GLR-IN-126

# Falcon Composite Squadron 

Field Manual

Third Edition

9-September 2004

PREFACE

I would like for you to understand the intent of this manual it is in no
way intended to replace and training that you are required to do for
certifications, or replace anything that you have already learned. This
field manual is intended to be used as a tool, in helping you become
proficient in some skills that are not taught in the basic courses. This
manual is somewhat of an overview of some essential skills needed to be
a ground team member. Because of this I recommend that you read some or
all of the books found in the references list. Those books are where
this information has been found for this manual. It is essential that
you understand that you should never quit training. The day that you do
not learn something new on a ground team mission is the day you need to
hang it up. Train as though someone's life depends on it, as that
someday, it very well might, and training is the only way that you
become proficient.

On a final note I want to remind you that it is our job to save lives,
not risk ours. Be safe in all that we do, as you never know what you
will run into. If you feel that the activity that you are doing is
unsafe, then it probably is. We don't want the mission to turn into
something for us, our job is to provide help to others. I hope that you
find use of this manual.

"These things that we do so that others may live."

\-***US Air Force Pararescueman's creed***

Sincerely,

FO Tom O'Brien, CAP

Ground Team Leader

GLR-IN-126 Falcon Composite Squadron

## FORWARD

This Field Manual was started by Flight Officer Tom O'Brien, CAP, and
has now been updated to reflect some needs in training and
standardization with in our squadron. Many resources have been
consulted, handouts, regulations, military publications, and sometimes
common since have been used in the revisions for our members references.
This manual reflects a lot of commonly used practices and some that just
haven't been written down in one place for functional use. As mentioned
in the PREFACE, this is not to replace regulations, but to be a tool to
all members. This manual will contain a lot of information, that was
formerly covered in a basic Ground Team class that was conducted for
many years at Falcon Composite Squadron. With the new ES Curriculum
started in 1999, many of these items were left out of the overall
training of our ground search personnel. We have put it all together
here for your use so that you can have it as a unit level supplement to
those criteria, and information that sometimes is useful to ground
search personnel.

Credit belongs to these individuals for contributing to this overdue
manual:

FO Tom O'Brien, CAP

Maj Michael E. McGill, CAP

Capt Christopher D. Crace, CAP

C/LtCol Melissa A. Harbeson, CAP

Maj Darrel D. Williamson, CAP

## TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.  **Training Requirements and Record Keeping**

2.  **CAP Structure and Operations**

3.  **Safety and Legal Considerations**

4.  **Team Member Responsibility**

5.  **Team Equipment and Locations**

6.  **Scene Survey**

7.  **Triage**

8.  **Crash Site Procedures**

9.  **Land Navigation Techniques**

10. **ELT Search Techniques**

11. **Wilderness Survival**

12. **Ground to Air Signaling**

13. **Equipment needs and setup**

14. **Airplane Knowledge**

15. **Working With Dog Teams**

16. **Interviewing Guide to gathering Intel**

17. **Missing Persons Actions**

18. **Search Terms and Types**

19. **Reference Guide**

**TRAINING REQUIREMENTS AND RECORD KEEPING**

Training doesn't exist if it isn't recorded. It is each member's
responsibility to make sure that their training is documented properly.
This is done in many ways;

1)  CAPF 101T

2)  MIMS System

3)  CAPF 114

You need to make sure that you have asked your trainer or Team Leader to
certify your training that you have completed. If you don't do this at
the time that you complete it, it may not be completed or recorded and
you may lose credit for that training. This is first accomplished by
having a printed off CAPF 101T for whatever specialty that you are
training it. This can be done online in the MIMS system. Once that you
have this, you can then enter this information into the MIMS system and
once you have filled in all the requirements, your 101T will show up for
the commander to verify and then send on to the wing for approval and
issuance of a CAPF 101 Qualification Card. Once that this is done you
will need to bring this to the Personnel Officer and they will update
your CAPF 114 in your file. This will provide a triple check for your
training, and will lead to a lot less paperwork and chance of it getting
lost by anyone else by you.

You will need to reference CAPR 60-1, 2, and 3 for requirement for
training and qualification. The MIMS system will have all the CAPF 101T
requirements that you will need, as the CAPR 60 series is in constant
update currently. So use that as your basis for the requirements.

Upon signing into any mission you will need to have a valid CAPID card,
a CAPF 101 or a CAPF 101T. With these two things, you will be able to
participate.

Before this you will need to go online to
[www.capnhq.gov](http://www.capnhq.gov/) and enter the E-services
section to log on. You can then take the online CAPF 116 General
Emergency Services Test as well as the CAPF 117 parts 1,2,3 and you can
then be ready to go for mission specialty training. These are the first
steps in your training responsibilities. Once that you have completed
these, you can enter that info into the MIMS system and apply for the
General Emergency Services Specialty.

Please remember that this is your responsibility in accomplishing, the
unit may be of assistance in assisting you, but it is your job to comply
with this.

## 

## 

## CAP STRUCTURE AND OPERATIONS

Sometimes you will hear the term "REDCAP". This is the traditional term
for a real mission. Most of the time being an aircraft search mission,
but there are many types of REDCAP missions:

1)  ELT Search

2)  Missing Persons Search

3)  Disaster Relief

4)  Communications

5)  Blood Relay

6)  Transportation

7)  Weather Spotting

8)  Site Security

9)  Data Collection Teams

> As well as many other possibilities

When a mission occurs, the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center at
Langley AFB, Virginia, will call the on duty Incident Commander, who
will then in turn, contact the needed element of qualified personnel,
most of the time the squadron commander of that unit, but the wing has
been notified of our qualified personnel and can contact anyone for the
mission's needs.

