USAROPERATIONS

SECOND EDITIONDr DF Merchant & Darryl Ashford-Smith

ProGuide Series

XSAM

PLE

PAGES

PGU2G

Urban Search & reScUe OperatiOnS©2016 Dr DF Merchant & Darryl Ashford-Smith all rights reserved.

Second edition, published in the UK 2016 by UVSAR

ISBN 978-0-9560784-3-8

This book contains condensed technical information intended for use by trained rescue team members as part of urban search and rescue operations. Techniques detailed herein are unsuitable for construction or workplace uses. The authors and/or publishers make no representations or warranties as to the accuracy and completeness of the material herein nor shall they be held liable for any loss or damages caused by their application. Specifications valid at time of press only. This book does not constitute a training program if used in isolation.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, transformed, broadcast or transmitted in any physical or electronic format without prior written permission of the authors and publisher except insofar as is permitted by UK law. Trademark names used herein are the property of their owner(s) and are used to their benefit in an editorial context only.

For more information on this and other titles, visit

www.uvsar.com/books

ProGuides are printed on waterproof polymer paper that can be repeatedly washed. You can write permanently on any page using ballpoint or marker pens. Chinagraphs can be erased.

100%WATERPROOFPAPER

X ProGuide Series

SAMPLE

PAGES

X ProGuide Series

2 Table of Contents

Signals and warnings / LACES 4Scene safety considerations 5Scene operational considerations 6

Structure orientation 7Sectorisation 8INSARAG marking systems 9Victim marking system 10Sketch maps 11Structure assessment 12

Safety and operational considerations 13ASR levels 14Canine search considerations 16Interview questions 16

Safety and operational considerations 18Resources and safety factors 19Load angles 20Force triangle sketches 22Slinging mode factors 23Essential knots: F8, F9, TH, ABK 24Crane operator hand signals 28Block and tackle pulley systems 30Compound pulley systems 31Cribbing patterns and safe loads 33

SCENEMANAGEMENT

STRUCTUREASSESSMENT

SEARCHOPERATIONS

LIFTING &MOVING

SAMPLE

PAGES

Urban Search & Rescue Operations

3 Table of Contents

Safety and operational considerations 34Safe work at height on shores 35Resources 36Timber measurements 37Shoring rules 38Paratech™ RSS tables / raker setup 40Standard nail patterns 42Kerb beams and anchor fixings 51Timber shore length/diameter rules 53Timber cutting and measuring 54Cross-bracing 58Timber shore standard patterns 60

Safety and operational considerations 84Resources 85Breaching techniques 86Hot cutting safety considerations 90Hot cutting procedures 92

Safety and operational considerations 98Properties of common gases 98Safe system of work 99

Primary and secondary surveys 100BLS AED algorithm 102Blank casualty assessment forms 103

Properties of materials 109Metric–Imperial converter 111

SHORING

BREACHING& BREAKING

CONFINEDSPACE ENTRY

CASUALTYCARE

REFERENCE

SAMPLE

PAGES

Scene OperatiOnaL cOnSiDeratiOnS

rMaintain immediate scene safety — LACES.

rEstablish communications between USAR Tactical Advisor

and emergency services in attendance.

r Inner and outer cordons with scene access control points.

rClear restricted area of public and non-essential personnel.

rAppoint key personnel (Search Coordinator, Rescue

Coordinator, USAR Safety Advisor, Logistics Supervisor).

rRequest other agencies/key personnel (utilities, structural

engineer, air/rail accident investigation, health & safety).

rRequest site manager/building plans etc.

r Identify key areas: RVP, safe access/egress routes, logistics,

holding areas, casualty clearing, decontamination,

evacuation point, welfare, parking, media.

rGather information on the incident, structures/transport,

safety and resources.

rDetail and brief assessment team.

rEstablish communications plan.

rPrepare relevant documentation (operational forms,

analytical risk assessment, lifting plans, confined space

permit to work/risk assessment, decision-making log, etc.).

X ProGuide Series

6 Incident Management

SAMPLE

PAGES

WOrKSite MarKinG (100 × 120cm BOX)

Place markings in clear view near the point of entry

rapiD cLearance MarKinG (20cm DIAMOND)

rc = Location is definitely clear of all live and deceased victims.

rD = Only deceased victims remain after a comprehensive search.

rWhen all deceased are removed, place a c marking next to the original.

