UNIT 5: LIGHT SEARCH AND RESCUE

OPERATIONS

In this unit you will learn about:

Search and Rescue Sizeup: How to size up the situation in which the search and
rescue teams will operate.

Conducting Interior and Exterior Search Operations: How to search

systematically for disaster victims.

Conducting Rescue Operations: Safe techniques for lifting, leveraging, cribbing,

and victim removal.
 COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM
UNIT 5: LIGHT SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS

OBJECTIVES At the conclusion of this unit, the participants should be able to:
Identify sizeup requirements for potential search and rescue
situations.
Describe the most common techniques for searching, both
interior and exterior.
Use safe techniques for debris removal and victim extrication.
Describe ways to protect rescuers during search and rescue.

SCOPE The topics that will be discussed in this unit are:

Introduction and Unit Overview
Safety During Search and Rescue Operations
Conducting Interior and Exterior Search Operations
Conducting Rescue Operations
Unit Summary

ESTIMATED 2 hours 30 minutes

COMP
LETIO
N
TIME

TRAINING The lead instructor will begin this session by welcoming the
METH participants to Unit 5: Light Search and Rescue Operations, and will
ODS introduce the instructors for the unit. The instructor will then present
a brief overview of this unit, including making the distinction between
search and rescue, the goals of search and rescue, search and
rescue priorities, and the steps involved in effective search and
rescue for both interior and exterior areas.

Next, the instructor will review the sizeup process as it applies to

search and rescue. At this time, the instructor will emphasize the
most dangerous construction-related hazards. The instructor will
emphasize the importance of rescuer safety in all sizeup decisions.
Participants will complete a sizeup exercise using either the
scenarios provided or locally prepared scenarios.

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TRAINING The next section will deal with search techniques for locating
METH potential victims. The instructor will identify the types of voids and
ODS collapses that CERT members should avoid and the methods that
(CON searchers can use for locating victims and documenting their
TINUE positions within lightly or moderately damaged structures.
D)
Finally, the instructor will describe rescue techniques and methods
for lifting, debris removal, and finally, victim removal. The instructors
will demonstrate leveraging and cribbing. The instructors will also
demonstrate using lifts and drags as victim removal techniques, and
the participants will practice those techniques under instructor
observation. At the end of this section, the group will participate in a
simulation involving both debris removal and victim removal.

RESOURCES Community Emergency Response Team Instructor Guide

REQU
IRED Community Emergency Response Team Participant Manual
PowerPoint slides 5-0 through 5-48

OTHER If time permits, all or portions of the 32-minute video CERT Training:
RESO Safety in the Post-Disaster Environment are recommended for this
URCE
unit. The video provides an overview of safety considerations for
S
CERT responders and is available for download at the national
CERT Web site: www.citizencorps.gov/cert.

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EQUIPMENT In addition to the equipment listed at the front of this Instructor

Guide, you will need the following equipment for this session. The
number of each item needed for practicing victim extrication and
carries will depend on the number of groups practicing these skills at
the same time.
A computer with PowerPoint software
A computer projector and screen
Mannequin(s) or rescue dummy(ies) for extrication
Blankets for victim carries
Appropriate chairs for victim carries
Large, flat objects (e.g., table) and pieces of wood for leveraging
and cribbing
Pry bars or long 2 x 4 pieces of lumber

PREPARATION For the exercise titled Gathering Facts, a scenario has already been
developed. The scenario appears in the Participant Manual and on
page 5-18 in this Instructor Guide. You should feel free to alter the
scenario to reflect the community's needs.

The exercise titled Search and Rescue Sizeup requires the

preparation of scenarios that are realistic for your community. This
exercise appears in the Participant Manual and on page 5-35 in this
Instructor Guide. Be sure to prepare the scenarios in advance of the
session and have copies for each participant. Include the following
types of information in the scenarios:
Type of event
Intensity, severity, and duration
Occupancy affected
Current and forecast weather conditions
Time of day and week
Other factors that may affect search and rescue operations

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PREPARATION Information that is provided about assessment of probable damage

(CON in relation to types of construction focuses primarily on earthquake
TINUE damage. For other types of disasters (e.g., tornadoes, hurricanes, or
D) floods) likely to occur in your area, obtain and add information about
their probable impact on various types of construction.

NOTES Remember as you work through this unit with the group to stress the
role of the CERT in search and rescue. The participants must come
away from the training with an understanding of their limitations and
the attitude that their safety is paramount, even above that of the
victims.

A suggested time plan for this unit is as follows:

Introduction and Unit Overview..............................................5 minutes

Safety During Search and Rescue Operations...................45 minutes
Conducting Interior and Exterior Search Operations...........35 minutes
Conducting Rescue Operations...........................................60 minutes
Unit Summary........................................................................5 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes

For the purposes of time and comprehension, this unit may be

divided into two units and taught separately. Should you
choose to do this, you are advised to teach through
Conducting Interior and Exterior Search Operations in the
first session and resume with Conducting Rescue Operations
in the second session.

REMARKS Search and rescue sizeup is based on the model introduced in Unit
2: Fire Safety and Utility Controls. Review the sizeup section
carefully and develop examples of damage levels based on the
hazards faced and the types of structures that are common to your
community. Provide these examples at appropriate points in the
instruction to illustrate important learning points.

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 COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM
UNIT 5: LIGHT SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS

Unit 5: Light Search and

Rescue Operations
INSTRUCTOR GUIDANCE CONTENT

Introductions and Overview

Welcome
Introduce this session by welcoming the participants to
Unit 5 of the CERT Basic Training.

Introduce the instructors for this session and ask any

new instructors to describe briefly their experience
Display Slide 5-0 with search and rescue operations.

Briefly review the fire safety lesson.

Who can explain or diagram a good arrangement

for the treatment area in relation to the incident
site and transportation availability?
Correct response:

What are you looking for in a head-to-toe

assessment?

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INSTRUCTOR GUIDANCE CONTENT

Correct response:

Deformities
Contusions (bruising)
Abrasions
Punctures
Burns
Tenderness
Lacerations
Swelling

What are your objectives when treating burns?

Correct response:

Cool the burned area.

Cover with a sterile cloth to
reduce the risk of infection
(to keep fluids in and
germs out).

How do you dress a wound when there is active

bleeding?

Correct response:

Redress over the existing

dressing and maintain
pressure and elevation to
control bleeding.

If you are not sure whether it is a fracture or a

sprain, what should you do?

Correct response:

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INSTRUCTOR GUIDANCE CONTENT

Immobilize the affected area

using a splint.

Unit Overview
Explain that search and rescue consists of three
separate operations:
Sizeup involves assessing the situation and
determining a safe action plan (using the 9-step
sizeup model).
Search involves locating victims and documenting
their location.
Rescue involves the procedures and methods
Display Slide 5-1 required to extricate the victims.
Point out that previous disasters have shown that the
If not already discussed,
first response to trapped victims immediately after
explain that documentation
almost every disaster is by spontaneous, untrained,
will be covered more in a
and well-intentioned persons who rush to the site of a
later unit.
collapse in an attempt to free the victims.

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INSTRUCTOR GUIDANCE CONTENT

Use the example from the Emphasize that, more often than not, these
earthquake in Mexico City, spontaneous rescue efforts result in serious injuries
where spontaneous efforts and compounded problems.
saved 700 lives but cost the
lives of more than 100 people Point out that rescue efforts should be planned and
to add emphasis to this practiced in advance. People, including rescuers,
discussion. have died when the rescuers werent prepared and
trained.
Point out that the Mexico City
example is not isolated, but is
part of a larger pattern of
behavior in emergencies,
ranging from accidental
drowning in which the would-
be rescuer also drowns, to the
massive influx of often
untrained volunteers following
major disasters.

