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

especially if there is no apparent damage, and especially at
night.
D. DOD personnel, and CAP or Coast Guard Auxiliary members do not
have authority to enforce laws, and can normally only take action
necessary to preserve federal property. In general, SRUs should not
take any chance in a situation that might endanger SAR personnel. See
Chapter 12 for more detail.
830 LAND SAR
Land SAR is implemented for many types of incidents including lost
children, mental patients, the elderly, and lost hunters. The following
procedures apply to any land search, but are only a guide because of the
large variations in topography, SRUs, and search objects. Close
coordination is advisable with the local sheriff, state police, or state
emergency services office, as well as with local volunteer SAR groups.
831 Lost Persons
A. Preplanning allows rapid and flexible activation of resources
in the event of a distress or possible distress situation.
1. Local jurisdictions can increase efficiency and minimize costs
by developing a SAR preplan. The preplan allows resource
identification, recognizes hazards, creates its own critical
review, avoids duplication of effort, and is an orientation
guide for new personnel.
2. Preplanning should consider the history of local land
searches, potential problems created by local terrain, legal
constraints, etc. The preplan also establishes clear lines of
authority.
3. Each SRU should have adequate communications with the SMC, IC
or OSC, either directly or via the base camp or covering SAR
aircraft. Hand-held or portable backpack radios are best for
land use. If the radio communications link is broken, groundair
visual codes in Appendix C can be used to communicate with
aircraft. The SRU should also carry backup communications
equipment such as pyrotechnics, signaling mirrors,
flashlights, and whistles.
4. Each preplan should identify all known SAR resources in the
area and contact procedures. This information should be
updated annually. Resources such as trained search dogs are
available throughout the United States, and can usually be
located through state or local law enforcement agencies, or
through the AFRCC which maintains 24-hour call-up lists of
qualified teams.
a. Tracking or trailing dogs usually work from the last
known position of the objective. A tracking dog will need an