SAR CHECK LISTS

SAR must have a check list to manage and control operation. In this post I would like to share with every one who know and concern about this. I have a document for example, I copied this check list from US Navy SAR Tactical Information Document.

The Check list are:
1.  Search Brief ing Check list
2.  Air craft Scanner Instructions/Brief ing
3.  On-Scene Procedures
     a. Information Re quired By the On-Scene Com mander
     b. OPS Normal Reports
     c. Sur vi vor Sight ing Procedures
     d. Sighting Re ports
     e. SRU On-Scene Pro ce dures
     f. Indicating Location of a Distressed Unit or Survivors
4.  On-Scene Com mander In formation
5.  On-Scene Com mander’s Ini tial Brief ing
6.  On-Scene Com mander’s Pro ce dures
7.  On-Scene Com mander’s Search Log
8.  On-Scene Com mander’s Search Sta tus Check list
9.  Inci dent Check list
10. Medevac Data/Check list
11. Lost Per son Data/Check list
12. Man Over board Data/Check list
13. Air or Ma rine Craft Data/Check list

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Lima Tahap SAR

Penyelenggaraan operasi SAR dilaksanakan melalui 5 tahap rangkaian tindakan yang dilakukan oleh suatu organisasi SAR dalam merespon suatu kejadian musibah, dimulai sejak diketahuinya ada musibah hingga akhir penanganan musibah tersebut. Lima tahap tersebut adalah:

Tahap Menyadari (Awareness Stage')

Adalah tahap disadari/diketahui adanya keadaan darurat atau musibah yang mengancam keselamatan jiwa penumpang pesawat terbang/kapal. Dalam tahap ini kecepatan informasi awal yang disampaikan sangat penting untuk dapat mencegah keadaan darurat/musibah lebih lanjut. Informasi awal bisa berasal dari pesawat terbang/kapal yang mengalami distress, unit-unit siaga (ATS, Radio Pantai), atau masyarakat umum yang mendengar dan menyaksikan terjadinya musibah

Tahap Tindak Awal (Initial Action Stage)

Kegiatan awal dengan melakasanakan aksi setelah disadari adanya keadaan darurat seperti melaksanakan tindakan-tindakan sebagai berikut: menentukan jenis keadaan darurat/musibah yang terjadi; menyiagakan fasilitas SAR; pencarian awal dengan menggunakan alat komunikasi (PRECOM) atau NOTAM.

Tahap Perencanaan (Planning Stage)

Pada tahap ini disusun rencana operasi pencarian, pertolongan, dan penyediaan tempat perawatan medis setelah evakuasi medis.

Tahap Operasi (Operation Stage)

Pada tahap yang merupakan pelaksanaan operasi berdasarkan rencana yang telah dilaksanakan.

Tahap Akhir Penugasan (Conclusion Stage)

Dalam tahap ini berarti pelaksanaan operasi pencarian dan pertolongan/penyelamatan dinyatakan telah selesai, semua SRU dikembalikan ke kesatuan masing-masing dan SMC membuat laporan.

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Lima Komponen SAR

Untuk melaksankan operasi SAR secara cepat dan efektif maka harus tersedia lima komponen SAR.

Organisasi

Struktur organisasi tugas terdiri atas : SAR Coordinator (SC); SAR Mission Coordinator (SMC); On-Scene Coordinator (OSC); dan SAR Unit (SRU).

Fasilitas SAR (SAR Unit/SRU)

SRU adalah unit-unit yang melakukan operasi SAR di lokasi musibah/bencana, SRU terbagi menjadi tiga macam matra yaitu: SRU Laut seperti kapal dan rubber boat; SRU Udara seperti pesawat udara, helikopter; dan SRU Darat seperti Rescue Jeep, Rescue Truck dan ambulan.

Komunikasi

Komunikasi merupakan sarana untuk pertukaran informasi dalam kegiatan operasi SAR. Peralatan komunikasi yang digunakan seperti radion HF/VHF, telepon, INMARSAT, dan Beacon

Pelayanan darurat

Adalah komponen berupa penyediaan fasilitas perawatan darurat yang bersifat sementara, termasuk pemberian bantuan medis kepada korban di lokasi musibah sampai ke tempat penampungan/perawatan yang lebih memadai. Yang termasuk komponen ini adalah: posko-posko medis, dokter, paramedis, obat-obatan, dan rumah sakit

Dokumentasi

Adalah komponen berupa pendataan laporan atau kegiatan, biasanya didukung dengan data visual berupa foto/rekaman gambar seperti peta udara, laut dan topografi, analisa serta data-data seperti data kapal, data pesawat, dan manifes. Data-data ini akan menunjang efisiensi pelaksanaan operasi SAR serta meningkatkan kemampuan operasi.