Deciding to Attempt Rescue

Explain that the decision to attempt a rescue should

be based on three factors:
The risks involved to the rescuer
The overall goal of doing the greatest good for the
greatest number of people
Resources and manpower available
Display Slide 5-2

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INSTRUCTOR GUIDANCE CONTENT

Goals of Search and Rescue

Explain that the goals of search and rescue operations

are to:
Rescue the greatest number of people in the
shortest amount of time
Get the walking wounded and ambulatory victims
out first
Rescue lightly trapped victims next

Display Slide 5-3 Keep the rescuer safe

Effective Search and Rescue

Explain that effective search and rescue operations

hinge on:
Effective sizeup
Rescuer safety
Victim safety
Tell the participants that this unit will focus on the
Display Slide 5-4 components of an effective search and rescue
operation sizeup, search, and rescue and the
methods and techniques that rescuers can use to
locate and safely remove victims.

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UNIT 5: LIGHT SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS

INSTRUCTOR GUIDANCE CONTENT

Unit Objectives

Tell the participants that at the end of this unit, they

should be able to:
Identify sizeup requirements for potential search
and rescue situations
Describe the most common techniques for
searching, both interior and exterior
Use safe techniques for debris removal and victim
Display Slide 5-5 extrication
Describe ways to protect rescuers during search
and rescue operations

Unit Topics

Preview the unit topics by telling the group that the

unit will provide them with the knowledge and skills
that they will need:
Safety During Search and Rescue Operations
Conducting Interior and Exterior Searches
Conducting Rescue Operations

Display Slide 5-6

Does anyone have any questions about what will

be covered in this unit?

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 COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM
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INSTRUCTOR GUIDANCE CONTENT

Safety During Search and Rescue

Operations

Introduce search and rescue techniques by re-

emphasizing the importance of CERT safety
measures, including appropriate PPE, use of the
buddy system, and knowing your limitations.

Display Slide 5-7

CERT Search and Rescue Sizeup

Remind the participants that, like every other CERT

operation, search and rescue requires sizeup at the
beginning of the operation and continually as long as
the operation continues.

If you have not yet taught Unit Review the 9 steps of the continual sizeup process
2, you will have to explain the that was presented in Unit 2.
9 steps of sizeup in more 1. Gather facts
depth now.
2. Assess damage
3. Consider probabilities
4. Assess your situation
5. Establish priorities
6. Make decisions
7. Develop a plan of action
8. Take action
9. Evaluate progress

Stress the need for a Safety Officer if the decision

is made to take action.

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INSTRUCTOR GUIDANCE CONTENT

PM, P. 5-5 through 5-7 Refer the participants to the CERT Search and
Rescue Sizeup Checklist in the Participant Manual,
and review the steps briefly.

Tell the group that this section will focus on sizeup as

it relates to both interior and exterior search and
rescue operations.

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PM, P. 5-5 through 5-7 CERT Search and Rescue Sizeup Checklist

Step 1: Gather Facts

Time

Does the time of day or week affect search and Yes No

rescue efforts?

How?

Type of Construction and Terrain

What type(s) of structure(s) is (are) involved?

What type(s) of construction is (are) involved?

What type(s) of terrain is (are) involved?

Occupancy

Are the structures occupied? Yes No

If yes, how many people are likely to be affected?

Are there special considerations (e.g., children, Yes No

elderly)?

If yes, what are the special considerations?

Weather

Will weather conditions affect your safety? Yes No

If yes, how will your safety be affected?

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UNIT 5: LIGHT SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS

Will weather conditions affect the search and Yes No

rescue situation?

If yes, how will the search and rescue situation be

affected?

Hazards

Are hazardous materials involved? Yes No

If yes, at what location?

Are any other types of hazards involved? Yes No

If yes, what other hazards?

Step 2: Assess and Communicate the Damage

For structural searches, take a lap around the Yes No

building. Is the damage beyond the CERTs
capability?

If yes, what special requirements or qualifications

are required?

Have the facts and the initial damage assessment Yes No

been communicated to the appropriate person(s)?

Step 3: Consider Probabilities

Is the situation stable? Yes No

Is there great risk or potential for more disaster Yes No
activity that will impact personal safety?

If yes, what are the known risks?

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What else could go wrong?

Step 4: Assess Your Own Situation

What resources are available with which you can

attempt the search and rescue?

What equipment is available?

Step 5: Establish Priorities

Can a search and rescue be safely attempted by Yes No

CERT members?

If no, do not attempt a search and rescue.

Are there other, more pressing needs at the Yes No

moment?

If yes, list.

Step 6: Make Decisions

Where will deployment of available resources do

the most good while maintaining an adequate
margin of safety?

Step 7: Develop Plan of Action

Determine how personnel and other resources

should be deployed.

Step 8: Take Action

Put the plan into effect.

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Step 9: Evaluate Progress

Continually size up the situation to identify changes

in the:

Scope of the problem

Safety risks
Resource availability

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 COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM
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INSTRUCTOR GUIDANCE CONTENT

Step 1: Gather Facts

Introduce Step 1 by telling the group that the facts of

the situation must guide their search and rescue
efforts.

When gathering facts, CERT members need to

consider:
The time of the event and day of the week. At
night, more people will be in their homes, so the
Display Slide 5-8 greatest need for search and rescue will be in
residential settings. Conversely, during the day,
Provide and discuss locally people will be at work, so the need will be in
relevant examples of planning commercial buildings.
factors to develop an
understanding of the effects of Search and rescue operations may also be
each factor. affected by where people are located in their
homes and the amount of daylight available.
Mention that the amount of Construction type and terrain. Some types of
damage likely to be found in construction are more susceptible to damage than
different types of construction others. The type of terrain will affect how the
will be covered in a few search is conducted.
minutes.
Occupancy. The purpose for which the structure
was designed may indicate the likely number of
victims and their location.

Weather. Severe weather will have an effect on

victims and rescuers alike and will certainly
hamper rescue efforts. Forecasts of severe
weather should be considered as a limiting factor
on the time period during which search and rescue
can occur.
Hazards. Knowledge of other potential hazards in
the general and immediate areas is important to
search and rescue efforts. For example, if a gas
leak is suspected, taking the time to locate and
shut off the gas can have a big impact in terms of
loss of life.

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 COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM
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INSTRUCTOR GUIDANCE CONTENT

PM, P. 5-9 Refer the group to Scenario in the Participant Manual

and introduce the Gathering Facts exercise.

Exercise: Gathering Facts

Use the following steps to Purpose: Explain that this exercise is an interactive
facilitate this exercise, keeping activity to give the participants the opportunity to
in mind that this scenario is consider some of the facts that CERT search and
only an example and may be rescue teams will need to gather during sizeup.
changed to fit your
communitys needs. Instructions:

1. Refer the participants to Scenario in the Participant

Manual.
2. Ask the group to brainstorm the following
questions:
What does this scenario tell you about the
probable density for the affected area?
What does this scenario tell you about the facts
that must be gathered?
What impact could these facts have on search
and rescue operations?
What kinds of search and rescue operations
are probable?
What, if any, are the constraints that search and
rescue personnel may face in this scenario?
Can these constraints be overcome within the
established CERT mission? If so, how?
3. Record the group's responses on chart paper.
4. Discuss the group's responses and provide
feedback regarding strengths and possible
improvements in their planning.

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 COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM
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PM, P. 5-9 Scenario

At 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, August 9, a squall line passed through your town. Because of
the difference in barometric pressure on either side of the front, the squall line was
preceded by a gust front with straight-line winds of more than 70 miles per hour. The
gust front was followed by continued strong winds and extremely heavy rain. Electricity
was knocked out throughout the town.

