GSAR: Searching for missing or lost people

Police Sgt with ERT Search and Rescue Searcher and Dog Handler Jonathan, on a High Risk Missing Person Search

FOR ERT SEARCH & RESCUE MEMBERS & PARTNERS (

Certificate Available after online course test. Email First!)

This program is a comprehensive foundation course for Search and Rescue.

Sometimes called (Urban) GSAR (Ground Search and Rescue) – but not to be confused with Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) for collapsed structures. USAR often erroneously called Disaster SAR because of International earthquake Disasters deals with structural collapse SAR.

GSAR is fundamentally responding to the broad subject of "Missing Persons" - (which includes lost, absent, abducted and seized.)

For example when an elderly person with dementia wanders off and goes "missing" or when a child walks away from where they were supervised with family to an area where they become "lost" and "Missing" ... (these words are highlighted because they are loaded terms and have specific definitions in the SAR community.)

Note that this is in ADDITION to the selection and traiing of ERT SAR members which will include but not be limited to

Members of SAR Teams are always on call and fitness and responsibilioty is required.

Smokers and heavy drinkers are discouraged.

Anyone with excluding bias, prejudices, racists, sexist, behaviour etc. not accepted.

GSAR TEAM ASSUMPTIONS

When you first hear of a missing person there is natural worry about their welfare.

When you heard of a team of special responders deploying to find them and bring them back there is a sense of hope.

That there are people who will go out in all terrain and any time of year to find someone and bring them back is wonderful!

However, paid or unpaid - there are some 10 basic assumptions that we must make of this SAR Team.

1. That the SAR Team has no undesirables such as criminals who should not be near vulnerable people.
2. That the SAR team members are reasonably fit and active enough to perform their duties
3. That the SAR team are identifiable (in a uniform perhaps) and carry identification
4. That the SAR team know how to layer up and dress for hot and cold confitions
5. That the SAR Team are trained in some survival techniques for them and the person
6. That the SAR team members carry essential kit with them
7. That the SAR Team has training in medical disciplines and basic patient care
8. That the SAR Team will operate safely while being diligent in their SAR Duties
9. That the SAR Team are trained in a variety of Search and Rescue skills
10. That the SAR Team are held to high standards in what they do and how they operate

FINAL NOTE

This course compiled on information that SAR Chief Gary Foo has taught and written and was refernced from ERT SAR material and his books he has written (Like Emergency Response - Search and Rescue - LINK HERE TO AMAZON) so if it is written in the first person - it is taken from his personal account.

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VIDEO: Made by members of the North Carolina Canine Emergency Response Team

ERT SAR has no affliation or connection with NCCERT but the video highlights many aspects of GSAR.