The unit will utilize Clark County Airport and the Hap's Aerial
Enterprises parking lot for the rally point. All missions will be
"wheels up" or departing from this location, within one hour from the
time that the team leader is contacted, and the phone tree is activated.

Our area of primary responsibility is the southeastern part of Southern
Indiana. Even though this is our primary area, we can and often are
called to cover other parts of the wing. There are sixteen counties
formerly known as "Operational Area 6". They are:

Bartholomew

Brown

Clark

Dearborn

Floyd

Franklin

Harrison

Jackson

Jennings

Ohio

Ripley

Scott

Switzerland

Washington

Once that you are on a mission you are there for the duration for that
duty day, there will be no efforts made to get you back for any
appointments or activies once you sign in for the day.

## SAFETY AND LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS

All personnel must have a valid ID card and complete uniforms to
participate in REDCAP missions. This is partially a legal coverage need,
but also a CAP regulation as well. Along with these items, your gear
which will be covered later, as well as a current and up to date CAPF 60
will be kept on your person as well as one turned into the mission base,
if it is a local mission one will be turned into your team leader. This
is so that if something happens to you while on the mission we will know
your medical history and will be able to contact your emergency contact.

You are our most important asset. Your safety and that of your teammates
is the most important to CAP and your unit. If at anytime, you feel
unsafe, or the actions of your team are unsafe you have the rite to stop
operations, regardless of rank, position, or duty assignment. All
members should standfast in your protest, until you are satisfied in
resolution of the problem that you have. CAP is very clear on it's
commitment to safety of it's members, and the need to be ready for
constant vigilance in this area. CAP observes a zero tolerance policy
for ignoring safety regulations, and it is everyone's responsibility to
make sure that these requirements are being complied with.

You need to make sure that you are prepared for the seasons. This may
mean adjusting your gear, clothing, or other items to conform to the
needs of the weather or season.

Make sure that when the seasons chance your gear has been updated to
reflect those needs, this helps in many ways, an example is gloves, you
usually won't need thick warm weather gloves in your gear during the
summer months, but you won't need bug repellant during the winter months
either. Basically, you need to be vigilant of your soundings and the
missions need. You might need to know the terrain and what you will
need. What kind of hazards will you encounter, and you will need to ask
yourself am I ready for them, if in doubt ask questions.

When we are out on a mission especially out in the field, we need to be
aware of some legal considerations. When we are searching and the
possibility of traveling on private property is a probable, we need to
gain permission to do so, this can be done from the local sheriff's
office or through the Incident Commander. We also need to be aware of
providing medical services, and only act with in the level of our
training, if you aren't qualified to do something, you don't do it.
Finally we need to be aware of our assistance to law enforcement. We
fall under what is termed as ***posse comitatus***, which means we can't
fully assist in law enforcement, but we can give passive assistance to
them, such as filling in as sentries to a crash site or providing
traffic direction, assistance with evacuation, blocking roads,
checkpoints, radio dispatching, answering phones, paperwork, but at no
time can we be involved with detaining people, or providing any hands on
law enforcement services. Our members have certain coverage from the
federal government while on missions. Cadets have no coverage until they
are 18 years old. Our senior members are covered by FECA and FICA
insurance, providing they are current members and they have all the
proper qualifications for mission participation.

Our members need to know that we have NO authority to break speed limits
or local laws in the performance of our duties. This covers travel to
and from missions, activities or the possibility of being confused with
other emergency response vehicles. At no time will members use lights
and sirens that are the same type used by law enforcement or fire
departments. The only time that members will use lights, will be if they
are yellow or clear and that they are stationary as a safety measure to
alert others that we are working in the area. If it is brought to the
attention of the squadron commander that members are doing so, it will
be considered in-subordination to CAP regulations and will be dealt with
as such.

While searching especially in rural and agricultural areas, the
possibility of stumbling on drug operations is possible. Whenever this
might happen, we will leave it alone and notify law enforcement. We need
to be aware of the possibility of traps set for people in messing with
these things, and our safety is paramount.

Fatigue Effects-

Fatigue can be a killer. It can be a result of hard work and
sleeplessness. Some of the signs are:

1)  Short term memory loss

2)  Lower standards for you and your team

3)  Shorter attention span

4)  Slower response times

5)  Loss of Command and Control functions

6)  Loss of confidence and morale

Some of the factors that cause fatigue can include:

1)  Worry (home factors, stress, CISM issues)

2)  Boredom (Feeling un-useful, sitting idol for long periods)

3)  Eyestrain (bright lights / darkness, and reading)

4)  Vibration (a moving vehicle will rock you to sleep)

5)  Smoking

6)  Food and Drink (too much, or too little)

7)  Caffeine (can tire you out fast)

To combat these factors there are several things that we can do. As team
leaders we need to be watchful of our members. We need to be able to
recognize the signs, and factors that lead to fatigue and possible
unsafe conditions in our personnel. We can be mindful of our members
needs both mental and physical in rotating duties every few hours,
ensuring proper rest periods during the duty day, encourage proper
nutrition avoiding while avoiding: salt, sugar, and caffeine as well as
making sure that our members get some "real hot food" at least once per
day, other then MRE's or Fast food. The best way to combat fatigue is to
make sure that we are getting enough sleep. We also need to know when to
call it a day. We need to know our limits for activity including mental
and physical. Everyone's limits are different, a 14 year old cadet has a
different level of activity then a 40 year old team member. As safe
emergency operators, we shouldn't allow the want to complete the mission
to overshadow our member's safety. Our unit's standard maximum limit is
a 14 hour duty day, but if your team's limit is before that, you need to
make changes to it. We need to use Operational Risk Management, or ORM,
in our operations, sometimes the benefit do out weight the risk involved
in what we are doing. Bottom line is to make sure we are making wise
decisions while accomplishing our missions.