You activate in accordance with your CERT programs standard operating procedures
(SOPs). On the way to the staging area at the local high school, you notice
considerable damage, including felled trees and utility lines. Many streets are
impassable, making you take a roundabout route to the high school. As you make your
way to the staging area, you see that the roof has blown off of a large portion of a local
strip shopping center and that the exterior wall on the west end of the structure has
collapsed.

After reaching the staging area, you check in with the Logistics Team Leader, who
assigns you to Search and Rescue Team 2. Although CERT members cannot venture
into the section of the shopping center that has collapsed, Search and Rescue Team 2
will be searching near the collapsed area to see if there are victims in that area.

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INSTRUCTOR GUIDANCE CONTENT

Step 2: Assess and Communicate Damage

Introduce Step 2 by pointing out that there are general

guidelines for assessing damage in interior searches
and exterior searches. When in doubt about the
condition of a building, CERT members should always
use the more cautious assessment. If unsure about
whether a building is moderately or heavily damaged,
CERTs should assume heavy damage.

Display Slide 5-9 Emphasize, however, that the CERT mission changes
depending on the amount of structural damage.
The following information on
probable damage and the
table titled Probable Severity
and Type of Earthquake
Damage Based on
Construction Type on page 5-
14 in the Participant Manual
relate to earthquakes.

If other types of disasters (e.g.,

tornadoes, hurricanes, or
floods) are likely in your area,
add information about the
probable impact on various
types of construction and what
you would consider light,
moderate, and heavy damage
to structures.

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INSTRUCTOR GUIDANCE CONTENT

CERT Mission and Types of Damage

Explain how the CERT mission for interior searches

changes if:

Damage is light (superficial or cosmetic damage,

superficial cracks or breaks in the wall surface,
minor damage to the interior contents)

The CERT mission is to locate; triage; treat airway,

major bleeding, and shock; continue sizeup; and
document.
Damage is moderate (visible signs of damage,
decorative work damaged or fallen, many visible
cracks in the wall surface, major damage to interior
content, building is on its foundation)

The CERT mission is to locate; treat airway, major

bleeding, and shock; evacuate; warn others;
continue sizeup while minimizing the number of
rescuers and time spent inside the structure.
Damage is heavy (partial or total collapse, tilting,
obvious structural instability, building off its
foundation, heavy smoke or fire, hazardous
materials inside, gas leaks, rising or moving water)

The CERT mission is to secure the building

perimeter and warn others of the danger in
entering the building.

Explain that CERT members are not to enter a

building with heavy damage under any circumstances.

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INSTRUCTOR GUIDANCE CONTENT

Light Damage

Explain that the damage shown in the slide constitutes

light damage.

Superficial damage
Broken windows
Superficial cracks or breaks in the wall surface, for
example, fallen or cracked plaster
Display Slide 5-10
Minor damage to the interior contents

Moderate Damage

Explain that the damage shown in the slide constitutes

moderate damage.
Visible signs of damage
Decorative work damaged or fallen
Many visible cracks or breaks in the wall surface
Major damage to interior contents
Display Slide 5-11 Building still on foundation

Heavy Damage

Explain that the damage shown in the slide constitutes

heavy damage.
Partial or total collapse
Tilting
Obvious structural instability
Building off foundation
Display Slide 5-12

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INSTRUCTOR GUIDANCE CONTENT

Reemphasize that CERT members must not enter a

building with heavy damage under any circumstances.

Mention that, later in this

session, the participants will
learn more about formulating
rescue strategies based on the
damage assessment.

Assessing Damage

Explain that assessing damage of a building or

structure will require an examination from all sides.
Urge participants to do an initial "lap around."

Explain that, in assessing damage, CERT personnel

must consider probable levels of damage based on
the type and age of construction. In addition to a
visual assessment, rescuers should also listen to
damaged structures. If a building is creaking or
groaning, it is unstable and should not be entered.

PM, P. 5-13 Refer the participants to Probable Severity and Type

of Earthquake Damage Based on Construction Type in
the Participant Manual.

More detailed search Tell the participants that, in some instances, an

methodology will be discussed exterior search is required and a grid search should be
later in this unit. employed.

Communicating Damage

Tell participants to describe different locations within

and around the structure by using the ABCD standard,
with A corresponding to the front of the building and B,
C, and D representing the sides of the building moving
clockwise from A.

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INSTRUCTOR GUIDANCE CONTENT

Using this system, the area inside of a structure can

be further broken down by quadrants to facilitate
communication. For instance, a hazard or victim
located closest to the A and B sides of the structure is
in the A/B quadrant.

Stress that the participants must communicate their

findings to the CERT command post or responding
agencies.

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INSTRUCTOR GUIDANCE CONTENT

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 COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM
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PM, P. 5-13 Probable Severity and Type of Earthquake Damage

Based on Construction Type

Construction Type Description Probable Damage Areas Severity

Single-Family Dwelling Wood frame Masonry chimney Light
Utilities
Pre-1933 Foundation movement Moderate
Utilities
Porches
Hillside Unique hazards Heavy
Ground failure
Multiple-Family Up-and-down and/or Soft first floor Moderate
Dwelling side-by-side living Utilities
units
Unreinforced Brick Pre-1933 construction Walls collapse, then roof Heavy
Lime or sand mortar
King Row or Soldier
Row (bricks turned
on end every 5-7
rows)
Reinforcing plates
Arched windows and
doors
Recessed windows
and doors
Tilt-Up Large warehouses Roof collapses, then walls Heavy
and plants
Concrete slabs lifted
into place
Walls inset
approximately 6-8
inches
Lightweight roof
construction
High-Rise Steel reinforced Broken glass Light
Content movement
Exterior trim and fascia

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INSTRUCTOR GUIDANCE CONTENT

Step 3: Consider Probabilities

Stress that, because the CERTs will be working in

such close proximity to the dangerous situation,
considering what will probably happen and what could
happen are of critical importance. Urge the
participants to identify potentially life-threatening
hazards and ask:

How stable is the situation? Even within a

Display Slide 5-13
structure that appears from the outside to have
only minimal or moderate damage, nonstructural
damage or instability inside the structure can pose
real danger to the rescue team. CERT members
should think about what they already know about
the structure thats been damaged. Are lawn
chemicals, paints, or other potentially hazardous
materials stored within the structure? How are
they stored? Where are they? It wont take CERT
members much time to answer these types of
questions, but the answers could make a huge
difference in how they approach the search.

What else could go wrong? Based on the

information gathered during Steps 1 and 2 of the
sizeup, CERT members should take a few
moments to play What if? to try to identify
additional risks that they may face. What if the
electricity fails during the search? What if a wall
that appears stable shifts and collapses? Applying
Murphys Law to the situation could save CERT
members lives.

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INSTRUCTOR GUIDANCE CONTENT

What does it all mean for the search and rescue?

Based on the probabilities, CERTs should think
about what they can do to reduce the risks
associated with the probabilities that they have
identified. Is a spotter necessary to look for
movement that could indicate a possible collapse
and warn the rescue team? Is some remedial
action required to stabilize nonstructural hazards
before beginning the search? CERT search and
rescue teams must remember that their own safety
is the first priority.

Step 4: Assess Your Situation

Remind the participants that sizeup is a building

process, with each step building upon the previous
steps until the decision is made to begin the search
and rescue operation (or that the situation is unsafe).
Then, urge the group to draw on everything theyve
learned from Steps 1 through 3 to assess their
situation to determine:
Whether the situation is safe enough to continue
Display Slide 5-14
The risks that rescuers will face if they continue
What resources will be needed to conduct the
operation safely and what resources are available
Point out that assessing resources is extremely
important to search and rescue operations.

When you talk about resources, what are you

referring to?

