Search and RescueRoad Search Marking System(s)

Adopted by Oregon SAR Advisory Council Sept. 18, 2007

No system should replace the process of search teams keeping a written daily log of activity!

There are basically two types of marking systems.

Paint – using pavement marking paint to mark each road searched

Flagging – using grid ribbon to mark each road searched.

Paint

Search Team currentlyon Road

Road has been searched

Road Searched, but not entire system

End of area (road) searched – arrow points to road which was searched

Paint (continued)

• Assumption that area (roads) marked were searched

• Easily seen from the air

• Works well in most conditions including rain, but snow will cover it up.

Flagging

• Write Team number and date/time on flagging

• One knot in flagging as you go in

• Add second knot when you come out

• 3rd knot indicates entire road system was not completed– Flag furthest point searched with ribbon with 3

knots.

Flagging (continued)

• Time consuming:– Tie on roadway, tie knots and write on

• A lot of ribbon already out there

• Good in all weather

• Sometime difficult to find a visible location to tie to

Both these systems assume that field search teams will document roads which roads they searched.

Documentation should include team number (names), date and any pertinent information.

Documentation Required!