NTTP 3-50 SAR MANUAL
Name SAR Situations the Navy may become involved in
1. Vessel or A/C in distress
2. Unit responding independently to persons/property in distress
3. Part of organized SAR Force under direction of Regional SAR Coordinator
4. Unit of a Navy Task Force, Unit, or Element under the direction of the OTC
What factors SHALL be assessed while assessing the rescue situation?
SURVIVORS
- # of survivors (Military or Civilian?)
- Parachute? Entanglement?
- Location (relative to eachother/unit)
- Flotation Devices?
- Cooperative?
- Rescue Order (SHALL rescue survivor with WORST injuries)
ENVIRONMENT
- Time (Day/Night)
- Sea State
- Wind
- Temperature
- Debris
- Fuel in Water
- Sea Predators
ASSETS
- RS Deployment Options
- Multiple/Single Rescue
- Other Assets in area
Describe SAR Command structure
1. SAR COORDINATOR (CG District 14)
- Rescue Coordination Centers (RCC) are established by geo location/handle SAR Coord
*SHALL be kept informed of progress
2. SAR Mission Coordinator (SMC)
- Designated by SAR Coordinator
- Military Search: Officer in Tact Command (OTC) or unit designated by OTC SHALL assume duties of SAR Mission Coordinator
3. ON SCENE CDR
- Designated by SMC
- First unit to arrive on scene w/ best capability
What is Direct Deployment defined as?
Rescue Swimmer wearing a Tri-SAR Harness (TSH) in conjunction with Quick Strop (QS) Assembly
What situations is Direct Deployment used?
Extreme situations. Rescues in surf zone,heavy seas, high winds, swift water
SHALL ONLY BE UTILIZED WHEN CREW DETERMINED SAFEST METHOD OF RECOVERY
Direct Deployment use in regards to Aviators (ejected vs entangled)
Ejected - Should NOT use
- Entangled in Parachute - SHALL NOT USE
Direct Deployment use in regards to head/neck/spine injury
Should only be exercised when traditional recovery would place lives of RS/survivor at greater risk
how is DD different than Traditional rescue method?
RS never unhooks from rescue hook during entire rescue evolution
Where is Rescue Swimmer placed in regards to survivor distance?
Should be placed no farther than 2-3 feet from survivor
HOW:
1. Stop swimmer 10ft above water
2. Hoist Op direct HAC into precision position
What are the warnings regarding paid out cable in Direct Deployment with swimmer in water?
- Too little cable = RS jerked out of water as RS enter trough of wave
- Too Much Cable = Rs become entangled in hoist cable
Define the term "Physical Grip"
- RS engaging survivor WITHOUT A RESCUE DEVICE
When is Physical Grip procedure used?
Designed for IMMEDIATE EXTRACTION from extreme siutation that puts greater than acceptable risk for RS
EXAMPLE
- Surf Zone where survivor has physical hold of structure (reef/rock/tree)
- Heavy Seas resulting in survivor emersion/loss of positive control
Do you use Physical Grip to bring survivor to cabin door?
SHALL NOT be used as means of recovery to cabin door
- Survivor repositioning only
Distance above water for Physical Grip transfer
No greater than 10ft above water while survivor secured in physical grip
Physical Grip use in regards to Aviators (ejected vs entangled)
Ejected - Should NOT use
- Entangled in Parachute - SHALL NOT USE
What is the primary rescue device used in all operations?
Rescue Hook
Descsribe Double Rescue Hook vs. Locking Rescue Hook primary uses
DRH - Shipboard Recovery
LRH - Helicopter Recovery
Describe types of hooks in DRH
Large Hook - 3000lb (personnnel/equipment/cargo/mail)
Small Hook - 1000lb (light weight mail)
Equiment Hook - 1500lb (Light equipment/mail)
What Type of Hook SHALL be used when hoisting personnel?
Large Hook - 3000lb
What needs to be attached to Rescue Hook prior to lowering?
CC SHALL ensure a rescue device (normally the rescue Strop) with inherent flotation ability is attached to the rescue Hook prior to lowering
During Night/IMC, what SHALL be utilized with the Rescue Hook
RH SHALL be illuminated
- Chem Light strap to attach chem light to equipment ring
When is a rescue strop used? Why?
- Primarily on nonaviator/civilian survivors
- allows for the RS and survivor to be hoisted at the same time
Can you lower the Rescue Strop without a RS?
NOT RECOMMENDED.
