JP 3-50 National Search and Rescue Manual Vol I - US Navy

teams and sleds, and lastly, snowshoes and skis.
B. Swamp rescue is usually performed by helicopter, but air boats
and hovercraft may be used in tidal grass swamps. All types of swamps
have been penetrated by land SRUs, but the time required and
difficulties encountered indicate that all other possible methods of
reaching the distress scene and evacuating survivors should be
considered first. When RUs must be dispatched into swamp areas, the
following should be considered.
1. While the bottom in a cypress swamp is relatively firm, it is
pocketed with many holes not visible from the surface.
2. Ground party visibility is limited in tropical cypress,
palmetto, and mangrove swamps. Covering aircraft may have to
be used to vector the RU to the distress scene.
3. Mangrove trees and root systems present considerable barriers
to walk-in penetration.
4. The many tidal runs in tidal swamps, averaging 3 feet in
depth, will impede progress. Both inland and tidal grass
swamps have areas of silt-laden mud which may be quite deep.
740 RESCUE OPERATIONS
A. Rescue operations consist of rescue briefing, dispatch of units
and en route travel, on scene procedures, survivor transport and
debriefing, return to base, and debriefing of SAR personnel.
B. Rescue operations do not end until all located distressed
persons or craft are rescued or accounted for. Since search operations
continue until all survivors or distressed craft are located or the
search is suspended, there may be an overlap when more than one person
or craft is involved.
C. During rescue operations, safety considerations are critical.
No RU should be directed to execute a maneuver hazardous to the craft or
crew unless a thorough evaluation indicates that the risk is acceptable.
While the OSC and SMC should have the experience, training, and
knowledge of the capabilities of the RU to make the evaluation, the RU
commander has ultimate authority and responsibility for determining
whether and operation can be executed safely.
741 Rescue Briefing
The crew of the dispatched RU should be thoroughly briefed on the
plan developed by the SMC. If no rescue action plan has been developed,
the RU commander develops and executes a rescue plan. The briefing may
include the situation, weather, access routes, rescue unit assignments,
recommended rescue method and technique, on scene communications,
coordinating instructions, evacuation plan, safe delivery point,
expected relief times, expected support from other SAR facilities, and