Acknowledge the groups responses. If not mentioned

by the participants, say that search and rescue
resources include personnel, tools, and equipment.

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INSTRUCTOR GUIDANCE CONTENT

Refer the participants to the table titled Search and

PM, P. 5-15 Rescue Resource Planning Questions in the
Participant Manual.

PM, P. 5-15 Search and Rescue Resource Planning Questions

Resource Planning Questions

Personnel How many trained CERT members are available for this
operation?
Who lives and/or works in the area?
During which hours are these people most likely to be
available?
What skills or hobbies do they have that might be useful in
search and rescue operations?
What might be the most effective means of mobilizing their
efforts?
Equipment What equipment is available locally that might be useful for
search and rescue?
Where is it located?
How can it be accessed?
On which structures (or types of structures) might it be most
effective?
Tools What tools are available that might be useful for lifting,
moving, or cutting disaster debris?

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INSTRUCTOR GUIDANCE CONTENT

Rescue Resources

Tell the group that search and rescue resources

include:
Personnel
How many CERT members are available for
this operation?
In addition, who lives and/or works in the area?
Display Slide 5-15
Provide the participants with When are they likely to be available?
examples of tools and Do they have skills that might be useful in
equipment that they might search and rescue operations?
need for search and rescue
operations. How can their efforts be mobilized?
Drawing on personnel resources that may be
available, even if only to watch the situation and
free CERT resources for tasks requiring
specialized training, can make search and rescue
operations more efficient.

Equipment
What equipment is available that might be
useful for search and rescue?
Where is it located?
How can it be accessed?
On which structures (or types of structures)
might it be most effective?

Tools
What tools are available that might be useful
for lifting, moving, or cutting debris?

Point out that considering each of these questions will

facilitate action planning.

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 COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM
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INSTRUCTOR GUIDANCE CONTENT

Step 5: Establish Priorities

Introduce this step by telling the group that, after

evaluating the situation and keeping in mind that the
safety of the CERT member is always the top priority,
the next step is to determine:
What should be done?
In what order?
Remind participants of the goal: to rescue the
Display Slide 5-16 greatest number in the shortest amount of time.

Remind the group that the safety of CERT

members is always the first priority and will
dictate some of the other priorities. For example,
removing or mitigating known hazards must be
completed before teams begin to search. Urge the
participants to think through the situation logically to
determine how they should approach the operation.

Step 6: Make Decisions

Tell the group that they are at the point in the sizeup
where they will make decisions about where to deploy
their resources to do the most good while maintaining
an adequate margin of safety. Suggest that many of
their decisions will be based on the priorities
established during Step 5 and remind them that those
priorities are based on:
The safety of CERT members
Display Slide 5-17
Life safety for victims and others
Protection of the environment
Protection of property

Remind the group that the CERT mission in search

and rescue operations changes depending on the
amount of structural damage.

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Step 7: Develop Plan of Action

Tell the group that Step 7 is where all of the

information they have about the situation comes
together. During Step 7, the CERT Incident
Commander/Team Leader (IC/TL) will decide
specifically how the team will conduct its operation,
considering the highest priority tasks first.
Remind the participants that an action plan does not
Display Slide 5-18 need to be written, but suggest that, when search and
rescue operations are required, the situation is
probably complex enough that a written plan of some
type will be important.

Point out that a plan should:

Help focus the operation on established priorities
and decisions
Provide for documentation to be given to
responding agencies when they arrive on scene
Provide for documentation that will become part of
the record of the CERTs overall operation
Urge the participants to keep a notebook for jotting
notes when developing an action plan. Any changes
made to the initial plan based on new information that
comes in should also be documented.

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Step 8: Take Action

Explain that the next step is to put the plan developed

in Step 7 into action.

Display Slide 5-19

Step 9: Evaluate Progress

Emphasize that Step 9, Evaluate Progress, is the most

critical, not only in terms of evaluating whether the
plan works, but also from a safety standpoint.

Remind the group that sizeup is ongoing and that

information gained during Step 9 needs to be fed
back into the decision-making process for
possible revision of priorities and updated action
Display Slide 5-20 planning.

Specific Safety Considerations

Tell the group that regardless of the severity of

structural damage, rescuer safety must be the primary
concern.

Point out that the two most frequent causes of rescuer

deaths are:
Disorientation
Secondary collapse
Display Slide 5-21

Emphasize this point. Be prepared and make rescuer safety your top
priority.

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PM, P. 5-19 Refer the participants to Specific Safety

Considerations in the Participant Manual. Caution the
participants that they must follow these guidelines
during all search and rescue operations:
Use a buddy system. Successful search and
rescue depends on teamwork.
Be alert for hazards (e.g., power lines, natural gas
leaks, hazardous materials, sharp objects,
overhead objects that could fall, etc.). Never
attempt to search an area where water is rising.
Use safety equipment. Wearing gloves and a
helmet will protect a rescuer's hands and head.
Also, tell the group that the primary cause of
rescuer problems after working in a structural
collapse is breathing dust, so an N95 mask is
essential.
Tell the group that dust masks will not filter
chemicals or biological agents. Stress that, if the
use of chemical or biological agents is suspected,
CERTs must evacuate to an upwind location and
notify professional responders.
Have backup teams available to allow rotating of
teams, prevent fatigue, and ensure help if a team
gets into trouble. Have teams drink fluids and eat
to keep themselves fresh.

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PM, P. 5-19 Specific Safety Considerations

Regardless of the severity of structural damage, rescuer safety must be the primary concern.

The two most frequent causes of rescuer deaths are:

Disorientation

Secondary collapse

Follow these guidelines during all search and rescue operations:

Use a buddy system. Always work in pairs, with a third person acting as a runner.

Be alert for hazards (e.g., power lines, natural gas leaks, hazardous materials, sharp
objects, etc.).

You should never attempt to search an area where water is rising.

Use safety equipment. Wearing gloves and a helmet will protect a rescuer's hands and
head. Also, the primary cause of rescuer problems after working in a structural collapse is
breathing dust, so a dust mask is essential. However, a dust mask will not filter out all
harmful materials. If the presence of chemical or biological agents is suspected, CERTs
must evacuate to an upwind location and notify professional responders.

Have backup teams available to allow rotating of teams, prevent fatigue, and ensure help if
a team gets into trouble. Have teams drink fluids and eat to keep themselves fresh.

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Exercise: Search and Rescue Sizeup

Use the following steps to
facilitate this exercise. The Purpose: Explain that this exercise is an interactive
exercise will be based on activity to give the participants an opportunity to
several different types of local practice some of the thinking processes involved in
buildings (one for each small planning and search and rescue sizeup.
group) for the most probable
type of disaster that the The brainstorming required will help the participants to
community will face. begin to assess their neighborhoods or workplaces in
terms of building structures, hazardous materials,
PM, P. 5-20 safety precautions that need to be taken, etc.

Instructions:

1. Assign the participants to groups of four or five.

2. Provide each group with a local scenario (with
slides, if possible) describing a local building in a
disaster event that is realistic for the community.
3. Ask the groups to designate a recorder and, given
the disaster and the specific building, answer the
following questions:
What are the pertinent facts that must be
gathered?
What kind of prediction can you make regarding
damage, based on the incident and the building
construction?
What probable search and rescue problems
can you identify?
What specific safety considerations can you
identify?
4. Ask each group to select a spokesperson to
present the group's responses to the class.
5. Discuss each group's responses and provide
feedback about how their search and rescue
sizeup might be improved.

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Does anyone have any questions about anything

covered to this point?

Explain that the next section will deal with how to

conduct search operations.

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 COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM
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PM, P. 5-20 Search and Rescue Sizeup

Purpose: This exercise is an interactive activity that will provide an opportunity to

practice some of the thinking processes involved in planning and search and rescue
sizeup.