- "Self-application is near impossible"
- Immediate survivor recovery deemed necessary
During Night/IMC, what SHALL be utilized with the Rescue Strop
Free end of Rescue Strop SHALL be illuminated
When is a collapsible rescue basket (McCauley Basket) used?
- Mil/Civilian Survivors w/ inujuries that do not require a Litter
- Frail/Elderly Survivors
- Small Framed survivors (can't use Rescue Strop)
Does a McCauley Basket require a RS?
NO
- Designed for use in Helos that DO NOT employ RS as part of crew
- Used easily without RS assistance
how many people can McCauley Basket lift?
1 at a time
During Night/IMC, what SHALL be utilized with the McCauley Basket
No specific points to illuminate on rescue basket
- SHALL utilize chem light to Rescue Hoist equipment ring
What is primary use for Rescue Net?
Primarily for MULTIPLE survivors
- 2 Survivors at a time
OR
- 1 survivor + RS
During Night/IMC, what SHALL be utilized with the Rescue Net
SHALL be illuminated
- both sides of rescue net opening
Rescue Seat - Primary use
Use in Maritime or Overland environment
- Self-Recovery of Aviators WITHOUT RS assitance
How can a rescue seat be used in Maritime environmnet?
Can only be utilized if it has a FLOTATION COLLAR
During Night/IMC, what SHALL be utilized with the Rescue Seat
Chem Light on equipment ring
Can a rescue seat be deployed to civilians?
YES
- Should not be deployed without aid of RS
How many can be hoisted by Rescue Seat?
SHALL be hoisted
- 1 Survivor
OR
- 1 Survivor + RS
Can rescue seat be used with unconscious survivor?
YES
- RS SHALL be hoisted with survivor
What two types of litters are there?
Rescue Litter (Stokes)
SAR MEDEVAC Litter
What type of litter do we use?
SAR Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) Litter
Primary reasons a SAR MEDEVAC Litter is used
- Ejected Aviator
- Head/Neck/Spinal Injry
- Unconscious
How long from RS Deployment to Survivor Recovery?
10-30min
When should a SAR MEDEVAC Litter NOT be used?
Should not be used if injury is life-threatening
- Not Breathing
- Severe Bleeding
What is mandatory to use with MEDEVAC LITTER?
Trail Line is mandatory
When can the RS grab the litter
SHALL ensure RS does not come in physical contact until Litter TOUCHES THE WATER
- Trail Line will not ground the litter
During Night/IMC, what SHALL be utilized with the SAR MEDEVAC Litter
Chem light attached to head/foot end of rescue litter
What direction do survivors enter the cabin? Why?
Feet first. but may enter head first if situation warrants
- Best way to tend to a survivor
Can a litter be used with extended pylon?
YES
- SHOULD not be hoisted with extended pylon
- USED AS A LAST RESORT
What do you do with survivors floatation device once in aircraft?
Should be deflated or replaced
Who are the life rafts intended for?
helicopter crew/Pax
what is recommended altitude/airspeed for deploying a life rafts?
uninflated or deflated
10/10 or 15/0
What should you do if the rescue hoist fails during a rescue?
- CC SHALL notify HAC/perform NATOPs
- PAC SHOULD lower helo until personnel in the water/can safely unhook
- If too hazardous- lower until personnel at reasonable altitude if breaks
What altitude is recommended for a jammed hoist?
- No higher than 30ft AGL
- No faster than safe single engine airspeed
Describe SAR Conditions
Condition 1- Aircraft SHALL be spotted for immediate launch. headed into Relative Wind/rotors spread/told to launch start ENGs
Condition 2- Same as 1. crew SHALL stand by in ready rooms
Condition 3- aircraft must be parked to allow direct access to launch spot. aircraft can be expeditiously moved to launch. flight crews SHOULD be briefed/standing by
Condition 4- minor maintenance can be performed on aircraft if not causing delay
What are the 5 overland rescue methods?
- Landing to effect a rescue
- Rescue via one skid/wheel
- rescue via hoist
- Rappelling, short haul
- Direct Deployment
What is the preferred overland method/why?
- Landing to effect a rescue
- More expeditious
- reduces pilot/crew fatigue
- safest method of recovery
Warming about enter/exit in landing to effect a rescue
SHALL avoid enter/exit in direction of rising terrain in close prox to rotor/tail
What gear should be carried if survivors are not in sight of aircraft?
- Hand Held Radio
- Level A/B/C SAR med kit
- Rescue/MEDEVAC litter
What is minimum SAR rescue Swimmer equipment?
