Finding people who are lost and possibly injured, providing them with emergency medical treatment if necessary, and transporting them to a safe location are all part of search and rescue operations. While untrained volunteers can be useful in these situations, most operations benefit from the presence of people who have received some search and rescue training. Because some operations are hazardous to searchers, advanced training is required, and highly specialized training programs are available for field professionals. Most provide certification, which must be renewed on a regular basis.
Volunteer groups, often affiliated with local law enforcement or emergency service units, conduct search and rescue operations in many communities. Advanced first aid, compass and map reading, and search theory are all part of basic search and rescue training for volunteers. Due to local circumstances, additional training may be required. Although most volunteers pay for their own training, some organizations do have funding.
People can get lost in any terrain and under any conditions, so search and rescue operations may be required. Wilderness rescue, structural collapse rescue, air rescue, and water rescue are the four basic types of search and rescue. Each type necessitates specialized and advanced training.
Mountain ranges, deserts, and swamps are all possible locations for wilderness searches. In addition to basic search and rescue training, searchers will need advanced navigation and wilderness survival skills. Climbing, caving, or cross-country skiing experience may be required depending on the location.
The term “disaster rescue” or “urban rescue” is used to describe structural collapse rescue. Because of the dangers that collapsed buildings pose to both searchers and victims, people who perform search and rescue operations in these areas require specialized training. Specialized skills are required to rescue victims buried in rubble without causing further injury. Cadaver hunters are sometimes included in this category.
Air searches are used to locate missing aircraft and may also be used to locate people who have become lost in the wilderness. Volunteer pilots and aircraft are frequently provided local flying clubs for these searches. A pilot’s license is required, as well as experience flying at low altitudes and standard search and rescue training.
The search for lost watercraft or people who have fallen into a body of water is known as water rescue. The coast guard frequently conducts these searches at sea. Helicopters may be used in rescue operations. Canoes, boats, and kayaks are frequently used in inland water search and rescue training. Experience with swift water, swamps, and floods may be required.
Searches are frequently carried out with the assistance of specially trained animals. Mounted search and rescue is particularly useful in remote areas, and both horses and riders require specialized training. Search and tracking dogs are also extremely useful in a variety of situations, and they, as well as their handlers, require canine search and rescue training.