The brainstorming required will help you to begin to assess your neighborhoods or
workplaces in terms of building structures, hazardous materials, safety precautions that
need to be taken, etc.

Instructions:

1. Assemble in groups of four or five.

2. Read the scenario given to you by the instructor.
3. Designate a recorder and, given the disaster and the specific building, answer the
following questions:
What are the pertinent facts that must be gathered?
What kind of prediction can you make regarding damage, based on the incident
and the building construction?
What probable search and rescue problems can you identify?
What specific safety considerations can you identify?
4. Select a spokesperson to present the group's responses to the class.
5. Discuss each group's responses and provide feedback about how their search and
rescue sizeup might be improved.

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Conducting Interior and Exterior Search

Operations
Tell the participants that, when the decision is made to
initiate search operations, CERT members will inspect
the area assigned by the CERT Incident
Commander/Team Leader (IC/TL).
Explain that the search operation involves two
processes:
1. Employing search techniques based on the sizeup
2. Locating any victims
Point out that by using these processes, search
operations will be more efficient, thorough, and safe.
They will also facilitate later rescue operations.
Explain that, although the processes are related, this
section will address them one at a time. Interior
search operations are the most common and will be
discussed first; exterior search operations will be
discussed later in this unit.

Locating Potential Victims in a Structure

Provide examples of how to Tell the participants that the first step in locating
use the information gathered potential victims in a structure is to conduct a sizeup of
to find out more information the interior of the building to gather more precise
about areas of entrapment. information about damage and to develop priorities
and plans.

Explain by saying that the data gathered will provide

more information about possible areas of entrapment
or voids.

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INSTRUCTOR GUIDANCE CONTENT

Structural Voids

Point out that there are several types of voids.

Emphasize that, if CERT members see collapsed

floors or walls, they should leave the premises
immediately.

Display Slide 5-22

Does anyone have any questions about the types

of structural voids?

Individual Voids

Explain that individual voids are spaces into which the

victim may have crawled for protection. Examples of
individual voids include bathtubs and the space
underneath desks. Children may seek shelter in
smaller places like cabinets.

Tell the group that, after identifying the possible areas

of entrapment, CERT members must:
Display Slide 5-23
Determine the potential number of victims
Identify the most probable areas of entrapment

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Point out that some of this information may be known

through assessment, but CERT members may need to
get some information by talking to bystanders or those
who are familiar with the structure.

Explain that CERT members should ask questions

when talking with these individuals, including:
How many people live (or work) in the building?
Where would they be at this time?
What is the building layout?
What have you seen or heard?
Has anyone come out?
What are the normal exit routes from the building?

Caution the group that bystanders may be confused

by the event. They may tend to exaggerate potential
numbers or may not even remember the event
accurately. Tell the group to gather as much
information as they can, though, because it will be
useful for planning search priorities and implementing
the search.

Search Methodology

Introduce this section by telling the group that an

effective search methodology:
Indicates rescuer location
Locates victims as quickly and safely as possible
Prevents duplication of effort

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INSTRUCTOR GUIDANCE CONTENT

Search Markings

Tell the group that experienced search and rescue

personnel use the following system. The same
system will be used by CERTs. This will save fellow
CERT members and other responders time during the
search and continual sizeup of the structure.

1. Upon entering a search area, you will make a mark

next to the door to indicate that you are entering.
Display Slide 5-24
Do not make the mark on the door or on the wall
where the door swings. Make a single slash and
The slide above is animated.
write the agency or group ID at the 9 oclock
Click on the slide 3 times to
position. Then write the date and time in at the
show each step during the
12 oclock position.
marking process. The slide
below provides more detail
about the information included
in a marking.

2. Upon exiting the search area, make another slash

to form an X (the agency or group ID will be in the
left quadrant). Enter the search time out In the
top quadrant.
Right quadrant: Enter the areas of the structure
searched and any specific information about
hazards.
Lower quadrant: Enter information about the
victims found in the search area. L represents
Display Slide 5-25 living victims, while D represents dead
victims. The search marking on the front of a
structure or building should contain the total
number of victims, whereas search markings
inside the structure or building will include
victim totals for specific search areas. Also
indicate where victims have been taken.

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INSTRUCTOR GUIDANCE CONTENT

Review the example of the completed search marking,

quadrant by quadrant.

Explain what type(s) of markers the CERTs should use

(e.g., lumber crayons, chalk, etc.) and suggest where
to purchase markers if they are not provided.

Display Slide 5-26

Does anyone have any questions about search

markings?

Search Methodology

1. Upon entering each space or room, call out to

victims. Shout something like, "If anyone can hear
my voice, come here." If any victims come to you,
ask them for any information that they may have
about the building or others who may be trapped,
then give them further directions such as, "Stay
here" or "Wait outside" (depending on the condition
of the building).
Display Slide 5-27
Remember that even those who are able to get to
you may be in shock and confused. When giving
directions to victims, CERT members should look
directly at the victims, speak in short sentences,
and keep their directions simple.

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INSTRUCTOR GUIDANCE CONTENT

2. Use a systematic search pattern. Ensure that all

areas of the building are covered. Examples of
systematic search patterns to use include:
Bottom-up/top-down
Right wall/left wall
Emphasize that every interior space has six
sides including the floor and ceiling.
Rescuers must check all six sides especially to
locate hazards such as fixtures that may be
Display Slide 5-28 hanging from the ceiling.

3. Stop frequently to listen. Listen for tapping,

movement, or voices.

Display Slide 5-29

4. Triangulate. Triangulation can be used when a

potential victims location is obscured. If access
permits, three rescuers, guided by victim sounds,
form a triangle around the area and direct
flashlights into the area. The light shining from
different directions will eliminate shadows that
could otherwise hide victims.

Emphasize that triangulation should not be

used as an initial search method.
Display Slide 5-30

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INSTRUCTOR GUIDANCE CONTENT

Following this review of search

methods, the instructor(s)
should demonstrate how to
conduct a search in a room,
including search patterns (e.g.,
right wall/left wall) and marking
next to doors. The
demonstration can be done in
any room. Tables, chairs, and
other items can be used to
simulate debris.

5. Report results. Keep complete records both of

removed victims and of victims who remain
trapped or are dead. Report this information to
emergency services personnel when they reach
the scene.

Display Slide 5-31

Exterior Search
In addition to searching inside a structure, CERT
members might also be required to search open areas
outside of buildings.
Conducting an effective search in open areas requires
that searchers work methodically and follow standard
procedures established by those in charge of the
search operation. This is true in all cases, and
especially if the area to be searched is a crime scene
Display Slide 5-32 where all potential evidence must be protected.

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INSTRUCTOR GUIDANCE CONTENT

When searchers are needed, they assemble in a

central staging area and sign in. Authorities will brief
the searchers on what they will be looking for, what
areas they are responsible for searching, the pattern
of the search, and what they should do if they discover
the missing person, evidence, or related information.
Exterior search patterns include grid, line, quadrant or
zone, and spiral. A grid pattern is typically used in
large open areas or small areas when a hands-and-
knees search is conducted.
Tell participants that these guidelines should be
followed in a grid search.
The area to be searched is viewed as a grid, with
searchers initially positioned at one side of the grid.
The distance between the searchers should be set
according to visibility and debris. In all cases,
searchers must remain within line of sight and
voice contact with searchers on either side of
them.
It is also critical that the area to be covered by
each searcher overlaps that of the searchers on
either side of them.

The searchers proceed, maintaining as straight a

line as possible across the entire search area. As
each searcher moves across the area, they
conduct a thorough search for victims within their
designated row of the grid.
In order to ensure full coverage, CERTs must
record each area that has been searched.
Explain that a grid search might be particularly useful
following a tornado or hurricane.

