Light Search and Rescue Operations.pptx

Light Search and Rescue Operations Search and rescue consists of three separate operations: Sizeup involves assessing the situation and determining a safe action plan (using the nine-step sizeup model). Search involves locating victims and documenting their location. Rescue involves the procedures a...

Light Search and Rescue Operations Search and rescue consists of three separate operations: Sizeup involves assessing the situation and determining a safe action plan (using the nine-step sizeup model). Search involves locating victims and documenting their location. Rescue involves the procedures and methods required to extricate the victims. Search and Rescue Sizeup: Step 1 - Gather Facts Consider the: Time of event and day of week. Type of structure. Construction type. Weather. Hazards. When gathering facts, CERT members need to consider: The time of the event and day of the week. At night, more people will be in their homes, so the greatest need for search and rescue will be in residential settings. Conversely, during the day, people will be at work, so the need will be in commercial buildings. Some emergency services are not available—or not available in the same numbers—during the evenings or on weekends. Search and rescue operations may also be affected by where people are located in their homes and the amount of daylight available. When gathering facts, CERT members need to consider: The type of structure. The purpose for which the structure was designed may indicate the likely number of victims, and their location. Construction type. Some types of construction are more susceptible to damage than others. When gathering facts, CERT members need to consider: Weather. Severe weather will have an effect on victims and rescuers alike and will certainly hamper rescue efforts. Forecasts of severe weather should be considered as a limiting factor on the time period during which search and rescue can occur. Hazards. Knowledge of other potential hazards in the general and immediate areas is important to search and rescue efforts. Time lost trying to locate and shut off utilities, for example, can have a big impact in terms of loss of life. Search and Rescue Sizeup: Step 2 - Assess and Communicate Damage If damage is light (superficial or cosmetic damage broken or cracked plaster, minor damage to interior contents), the mission is to locate, triage, and prioritize removal of victims. If damage is moderate (visible signs of damage, decorative work damaged or fallen, many visible cracks in plaster, major damage to interior content, building is on its foundation), the mission is to locate, stabilize, and immediately evacuate victims to a safe area while minimizing the number of rescuers inside the structure. If damage is heavy (partial or total collapse, tilting, obvious structural instability, building off its foundation, heavy smoke or fire, hazardous materials inside, gas leaks, rising or moving water) the mission is to secure the building perimeter and warn others of the danger in entering the building. Search and Rescue Sizeup: Step 3 - Consider Probabilities How stable the situation really is. Even within a structure that appears from the outside to have only minimal or moderate damage, nonstructural damage or instability inside the structure can pose real danger to the rescue team. CERT members should think about what they already know about the structure that’s been damaged. Are lawn chemicals, paints, or other potentially hazardous materials stored within the structure? How are they stored? Where are they? Search and Rescue Sizeup: Step 3 - Consider Probabilities What else could go wrong. Based on the information gathered during steps 1 and 2 of the sizeup, CERT members should take a few moments to play “What if?” to try to identify additional risks that they may face. What if the electricity fails during the search? What if a wall that appears stable shifts and collapses? What it all means for the search and rescue. Based on the probabilities, CERTs should think about what they can do to reduce the risks associated with the probabilities that they have identified. Is a spotter necessary to look for movement that could indicate a possible collapse and warn the rescue team? Is some remedial action required to stabilize nonstructural hazards before beginning the search? Search and Rescue Sizeup: Step 4 - Assess Your Situation Whether the situation is safe enough to continue. The risks that rescuers will face if they continue. What resources will be needed to conduct the operation safely (and what resources are available). Search and Rescue Sizeup: Step 5 - Establish Priorities What should be done. In what order. Search and Rescue Sizeup: Step 6 - Make Decisions Make decisions based on priorities in this order: The safety of CERT members. Life safety for victims and others. Protection of the environment. Protection of property. Search and Rescue Sizeup: Step 7 - Develop Plans of Action Help focus the operation on established priorities and decisions. Provide documentation to be given to responding agencies when they arrive. Provide documentation that can be used, if necessary, after the incident. Search and Rescue Sizeup: Step 8 - Take Action & Step 9 - Evaluate Progress This is where the plan developed in step 7 is put into action. While putting the plan into action, continually evaluate your progress and safety. Does your plan