A-2cUS1 ASR2 14 JANUS1 ASR3 14 JANUS2 ASR4 16 JAN

Line added when all work

is complete

Day and month

Team ID

Worksite ID

C DUS2

14 JANUS2

14 JAN

ASR level completed (see page 14) - leave space for at least 3 rows

Urban Search & Rescue Operations

9 INSARAG Marking Systems

SAMPLE

PAGES

SaFetY cOnSiDeratiOnS rBeware of exposed services (USAR equipment may not be intrinsically safe and often conducts electricity). rEnsure area/void being searched is adequately lit and crew is protected (shored, clear access / egress, overhead hazards).

rEnsure air is monitored where required (including CBRN).

OperatiOnaL cOnSiDeratiOnS rAll crews to book in and out of restricted area. rEnsure area is as noise-free as possible. rPerform initial line and hail sweep. rPerform hasty acoustic / seismic search / deploy canines. rCo-ordinate calls for silence between crews. rEnsure voids are adequately mapped. rGet victim hit clarified by other search means. rDivide search area into mapping grid. rPerform thorough seismic / acoustic / audio-visual searches.

technicaL Search reSOUrceS• Loud-hailer and radios • Thermal image camera• Lighting units & light-sticks • Canine search team• Listening device / search camera • Laser rangefinder• Digital camera and printer • GPS & local maps• Cable detection tools • Atmosphere monitor• First aid/resuscitation kits • Binoculars• UAVs / drones • Line rescue/search team• Online data (satellite imagery, weather, etc.)

Urban Search & Rescue Operations

13 Search Operations

SAMPLE

PAGES

Urban Search & Rescue Operations

15 ASR Levels

ASR LEVEL 3: RAPID SEARCH AND RESCUEConducted in the early stages of an incident.

r USAR teams appointed to worksite(s). r Rescue commitment comprising of debris removal, shoring, and limited breaching and breaking. r Limited penetration into structure/debris pile, with most rescue operations completed within hours. r Identify worksites requiring Level 4 operations (which may happen concurrently if resources are available).

ASR LEVEL 4: FULL SEARCH AND RESCUE r Identify, locate and rescue heavily trapped casualties. r Penetration into the most accessible survivable voids. r Extensive technical search, shoring, lifting and moving and breaching and breaking operations. r Possible confined space working. r Inter-agency cooperation.

ASR LEVEL 5: TOTAL SEARCH AND RECOVERYMoving from rescue to recovery and transfer of responsibility.

r Transition must be given serious consideration. r Delamination of the debris pile/structure to confirm no live casualties and to recover the deceased. r Searches repeated as delamination occurs. r May require heavy machinery, cranes etc. r Close liaison with structural/demolition engineers required. r Maintain minimum numbers of personnel in the risk area.

SAMPLE

PAGES

LOaDS On a DeViatiOn pOint

When a line deviates by an angle A, the load on the deviation point is given by the line tension T multiplied by the deviation factor D.

The line tension T is equal to M as it can slide freely through the deviation, so:-

F = M × D

e.g. if A = 45° and M = 100kg, the deviation load F = 75kg

For lifting and moving always keep the deviation angle A below 90°.

If the deviation has high friction and the rope is moving in either direction, F will be up to twice as high as the above figures indicate.

T=MAF

M

Angle A 20° 30° 45° 60° 90°

Deviation factor D 0.33 0.5 0.75 1 1.4

s

Urban Search & Rescue Operations

21 Load Angles

SAMPLE

PAGES

aLpine bUtterFLY KnOt: tYinG SeQUence

1 2

3 4

Urban Search & Rescue Operations

27 Knots

SAMPLE

PAGES

Raker shore gussets

R13 = top of raker postW13 = wall/sole plate junctionRB13 = bottom of raker post

Always applied both sides.

Gussets should be inset by approx ½” [10mm] from wall and floor to avoid taking any direct side load.

R13

W13 RB13

In pattern RB13 the gusset plate is shifted to allow clearance for the wedge blocks.

