Sweep Width
Function of search visibility, accounting for factors including terrain and weather.
In simplest terms: how far your effective scan of the environment will be
Track spacing
The distance in nautical miles between each track
Coverage factor
= Sweep width/Track spacing
Aim for 1 - 1.25 coverage factor
Best situation for Parallel Track
- Large search area
- Relatively flat terrain
- Only approximate target location
Track line best situation
- quick response to a known accurate track
- assumption the survivors will be found on their planned route
Creeping line ahead best situation
- search terrain fairly level
- probable location of the target is thought to be close to either side of a line between 2 points
Expanding square best situation
- target location is known with reasonable certainty to be within a relatively small area
Sector search best situation
- target location is known within close limits
- search area is not extensive
Contour search best situation
- search mountains/valleys when the nature of terrain makes other search patterns ineffective
Group 1 survivor
No apparent injuries/only first aid
Group 2 survivor
Injuries require trained medical care but treatment can be delayed with minimal risk
Group 3 survivor
Significant injuries whose recovery will be determined by the timeliness of proper medical treatment
Group 4 survivor
So critically injured that their survival is marginal even with timely medical treatment
Group 5 survivor
Those obviously dead
VHF SAR Freq.
PLBs, ELTs, EPIRBs
121.5
UHF SAR Freq.
243
SARSAT
Used in PLBs, ELTs, EPIRBs
406.025
Maritime SAR Freq.
Ch 16
156.8