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Tiga Keadaan Darurat Dalam Sistem SAR

Tiga fase keadaan darurat merupakan suatu fase dimana suatu sistem trasnportasi mengalami keadaan darurat. Fase ini tidak harus berurutan dari pertama sampai ke-tiga, dengan demikian keadaan darurat bisa langsung ke Distresfa sehingga operasi SAR harus segera dilaksanakan.

Fase Meragukan ('Uncertainly Phase/INCERFA)

Tahap ini merupakan tahap di mana kondisi penumpang pesawat/kapal dalam keadaan meragukan karena mengalami keterlambatan tiba di tempat tujuan sesuai waktu yang diperkirakan

Fase Mengkhawatirkan ('Alert Phase/ALERFA)

Merupakan kelanjutan dari tingkat INCERFA di mana penumpang pesawat/kapal dalam keadaan mengkhawatirkan karena keselamatannya terancam.

Fase Memerlukan Bantuan ('Distress Phase/DISTRESSFA)

Merupakan kelanjutan dari tingkat ALERFA dimana penumpang pesawat/kapal memerlukan bantuan karena pesawat keadaan mendarat darurat, jatuh atau kapal dalam keadaan tenggelam, tabrakan, terbakar dan lain-lain.

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Sistem SAR

Dalam sistem transportasi pelayaran dan penerbangan, faktor keselamatan merupakan bagian yang tidak terpisahkan dalam sistem tersebut sehingga baik IMO maupun ICAO sebagai regulator secara internasional mengatur masalah keselamatan secara ketat melalui konvensi yang mengikat bagi negara anggota yang telah meratifikasinya. Sebagai pedoman bagi negara-negara anggota dalam mengimplementasikan pelayanan SAR di bidang pelayaran dan penerbangan maka IMO dan ICAO menerbitkan manual yang dikenal dengan IAMSAR Manual.

Dalam melaksanakan operasi SAR harus dilaksanakan secara cepat dan andal serta dilaksanakan oleh personel berketrampilan yang telah memperoleh pendidikan dan pelatihan. Dalam dunia pelayaran dan penerbangan, penyelenggaraan operasi SAR digunakan suatu sistem SAR, terdiri dari 5 tahap kegiatan ditunjang dengan dengan 5 komponen dengan memperhatikan 3 keadaan darurat (emergency phase).

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Serach And Rescue Signals

The signals in the Appendix shall, when used, have the meaning indicated therein. They shall be used only for the purpose indicated and no other signals likely to be confused with them shall be used.

Upon observing any of the signals given in the Appendix, aircraft shall take such action as may be required by the interpretation of the signal given in that Appendix.

1.Signals with surface craft

Note.— The following replies may be made by surface craft
to the signal in 1.1:

— For acknowledging receipt of signals:
1) the hoisting of the “Code pennant” (vertical red and white stripes) close up (meaning understood);
2) the flashing of a succession of “T's” by signal lamp in the Morse code;
3) the changing of heading to follow the aircraft.

— For indicating inability to comply:
1) the hoisting of the international flag “N” (a blue and white checkered square);
2) the flashing of a succession of “N's” in the Morse code.

1.1 The following manoeuvres performed in sequence by an aircraft mean that the aircraft wishes to direct a surface craft towards an aircraft or a surface craft in distress:
a) circling the surface craft at least once;
b) crossing the projected course of the surface craft close ahead at low altitude and:
1) rocking the wings; or
2) opening and closing the throttle; or
3) changing the propeller pitch.

Note.— Due to high noise level on board surface craft,the sound signals in 2) and 3) may be less effective than the visual signal in 1) and are regarded as alternative means of attracting attention.

c) heading in the direction in which the surface craft is to be directed.
Repetition of such manoeuvres has the same meaning.

1.2 The following manoeuvre by an aircraft means that the assistance of the surface craft to which the signal is directed is no longer required:
—crossing the wake of the surface craft close astern at a low altitude and:
1) rocking the wings; or
2) opening and closing the throttle; or
3) changing the propeller pitch.
Note.— See Note following 1.1 b).

2. Ground-air visual signal code

2.1 Ground-air visual signal code for use by survivors

No...Message Code symbol

1.Require assistance...............................................

2.Require medical assistance........................................X

3.No or Negative....................................................N

4.Yes or Affirmative................................................Y

5.Proceeding in this direction..................................."Arrow"


2.2 Ground-air visual signal code for use by rescue units

No. Message Code symbol

1. Operation completed.................................................L L L

2. We have found all personnel..........................................L L

3. We have found only some personnel....................................+ +

4. We are not able to continue. Returning to base.......................X X

5. Have divided into two groups. Each proceeding in direction Indicated

6. Information received that aircraft is in this direction

7. Nothing found. Will continue to search...............................N N

2.3 Symbols shall be at least 2.5 metres (8 feet) long and shall be made as conspicuous as possible.

Note 1.— Symbols may be formed by any means such as: strips of fabric, parachute material, pieces of wood, stones or such like material; marking the surface by tramping, or staining with oil, etc.
Note 2.— Attention to the above signals may be attracted by other means such as radio, flares, smoke, reflected light, etc.

