Determining an appropriate search grid pattern and positioning it for search and rescue operations (SAR) in forest areas

Abstract

Search and Rescue (SAR) is an operation conducted to find and return to safety the survivors of an emergency incident, where the search may have to be conducted in difficult areas such as in mountains, deserts, forests or at sea. A SAR operation typically requires a search grid for the identified search area, and a search pattern to conduct a search that covers the grid, together forming a search grid pattern. There is also a need to position the search grid pattern at the actual search area in order to place the search team members for them to conduct the search pattern accordingly. This paper presents a study on determining an appropriate search grid pattern for forest areas and a technique to position it at the search area.