SAR Form Version 7
As had been discussed, a new version of the beloved SAR Form is ready for use. Version 7 can be used anytime from now on and should be the only form used starting in 2010.
Changes are as follows.
In the block called “Subject Data and Mission Results” there are some new fields.
“Condition” refers to the subject’s health when recovered. The choices are “Well” or “Injured.” If the subject needed medical attention, they were injured. If they didn’t, they were well. Use your judgment as to their condition, if it isn’t obvious. As before, subjects should be identified by age.
“Fitness” is self-explanatory. Identify subjects by age.
The next 10 fields deal with locations.
“Distance traveled on foot from the IPP” is the distance in feet between the IPP (where your searches begin) to the point where the subject is found. If this is determined using by using a straight line measurement, check off “straight line.” If the distance is the actual distance walked by the subject, check off “actual.” Below that is room for the coordinates of the IPP and the point where the subject was found. Enter the coordinates in any format you use (except Township and Range) and enter the datum off your map. Include the altitude of these points.
If you enter coordinates, yet leave off either the datum or the altitude, I will write to you asking for the data. So don’t forget.
(FYI, all coordinates will be converted to “decimal degree” format, e.g., 45.81269 120.63072, on a WGS84 datum for database entry. This is the only format the database can read as a number and all coordinates will be standardized to the same datum. Submissions in this format and datum will make my life easier.)
I will subtract the IPP and find coordinates and compare them with your “distance traveled.” If there is a significant difference between the two, I’ll be writing to you asking for an explanation.
The “Track offset” is the distance between the actual point where the subject was located and the point where the subject thought they were. This should be calculated by you, based upon information provided by the subject (who is lost).
A block has been added for the date and time that the subject was last seen. Enter this, if you have the data.
The block on “Signaling” has two new entries. These are for SPOT beacons and subjects located through Project Lifesaver. Check when appropriate.
There are two new blocks of data called “Environmental Data” and “Weather.” Environmental data are divided into two categories called “population” and “terrain.” Population refers to the population density and is divided into four categories. Choose one entry that best describes the search area. Urban refers to higher density city environments. Suburban refers to homes with yards or a bit of land. Rural describes widespread habitation such as farmland. Wilderness is essentially uninhabited. The “terrain” is also divided into four categories, which are self-explanatory. Again, choose one that best describes the search area.
The final block of data is called “Weather.” Used this to describe the weather condition when the subject is located. Choose only one that best describes the dominant weather at that time. (Make sure you know the difference between sleet and hail. Most people don’t.)
I know there are some borderline situations that could cause confusion. For example, how does one describe the terrain of a rescue off a 50 foot cliff in otherwise flat terrain? I don’t have an answer to that. This and other unique situations will have to be posed to Koester, who requests this kind of data. I have no contact with him.
Also keep in mind the difference between a search and a rescue. If your mission is a rescue, then the location is known. There is no IPP.