3. Air-to-ground signals

3.1 The following signals by aircraft mean that the ground signals have been understood:
a) during the hours of daylight:
— by rocking the aircraft’s wings;
b) during the hours of darkness:
— flashing on and off twice the aircraft’s landing lights or, if not so equipped, by switching on and off twice its navigation lights.

3.2 Lack of the above signal indicates that the ground signal is not understood.

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Procedures Where Responsibility For Operation Extend To Two Or More Contracting State

Where the conduct of operations over the entire search and rescue region is the responsibility of more than one Contracting State, each involved State shall take action in accordance with the plan of operation when so requested by the rescue coordination centre of the region.

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PROCEDURES FOR RESCUE UNITS

When notified by the rescue coordination centre, the rescue unit shall:

1. act as required in the notification; 
2. keep the rescue coordination centre currently informed of the quantity and reparedness of its search and rescue equipment; 
3. keep the rescue coordination centre currently informed of its operations.

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PROCEDURES FOR RESCUE COORDINATION CENTRES – TERMINATION AND SUSPENSION OF OPERATION

1 Uncertainty and alert phases
When during an uncertainty or an alert phase the rescue coordination centre is informed that the emergency no longer exists, it shall so inform any unit or service which it has activated or notified.

2 Distress phase

• When during a distress phase the rescue coordination centre is informed that the emergency no longer exists, it shall take the necessary action to terminate the operations and to inform any authority, unit or service which it has activated or notified. 
• If during a distress phase it is determined that the search should be discontinued, the rescue coordination centre shall suspend the operations and so inform any authority, unit or service which has been activated. Pertinent information subsequently received shall be evaluated and operations resumed when justified on the basis of such information.
• If during a distress phase it is determined that further searching would be of no avail, the rescue coordination centre shall terminate the operations and so inform any authority, unit or service which has been activated.

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PROCEDURES FOR PILOTS IN COMMAND AT THE SCENE OF AN ACCIDENT

1. When a pilot-in-command observes that either another aircraft or a surface craft is in distress, he shall, unless he is unable, or in the circumstances of the case considers it unreasonable or unnecessary:

• keep in sight the craft in distress until such time as his presence is no longer necessary;
• if his position is not known with certainty, take such action as will facilitate the determination of it; 
• report to the rescue coordination centre or air traffic services unit as much of the following information as possible: — type of craft in distress, its identification and condition; — its position, expressed in geographical coordinates or in distance and true bearing from a distinctive landmark or from a radio navigation aid; — time of observation expressed in hours and minutes Coordinated Universal Time (UTC); — number of persons observed; — whether persons have been seen to abandon the craft in distress; — number of persons observed to be afloat; — apparent physical condition of survivor
•  act as instructed by the rescue coordination centre or the air traffic services unit. If the first aircraft to reach the scene of an accident is not a search and rescue aircraft it shall take charge of on-scene activities of all other aircraft subsequently arriving until the first search and rescue aircraft reaches the scene of the accident. If, in the meantime, such aircraft is unable to establish communication with the appropriate rescue coordination centre or air traffic services unit, it shall, by mutual agreement, hand over to an aircraft capable of establishing and maintaining such communications until the arrival of the first search and rescue aircraft.

2. When it is necessary for an aircraft to direct a surface craft to the place where an aircraft or surface craft is in distress, the aircraft shall do so by transmitting precise instructions by any means at its disposal. If no radio communication can be established the aircraft shall use the appropriate signal in the Appendix. 

3. When it is necessary for an aircraft to convey information to survivors or surface rescue units, and two-way communication its not available, it shall, if practicable, drop communication equipment that would enable direct contact to be established, or convey the information by dropping the message. 

4. When a ground signal has been displayed, the aircraft shall indicate whether the signal has been understood or not by the means described in 5.8.3 or, if this is not practicable, by use of the appropriate signal in the Appendix.

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PROCEDURES FOR PILOT IN COMMAND INTERCEPTING A DISTRESS TRANSMISSION

Whenever a distress signal and/or message or equivalent transmission is intercepted on radiotelegraphy or radiotelephony by a pilot-in-command of an aircraft, he shall:

• record the position of the craft in distress if given;
•  if possible take a bearing on the transmission; 
• inform the appropriate rescue coordination centre or air traffic services unit of the distress transmission, giving all available information;
• at his discretion, while awaiting instructions, proceed to the position given in the transmission.

