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Electronic
Search - Operational Check listSelect equipment of which you may legally operate, and of which you are personally familiar and trained. Equipment left behind or not used is of absolutely no use what so ever. Operating a piece of equipment you are not trained on, or not have demonstrated proficiency with, will only ensure that you are a liability to the electronic search tasking.
Inspect, assemble correctly, adjust, and ensure that your equipment is serviceable and that all necessary accessories are accounted for, including extra batteries or power packs. Test the equipment prior to use, perhaps using a test beacon if there is doubt about the serviceability. Do not use any piece of equipment which is not considered serviceable, should the tasking be unsuccessful, or the rescue delayed due to using such equipment, legal action might be initiated for negligence.
Once the signal source has been initially detected, immediately determine all there is to determine about the signal quality, direction, multi-path reflections, etc., and develop a plan of action based on this information, and adjust the plan as you proceed. Act with purpose - Don’t over look the obvious, but follow the signal - ALWAYS! Know enough about the signal to be able to proceed if the signal goes intermittent, or stops completely.
Trust your equipment - This is possible because you have personally inspected the equipment and in effect, certified that it operating correctly. Understand what the equipment is telling you, if you don’t you will not be effective. The last thing we need on a SAR Actual electronic search is someone walking around with equipment that he / she doesn’t fully understand. The best results are achieved when you keep on the move steadily in a direction toward the signal source, regularly stopping to do a 360 degree turn to determine, confirm, or check for new multi-path reflections. This is absolutely necessary, so don’t forget to do it.
Now that you have done it - Adjust your plan of action as is required, and keep moving. Remember to try and visualize the probable location of the signal source as you proceed, you must understand what the signal is doing. Continually adjust your equipment as you get closer to the signal source, and evaluate the probable distance as signal strength increases. Once in close, remember no one piece of equipment will absolutely guarantee results, so be prepared at a moments notice to switch to another more effective piece of equipment if necessary.
Recognize such situations and act accordingly, this is one time you will be thankful that you brought along the other equipment. No two (2) electronic searches are ever alike! The main objective on an electronic search is to safely terminate the signal once it as been located. You must quickly determine the best, safest, and most effective method of terminating the signal. This may require contacting the owner to accomplish this task, use whatever resources possible, this includes Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC), the local police or other emergency services, and Search Coordinator, etc. Make sure you communicate information as required to the Search Coordinator, he / she is responsible for keeping JRCC advised of the situation as it progresses during the the tasking.
Once the signal source has been terminated obtain all required information, this may be your only chance to get such information, review your paperwork before you leave the scene. Once you have returned to base make sure all equipment is returned to operational status, and unserviceable equipment has been identified and removed from service.
Paul D Turner