1. Rescue Harness
- Strobe Light SDU-39
- 1 J knife
- 1 Swimmers knife
- 4 chem lights (2 high intensity/2 gen purpose)
- 2 Mk-124 Mod 0 flares
- Whistle
- HABD/SEA holster
2. Flotation Device
3. Wet Suit Ensemble
- 1 piece Shorty Wetsuit
- Gloves/Booties
4. Dry Suit Ensemble
5. Ventilated Swim Fins
6. Wraparound Swimmers Mask
7. UDT shorts
8. PRC-149 Swimmers Radio Control Unit
9. Swimmer tending line when deploying by J Bar
10. Petzl "Ecrin Roc" Helmet
What temps are dry suits required?
- below 60deg F - Required
- 60-70 CO discretion
- above 70 - not required
What is in the SAR curtain?
Chem Lights / Crew Safety Belts
Cable Grip / Chem Straps / Hoist Gloves
Rescue Litter Sling / Quick Splice / Pneumatic Hand Tool
BACK LEVEL A MEDKIT
min equip SaR
Rescue Hook
1 Rescue Strop
1 Quick Strop
1 Hoist Quick Splice Plate
1 cable Grip w crew safety belt
1 rescue hand tool
Min 3 crew safety belts
6Gen purpose/6 high intensity chem light
3 chem light strap
1 pair heavy duty gloves
3 cranials
2 wool blankets
1 helo rescue equipment bag
1 trail line Assembly
1 rescue Litter Sling assembly
1 lvl A sad MEDKIT
1 rescue Litter/SAR MedEvac litter assembly
1 lvl B med kit
1 SAR medical oxygen system
Additional over water equipment
2 mk 58 smoke flares
4 mk 25 smoke flares
3 electrical marine marker lights
1 electronic datum marking device
3 LPU 32P life preservers
1 MPLR weak link per MPLR carried
Hand Signal - I am all right
Raised Arm
Open HAnd
Fingers Extended
Hand Signal - Ready for pickup
Raised Arm
Thumbs Up
Hand Signal - In Trouble, need assistance
Waving Arm
Hand Signal - Deploy Raft
Clenched fists
Arms Crossed
Hand Signal - Deploy Radio
Hand held to ear
Hand Signal - Deploy rescue hand tool
Clenched Fist
Arm pumping motion
Hand Signal - Deploy Rescue Litter
- One arm raised w/ open palm
- Fingers Extended
- Other arm raised over swimmer head
Hand Signal - Deploy rescue basket/net
Both arms raised
- palms open
Hand Signal - Raise Cable/Ready to be hoisted
Raised Arm
Thumb Up
Hand Signal - Stop Hoisting
Raised Arm
Clenched Fist
Hand Signal - Lower cable
Raised Arm
Thumb Down
Hand Signal - Request assitance of additional rescue swimmer
Arm out
Palm Down
Rotating in circular motion
Hand Signal - Request rescue boat
Both arms raised over head
palms together
Hand Signal - Deploy personal flotation device
HAnd palm down on head
Hand Signal - Failed hoist
Clenched fist over clenched fist
- thumbs down
When SHALL the rescue swimmer need to enter the water/assist survivors? Factors to consider?
SHALL enter the water and assist the survivor in ALL cases
- EXCEPT when HAC determines the circumstances will endanger the RS "Unnecessarily"
Factors:
- Sea State
- Debris
- Sea Predators
- Fire On WAter
MK-25 - Burn time
10-20min
Why can't you launch a MK-25 in hover?
SHALL not be launched while in hover
- Valve plug strike a/c or personnel
Mk-58 Burn time
At least 45 minutes
What is a Double Lift?
Utilization of both Rescue Strop AND Quick Strop
- Used to prevent Hydrostatic Squeeze
- Prevent "Dropout" of blood flow from extremities back to heart
Offset of helo from parachute? Dangers?
SHALL be approached no closer than 1 Rotor Diameter OUTSIDE the Rotor Wash Area
- INflate = Damage A/C
- Deflate = Drown Survivor
What defines a Multiple Rescue
- More than 1 survivor
- RS remains in water and aids in recovery of all survivors prior to being recovered
What conditions should lead to either recovery or short hauling the Rescue Swimmer between multiple survivors?
- Sea State Greater than 2
- Night/IMC
- More than 25yd between survivors
describe the cable grip rig procedure
1. Gunner Belt - Hook to floor (prevent accidentally falling out)
2. Wrap back to front - prevent accidental eng intake
3. Hook up to Cable Grip
4. Put Cable grip down as far as it can
5. Tighten gunner belt as much as it can