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PROCEDURES FOR PERSON IN CHARGE OF THE RESCUE UNIT AT THE SCENE OF AN ACCIDENT

The person assigned to be in charge of the rescue unit at the scene of an accident shall act as required by the rescue coordination centre and shall:

• ensure that no risk of setting fire to the aircraft is created by the use of improper types of lights or by equipment likely to produce electric or friction sparks; 
• give aid to survivors; 
• except as necessary for b), or when otherwise directed, ensure that the wreckage of the aircraft or marks made by it in landing are not disturbed until all information required for investigation of the causes of the accident has been obtained.

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PROCEDURES FOR AUTHORITIES IN THE FIELD

The authorities immediately directing the conduct of operations or any part there of shall:

1.  give instructions to the units under their direction and inform the rescue coordination centre of such instructions; 
2. keep the rescue coordination centre informed of developments.

PROCEDURES FOR AUTHORITIES IN THE FIELD The authorities immediately directing the conduct of operations or any part there of shall: 

1.  give instructions to the units under their direction and inform the rescue coordination centre of such instructions;  
2. keep the rescue coordination centre informed of developments.

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MAINTENANCE OF RECORDS

Recommendation.— Each rescue coordination centre should keep a record of the operational efficiency of the search and rescue organization in its region. 

Recommendation.— Each rescue coordination centre should prepare appraisals of actual search and rescue operations in its region. These appraisals should comprise any pertinent remarks on the procedures used by the pilot and on the emergency and survival equipment, and any suggestions for improvement of those procedures and equipment. Those appraisals which are likely to be of interest to other States should be submitted to ICAO for information and dissemination as appropriate.

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INFORMATION CONCERNING EMERGENCIES

Recommendation.— Contracting States should encourage any person observing an accident or having reason to believe that an aircraft is in an emergency to give immediately all available information to the appropriate alerting post or to the rescue coordination centre concerned.

1. Any authority or any element of the search and rescue organization having reason to believe that an aircraft is in an emergency shall give immediately all available information to the rescue coordination centre concerned. 

2. Rescue coordination centres shall, immediately upon receipt of information concerning aircraft in emergency, evaluate such information and determine the extent of the operation required. 

3. When information concerning aircraft in emergency is received from other sources than air traffic services units, the rescue coordination centre shall determine to which emergency phase the situation corresponds and shall apply the procedures applicable to that phase.

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Definition Of Search And Rescue

When the following terms are used in the Standards and Recommended Practices for search and rescue, they have the following meanings:

Alerting post. Any facility intended to serve as an intermediary between a person reporting an emergency and a rescue coordination centre or rescue subcentre.  

Alert phase. A situation wherein apprehension exists as to the safety of an aircraft and its occupants.  

Distress phase. A situation wherein there is a reasonable certainty that an aircraft and its occupants are threatened by grave and imminent danger and require immediate assistance.  

Ditching. The forced landing of an aircraft on water.

Emergency phase. A generic term meaning, as the case may be, uncertainty phase, alert phase or distress phase.  

Joint rescue coordination centre (JRCC). A rescue coordination centre responsible for both aeronautical and maritime search and rescue operations. Operator. A person, organization or enterprise engaged in or offering to engage in an aircraft operation.  

Pilot-in-command. The pilot designated by the operator, or in the case of general aviation, the owner, as being in command and charged with the safe conduct of a flight.
 
Rescue. An operation to retrieve persons in distress, provide for their initial medical or other needs, and deliver them to a place of safety.  

Rescue coordination centre (RCC). A unit responsible for promoting efficient organization of search and rescue services and for coordinating the conduct of search and rescue operations within a search and rescue region. 

Rescue subcentre (RSC). A unit subordinate to a rescue coordination centre, established to complement the latter according to particular provisions of the responsible authorities. 

Search. An operation normally coordinated by a rescue coordination centre or rescue subcentre using available personnel and facilities to locate persons in distress.  

Search and rescue aircraft. An aircraft provided with specialized equipment suitable for the efficient conduct of search and rescue missions.  

Search and rescue facility. Any mobile resource, including designated search and rescue units, used to conduct search and rescue operations.  

Search and rescue service. The performance of distress monitoring, communication, coordination and search and rescue functions, initial medical assistance or medical evacuation, through the use of public and private resources, including cooperating aircraft, vessels and other craft and installations. 

Search and rescue region (SRR). An area of defined dimensions, associated with a rescue coordination centre, within which search and rescue services are provided.  

Search and rescue unit. A mobile resource composed of trained personnel and provided with equipment suitable for the expeditious conduct of search and rescue operations.  

State of Registry. The State on whose register the aircraft is entered. 
 
Uncertainty phase. A situation wherein uncertainty exists as to the safety of an aircraft and its occupants.

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