need to change? Do your priorities change? Conducting Search Operations: Locating Potential Victims The first step in locating potential victims is to conduct a sizeup of the interior of the building to gather more precise information about damage and to develop priorities and plans. Look for ‘voids’ in buildings - pancake voids are most common in buildings that were constructed before 1933. They are created by the weakening or destruction of load-bearing walls, which allows the floors to collapse into each other. ‘V’ voids are created by a V collapse of a floor or wall Conducting Search Operations: Locating Potential Victims After identifying possible areas of entrapment: ○ Determine the potential number of victims ○ Identify the most probably areas of entrapment Some information may be known through planning, but you may need to get some information by talking to bystanders or those who are familiar with the structure. Ask the following questions ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ How many people lived (or worked) in the building? Where would they be at this time? What is the building layout? What have you seen or heard? Has anyone come out? What are the normal exit routes from the building? Conducting Search Operations: Locating Potential Victims 1.Begin the search by calling out to victims. Shout something like, "If anyone can hear my voice, come here." If any victims respond, give them further directions such as "Stay here" or "Wait outside" (depending on the condition of the building). Ask victims who respond for any information that they may have about the building or others who may be trapped. 2.Use a systematic search pattern. Ensure that all areas of the building are covered. Examples of systematic search patterns to use include: Bottom-up/top-down. Right wall/left wall. Conducting Search Operations: Locating Potential Victims 3.Stop frequently to listen. Listen for tapping, movement, or voices. 4.Triangulate. Triangulation enables rescuers to view a single location from several perspectives. Three rescuers, guided by victim sounds, form a triangle around the area and direct flashlights into the area. The light shining from different directions will eliminate shadows that could otherwise hide victims. 5.Mark searched areas to document results. Make a single diagonal slash next to the door just before entering a structure. Make an opposite slash (creating an "X") when all occupants have been removed and search and rescue efforts have been completed. The "X" signals to other potential searchers that the area has already been searched. This method: Indicates rescuer location. Prevents duplication of effort. Conducting Search Operations: Locating Potential Victims 6.Report results. Keep complete records both of removed victims and of victims who remain trapped or are dead. Report this information to emergency services personnel when they reach the scene. Conducting rescue operations includes: Creating a safe rescue environment by lifting objects out of the way, using tools to move objects, and removing debris. Triaging or stabilizing victims. Removing victims when required by the sizeup Conducting Search Operations: Locating Potential Victims There are 3 goals for all rescue operations: To maintain rescuer safety To triage in lightly and moderately damaged buildings To evacuate victims as quickly as possible from moderately damaged buildings while minimizing additional injury Conducting Rescue Operations: Safety Know your limitations. Many volunteers have been injured or killed during rescue operations because they did not pay attention to their own physical and mental limitations. Rescuers should take the time to eat, drink fluids, rest, and relax so that they can return with a clear mind and improved energy. Follow safety procedures. Rescuers should always use the proper safety equipment required for the situation and follow established procedures, including: Working in pairs. Never entering an unstable structure. Lifting by bending the knees, keeping the back straight, and pushing up with the legs. Carrying the load close to the body. Lifting and carrying no more than is reasonable. Conducting Rescue Operations: Removing Victims Types of victim removal include: Self-removal or assist. Lifts and drags. Allow victims to extricate themselves when possible Types of Carries One-Person Arm Carry: Hold the victim’s back and under their knees One-Person Pack-Strap Carry: Place the victim’s arms over your shoulders and grab the victim’s hands over your chest, then hoist the victim by bending over slightly Two-Person Carry: Rescuer 1 squats at the victim’s head and grasps the victim from behind at the midsection. Rescuer 2 squats between the victim’s knees, grasping the outside of the knees. Both rescuers rise to a standing position. Chair Carry: The victim is placed in a chair and tilted backward as rescuers lift the victim. This requires 2 rescuers. Types of Drags Correct drag technique: The rescuer will grasp the victim by either the feet or shoulders dragging him or her clear of the hazard. Blanket drag: The rescuer will lay a blanket next to the victim, tuck the blanket under the victim, and roll the victim into the center of the blanket. With 3 rescuers squatting on each side and grasping a ‘handle’, the lead person checks the team for even weight distribution and correct lifting position. BE SURE TO DRAG THE VICTIMS HEAD CLEAR OF THE HAZARD