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Southern Maryland Search & Rescue Dogs, Inc.
red.gif PO Box 667   Hollywood   MD   USA   20636-0667  
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Operational Test

Test Methods

  1. Written Test

    1. The test shall consist of at least 75 multiple choice questions based on the Type III SAR Technician knowledge and performance objectives. Passing score is 70%

    2. Practical Test - None

  2. Retesting

    1. Applicants who fail the written test are eligible for retesting.

    2. Each applicant is responsible for making arrangement for retesting with the test director.

    3. If an applicant fails the retest, appropriate training courses will be recommended and possibly required by the test director before allowing the student to retest again.

Knowledge and Performance Objectives

  1. Introduction to Search and Rescue

    1. The student will be able to define the following:

      1. Search
      2. Rescue
      3. (LAST) Locate, Access, Stabilize, Transport

    2. The student will be able to define the following components of SAR operations:

      1. Preplanning
      2. Notification
      3. Planning/Strategy
      4. Tactics/Operations
      5. Suspension
      6. Critique

    3. The student will be able to list the major responsibilities for search and rescue for the following:

      1. U.S. Air Force
      2. U.S. Coast Guard
      3. Federal Aviation Administration
      4. Civil Air Patrol
      5. State SAR Authorities
      6. Local SAR Authorities

    4. The student will be able to list the six expected qualities of a SAR responder.
    5. The student will be able to describe the four parts of physical conditioning for the SAR responder.
    6. The student will be able to describe his/her personal limitations and strengths as a member of a search crew.

  2. SAR Management System

    1. The student will be able to list the seven basic operating requirements of the Incident Command System.
    2. The student will be able to describe the following components of ICS:

      1. Common Terminology
      2. Modular Organization
      3. Integrated Communications
      4. Unified Command Structure
      5. Consolidated Action Plans
      6. Management Span of Control
      7. Predesignated Incident Facilities
      8. Comprehensive Resource Management

    3. The student will be able to describe the functions of the five sections of ICS.
    4. The student will be able to list the three status conditions placed on all resources.

  3. Basic Survival

    1. The student will be able to list and prioritize the necessities of life.
    2. The student will be able to describe the four parts of the initial response to a life threatening situation.
    3. The student will be able to define a "comfort zone expander" (to increase one's ability to react positively to stress).
    4. The student will be able to list at least five ways to control fear.
    5. The student will be able to explain the survival situation plan (STOP), Stay, Think, Observe, Plan.
    6. The student will be able to define "Positive Mental Attitude".
    7. The student will be able to differentiate between the requirements for short-term survival vs. long-term survival.
    8. The student will be able to define "Defensive Living" (being prepared for today's emergencies) and describe the need for the public to be aware of the concept.
    9. The student will be able to list three situations commonly encountered on SAR missions that may lead to a survival situation.
    10. The student will be able to describe how, in each of the following processes, the human body loses heat:

      1. Radiation
      2. Conduction
      3. Convection
      4. Evaporation
      5. Respiration

    11. The student will be able to describe the heat production and heat loss balance equation of the human body.
    12. The student will be able to describe the basic water and chemical needs of the human body.
    13. The student will be able to list the average daily food and water requirements of the human body.

  4. SAR Clothing

    1. The student will be able to list at least three similarities or differences and at least three advantages of the different natural and synthetic materials used for SAR clothing.
    2. The student will be able to list at least three of the factors concerning heat transfer of clothing due to clothing construction and/or design.
    3. The student will be able to describe the function of each of the following layers of clothing:

      1. Underwear Layer
      2. Clothing Layer
      3. Insulation Layer
      4. Shell Layer

    4. The student will be able to describe the advantages and disadvantages of the use of vapor barriers.
    5. The student will be able to describe the advantages and disadvantages of the the use of construction in outdoor clothing.
    6. The student will be able to describe the advantages and disadvantages of outdoor footwear.

  5. Improvising

    1. The student will be able to list at least three basic considerations for shelters.
    2. The student will be able to list at least three basic considerations for firecraft.
    3. The student will be able to list ar least three basic considerations for signals.
    4. The student will be able to list at least thwo methods of water purification.
    5. The student will be able to describe the criteria used in personal waste disposal.
    6. The student will be able to describe the methods used for personal cleanliness in the outdoors.


  6. SAR Ready Pack (See Attachment I, "SAR Technician - Type II Minimum Personal Equipment List")

    1. The student will be able to explain the difference between a 24-hour ready pack and urban ready pack.
    2. The student will be able to describe the importance of an adequate pack for SAR.
    3. The student will be able to list the general contents of a 24-hour ready pack.


