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

venting area, to preclude a possible fire or explosion from an
electrostatic discharge.
3. The hoist line must never be "tied off' to a vessel or any
fixed object.
B. Rescue by fixed-wing aircraft. The primary role of fixed-wing
aircraft in rescue operations is providing assistance to survivors and
other SRUs.
1. Some of the functions provided include orbiting the survivors,
dropping survival equipment, confirming position, serving as a
radio and radar beacon, showing lights, dropping flares or
using other visual signals, and providing DF steers. They
also improve the morale of survivors, provide immediate
emergency needs, fix the distress location, and save time in
getting RUs on scene.
2. A landing in unknown terrain, even with an aircraft designed
for operating on unprepared landing areas, is hazardous. The
urgency of the situation should be carefully considered. If
the survivors are at or near a place that is suitable for
aircraft to land, and aerial evacuation would offer sufficient
advantages, it may be prudent to have a qualified person
parachuted in, or flown in by a light aircraft, to evaluate
the location.
C. Water rescue by amphibious aircraft and seaplanes. Since
amphibians and seaplanes are able to operate from lakes, rivers,
sheltered waters, and bays, it is sometimes possible to land close to
survivors in such areas. However, it may not be possible to detect
obstructions such as sand banks, submerged logs, or snags from the air.
A landing in uncharted or unknown water is risky. In cases of great
urgency and under favorable weather and water or sea conditions, if no
other means of rescue is reasonably available, such RUs may be used.
1. Because the SMC may have information about prevailing
conditions from surface units near the distress scene, or
about other means of rescue not known to the pilot, the SMC
should be contacted before landing. The final decision for
landing is the pilot's and should be based on the number and
condition of survivors, the ETA of more suitable units, and
the risk.
2. Open water landings should be considered only with amphibians
or seaplanes that are designed for rough water work and which
have good maneuvering and taxiing capabilities. Any open sea
landing or takeoff is hazardous, even in favorable
circumstances. While a seaplane may be able to operate safely
under one set of conditions, it may be almost helpless under
another which would be no rougher to a surface vessel.
Landings should not be made in open waters if rescue can be
assured by dropping airborne supplies and survival equipment,