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Are there any questions about planning and

conducting search operations or the methods
involved in an effective search?

Tell the participants that the next section will deal with
conducting rescue operations.

Conducting Rescue Operations

Introduce this topic by telling the participants that

rescues involve three primary functions:
Moving objects and debris to free victims and to
create a safe rescue environment
Triaging victims by checking for the three killers,
airway obstruction, major bleeding, and shock
Display Slide 5-33 Removing victims as safely and as quickly as
possible
Stress that rescuer safety is always the top priority.

Explain that the three primary functions of rescue will

be addressed separately.

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Creating a Safe Environment

Tell participants that there are three safety
considerations for all rescue operations:
To maintain rescuer safety
To triage in lightly and moderately damaged
buildings
To evacuate victims as quickly as possible from
moderately damaged buildings while minimizing
Display Slide 5-34 additional injury
Emphasize that none of these can be achieved
without creating as safe an environment as possible
before attempting rescue. There are, therefore,
certain precautions that rescuers must take to
minimize risk.

Precautions to Minimize Risk

Stress that there are certain precautions that rescuers

must take to minimize risk and increase their chances
of achieving their rescue goals.

Know your limitations. Many volunteers have been

injured or killed during rescue operations because
they did not pay attention to their own physical and
mental limitations. CERT rescuers should take the
time to eat, drink fluids, rest, and relax so that they
Display Slide 5-35
can return with a clear mind and improved energy.

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Follow safety procedures. CERT members should

always use the proper safety equipment required
for the situation and follow established procedures,
including:
Work in pairs.
Triage and treat only in lightly damaged
buildings.
In moderately damaged buildings, triage only
Display Slide 5-36 and remove victims as quickly as possible.
Never enter an unstable structure.
Lift by bending the knees, keeping the back
straight, and pushing up with the legs.
Carry the load close to the body.
Lift and carry no more than is reasonable.
Remove debris. Remove debris as needed to
minimize risk to rescuers and to free entrapped
victims.

Refer the participants to the diagram titled Proper

PM, P. 5-28 Body Positions for Lifting in the Participant Manual.

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PM, P. 5-28 Proper Body Position for Lifting

Proper body position for lifting showing the back straight and lifting with the
knees

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Leveraging and Cribbing

Tell the participants that they may encounter situations

in which debris needs to be moved to free victims. In
these situations, CERT rescuers should consider
leveraging and cribbing to move and stabilize the
debris until the rescue is complete.

Leveraging is accomplished by wedging a lever

under the object that needs to be moved, with a
stationary object underneath it to act as a fulcrum.
When the lever is forced down over the fulcrum,
the far end of the lever will lift the object.
A crib is a wooden framework used for support or
strengthening. Box cribbing means arranging pairs
of wood pieces alternately to form a stable
rectangle.
Display Slide 5-37

PM, PP. 5-31 through 5-33 Refer the participants to the section titled Leveraging
and Cribbing in the Participant Manual, for a
description of a leveraging and cribbing operation and
an illustration of procedures for cribbing.

Demonstrate leveraging and Explain that leveraging and cribbing are used together
cribbing for the group. Show by alternately lifting the object and placing cribbing
box cribbing and unboxed materials underneath the lifted edge to stabilize it.
cribbing.
Safety is number one: "Lift an inch; crib an inch."
Caution that leveraging and cribbing should be
gradual both for stability and to make the job easier.

It may also be necessary to use leveraging and

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cribbing at more than one location (e.g., front and

back) to ensure stability. Emphasize that leveraging
and cribbing at opposite ends should never be done at
the same time because doing so will increase the
instability of the debris. Suggest that, if leveraging is
required at both ends, the participants should lift and
crib at one end, then repeat the process at the other
end.

Explain that positioning the pry tool and the fulcrum

correctly is critical for safe operations. The fulcrum
and pry tool must be perpendicular (90 degrees) to the
edge of the object being lifted. Also, attempting to
leverage a heavy object using too sharp an angle is
inefficient and can result in back injury.

Caution the group that box cribbing is stable, but it

requires pieces of cribbing material of relatively
uniform size. When such material is not available,
unboxed cribbing can also work effectively to support
and stabilize the heavy object.

Tell the participants that a variety of cribbing materials

may be used for these procedures and provide
suggestions (e.g., tires or structural debris).
Emphasize the importance of improvising, and
encourage them not to put form over function.

Warn the participants that when they are able to

achieve sufficient lift, they should remove the victim
and reverse the leveraging and cribbing procedure to
lower the object. Stress that they should never leave
an unsafe condition, unless the structure or building is
obviously compromised.

Tell the group that when they must remove debris to

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locate victims, they should set up a human chain and

pass the debris from one person to the next. Caution
them, however, to set up the chain in a position that
will not interfere with rescue operations.

Remind them to wear their PPE to protect themselves

at all times. Note that kneepads can be an important
addition to their PPE during rescue operations.

Ask the group several "What would you do if?"

questions to ensure that they understand the material.

When asking the questions,

set up a brief scenario and ask
what the participants would do
in that situation.

Does anyone have any questions about safety

precautions and leveraging and cribbing during
rescue operations?

When it is clear that the participants understand the

concepts, tell them that the next section will cover
moving victims.

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 COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM
UNIT 5: LIGHT SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS

PM, P. 5-31 through 5-33 Leveraging and Cribbing

1. Conduct a sizeup of the scene: Gather facts, identify hazards, and establish
priorities.

2. Have one person in charge and formulate a plan of action, based upon the
information you have received, to identify how and where to lift and crib and how the
victim will be removed from underneath the debris.

3. Gather necessary materials for lifting/cribbing operations: Lever, fulcrum, cribbing

blocks, spacers/wedges. During an actual emergency, you may have to use
creative, substitute materials.

4. Use cribbing materials to stabilize the object prior to lifting.

5. Distribute cribbing materials as necessary to be readily accessible during the lifting

operation.

6. Prepare to lift the object: Assemble the lever and fulcrum at the previously identified
location.

7. Assign a person to monitor and be ready to remove the victim as soon as possible.

8. Initiate the lift, using the lever and fulcrum for mechanical advantage.

9. As the object is lifted, add cribbing as needed, one layer at a time.

10. When the object is adequately supported, remove the lever and fulcrum. The victim
may then be removed.

11. Unless the structure is obviously compromised and you need to evacuate
immediately, reinitiate the lift and begin removing cribbing materials, reversing the
process by which the crib was built.

12. Progressively lower the object to the ground. Always return the heavy object to a
stable position unless you have to evacuate immediately.

13. Before you leave, remember to collect the lifting/cribbing supplies to be available for
additional operations.

CERT BASIC TRAINING: INSTRUCTOR GUIDE JANUARY 2011 PAGE 5-55

 COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM
UNIT 5: LIGHT SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS

Medical Care or Victim

Removal Person

Crib Person

Lever Person
Wall
Collapse

Group Leader
Crib Person

Team organization for leveraging/cribbing operation, showing the victim

underneath a collapsed wall and the CERT members at the following locations:

Group Leader: In front of collapse, positioned so that he or she can view the
entire operation while remaining out of the rescuers way
Lever Person: At the front edge of the collapsed wall and positioned so that
he or she can position a fulcrum and lever under the wall
Crib Persons: On either side of the collapsed wall and positioned to enable
the placement of cribbing as the wall is raised with the lever
Medical Care/Victim Removal Person: Next to the Crib Person who is closest
to the victims head

PAGE 5-56 JANUARY 2011 CERT BASIC TRAINING: INSTRUCTOR GUIDE

 COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM
UNIT 5: LIGHT SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS

Step 1 Step 2

Step 3 Step 4

Four steps for building box cribbing:

Step 1: Position two pieces of wood parallel to each other on either side of
the collapse.
Step 2: Place two pieces of wood perpendicularly across the base pieces.
Steps 3 and 4: Add additional layers of wood, with each perpendicular to
the previous level.

