NOVA SCOTIA GROUND SEARCH
and RESCUE ASSOCIATION
SEARCHER MODULE 3
FIELD SAFETY
HEALTH AND SAFETY ON THE SEARCH SITE
AND IN THE FIELD IS EVERYONE’S
RESPONSIBILITY
FIELD SAFETY
NEGLIGENCE is the means for failure and
accidents. You must take reasonable
precautions to avoid injury to yourself,your team
mates, the MISSING PERSON, and damage to
property.
INSTRUCTORS NOTE
The following Health and Safety Program is an
awareness level program only. Searchers are
required to take courses specifically designed for
any operation or skill that requires a higher level
of training.
FIELD SAFETY
SAR TEAMS:
Have the primary responsibility for health and safety
Must establish policies on safety and training
Must utilize competent supervisors
FIELD SAFETY
Specific Responsibilities of SAR Teams:
Ensure that equipment, material and protective devices are
provided, maintained and used
Ensure that all prescribed measures and procedures are in place
and followed
Must provide information, instruction and competent supervision
to searchers to protect their health and safety
Take every reasonable precaution for the protection of their
searchers
FIELD SAFETY
TEAM LEADERS:
Responsible for establishing safe working
practices for all assign tasks
Supervising searchers to ensure they follow safe
practices.
Ensuring that no short cuts are taken
FIELD SAFETY
TEAM LEADER…cont’d
Must ensure that the crew is, competent,trained for the
tasks in a safe manner
Identify any additional training needs
Must ensure crew has all PPE gear required
Advise searchers of any potential, or actual dangers to
their health and safety of which they are aware of
FIELD SAFETY
SEARCHERS:
Must perform assigned tasks in a manner that is
consistent with approved safety
practices,procedures and regulations
Work in co-operation with others, in common
sense and be alert at all times, both at the
search site and in the field
FIELD SAFETY
Personal
EYES:
Wear safety glasses or goggles when working
above eye level,traversing through the
bush,handling heavy equipment or handling
corrosive materials
FIELD SAFETY
personal
EARS:
Regular exposure to noise above 85db can result in
permanent hearing loss
If you are within 3 feet and need to shout, the noise
level is probably above 85 db
Sources of dangerous noise,aircraft,chainsaws,blasting
operations
FIELD SAFETY
personal
EARS ..cont’d
Hearing protection is not as simple as wearing a
pair of plugs or earmuffs. Muffs and plugs must
be properly fitted and maintained in order to be
effective
FIELD SAFETY
personal
HEAD:
Working in any situation where there may be
falling of flying debris requires the wearing of a
CSA approved hardhat or helmet
Hats should fit comfortably, not being too tight or
too loose
FIELD SAFETY
personal
HANDS:
Gloves should be worn when performing heavy
manual labour and insulated gloves worn as a
protection against cold
FIELD SAFETY
personal
FEET:
Any long distance hiking requires durable boots
with non-slip soles and proper ankle support
Use gaiters with lower cut boots
Heavy insulated waterproof boots should be
worn in cold weather
FIELD SAFETY
personal
BACK:
Improper lifting techniques account for 30% of all
back injuries
Avoid back injury. It is Important to keep back
and abdomen muscles strong and flexible
FIELD SAFETY
SEARCH PREPARATION:
Careful planning is the most important part of a
successful search
Factors to consider include; destination, the
season,mode of transport, number of people and
duration of the search
FIELD SAFETY
PHYSICAL CONDITIONING
Before leaving on any strenuous trip,undergo a physical
examination and a physical training program
BACKPACK
personal
Whether its for an afternoon,or several weeks, certain
items should be with you when entering the woods.
These are:
BACKPACK
Personal
Wooden matches in a sealed pill bottle or a film
canister to keep them dry
Candle
Compass /topographic map
Small first- aid kit
Pocket knife(multi use type)
BACKPACK
personal-items…cont’d
Insect repellent/lip balm
Roll of electric tape/ duct tape
Safety pins, assorted
Whistle(pea less) and pocket mirror
A couple of large trash bags(orange)
All these items should fit into your pockets or your back
pack
BACKPACK
personal
When entering a remote area or if you are going
to be away for more than one day, you should
include the following for your pack
BACKPACK
personal …cont’d
Additional food- high energy (ie.