X ProGuide Series

44 Shoring : Nail Patterns

SAMPLE

PAGES

Raker height45° Raker CUT length 60° Raker CUT length

feet metres feet metres3' (0.91m) 4' 3" 1.30 3' 6" 1.07

4' (1.22m) 5' 8" 1.73 4' 8" 1.42

5' (1.52m) 7' 1" 2.16 5' 10" 1.78

6' (1.83m) 8' 6" 2.59 7' 0" 2.13

7' (2.13m) 9' 11" 3.02 8' 2" 2.49

8' (2.44m) 11' 4" 3.45 9' 4" 2.84

9' (2.74m) 12' 9" 3.89 10' 6" 3.20

10' (3.05m) 14' 2" 4.32 11' 8" 3.56

11' (3.35m) 15' 7" 4.75 12' 10" 3.91

12' (3.66m) 17' 0" 5.18 14' 0" 4.27

13' (3.96m) 18' 5" 5.61 15' 2" 4.62

14' (4.27m) 19' 10" 6.05 16' 4" 4.98

15' (4.57m) 21' 3" 6.48 17' 6" 5.33

16' (4.88m) 22' 8" 6.91 18' 8" 5.69

17' (5.18m) 24' 1" 7.34 19' 10" 6.05

18' (5.49m) 25' 6" 7.77 21' 0" 6.40

19' (5.79m) 26' 11" 8.20 22' 2" 6.76

20' (6.1m) 28' 4" 8.64 23' 4" 7.11

21' (6.4m) 29' 9" 9.07 24' 6" 7.47

22' (6.71m) 31' 2" 9.50 25' 8" 7.82

23' (7.01m) 32' 7" 9.93 26' 10" 8.18

24' (7.32m) 34' 0" 10.36 28' 0" 8.53

25' (7.62m) 35' 5" 10.79 29' 2" 8.89

Urban Search & Rescue Operations

57 Timber Measurements

SAMPLE

PAGES

SpLit-SOLe (FLYinG) raKer ShOre

At least two rakers per shore. Insert mid-point brace if required by raker post’s L/D. Choose base type to suit ground conditions.

Flying raker, shown with trough base.

Split-sole raker, shown with U-box base.

R13

45° = C1760° = C26

B5

B5

X ProGuide Series

62 Split-Sole Raker

SAMPLE

PAGES

Central core-drilled hole and grid chased out with disc cutter.

Second level of grid chasing andblock removal – note smaller area.

Slab removed – bevel-sided cuts prevent slab falling through hole.

Block removal. Central area can be left intact for speed in some cases.

1

3

2

4

Urban Search & Rescue Operations

87 Step-Cut Clean Breach

SAMPLE

PAGES

VerticaL beaMS — FrOnt Web hinGe cUt

Allows a vertical standing I-beam to fold down endways.

Cut fully across end web on opposite side to direction of intended fall.

Cut inner web at a 45° downwards angle, joining with the first cut.

Cut centre 70% of end web, leaving two safety tags to act as hinges.

Allow beam to fold down in a controlled manner, with L&M support. Gentle heating of the tags may be necessary.

1

3

2

4

Urban Search & Rescue Operations

93 Hot Cutting Operations

SAMPLE

PAGES

PATIENTQUESTIONING

SAMPLE

Don’t assume the responsesfrom an injured or confusedperson are correct!

PAIN ASSESSMENT

PQRST

PATIENTHANDOVER

NATMIST

Signs/symptoms

Allergies

Medications and (illegal) drugs

Previous medical history

Last meal time

Events causing the injury

Provoked by? (motion, touch, etc.)

Quality (stabbing, dull, etc.)

Region / radiation from / to where?

Severity? (scale 1-10)

Timing? (duration, trend over time)

Name

Age

Time of injury

Mechanism of injury

Injuries found

Signs and symptoms

Treatment given

Urban Search & Rescue Operations

101 Casualty Care

SAMPLE

PAGES

Name:

(FE)MALE Age: Casualty ID:

Location:

History & notes:

Mark locations with:-A = abrasionB = burnC = contusionD = dislocationF = fractureH = haemorrhageP = pain onlyR = rigidityS = swelling

Body temp: Pupils: Equal \ React light \ Round \ React accom \

Urban Search & Rescue Operations

105 Patient Assessment

SAMPLE

PAGES

Elapsed time (minutes) 0Open spontaneously = 4

Open to speech = 3Open to pain = 2No response = 1

Responds normally = 5Confused = 4

Inappropriate words = 3Incomprehensible = 2

No response = 1

Obeys commands = 6Points towards pain = 5

Withdraws from pain = 4Bends limbs = 3

Straightens limbs = 2No response = 1

GCS = total of above

Pulse (beats per min)

Respirations (per min)

Treatment and meds given:

EYES

SPEE

CHM

OVE

MEN

T

X ProGuide Series

SAMPLE

PAGES