  7. Personal Equipment

    1. The student will be able to describe the importance of body protection equipment.
    2. The student will be able to describe advantages and disadvantage of the following equipment used for SAR:

      1. Ground pads
      2. Sleeping bags
      3. Shelters
      4. Water containers
      5. Boots
      6. Walking/tracking stick
      7. Flashlight/headlight
      8. Knife


  8. Travel Skills

    1. The student will be able to describe the components of the general travel skills used for his/her environment.

  9. Land Navigation and Orienteering

    1. The student will be able to list and differentiate between at least three types of maps used in SAR.
    2. Given five topographical map symbols, the student will be able to identify, define, and state the color of each symbol.
    3. Given five types of topographical border information, the student will be able to identify the information and define its use.
    4. The student will be able to identify, define, and demonstrate the use of the following terms or concepts:

      1. Contour Lines
      2. True North and magnetic North
      3. Declination
      4. Dtermining distances

    5. The student will be able to define the following plotting methods or grid systems and demonstrate the ability to use them to determine the coordinates for a given point:

      1. Geographic Coordinate System - Latitude/Longitude
      2. UTMS (Universal Transverse Mercator System)
      3. SDMRTS (San Diego Mountain Rescue Team System)

    6. The student will be able to describe at least five parts of the compass and demonstrate the ability to use it to plot a course on a map.
    7. The student will be able to describe the following navigational functions:

      1. Orientating a map and compass to terrain
      2. Obtain and follow a simple compass bearing
      3. Obtain a bacl azimuth
      4. Measure distance by pacing

  10. SAR Resources

    1. The student will be able to list at least five tpes of operational resources that may be used for SAR.

  11. Search Philosophy

    1. The student will be able to explain the different motivation factors found in SAR responders.
    2. The student will be able to list the six crucials for SAR management.
    3. The student will be able to define:

      1. Probability of Area (POA)
      2. Probability of Detection (POD)
      3. POA x POD = POS
      4. Last Known Point (LKP)
      5. Point Last Seen (PLS)

    4. The student will be able to explain the need for practicing POD estimation at the crew level.

  12. Search Tactics

    1. The student will be able to differentiate between the two basic categories of search tactics (Passive and Active)
    2. The student will be able to list at least three passive search tactics.
    3. The student will be able to list at least three active search tactics.
    4. The student will be able to describe the following primary types of active search tactics:

      1. Hasty Search Tactics
      2. Efficient Search Tactics
      3. Thorough Search Tactics

    5. The student will be able to describe the techniques and methods used for following search tactics:

      1. Attraction
      2. Confinement/Containment
      3. Hasty Search

        1. Route
        2. Area

      4. Sign Cutting
      5. Open Line or Grid Search (spacing over 100 ft.)
      6. Closed Line or Grid Search (spacing under 100 ft.) Tracking

    6. The student will be able to list at least five of the searching or tactical skills needed by field searches.

  13. Handling Evidence

    1. The student will be able to describe the four procedures for documenting evidence.
    2. The student will be able to describe the considerations for handling evidence associated with the following situations:

      1. Crash scenes
      2. Dead bodies
      3. Injuries

  14. Clue Considerations

    1. The student will be able to explain why SAR personnel search for clues, not subjects.
    2. The student will be able to describe the elements of clue orientation theory and describe the procedure used upon location a clue.

  15. Search Operations

    1. The student will be able to list searcher pre-planning and preparation procedure.
    2. The student will be able to list the information needed for:

      1. Checking in at the incident
      2. Crew mission briefing
      3. Crew mission debriefing
      4. Departing the incident

    3. The student will be able to define the functions of these search crew positions:

      1. Radio Operator
      2. Navigator
      3. Pacer
      4. Search Crew Member

  16. Lost Person Behavior

    1. The student will be able to explain why knowledge of lost person behavior can be an advantage to the searcher.

  17. Tracking

    1. The student will be able to define:

      1. Track or print
      2. Sign
      3. Step-by-Step tracking

  18.   Ropes and Rescue Equipment

    1. The student will be able to list at least two materials used in rope.
    2. The student will be able to list at least two types of design used in rope.
    3. The student will be able to define the following:

      1. Dynamic rope
      2. Static rope
      3. Fall factor
      4. Maximum load
      5. Lifeline
      6. Tubular webbing
      7. Falt webbing

    4. The student will be able to list at least five rules of rope etiquette.
    5. The student will be able to list at least two performance standards of a harness.
    6. The student will be able to demonstrate the ability to correctly tie these knots:

      1. Figure 8 loop
      2. Figure 8 bend (follow through)
      3. Water knot (overhand bend)

    7. The student will be able to list the different advantages and disadvantages of materials used in carabiners.
    8. The student will be able to list the functions of at least two different types of carabiners.
    9. The student will be able to list the procedures used in caring for carabiners.
    10. The student will be able to describe the advantages and disadvantages of at least two types of stretchers or litters.

  19. Helicopter Operations

    1. The student will be able to list at least ten of the safety rules for personnel durng helicopter operations.

  20. Communications

    1. The student will be able to list at least five common radio procedure and guidelines.
    2. The student will be able to list at least five portable radio procedure and guidelines.

  21. Legal Aspects for the Searcher

    1. The student will be able to describe the basic legal philosophy concerning searcher knowledge, training, physical abilities, equipment, discipline, and control.
    2. The student will be able to describe the legal philospohy of searchers entering private property within his/her community.

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