## Team Member Responsibilities

Being a member of a ground search team of any type requires two
character traits;

1)  Responsibility

2)  Professionalism

Without one you can't have the other, they are interdependent and are
required of all Falcon Squadron personnel while performing this duty.
Performing this duty has high level of expectations, training,
commitment, and dedication. Your attitude that you take during training
and while performing real world missions will reflect your level of
professionalism. If you can't maintain your bearing and your
professionalism, you can't be an effective member of the search team. A
lot of responsibility is placed upon Civil Air Patrol members to perform
a unique service for our community, state, and nation. Without
professional and responsible, and highly trained members, we can't
perform the missions that are assigned to us. Falcon Composite Squadron
has had a long tradition of being prepared in both of these two vital
areas.

Upon notification of a mission it is the called member's responsibility
to call their assigned person or persons in the phone tree and then
prepare themselves for the mission. Remember that we will be departing
in one hour from the Ground Team Leaders call from our rally point. The
first senior member will start the vehicle inspection upon arrival to
the vehicle. As more personnel arrive, they will be expected to start a
CAPF 103 Mission Sign in, CAPF 121 Vehicle Sign in, and ensure that the
team gear such as the laptop is up and going, L-per/ Tracker is fully
operational and that as soon as all team members arrive, or the one hour
is up, the team leaves. All members need to be able to accomplish these
needs. As we never know who will or will not be able to show up to the
mission.

When the team has been fully briefed by the GTL, and the final call to
the Incident Commander informing of team departure has been made, the
assigned Ground Team Leader has the same authority as the squadron
commander, and their lawful orders are to be followed, unless you feel
it is a safety concern and then any member is allowed to halt operations
and then discuss it and move, on or cease what ever you are doing.

All members need to be mindful of their jobs on the mission and perform
them to the best of their abilities. Immature behavior or
un-professionalism has no place on a mission training or otherwise.

Standard Mission Positions for Falcon Ground Team-

For all effective purposes on a standard mission that will involve
traveling, there will be 8 people on the team filling the following
jobs:

**Driver:** Will drive the team and possible assist in radio
communications when team is

Out of vehicle.

**Ground Team Leader:** Will lead the team and will fill the leadership
role and make the

decisions with input of their team. Will sit in the right front seat.

**Navigator:** Will maintain road and Air maps as well as current
positioning knowledge.

They will sit behind the driver.

**Radio Operator**: Will operate the radio equipment, scanner, CB, and
relay information

onto the ground team leader, will be responsible for keeping the radio

log CAPF 110. They will sit in the center seat of the front bench seat.

**DF Operators**: Will operate the DF equipment will sit nearest the
door in both bench

seats. One needs to have a compass to gain a azimuth baring for search

reasoning.

**Mission Recorder**: Will record all times of events and anything that
the GLT instructs to

go into the log, radio contacts will be recorded by the Radio Operator.

Will sit on the left of the back seat nearest the window.

**Float**: Will assist in any of the needs of the team as directed by
the GLT.

Will sit in the center of the rear bench seat.

At no time will a team consist of more then the available seatbelts in
the vehicle used.

## 

## TEAM EQUIPMENT

A given team is only as good as it's equipment availability, and their
knowledge of how to use it, as well as the ability improvise and deal
with new situations. As members of our teams we need to be able to take
care of our gear, know how to use it, and how to keep it up. If we
expect to get new equipment, we need to know how to take care of and use
what we have now. If we just treat it like we don't care and it isn't
important to what we do, then we don't deserve to have the best
equipment. Below are a few items for us to be aware of how we will be
vigilant custodians of our gear.

The largest Piece of our equipment is our van. Without is we can still
be a team, but it is very nice to be able to have this. Fortunately, our
van is in good mechanical condition and we have been very diligent to
keep it that way. We need to make sure that we are always on the look
out for problems, as it is ageing. Before we use it, we need to make
sure that we are completing our vehicle inspections before we roll out
on a mission in it. It is just simply a matter of our basic routine and
a part of our mission checklist.

As well as making sure it is good to go for mission use, we need to take
care of where we put our gear, and making sure that we are storing it
where the team gear that is needed for our mission. Even if we are just
traveling, we need to pack smartly and not just throw it around in the
van, things could go flying around in an accident and could cause
problems in an accident. In addition to that point of safety, attention
to detail is a basic idea of professionalism, if we get in the habit of
being neat in one area, it should reflect in all areas. Finally, if we
pack smartly, we will be able to grab and go quicker and be able to
deploy to where we are going faster and more efficiently instead of the
normal stand, stumble, and stare. Our van has resources to support us
while in the field, or on the road.

This is the basic placement for the van and where the equipment will be
found in the van:

**Vehicle Binder:** Will be found under the drivers seat, it is
placarded on the side of the

drivers seat. A pen will be available as well as the tire gage.