CERT BASIC TRAINING: INSTRUCTOR GUIDE JANUARY 2011 PAGE 5-57

 COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM
UNIT 5: LIGHT SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS

INSTRUCTOR GUIDANCE CONTENT

Removing Victims

Introduce this section by explaining that there are two

basic types of victim removal:
Self-removal or assist
Lifts and drags
Explain that it is usually best to allow an ambulatory
victim to extricate him- or herself. Caution the group,
however, that sometimes ambulatory victims are not
Display Slide 5-38 as strong and uninjured as they think they are. When
victims become free from entrapment, they may need
assistance to exit the structure.

Extrication Method

Explain that the type of extrication method selected

should depend on the:
General stability of the immediate environment
Number of rescuers available
Strength and ability of the rescuers
Condition of the victim
Display Slide 5-39 Explain that the participants will learn the basic types
of victim removal and will have the opportunity to
practice some of the techniques.

Review the symptoms of head Caution the participants that, if safety and time permit,
and spinal injury if necessary. they should not use lifts and drags to remove victims
when closed-head or spinal injury is suspected. In
such cases, the spine must be stabilized using a
backboard. Doors, tables, and similar materials can
be used as improvised backboards. Stress that the
backboard must be able to carry the person and that
proper lifting techniques must be used. The log rolling
technique will be covered later in this section.

PAGE 5-58 JANUARY 2011 CERT BASIC TRAINING: INSTRUCTOR GUIDE

 COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM
UNIT 5: LIGHT SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS

INSTRUCTOR GUIDANCE CONTENT

When moving victims, rescuers must use teamwork

and communication and keep the victim's spine in a
straight line. Remember, rescuer safety and the
condition of the building will dictate the approach.

PM, PP. 5-38 and 5-39 Point out that there are several types of lifts and
carries. Refer the participants to the illustrations titled
Demonstrate these carries. Types of Lifts and Carries in the Participant Manual.
Then, have all participants
who are physically able pair up
and practice the carries
themselves. Give permission
for participants to opt out of
any carry with which they dont
feel comfortable. Remind the
participants that CERT
members safety is the number
one priority.

One-Person Arm Carry

For example, if some participants are physically able

and the victim is small, they may use the one-person
arm carry to lift and carry the victim themselves by:
Reaching around the victim's back and under the
knees
Lifting the victim while keeping the rescuer's back
straight and lifting with the legs
Display Slide 5-40 Consider the size of the victim and the distance he or
she needs to be carried before using this carry.

CERT BASIC TRAINING: INSTRUCTOR GUIDE JANUARY 2011 PAGE 5-59

 COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM
UNIT 5: LIGHT SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS

INSTRUCTOR GUIDANCE CONTENT

Pack-Strap Carry

Tell the participants that another way for a single

rescuer to lift a victim safely is by using the one-
person pack-strap carry. Using this method, the
rescuer should:
Step 1: Stand with his or her back to the victim.
Step 2: Place the victim's arms over the rescuer's
shoulders and grab the hands in front of the
Display Slide 5-41 rescuer's chest.
Step 3: Hoist the victim by bending forward
slightly, until the victims feet just clear the floor.
Note: The pack-strap carry is most effective for quick
removal of a victim over a short distance.

PAGE 5-60 JANUARY 2011 CERT BASIC TRAINING: INSTRUCTOR GUIDE

 COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM
UNIT 5: LIGHT SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS

INSTRUCTOR GUIDANCE CONTENT

Two-Person Carry

Explain that the victims upper body will weigh more

than his or her lower body; therefore, rescuers with
greater body strength should be positioned at the
victims upper body.

Explain that victim removal is easier when multiple

rescuers are available. With two rescuers, a victim
may be removed using a two-person carry.
Display Slide 5-42
Rescuer 1: Squat at the victim's head and grasp
the victim from behind around the midsection.
Demonstrate this lift using a
Reach under the arms and grasp the victim's left
participant volunteer as the
wrist with rescuers right hand, and vice versa.
victim. Allow all participants
Crossing the wrists creates a more secure hold on
who are physically able to
the victim and also pulls the victims arms and
practice the lift: Assign the
elbows closer to their body. This will be helpful if
participants into groups of
the victim is carried through any narrow passages.
three (two rescuers and one
victim), and rotate roles so that Rescuer 2: Squat between the victim's knees,
each person has a chance to facing either toward or away from the victim. Note
try the two rescuer positions. that, if the rescuers will carry the victim over
uneven areas such as stairs, the rescuers will need
to face each other. Grasp the outside of the
victim's legs at the knees.
Both rescuers: Rise to a standing position
simultaneously, keeping backs straight and lifting
with the legs. Walk the victim to safety.

CERT BASIC TRAINING: INSTRUCTOR GUIDE JANUARY 2011 PAGE 5-61

 COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM
UNIT 5: LIGHT SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS

INSTRUCTOR GUIDANCE CONTENT

Chair Carry

Demonstrate that two rescuers can also remove a

victim by seating him or her on a chair:
Rescuer 1: Cross the victims arms in his or her
lap. Facing the back of the chair, grasp the back
upright.
Rescuer 2: Grasp the two front legs of the chair.
Both rescuers: Tilt the chair back, lift
Display Slide 5-43 simultaneously, and walk out.
Using a sturdy, non-swivel Explain that it is best to use a sturdy, non-swivel chair
chair, demonstrate this carry for this lift.
using two instructors as
rescuers and a volunteer Note that, if rescuers will need to carry the victim over
participant as a victim. uneven surfaces such as stairs, the rescuers must
face each other.
Then, have all participants
who are physically able
practice the carry, working in
the same three-person groups.

Blanket Carry

Tell the participants that they can use the blanket carry
for victims who cannot be removed by other means.
Caution the participants that the blanket carry requires
four to six rescuers to ensure stability for the victim
and that one rescuer must be designated the lead
person:
Step 1: Position a blanket next to the victim,
ensuring that the blanket will extend under the
Display Slide 5-44
victims head.
Step 2: Tuck the blanket under the victim, and
assist the victim in moving to the center of the
blanket. If necessary, use the log rolling technique
to position them on the blanket.

PAGE 5-62 JANUARY 2011 CERT BASIC TRAINING: INSTRUCTOR GUIDE

 COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM
UNIT 5: LIGHT SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS

INSTRUCTOR GUIDANCE CONTENT

Step 3: With three rescuers squatting on each

side, roll up the edges of the blanket against the
victim to grasp a handle." The lead person checks
the team for even weight distribution and correct
lifting position.
Step 4: The lead person calls out, "Ready to lift on
the count of three: One, two, three, lift."
Step 5: The team lifts and stands in unison
keeping the victim level and carries the victim
feet first.

Point out that the team must also lower the victim
Ask participants to volunteer to together, using the following steps:
demonstrate log rolling and the Step 1: The lead person calls out, "Ready to lower
blanket carry. Make sure that on the count of three: One, two, three, lower."
all participants have an
opportunity to practice using Step 2: The team lowers the victim in unison,
the carry. exercising caution to keep the victim level.
Explain that a variety of materials such as blankets,
carpets, and folded tables can be used as
improvised stretchers.

Log Rolling

Explain that log rolling should be used to move victims

with a suspected or confirmed cervical spine injury. If
the victim is unconscious, assume he or she has a
cervical spine injury. The rescuer at a victims head
should give commands as fellow rescuers roll the
victim as a single unit onto the blanket, backboard, or
other support.

