114 Search and Rescue Fundamentals

Question 1

Discuss and demonstrate the hand signal for Raise Hoist

Answer 1

Arm in vertical position with thumbs-up.

Question 2

Discuss and demonstrate the hand signal for Stop Hoist

Answer 2

Arm raised in vertical position with clenched fist.

Question 3

Discuss and demonstrate the hand signal for Lower Hoist

Answer 3

Raised thumbs down over head.

Question 4

Discuss the use of the Rescue Strop

Answer 4

The Strop is placed under the arms and across the back to hoist uninjured, military personnel during helicopter operations.

Question 5

Discuss the use of the High-Intensity Chemlights

Answer 5

6” general purpose, last up to 30 minutes at peak brightness.

Question 6

Discuss the use of the Rescue Hook Chemlight Straps

Answer 6

The chemlight strap holds chemlights securely to the rescue hoist hook or D-ring so it is easier to locate during night SAR missions or when there is poor visibility due to weather or water spray.

Question 7

Discuss the use of the MK 58 Smoke Flares

Answer 7

Maritime location marker used primarily in Search and Rescue (SAR) to mark the position of survivors, downed aircraft, or points of interest at sea. Long lasting burn 40-60 minutes.

Question 8

Discuss the use of the MK 25 Smoke Flares

Answer 8

Short burner-about 10-20 minutes. Don’t deploy this thing in a hover because it could shoot a plastic cap high enough to impact helicoptger. For use in salt and fresh water. Resealable.

Question 9

Discuss the use of the Electrical Sea Marker Lights

Answer 9

Marine lights encased in PVC and powered by a giant 6V battery. Gravity activated (they flip over when entered into water). Use when there is expected fuel/oil in the water.

Question 10

Discuss the use of the Rescue Seat

Answer 10

Has 2 seat flukes and is used to extract personnel from foliage and forestry that is too dense to land a helo.

Question 11

Discuss the use of the Quick Strop

Answer 11

A simpler quicker version of the Rescue Strop for direct deployment. Can be used in conjunction with the rescue strop for “double lifts”

Question 12

Discuss Altitude as it pertains to SAR

Answer 12

Search areas and patterns, rescue hover, etc. Keep in mind that compressor stall could become an issue if you hover for too long. Be mindful of what your pilots are telling you

Question 13

Discuss Color Contrast as it pertains to SAR

Answer 13

Finding your survivor. Look for their helmets, especially at night. Sea Dye Markers are awesome for this during the daytime. Eye fatigue becomes an issue after a little while so be mindful of that.

Question 14

Discuss Communications as it pertains to SAR

Answer 14

Essential for the ease of locating the survivor and for conducting the SAR. ICS/PRC-149/Hand Signals/search light

Question 15

Discuss Lighting Conditions as they pertain to SAR

Answer 15

Low light levels = NVDs. Be mindful of what time sunset is when you go on a mission.

Question 16

Discuss Object of Search as it pertains to SAR

Answer 16

Know what you’re looking for.

Question 17

Discuss Sea State as it pertains to SAR

Answer 17

Douglas Sea State of 3 or above requires that the swimmer be lowered via hoist into the water. Heavy sea states in most areas are usually indications of bad weather.

Question 18

Discuss Signaling Devices as they pertain to SAR

Answer 18

Locating the survivor. Some devices are ineffective at certain altitudes, and some are more effective at others

Question 19

Discuss Weather as it pertains to SAR

Answer 19

Are you VFR? Can you legally do the mission? Weather can dramatically affect the safety of the crew and the mission.

Question 20

Discuss Lookout Doctrine as it pertains to SAR

Answer 20

Pilots take the 2-10 o’ clock lookout positions in the front, aircrew will take the back and provide overlapping FOV. Don’t get fatigued. Switch every 60 minutes.

Question 21

Discuss Wind/Water Chill Factor as it pertains to SAR

Answer 21

The SAR TACAID has a table listing wind chill and water chill and approximately how long a survivor has to live based on temperatures

Question 22

Discuss Parachute Drift Distance as it pertains to SAR

Answer 22

The SAR TACAID has a table listing various altitudes and wind speeds to help determine approximately how far an ejection survivor will drift

Question 23

Discuss the SAR Brief as it pertains to overwater SAR

Answer 23

4 B’s: Buster, Bingo, Brief, Base… sea state, bingo, lost comms brief, ejected pilots? litter?

Question 24

Discuss Crew Coordination as it pertains to overwater SAR

Answer 24

Make sure everyone knows who is the swimmer and the crewchief and make sure everyone is communicating effectively. If the swimmer is done dressing out, he will help the crewchief with either lookout procedures or cabin rigging

Question 25

Discuss the Onscene Commander as he pertains to overwater SAR

Answer 25

OSC does not take part in the actual rescue. The OSC is there to relay information to appropriate authorities while the Rescue Unit is involved in the rescue itself.

Question 26

Discuss the Rescue Unit as it pertains to overwater SAR

Answer 26

Primary SAR asset in the area. The OSC supervises and relays information as necessary so that the Rescue Unit can focus on the rescue mission at hand

Question 27

Discuss SAR Organization as it pertains to overwater SAR

Answer 27

SAR Coordinator-SAR Mission Coordinator-On Scene Commander-SAR Unit

Question 28

Discuss the use of NVGs during a SAR effort

Answer 28

Be mindful of eye fatigue and the fact that your normal 180-degree FOV is reduced to 40 degrees. Be sure to look under goggles and get a good reading on everything.