**Installed Radio Equipment**: Will be installed in the radio rack for
the van equipment,

And will not be removed. This equipment will include a

VHF CAP radio, a Multi Channel Scanner, and a Citizens

Band Radio.

**Mobile Radio Equipment:** Will be in a marked box under the front
bench seat which

Will host the unit's handheld radio equipment, both VHF

and ISR radios. There will be a back up battery powered

NOAA Weather Radio under the drivers seat.

**Multi Power Socket Outlets:** Will have the Laptop Power inverter, and
Scanner

Receiver plugs in at all times. The third shall be for GPS.

The power cords should not be moved and are placed on

the top of the vehicle center console. The multi power

outlet will be unplugged when the vehicle is parked.

**Solar Power Trickle Charger**: Will be used when the vehicle is parked
for a long period

of time. When not in use, it will be placed under the front

passenger seat. It will be plugged in directly to the

cigarette lighter plug to help charge the vehicle battery.

**Laptop Computer**: Will be stationed on top of the console in between
the driver and

front passenger seat. The power inverter is positioned under the

right edge of the top and will be used only for that purpose. The

laptop power inverter is secured by zip ties in the event that it

absolutely has to be moved, but will not unless an emergency. The

laptop screen will be left down until use. A clipboard with a mouse

pad on it will be under the seat of the front passenger to use the

laptop. The case for the laptop is under the front passenger seat as

well. The laptop can be used for mapping software, as well as

mission log and notes if needed.

It also has the capability to use be used for the internet as it as a
Fax

modem card installed.

**Map Case**: Will hang off of the back side of the drivers seat to be
used by the navigator.

It will have a range of maps to include, air charts, road maps, and
gazetteer.

**Vehicle First Aid Kit:** Will be on the floor under the front bench
seat, it will be in a

medical green roll out bag.

**DF Equipment:** Will be in long rifle box on the right side of the
van. Care should be

taken to ensure that no cables or anything is hanging out of the box

when closing it. A Handheld Tracker unit will be in the Mobile

Communications storage box under the front bench seat.

**Air to Ground Signaling Items:** Will be stored in a red canvas type
zipper bag. It will

contain Signal panels and tarps to use for air to ground

signaling. It will be on the left side of the van in the

gear storage area.

**Medical Items Storage:** Will be stored on the Right side under the
gear storage shelf, in

a large blue topped storage bin. Will host the blood borne

pathogens kit, C-collars, and surplus medical items for missions

**Emergency Food Items:** Will be stored on the left side under the gear
storage shelf, in a

large blue topped storage bin. Will host some food items in the

case of emergency, MRE's, canned foods, openers, plates,

forks, and bowls. Will be checked over time for problems.

**Vehicle Tool Bag:** Will be stored on floor in front of Medical and
Food Storage Bins. It

has many different tools for use in the blue storage bag.

**Pyrotechnic Signaling Box**- Will be stored on floor in front of
Medical and Food

Storage Bins. Will be in a green army ammo box

**Emergency Litter:** Will be kept on the right side of the van on the
floor, as close as

possible to the side of the van.

**Water Cooler:** Will be kept on the hump of the left side of the gear
storage area for

extended missions in the field.

**Orange Vest Storage:** Stored in a blue tub in front of the Food
storage bin. They will be

nicely folded and ready for wear at all times.

**Helmet Storage:** Will be in mesh bag in between the rear seat and the
gear storage area

rack in the rear of the van.

**Mechanical Items:** Will be stored in the right hand rear corner of
the van. Fluids, Jack,

and other items such as jumper cables will be neatly stored in this

area. Wheel chalks are also stored there as well.

Along with knowing our gear we need to make sure that we are keeping it
in good condition and the vehicle clean, so that it will be ready to go
on the next activity or mission. It will be the diver's decision if
personnel are dismissed, after they clean up to the expected standards
of the unit. Attention to detail is our standard, and we will uphold it.

## SCENE SURVEY

The first aspect of any emergency situation, weather it be an aircraft
crash or just a missing person scenario, is the scene survey. The
purpose of the scene survey is to give the rescuer the opportunity to
develop a general impression of what is going on. Scene survey helps
keep the rescuer safe as well as providing the time for an efficient
plan and rescue be performed. You should perform a scene survey as soon
as you arrive on the scene. If you are the team leader then it is your
responsibility to determine the scene safety and what actions need to be
taken. Remember that we are in the business to save lives, but not at
all cost. Even though you aren't the team leader, you should make your
own self assessment of the situation, and bring up anything to the
attention of the team leader that they might have missed, this will only
double the eyes of the team to make safe decisions.

There are certain questions that should be asked when you are first to
arrive on an emergency scene. Quick assessment of the situation is
critical to the success of the rescue Consider the following questions
when entering a scene:

1)  What is my general impression?

2)  Are there any fires or fire hazards?

3)  Are there any downed power lines that could cause a problem.

4)  What is the mechanism of injury?

5)  Are there any hazardous materials?

6)  How many victims are there?

7)  Do you need to start triage?

8)  Do you need assistance or backup?

9)  Are there any bystanders, if so are they in danger?

These questions should be asked at every scene that you deal with. Your
primary concern is you, your team, other bystanders and then the victim,
in that order. This may sound harsh and uncaring, as that the victim is
whom you are originally there to help, but the well being of those that
have nothing wrong with them are above those that do have something
wrong with them. Consider that without you and the help of others that
could be nearby, the victim is in no better shape then before you
arrived at the scene, so you must assure your team and your safety is
considered first. Be sure to look out for those bystanders, if they get
into double that will just increase your victims, and double you work
loads.

