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

3. Lost persons often fight topography and are likely to be found
in the most rugged portion of the surrounding country.
Persons who follow natural routes are seldom lost for long
periods. Children under 5 years old frequently travel uphill.
B. Search Patterns
1. Parallel patterns are generally the most effective for land
search. Execution requires a team leader, normally two
flankers, and as many linemen as the terrain will allow. The
searchline is first formed along the search area boundary,
with individual linemen positioned one track spacing apart.
The team leader maintains overall team control in the same
manner an OSC maintains control of a multiunit search.
Boundary control of each successive sweep through an area is
normally assigned to the pivoting flanker.
a. After the searchline is formed, it moves forward on a
signal from the team leader. Linemen remain evenly spaced as
the team progresses. If part of a team encounters an
obstacle, they should investigate it while the rest of the
team continues just past the obstacle and stops to wait. When
the checkers have rejoined the searchline, the entire
searchline again moves forward on signal of the team leader.
b. When the searchline completes its first search leg,
it does not use the flanking movement of a multiaircraft or
multivessel searchline to reposition itself for the second
searchleg. Instead, the land SRU will use a pivoting movement
about the flanker. As each sweep is made, the inboard flanker
is blazing the line of search, possibly with a string. At the
end of the searchleg the searchline pivots about that flanker,
and then is guided by the same flanker on the return
searchleg, retracing the blaze line. Meanwhile, the other
flanker is blazing a search track during the second searchleg,
and will be the pivot flanker for the maneuver between the
second and third sweeps (see Figure 8-4).
2. Contour patterns are normally used for mountainous or steep
terrain. Their execution requires a team leader, normally two
flankers, and up to 25 linemen. The searchline is initially
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