESW is affected by many factors the terrain, environmental conditions, search objects, search speed, and search teams (K9, trackers, ground etc.).
• To make this easier and through extensive studies you can use this system, for low visibility objects, take your AMDR and multiply it by 1.1 and for high visibility objects multiply it by 1.8.
• The visibility is determined by the Incident Commander.
• Examples: Hunter wearing bright orange clothing- High visibility

Hunter wearing black, green- Low visibility

Visual Search Theory

• You can’t see very well while moving.
• After you stop, it takes at least 1/3 second for your brain to fully see and recognize an object in your central vision.
• That means you have to stop and look!

The Search Cycle

• Stop
• Search 360
• Walk (with purposeful wandering if type 2)
• Stop
• Search 360
• Repeat …………….

The Search Cycle�The 360 Sweep

• Do it in place
• You are taking a visual/mental snapshot
• Note what you can’t see behind, communicate with others or wander to it (if type 2)
• This should not take more than 30 seconds or so with some practice. It is meant to be efficient, not 100% thorough, we must keep moving on!

Yelling and Calling out

• Depending on your initial briefing from IC, you should regularly call out the subject’s name (or some other established word).

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• Yelling is how you find a responsive subject and it’s a way for searchers to keep track of each other.

Term: Walkaway

• A walkaway is somebody who walked away from where they were supposed to be vs. lost hiker scenario where they intended to be out there and then got lost.

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• This could be in urban or wilderness environments, but heavily affects probability of areas and containment.

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Search Strategies:�Wilderness

• Assess feasibility of containment ( we will come back to this in a few minutes)
• Hasty search. Look at highest probability spots- roads, drainages, trails.
• Area search. Type 1 or type 2 search? Consider probability of the area, the probability of other areas that need to be searched, the probability the subject is responsive and the resources you have.

Search Strategies:�Wilderness

• The size of the area will depend on:

- The terrain

- The personnel

- Other areas that need to be searched

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• As a general rule-of thumb, a search area is about 4 hours.

Search Strategies:�Wilderness

• Define your search areas, and rate them in order by probability.
• Search areas are defined primarily based on terrain. Roads, trails, drainages, ridges, and other obvious terrain features make good area boundaries.

Search Strategies:�Wilderness

Search Strategies:�Wilderness

Attraction

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Blast whistle, siren, horn from road.

Search Strategies: Urban

Containment

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• Station somebody at obvious exit points to the area: roads, trails, etc.
• Ideal to contain ASAP. If we get called 2 days later, then what? Containment will not work.
• Estimate how far the subject may have travelled when choosing containment points.

Search Strategies: Urban

Hasty Search

• Run/drive/walk/bike the roads and sidewalks.
• Shortcuts
• Areas within 30 min. of road/paths.

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Area Searches

• Are there areas nearby where the subject may have gone? Parks, golf course, fields, open areas etc.

Search Strategies: Urban

Canvassing

• Post flyers
• Show pictures

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Door-to-Door

• “There is a missing Alzheimer’s patient, have you seen him? Do you mind if we look in your backyard just in case he may have wandered back ?

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