Display Slide 5-45

CERT BASIC TRAINING: INSTRUCTOR GUIDE JANUARY 2011 PAGE 5-63

 COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM
UNIT 5: LIGHT SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS

PM, P.5-38 and 5-39 Types of Lifts and Carries

PAGE 5-64 JANUARY 2011 CERT BASIC TRAINING: INSTRUCTOR GUIDE

 COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM
UNIT 5: LIGHT SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS

Note that, if rescuers will need to carry victim over uneven surfaces,
such as stairs, the rescuers must face each other.

CERT BASIC TRAINING: INSTRUCTOR GUIDE JANUARY 2011 PAGE 5-65

 COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM
UNIT 5: LIGHT SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS

INSTRUCTOR GUIDANCE CONTENT

Point out that rescuers can also drag a victim out of a

confined area by grasping either under the arms or the
PM, P. 5-41 feet and pulling across the floor. Refer the participants
to the diagram titled Correct Drag Techniques in the
Participant Manual for an illustration. Caution the
participants, however, that unless there is no other
way to remove the victim and the victim's removal is
time critical, they should not use this drag when debris
may cause additional injury.

Blanket Drag

Explain that, when necessary, one rescuer can use

the blanket drag by following these steps:

Step 1: Wrap the victim in a blanket.

Step 2: Squat down and grasp an edge of the
blanket.
Step 3: Drag the victim across the floor.
Display Slide 5-46

Does anyone have any questions about rescue

operations or victim removal?

Explain that the participants will now have an

opportunity to practice some of the victim removal
techniques.

PAGE 5-66 JANUARY 2011 CERT BASIC TRAINING: INSTRUCTOR GUIDE

 COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM
UNIT 5: LIGHT SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS

PM, P.5-41 Correct Drag Techniques

Correct Drag Technique

Correct drag technique, showing the rescuer grasping the victim by either the feet or shoulders
and dragging him or her clear of the hazard

Blanket Drag

Blanket drag, showing the victim wrapped in a blanket with the rescuer squatting at the victims
head. The rescuer grasps the blanket behind the victims head and drags him or her clear of the
hazard.

CERT BASIC TRAINING: INSTRUCTOR GUIDE JANUARY 2011 PAGE 5-67

 COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM
UNIT 5: LIGHT SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS

INSTRUCTOR GUIDANCE CONTENT

Exercise: Victim Carries

Instructor(s) should move from
team to team and offer Purpose: Explain that this exercise will provide
coaching as needed. participants with an opportunity to practice different
drags and carries to safely move victims.
Ask the teams to stay together Instructions:
for the next activity of the
class, the Victim Extrication 1. Break the class into teams of seven.
exercise. 2. Tell all teams to practice each of the carries.
Tell class that members of each team will
volunteer to be victims.
Explain that the victims and rescuers must
trade off roles so that everyone on the team
has an opportunity to practice the drags and
carries as a rescuer.
Emphasize that each person must pay
attention to their own limitations. Each person
should attempt only those drags or carries that
will be safe for them to perform.
3. Provide blankets, chairs, and back boards, if
available, and encourage students to use each
item as they practice performing drags and carries.
4. Make sure teams trade off victim and rescuer
roles so that everyone on each team has a chance
to practice the drags and carries.
5. Emphasize that participants know their own limits!
Tell participants not to attempt any lift or carry that
will not be safe for the rescuer and the victim.

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 COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM
UNIT 5: LIGHT SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS

INSTRUCTOR GUIDANCE CONTENT

This exercise is best Exercise: Victim Extrication

conducted by two instructors.
Instructors should provide Purpose: Explain that this exercise will provide the
guidance to each team as they participants with an opportunity to practice the removal
perform their extrication. of entrapped victims from a damage site, using
leveraging/cribbing and drags and carries.
A more realistic scenario can Participants will be assigned to groups and told to do a
be created by using two or room search, locate victims, and remove the victims.
three rooms simultaneously, so
that there are several Instructions:
"rescues" occurring at once.
1. Assign the participants to groups of seven.
Mannequins or rescue
dummies should be used as 2. Arrange the victims at the collapse site(s), using
the entrapped victims at the desks, shelves, etc., to represent debris. Place
collapse sites, allowing all other items haphazardly around the victims. Make
members of the group to sure that there are items available that can serve
practice as rescuers. as levers (e.g., 2 by 4s), fulcrums, and cribbing
material.
If there are more groups of 3. Instruct the groups to:
seven then there are collapse a. Enter their respective "collapse site" rooms
sites, have one group observe b. Do a room search
while another conducts c. Locate the victims and use leveraging and
extrication at one site. When cribbing procedures to free them
groups rotate, observers and d. Use appropriate lifts and drags to remove the
rescuers will switch. victims from the room (and, if possible, from the
building)
Instructors should observe
each group and correct errors 4. Rearrange the victims and "debris," and repeat the
that they see. exercise until each participant has had an
opportunity to practice being a rescuer and each
team has practiced at two collapse sites.
Discuss the exercise with the entire group, focusing on
any differences between the teams' techniques and
experiences.

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 COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM
UNIT 5: LIGHT SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS

INSTRUCTOR GUIDANCE CONTENT

Unit Summary

Summarize the key points in this unit:

The decision to attempt a rescue should be based
on:
The risks involved
Achievement of the overall goal of doing the
greatest good for the greatest number
Display Slide 5-47
The objectives of interior and exterior search and
rescue are to:
Maintain rescuer safety at all times
Rescue the greatest number of people in the
shortest amount of time
Get the walking wounded and ambulatory
victims out first
Rescue the lightly trapped victims next
Remind the participants that CERTs are restricted
to light search and rescue. Their mission when
dealing with heavily damaged structures or
situations that are clearly unsafe (e.g., rising or
swiftly moving water) is to warn others.
Search and rescue sizeup follows the same
process as sizeup for other CERT operations.
Sizeup continues throughout search and rescue
efforts and provides information about how to
proceed. Should sizeup indicate that evacuation of
the team is necessary, the CERT mission is to
ensure safety and organization during the
evacuation.

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 COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM
UNIT 5: LIGHT SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS

INSTRUCTOR GUIDANCE CONTENT

When the decision to begin search operations is

made, CERT searchers must:
Employ appropriate search techniques
Locate any victims and check for the three
killers

Locating victims means completing a sizeup of the

building interior to identify areas of entrapment,
then conducting a search that:
Is systematic and thorough
Avoids unnecessary duplication of effort
Documents results

Rescue involves three main functions:

Creating a safe environment
Triaging or stabilizing victims
Removing victims based on the sizeup

Rescue operations hinge on maintaining rescuer

safety, which requires CERT members to recognize
their own limitations. CERT members should never
attempt anything that exceeds their limitations at that
point in time.
Leveraging and cribbing may be used to lift heavy
debris and give access to trapped victims.

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 COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM
UNIT 5: LIGHT SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS

INSTRUCTOR GUIDANCE CONTENT

Victims can be removed in a number of ways,

depending on:
Their condition
The number of rescuers available
The strength and ability of the rescuers
The stability of the environment
Remind the participants of the lifts and drags that they
found easier to accomplish and suggest that they use
those drags and carries when circumstances permit.

If the buildings condition allows, victims with

suspected head or spinal injury should be stabilized
on some type of backboard before being removed.
When possible, these removals should be deferred to
trained EMS personnel.

Does anyone have any questions about anything

covered in this unit?

Homework Assignment

Ask the group to read and become familiar with the

unit that will be covered in the next session.

Thank the participants for attending the session.

Remind them of the time and location of the next
session, if necessary.

Display Slide 5-48

PAGE 5-72 JANUARY 2011 CERT BASIC TRAINING: INSTRUCTOR GUIDE