***[A good general rule to remember is that you ARE your brothers
keeper.]{.underline}***

So make sure that the scene is safe when you enter it.

Some other concerns that you may want to be aware of are chemicals. This
can range from spills of containers from vehicles, Fuel spills,
batteries, items mixing to cause hazardous gases, or drugs. These things
can come in a number of containers and packages, but the bottom line
needs to be that you are looking for the potential for a problem with
them.

INSERT AIRCRAFT FUELS INFO HERE!!!!

INSERT AIRCRAFT DANGERS HERE!!!

INSERT VEHICLE DANGERS HERE!!!

INSERT FIRE EXTENGWISHER PROCEDURES HERE!!

**TRIAGE**

**What is Triage?**

Triage is the assessment and rapid evaluation of victims as a multiple
Casuality Incident (MCI) At an MCI There are more victims then
resources, so therefore an assessment that is marked with colored tape
or tag, they are as follows:

**RED**- Immediate care, First Priority

**YELLOW**- Able to sustain breading and circulation however they need
care second

Priority.

**GREEN**- NO problems, can be attended to later

**BLACK**- DEAD, no priority to the rescuer.

**How to triage people.**

After arriving to a scene and you have determined that there is in fact
that a MCI has occurred, and triage needs to be done. You will first
move to the nearest victim. The first thing that you assess on every
victim is the ABC's (**[A]{.underline}**irway,
**[B]{.underline}**reathing and **[C]{.underline}**irculation).

First, check the victim closest to you, if they don't have an
established airway, establish one and then recheck to see if it is
working. If they don't reestablish breathing, place a black tag on them
and move on. If they start breathing place a red tag on them. If you
patient is breathing count the respirations, if it is above 30 breaths
per minute, give them a red tag and move on. If below 30, you will need
to check for circulation and bleeding. If they are breathing , but no
pulse is present then control any breathing and give the victim a read
tag. If there is a circulation, control any bleeding and move on the
three levels of conscious. If the victim cannot follow verbal commands
then give them a red tag and move on. If they can follow directions give
them a yellow or a green tag, and move on.

This system is not perfect by far, however in a MCI these is a little
time to spend on those who's chances are very slim for survival. As a
rescuer your instinct will be to save everybody, this in not realistic
so we save as many as we can, and this system allows us to do that.

We also need to realize that the above is a general idea of the triage
process. When we refer to people as "able to respond to directions", it
doesn't mean as if they were doing it for a grade in school, they will
be scared, upset and confused and won't be able to do things exactly and
as precisely as they normally would, you will need to keep your
directions simple, clear, and short. You may get a lot of confusion and
strange statements, and questions. You are not rude by not answering
them, tell them the general facts of what happened such as you were in
an accident, and if they remembered what happened, this will assist you
in assessing them, as that if they can tell you they are probably a
green or yellow tag, if they don't have a serious injury. You need to be
professional at all times, be focused on your task, and keep your eyes
and ears open, by asking the right questions you can find out a lot, you
won't have time to get a full medical history, but you can find out what
the major problems are, and note to yourself how to deal with them
later.

INSERT TRIAGE CHART HERE

**CRASH SITE PROEDURES**

Upon discovery of a crash site, and giving assistance to possible
survivors with in the realms of your training, we will observe the
following procedures.

1)  Team leader will conduct scene safety survey, to ensure the teams
    reasonable safety.

2)  A perimeter will be established to ensure public safety as well as
    scene security.

> This can be done with barrier tape if on hand, but people are the most
> practical method. Team members will be posted around the perimeter
> strategically to prevent further injuries or disturbance of the scene.

3)  The team leader will rove around the posts and rotate team members
    to battle fatigue and complacency, they will also ensure that a site
    log is maintained, and upon relief the site will be signed for by
    the next agency's officer.

4)  The post will be maintained until relieved by law enforcement, or
    EMS

5)  If members of the public come to the site, you will warn them of
    possible danger and ask them to step back for their safety.

6)  If someone from the media comes, you will need notify your team
    leader, and ask them to step back for their safety.

7)  If someone insists on going into the secure area, allow them to and
    don't touch them, take their picture or ask them their name.

8)  The team leader will take pictures if possible.

9)  No member of the team will disturb the site as it is considered a
    federal crime scene. The site is evidence and will not be disturbed.

We need to make sure that we are very careful around these aircraft as
they are still potentially dangerous, with fuel and other factors that
we need to be careful of. We also don't want to disturb vital evidence
that could be gathered by the FAA ( Federal Aviation Administration) or
law enforcement.

Our duty is limited to finding and reporting the site to the
authorities, providing limited assistance as requested to authorities,
as well as taking limited actions if the public tampers with the site.
The best action that we can take is to take pictures or video footage of
those that disturb the site. At no time will we physically touch someone
or even get into a verbal altercation with the public about them
entering the site, we will simply inform them that it is a federal crime
to mess with the site, take film, and inform the authorities of them
touching the site. If we have to disturb the site, it will only be to
save human life and then write down exactly what we did at the site to
be as detailed as possible.

After we have been released from the site, we will contact the wing
chain of command and request a Critical Incident Stress Management
(CISM) debriefing. This will be done to bring some closure of possible
areas of concern and issues that could result from our involvement at
the crash site. This is a required part of our mission, and attendance
will be mandatory of all members on the team.