Chocolate,granola,trail mix, dehydrated soup,
bouillon cubes
Extra clothing and waterproof rain gear
12m (40’) heavy test fishing line,hooks
6m (20’) snare wire
Small flashlight
BACKPACK
personal gear…cont’d
Water decontamination tablets
50’ nylon rope(para cord)
Small sharpening stone
Nylon tarp or similar
Metal cup or pan
Small axe / folding saw
FIELD SAFETY
FIRST-AID KIT:
The following slide will show the minimum items
for a personal first-aid kit
Personal First-Aid kit
Triangular Bandages
Sterile gauze bandage (4x4)
Several rolls of 1 inch and 2 inch gauze bandage
Adhesive tape,self adhesive bandage
Antiseptic / antiseptic wipes
Painkillers
Extra personal medications(if a prolong stay)
First-aid manual
FIRST-AID KIT
Instructor note
At this time inform students of the Team first-aid kit, and that the
last slide was for minimum items only. This list can be added to
as required
MODES OF TRANSPORT
BY FOOT:
Stay alert and watch for unforeseen hazards.
Make sure your equipment is in good
condition,check laces,soles eyes, and hooks of
boots,carry first-aid kit and emergency survival
kit in backpack.
MODES OF TRANSPORT
General Travel Precautions:
Travel in pairs(minimum number)
Use extra caution if you are forced to travel alone
Travel at the speed of the slowest member of your party
Inform others where you are going
DO NOT PANIC if you become lost or injured
MODES OF TRANSPORT
TRAVERSING IN WINTER:
Dress in layers,it provides for better insulation.
You can pull layers off if you get hot
Inner wicking layer, middle layer wool, outer
layer a waterproof/windproof gortex or similar
layer
MODE OF TRANSPORT
IN WINTER..cont:
Wear a hat or facemask
Wear good gripping warm boots(extra liners if
needed)
Take snow shoes / cross country skis if required
MODE OF TRANSPORT
ICE SAFETY:
Beware of slushy areas and ice over upwelling
springs(black ice)
Stay on clear ice if you can. Snow acts as an
insulator and prevents the ice from freezing solid
MODE OF TRANSPORT
ICE…cont’d
Avoid areas where rocks are protruding from the ice
On unfamiliar ice ,carry a pole, to check the ice ahead of you and
if needed, use for support should you fall through the ice
MODE OF TRANSPORT
ICE ..cont’d
If you fall through the ice and don’t have a pole, extend your
arms in front of you and kick your feet to the surface, then on
your belly, wiggle out of the water like a seal.
When you reach solid footing, roll in the power snow. It will
absorb moisture and give some insulation while a fire is being
built
MODE OF TRANSPORT
ICE…cont’d
Make and carry a set of ice claws(click for claws)
MODE OF TRANSPORT
SNOWMOBILES:
Ensure machines are in good operating conditions
Carry a tool kit spare parts and emergency equipment
Wear a CSA approved helmet, face mask and goggles
MODE OF TRANSPORT
SNOWMOBILES…cont’d
Machines should be used in PAIRS
Be able to trouble shoot and perform emergency repairs
Wear layered clothing
Wear blaze orange
MODE OF TRANSPORT
SNOWMOBILES…cont’d
DO NOT:
Chase wildlife,
Race, or drive recklessly
Hill climb in areas of potential avalanches
MODE OF TRANSPORT
ATV’s:
Have a valid Operators License, and all required
documents for the machine
Ensure the machine is in good working order
and free from defects
MODE OF TRANSPORT
ATV’s ..cont’d
When going up,down or across a slope, always shift
your weight towards the top of the slope
When turning, slow down to avoid overturning
Do not park on a slope with soft ground
MODE OF TRANSPORT
TRUCKS AND CARS:
When driving on gravel and bush roads:
Keep your sights high and wide
Keep well back from other vehicles
Drive according to existing conditions
Know your vehicle and YOUR capabilities
See and be Seen
MODE OF TRANSPORT
FIXED-WING AIRCRAFT:
Follow the instructions of the pilot.
MODE OF TRANSPORT
HELICOPTERS:
Follow the instructions of the pilot or crew
Approach or leave the helicopter only when told
Approach or leave in a crouched position
Always enter or exit on the down slope side
MODE OF TRANSPORT
HELICOPTERS…cont’d
Exercise extreme caution when jumping from the skids
Ensure you have NO LOOSE GEAR or Tall items on you
Or your pack
Ensure there is no loose objects near the landing site(LZ)
Never throw or drop objects while the rotors are turning.
