Search and Rescue Newsletter
Search and Rescue Newsletter
Anyone
Can Do Electronic Searches - Right?Wrong - Electronic searches are extremely demanding and require considerable skill. Those who have found an ELT / EPIRB at the exact coordinates given, and in a generally easy to home environment, often falsely believe they are more than qualified to conduct any electronic search when lives could be a stake.
Those who have had the opportunity to home more difficult actual signals understand that it is not as easy as it first appears during early training exercises.
It is extremely disturbing to watch members who are tasked on ELT / EPIRB searches not to utilize every possible resource to his / her advantage, and resort to checking garbage cans, etc., before homing the signal electronically. This means, first obtaining every scrap of information about the tasking and signal from all sources available. This includes SARSAT signal strength, transmission time, and frequency. Once this information is available, either coordinates from SARSAT or high flyers must be considered and added to the equation. Proper and accurate, and accurate again, plotting must be done on the correct ground maps and air charts.
Equipment needs must be correctly accessed, and such equipment must be checked for proper operation. Updates regarding signal information from SARSAT or other sources must be obtained and plotted as it is received. Once on site, the electronic homing crew must already have a plan of action which will ensure maximum safety, and a minimum of time to carry-out, and locate the signal source.
Remember one day you may be asked to home an ELT / EPIRB in the real world environment. Many times this can be an extremely difficult type of terrain, near or off shore in the water, heavily wooded areas, and other equally out right dangerous and hostile environments.
I ask each and every member to review their notes concerning electronic searches, and be prepared to participate in searches involving hostile terrain, and the elements which accompany such terrain. Lets face it, where do you look for an ELT when there is no garbage can near by? Always follow the signal. Ah, but the equipment isn't showing you the way. Adjust it, change it, learn how to evaluate it, and adapt to the often dynamics of the search assignment.
Don't give up - Plan your work and work your plan. Give every consideration to the safety of yourself, and the others on your team. Remember you are working in the public eye. People are watching you and the impression you leave can effect civilian SAR credibility for all of us. Remember also that you may not always have air support to guide you to the exact position of the signal source. Learn how to read ground maps and air charts, determine direction by compass bearing, and be able to plot and follow each step of the search.
It is relatively easy to qualify for electronic search status but you must ask yourself if you are prepared for every possible barrier which may prevent you from locating that invisible, ever changing, and elusive ELT / EPIRB signal source. Treat every homing as the real thing, one day you are going to be tasked on an ELT / EPIRB search and find that lives have been lost or are hanging in the balance - And just think, it all depends on you and your crew!
SAR response is a serious responsibility, not just a hobby. If your not prepared to give 100% effort then don't accept the tasking. There are enough things working against a successful outcome, without crew related difficulties. Learn everything you can. Your life and that of your crew may very well depend on you.
Paul D Turner