##  PERSONAL EQUIPMENT AND GEAR CONSIDERATIONS

Contrary to popular belief, you don't have to have the latest and
greatest military equipment. A lot of gear can be obtained from local
sources such as military surplus stores, Walmart, or camping and
outdoors retailers. However, military gear does have it's advantages to
our purposes. The general rules go to get the best that you can afford.
You will need to ask to see what gear that you can obtain from the unit
before that you go purchase it and have to spend money. Also ask around
to other members if they have any gear that they don't need anymore as
well, but remember if CAP has issued it so them it must be transferred
to you before you take it home, as it is still CAP equipment and must be
accounted for.

Below you will see the listing of equipment for your basic gear or 24
hour gear. This is the minimum gear that you will need as a Ground Team
or Urban Direction Finding Team member.

BASIC "H" Suspenders set up:

1 Set of ALICE Suspenders

1 Pistol Belt

2 Canteen Covers (with ALICE Clips)

2 Canteens (suggest NOT getting the large round boy scout canteens hard
to carry)

2 Ammo Pouches (with ALICE Clips)

1 Butt Pack (with ALICE Clips)

You will need to set this up as follow by first adjusting your pistol
belt around your hips where is will ride comfortably and not rub. You
will need to do this with your uniform on so that you will know how to
adjust it. There are many kinds of pistol belts and the way that they
fasten. Make sure that your pistol belt will be secure and not floppy on
the parts that are overlapped. Get what you like or what you can afford.
Once that this has been done, you then want to attach your suspenders to
the back of the belt in the center of the belt. This may take a few
times to get just right but will be well worth the effort once that you
get it to where it needs to be later down the road. You should clip them
on and make sure that you don't twist your connections to the belt. Once
that you are satisfied with the back connections, now you need to put on
the belt and flips the shoulder straps over the shoulders, you will want
to bring them directly over the shoulders with the pads on the shoulder
blades for comfort. When you do this, you will need to adjust the back
connection strap so that there is an good length between the shoulder
pads, and the rear connection, not enough to be floppy, but enough to
make the pistol belt ride at the correct place on your body. Once that
this is adjusted, attach the front clips much the same way as the back
ones. You will want them somewhere near the front of your body and not
on the sides of your pistol belt this will vary on every person, as that
no one is the same size.

Once that all of your clips are attached, you will need to tape up your
clips, so that they won't become disconnected during use, and cause a
possible injury. The best tape for this is black electrical tape.

After your basic set up with your pistol belt and suspenders is
completed you can then move on to putting on the other pieces onto the
pistol belt using your ALICE clips.

You will need to put your canteen covers (with canteens in them) on
first. This should be done while your gear is on your person, so that
you can place them on your hips. This is for even weight distribution.
Make sure that they are not rubbing your hips, but hang snugly on the
belt. Also make sure that they are not to far forward of your hips, or
to far back.

After this is done, place on your ammo pouches. You will want to place
them in front of the canteens. This is so that you will have ready
access to items that you will need to use during duty performances.
Again make sure that your gear is on while placing them on the pistol
belt, making sure that you have enough room to connect your belt in the
front.

At this point there are many options that you can add or delete as your
preferences and funds allow. This is where you can make your gear your
own, and for your special needs, comfort, and to some degree your style.

One of the most recent popular options to this set up is a LBV, or Load
Bearing Vest. This type of set up has many pockets on them for storage
of items, as well as moving the weight of your gear around your body for
more comfort while wearing it. These vest can be of varying degrees of
cost, and quality, you will need to make sure that you get the correct
size and that it is adjustable for your needs. Some of the better ones
will have loops that will allow you to attach a pistol belt on the
bottom of it, to add more carrying abilities. A set back to this type of
set up is that you don't have a place to put water carrying canteens
unless you have the type that will attach to a pistol belt.

A solution for this, as well as additional (AND VERY OPTIONAL), gear is
the now popular CAMELBACK, or MULE water systems. These type of bladder
based water holding systems involve a plastic bladder, that can hold a
large amount of liquid, in a carrying pouch with a long tube straw that
can but mounted right by your mouth for easy access. This pouch is
attached to your gear or worn separately on your back much like a
backpack. These are very versatile and can be a very handy item for your
gear. There are many styles and brands that use this idea, Walmart has a
great type that also has compartments that can be used as a backpack or
to substitute a butt pack. Remember that space is of the utmost
importance, and whenever possible conserve space weight, and when you
can, use items that double duty themselves.

Other items that make things handy are the purchase of a canteen cup
that you can cook out of, drink out of and can reuse time and time
again. These fit in your canteen cover, with your canteen in it.

As well as the above items, you will need to put things in this gear.
Remember, you can get most of this from a local store, and there is no
need to go out and spend a lot of money on it. Also remember that space
is limited on your gear, and you will have to carry it, so the most
space and weight that you can save will be to your advantage, if you
have something that can serve a duel purpose that will save space.

