Mounted search and rescue

["Irvin Lichtenstein " <ilichten1@verizon.net>]

Search strategies are described in most search management texts: hasty and area can be worked from horseback, containment patrols also apply. Trail blocks may need horse access but as there is no movement anybody can do that.

There is no significant difference in strategies whether on foot, with dog, or on horseback.

 

Hasty search is conducted to rapidly clear an area and detect clues leading to direction of travel.  Assuming that the subject is really missing (bastard search to verify that) the hasty team(s) advance from a point last seen or known (such as a parked vehicle, campsite, trailhead log book) along trails or similar easy routes looking for clues that indicate the subject passed by (easy to see footprints, equipment left behind, garbage, etc).  The horse provides a better vantage point, faster travel, and  sensory fusion beyond that of an air scent dog.  A 3 person team is advised with the most experienced in the center and the partners in a flanking position.  The lead should be a tracker or clue aware searcher, the flanks carry navigation, communications, first aid, and other gear.  One of the team should have local terrain knowledge.  Dogs are worked the same way.

 

Area search involves a team working a large area alone, as opposed to a grid search, which allows the horses’ senses to operate and detect anomalies which can be the subject or clues to the subject. Again, dogs are often worked in this manner.

 

Containment involves constructing a barrier around the search area which is then manned to detect if the subject crosses the barrier or to “capture” the subject as he crosses the barrier.  In the East these boundaries are often roads or highways and the containment is effected by road patrols or stationary vehicles serving as trail blocks In the West these may be trails and the patrols are on horseback. Anywhere the boundary may be a waterway and patrolled by boat.

 

These techniques, strategies, or tactics, are described in manuals that operations and plans section leaders are supposed to use to carry out their duties. They constitute “best practice” and do not belong in a SOG except perhaps as a reference to the search management course your organization recognizes. 

 

Never adopt a fixed method as a standard protocol or procedure.  Protocols and procedures have to be followed, even if they are contraindicated, because the definition of a SOP is mandatory adherence.  A SOG is a guideline and deviation from a guideline is permitted if documented.  Best practice is what lawyers point to as some expert’s answer to a problem that usually works.  Your job is to prove that your idea worked better, or would have worked better.

 

Here is an example of SOP stupidity: Your SOP calls for a hasty search as the first operation after arrival and is to be a 4 hour task.  While you are en-route a FLIR equipped aircraft detects the subject who is only accessible by horseback.  It is a violation of your SOP not to conduct a hasty search, which is not needed because the subject has been located.  Do you break the rules? Or do you write your rules to be flexible?

 

Please give your affiliation when posting so we may know where you are, as well as who you are.

 

Irvin Lichtenstein

Chief of Operations

SE PA SAR

 

 

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From: msar-riders-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org [mailto:msar-riders-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of sarcrna@aol.com
Sent: Sunday, May 02, 2010 10:47 PM
To: msar-riders@lists.ibiblio.org
Subject: [MSAR] search strategies for mounted SAR

 

I am looking for specific search strategies for mounted SAR if anyone has that type of protocol in their standards.  

 

Thanks,

Susan Martinez