ALWAYS approach or leave the helicopter in the view of the
pilot. NEVER to the rear of the helicopter
MODE OF TRANSPORT
BOATS and CANOES:
Always wear a CSA approved life jacket or PFD
Each craft should have required safety and operational
gear for its size
CAMP / SITE SAFETY
Camps sites/ search sites should be located
away from potential hazards
Store flammable and hazardous materials
properly
Open fires are to be kept small and in a safe
location
CAMP / SITE SAFETY
Ensure appropriate First-Aid equipment is
available
Ensure food and water is properly prepared and
stored
CAMP/SITE SAFETY
CAMP /SITE LOCATION:
In an open area
Close to safe drinking water
Avoid areas of potential
landslides
rockslides
windfalls
CAMP /SITE SAFETY
CAMP/SITE SAFETY…cont’d
Avoid tall and/ or dead trees which could fall or drop dead
branches in wind storms
Tents/ lean-top's, and vehicles should be placed a sufficient
distance apart to prevent the spread of fire
Cooking areas should be well separated from sleeping areas
Food should be elevated to reduce the attractiveness to
nuisance animals
CAMP / SITE SAFETY
FIRE HAZARDS:
Be on the alert for potential causes of a forest
fire, such as a brush fire, a fire from wood or
propane stoves and lanterns, careless smoking
or signal fires
NO OPEN FLAME SHOULD BE LEFT
UNATTENDED
CAMP /SITE SAFETY
LIGHTNING:
During a lightning storm,disconnect all radio
antennas and ground them
Avoid tall trees and open spaces, particularly on
high ground
If anyone is hit by lightning and suffers
respiratory failure, CPR must start immediately
CAMP / SITE SAFETY
NUISANCE ANIMALS:
Reduce the possibly of unwanted animals with proper
site layout and garbage disposal
Destroy any animal you suspect of having RABIES,
AND SEND REMAINS TO A CERTIFIED
LABORATORY
CAMP / SITE SAFETY
COMMUNICATIONS:
Dependable communications are absolutely
essential for relaying information back to the
command post , or in the event of a severe
storm, an accident, or a member of the team is
becoming sick or is lost
CAMP / SITE SAFETY
AXES/ MACHETES:
Be careful of dull blades
Sharpen at least twice a day if in constant use
Keep in a sheath when not in use
Never carry an axe or machete over your
shoulder
EQUIPMENT SAFETY
CHAINSAWS:
Wear safety boots
Wear cutter pants
Wear gloves, hard hat
Wear eye, and ear protection
EQUIPMENT SAFETY
CHAINSAWS…cont’d
Keep chain filed regularly, reduces likelihood of kickbacks
Chainsaw should have a chain brake
Do not use the tip of blade for cutting
Ensure all parts are tight and chain properly tensioned
Ensure idle is properly set
Do not use saw for cutting brush, or stripping bark
Start the saw on the ground, NEVER on your knee
Always have a first-aid kit nearby
EQUIPMENT SAFETY
LIGHTING AND HEATING
LANTERNS:
Propane or battery operated lanterns are
recommended
Lanterns operating on flammable fluids, may get
knocked over, which can result in a fire
Lanterns should be hung from the ceiling
LIGHTING AND HEATING
Cont’d
Light lanterns outside
Keep away from flammable material
Be careful In taking hanging lanterns down, handles
may be hot
Let lanterns cool down before refueling
LIGHTING AND HEATING
STOVE HEATING IN TENTS:
Ensure that walls nearest the stove, have heat
resistant or aluminum foil which reflects heat
around the tent
REFERENCES
MERRY,WAYNE,1999, Basic Ground Search and Rescue in
Canada: A Home Study Guide, Context North
Smith,Richard; LaValla,Richard; Hood,Rick;Lawson,Norm;and
Kerr,Guy; 2003,Field Operating Guide to Search and
Rescue(FOG)-SAR Skills Handbook,ERI Canada, Alberta,
Canada
Newfoundland and Labrador Search and Rescue Association,
2002, Provincial Training Standards Manual
Umpherson,Don; Bennett, Douglas and Webb,J.R., 1991,
Bush Safety in Mineral Exploration, Education Series#2
Ministry of Northern Development and Mines