FIRST AID KIT- (This is for YOU not anyone that you will be rescuing)

2- Antiseptic cleaning pads

Antiseptic Ointment

6 bandages differing sizes

Moleskin

Gauze roller bandage

2- safety pins (large size)

4- Gauze Pads

Triangular Bandage

Medical Tape

2- Pair of Rubber gloves

Personal Medications with instructions

SURVIVAL KIT- (Minimum items for your survival)

10 to 15 feet of Duct tape

Large yard leaf bag

Fire starting materials (many will work small is good)

50 feet of paracord or nylon string

3 yards (9 feet) of Aluminum Foil

SAR EQUIPMENT

Change of Socks

2 Light sources (suggest one handheld flashlight and one small pen
light, extra batteries

for both, small headlamps work as well)

Insect Repellant ( Suggest OFF brand or your needs if you are allergic)

Lip Balm (chapstick plain flavor is suggested)

Sunscreen ( no aerosol)

Toilet paper (small and flatten the tube

Work Gloves (leather type or Jersey type)

Small package of Baby Wipes ( for field hygiene)

Calling Card

Compass ( Silva or Lensatic)

Water Purification Tablets

2 MRE's (a type you have tried and like)

Poncho with grommets in corners (to make emergency shelter)

Orange Vest

Pocket Knife

Whistle

Notepad and writing utensil

Always remember that you that items will need to be waterproofed, this
can be done simply by putting them in a ziplock bag and sealing it after
all the air is pushed out of it. Some items can also be condensed such
as MRE bags that are sometimes puffy. Gear preparation is a science. You
will need to have your gear prepped for a moments notice. So you will
need to be able to know where it is, what is in it, and where to find it
without having to stop to think about it. You will want to keep the
things that keep you going and happy handy first. This is the reason
that you keep your ammo pouches to the front of your gear as that this
is where you will store these items.

72 Hour Gear is a bit more involved. In addition to your 24 hour gear,
you will be needing things to sustain yourself for more then one night.
These items can include a tent, a small propane burner, sleeping bag,
tarp, extra food, sleeping pad, E-tool, extra clothing, extra water, and
mess kit. This will be up to you on what you need, experiment and ask
questions of experienced operators that have some tips for packing and
set up. Included in this manual is an illustrated suggestion set up for
24 and 72 hour gear. Use these as starting points and then adjust as
needed. These are what military personnel use for their gear so most
likely reinventing the wheel is not needed.

Again remember that weight, and space are your biggest limitations, once
your put it on you will have it with you until your mission is over,
including trash, so you need to make plans for this.

## WORKING WITH CANINE SEARCH TEAMS

When working with a canine team, there are some rules that we need to be
aware of. If we don't, we could cause them to be ineffective. Science
has proved that dogs have a unique ability to be able to pull out a
particular scent from many, many others that could be in the same area.
This is the same idea as bomb searching dogs, drug sniffing dogs, and
those that we work with which are trained to follow a certain scent of a
missing person. There are two types of these working dogs;

1)  [**Air scent dogs**-]{.underline} Which will track any human scent
    in the area and will go to what scent they can detect. These dogs
    will normally be off leash to allow them to work properly.

2)  [**Trailing Dogs**-]{.underline} Which will be given a scent clue
    and track only that scent. These dogs will be on a leash as that
    they sometimes are so focused on the smell they pay little attention
    to other things like danger or where they are going. Basically
    everything but their nose shuts down and that is all they focus on.

Normally dog teams will be provided by outside agencies. We have a great
relationship with the Jefferson County Search Dog Association from
Louisville, who have a group of trained dogs, and handlers that do
search and rescue much like we do. We as a team don't call outside
resources such as them out, but we could request it through our Incident
Commander.

When searching with the dogs, we need to remember that they have the
better equipment (nose) to use, so follow their lead, and don't get in
their way. Make sure that before you approach the dog that you ask
permission from the handler first. A big NO NO is to feed the dog, this
will get you in all kinds of trouble with the handler and can interfere
with their reward procedures for the dog. You may be asked to line up at
some time so that the dog can smell the team members and be able to tell
the difference between the team and the target. Don't make sudden
movements, or goofing off, or the like when this is happening, remember
they are doing a job, so be professional.

When we are out with them, let them do their thing, we are there for
additional resourse in case they find something, their job is to lead us
to it.

Even though they are pretty animals and most of us love dogs, they are a
member of our team, and should be treated just like one of us, they are
trained and put in time to do so , just as as well and we have and we
need to respect that. You wouldn't make goo goo noises at another team
member so don't do it to them either.

## INTERVIEWING GUIDE TO GATHERING INTEL

Gathering information can be a very vital aspect of a search operation.
Ground Team, Urban Direction Finding Teams, as well as all Mission Base
personnel need to be aware of how to take information from outside
sources. They need to be able to be polite, and focused as time is very
valuable and the info that they take could be vital to the mission. We
also need to remember that sometimes people are not as aware of things
that they think that they saw or heard, this in no way makes them
untruthful or liers, but you need to be aware that things aren't always
what they seem to be on the outside.

The standard pieces of equipment are the CAPF 106 Ground Interrogation
Form, clipboard and a pen. You will need to have many copies of the CAPF
106 on your clipboard as that you may be going door to door taking
information, and will need more copies. You also may be manning a phone
line and you will need more on hand to take down the info as the calls
come in.

When talking to people you need to make sure that you have a certain
"bedside manor" as that sometimes you will talk to older people who are
a bit less then ideal with facts and remembering things, not to say that
just because they are older they aren't as with it as when they were
younger, there are many seniors that are sharp as a tack, so don't make
assumptions.

When you interview people, ask them their name and make sure to use Mr
or Mrs where applicable. Politeness counts big time when working with
the public, and you need to be on top of your game when conducting this
duty, as that they are doing us a favor by taking their time to talk to
us.

We need to take everything that someone says very seriously, and as
factually truth, even if we know that it is wrong, write it down as they
said it, as to them that is what happened, and the truth. You never know
when pieces of this story and that story will be glued together for the
real picture. When there is a couple, interview them separately to get
all the story from each person. Whenever possible ask them to show you
where they were when they saw or heard what they had to report. Ask them
what they were doing, try recreate where they were standing, what they
were doing. While they are doing this ask the needed questions on the
form, but don't just stick the form in front of your face and read it
word for word, you need to be familiar enough with it to be able to work
those things in the conversation. Of course this only works with an in
person interview, while on the phone, use your form and try to work the
questions in while being not so dry.

You will need to practice with the Interview form so that this is a
second nature effort, and that you are comfortable talking to people
that you don't know, this is not a duty for those that can't talk to
others on a whim.

Remember that you need to be SUPER polite, and use the basics of
conversations, don't directly ask someone's age, you need to estimate
it, remember the basic rules of civility and don't be offensive. Don't
tell jokes and clown around, remember that you are representing the
Civil Air Patrol, and the Air Force, so we need to act like it no matter
how old or young you are. Become familiar with the CAPF 106, on the back
it gives good instructions on how to fill out the form, but this should
be your basis, not your whole technique for conducting your interview.

## MISSING PERSONS ACTIONS

Time is your enemy on these types of searches. Your ally is accurate
information. That is why your self and your gear need to be squared away
at all times. When you get your briefing get as much info as you can
about your objective. Here is a good listing:

**Description:** Height, Weight, Hair Color, Eye Color, Any
distinguishing features (tattoos, piercing, scars, birthmarks, moles),
Clothing, Shoe size

**Personal Traits:** Favorite foods, Hobbies, Mental State, Medical
condition, Medications

**Fixed Information:** Address, Phone Number, Hang outs, or places to
go, Friends contacted, Money on person, Nicknames, Direction of Travel,
Last point of contact

We need to be ready to go on these things, we are looking for clues, not
the person although that we shouldn't ignore the possibility of finding
a person rather then a clue. Look for things that have not been there
for long, footprints, trash, things that have been dropped. Calling the
name of the objective can be tiresome but important as that they could
be trying to get to someone and can focus on the sounds of our calls. We
also want to be sharp on our line search practice as that this is the
method that we use for searching for a missing person. If we are the
first on scene for the search a Hasty Search needs to be completed of
the immediate area. It is a quick search of the general area to
eliminate the possibility of the person just being asleep or hiding
around the last place know for them to be. This is usually completed by
two people in the close area buildings, vehicles, trails, or even their
tents. After that has been completed, the main search begins. The Hasty
Search is done to ensure that we don't have to make a larger search and
ensure that we aren't wasting efforts.

When in line search formation, we need to remember that we need to go
slow so that we can effectively search the area. It does no good to go
flying by an area when a clue could be there that can help in the
search.

We also need to be aware of those that don't want to be found, and are
missing on purpose, these can lead to possible suicides, and just plain
leaving for one reason or another. When this could be a possibility,
take extra care with your team members.

If you do come upon a person that you think that could be your
objective, your team leader needs to be the only one to approach them,
unless they ask for your help, stay where they told you to be. Make sure
to follow instructions completely. The objective could be armed, or
sometimes deceased. These are the very touchy situations that CISM are
for. When in doubt of you or your teams safety, stop what you are doing,
and tell the team leader, never doubt your gut feelings as that most of
the time they are correct. If you don't feel safe and things don't seem
"right" the probably aren't. If you think that you have a situation that
you can't handle within the team, call for assistance from law
enforcement.

## SEARCH TECNIQUES COVERAGE AND EFFECTIVENESS

Before we can start searching we need to know the differences in the
types of searches, and how to perform them. There are many kinds of ways
to do these for many different types of situations. We need to be able
to set up and change in between them as the needs arise.

Before we can concentrate on the type of search, we need to know how the
target can be found and the types of crashes. A basic statement of all
aircraft crash sites is:

***["IT WON'T LOOK LIKE AN AIRPLANE"]{.underline}***

There are four general types of crash sites:

1)  **Mid Air Collision-** There will be small bits and pieces over a
    large area.

2)  **Smear-** Long scars in the terrain and intact wreckage this will
    be in a small concentrated area.

3)  **Hole in the Ground-** Is exactly what the name implies, a whole
    where a place could have been.

4)  **Corkscrew-** There will be scattered wreckage, broken trees.

Now without knowing how the plane crashed, as we won't we need to know
the most probably type of search to conduct. There are three that we
need to be familiar with and be able to accomplish as a ground resource.

The three types of ground searches are:

1)  **Line Search**- Team will search on enclosed areas such as a field
    or clean, Teams line up at arm length interval and proceeds
    according to whistle commands. Look on the ground and sweep from
    side to side to the 45 degree angles to the right and left. Once you
    find something that you think could be a clue, stop and yell
    "**FIND**", then the team leader will come and investigate your
    find.

2)  **Contour Search**- The team will search a assigned terrain feature.

3)  **Expanding Square Search**- This is used in the vehicle, or a large
    area to cover maximum possible ground in the least amount of time.
    Most efficient for air or ELT searches. Used in the field to narrow
    down the probability of detection after a positive find.

Probability of Detection is the percentage of chance that a search will
find its target under given conditions. There are six factors that have
an effect on POD; Track Spacing (the distance in the search pattern that
the target was searched from the air), visibility, terrain, type of
sortie, reliability of information given, and the experience level of
the team.

Most of the time there is a 45% chance that the target was detected on
the first pass, 70% for the second pass, and 90% for the third over a
given area, which means the more effective that you are increases with
the more attention given to the search area.

## REFERENCE GUIDE