11.9 Underwater Search and Rescue
Purpose
To outline the requirements for underwater search and rescue (SAR) operations involving SLS personnel, services, and assets.
Overview
Underwater search and rescue may be undertaken by SLS personnel in the initial phase of a SAR incident where the objective is to locate and rescue a person who may still be alive.
Underwater SAR carries significant risk and must only be undertaken where personnel are trained, proficient, equipped, authorised, and operating within approved SLSSA capability.
Underwater SAR must not be undertaken where the operation has become a confirmed body recovery, unless specifically directed and authorised by the appropriate Control Agency and within approved SLSSA capability.
The use of SCUBA equipment is not permitted for SLSSA underwater SAR operations under this SOP.
SLS personnel must not tow lifesaving personnel, emergency service personnel, or any other person using SCUBA equipment.
In South Australia, South Australia Police (SAPOL) is the control agency for all search and rescue activities. SLS personnel may support underwater SAR where tasked, authorised, trained, equipped, and operating within approved capability.
SAR activity should be undertaken in accordance with the National Search and Rescue Manual, Control Agency direction, and SLSSA Standard Operating Procedures.
Definitions
Underwater search and rescue means search activity conducted below the water surface by trained SLS personnel for the purpose of locating and rescuing a person who may still be alive.
Search Diver means an authorised and proficient SLS member or lifeguard conducting an underwater search using approved lifesaving methods and equipment. For the purpose of this SOP, Search Diver does not mean a SCUBA diver.
Anchor Lifesaver means the member positioned to maintain the search reference point, control or support the search line, and assist Search Divers to maintain the assigned underwater search path.
Search Team means a person, team, vessel, aircraft, vehicle, or other resource tasked to undertake SAR activity.
Search line means the line or directional reference used by Search Divers to maintain the search path.
Search run means one section of the underwater search path.
Run spacing means the distance between adjacent search runs.
Last Known Position (LKP) means the last confirmed location where the person, vessel, craft, object, or search target was seen or known to be.
Marker buoy means a buoy or surface marker used to identify the last known position, datum, or another reference point.
Search object means the person, vessel, craft, object, or item being searched for.
Powercraft means an IRB, RWC, JRB, or other approved powered vessel used during SAR operations.
Procedure
When Underwater SAR May Be Undertaken
Underwater SAR may be undertaken where:
- A person is missing or believed to be submerged,
- There is a reasonable possibility that the person may still be alive,
- The last known position is known or can be reasonably established,
- Conditions are suitable for underwater search activity,
- The Search Team is trained, proficient, equipped, and authorised,
- The activity is within approved SLSSA capability,
- Communications and support arrangements are in place,
- Risk versus gain has been assessed, and
- The activity is consistent with Control Agency direction and SLSSA procedures.
Underwater SAR must not be undertaken where the risk to SLS personnel is unacceptable.
When Underwater SAR Must Not Be Undertaken
SLS personnel must not undertake underwater SAR where:
- Personnel are not trained, proficient, equipped, or authorised,
- The task exceeds approved SLSSA capability,
- Conditions are unsafe,
- Visibility, depth, current, surf, or other hazards prevent safe operation,
- Communications and support arrangements are inadequate,
- Powercraft safety cannot be maintained,
- The activity involves SCUBA,
- The activity is a confirmed body recovery outside approved SLSSA capability,
- The task is inconsistent with Control Agency direction, or
- The risk versus gain assessment does not support the task.
Where underwater SAR is not appropriate, SLS may still support the Control Agency through observation, surface search, communications, local knowledge, first aid, scene preservation, or other approved support tasks.
Control and Tasking
Where SAPOL or another authorised Control Agency has assumed control, underwater SAR tasking must align with Control Agency direction.
SLS command and coordination must be managed in accordance with SOP 12.1 – Command, Control and Coordination Operations.
The State Operations Centre (SOC) must be notified as soon as reasonably practicable when underwater SAR is being considered, commenced, modified, suspended, or concluded.
Where underwater SAR is requested by an external agency, the task must be assessed against SLSSA capability, available personnel, equipment, conditions, and risk versus gain.
Initial Assessment
Before underwater SAR commences, the responsible SLS command role or Search Team leader should assess:
- Whether a person may still be alive,
- Time since submersion or last seen,
- Last known position,
- Witness information,
- Water depth,
- Water clarity,
- Underwater current,
- Surf, swell, tide, wind, and weather,
- Entry and exit points,
- Hazards,
- Search Diver capability,
- Available support personnel,
- Available powercraft,
- Communications,
- PPE and equipment,
- Fatigue and exposure risk,
- Public safety,
- Scene preservation requirements, and
- Whether specialist agency resources are required.
Where the Search Diver considers the risk too great, that decision must be accepted.
Establishing the Last Known Position
The last known position should be established as accurately as possible.
This may include:
- Obtaining witness accounts,
- Confirming the exact point where the person was last seen,
- Using two sets of landmarks or bearings,
- Using GPS where available,
- Using a marker buoy,
- Using an anchor line,
- Using a tube marker,
- Using shore-based reference points,
- Using patrol observations,
- Using CSCN observations where available, and
- Recording the position for reporting and handover.
Where safe and appropriate, the last known position should be marked using a marker buoy, anchor line, tube marker, GPS point, or other approved method.
Assessing Underwater Current
Underwater current, tide, and drift may move the search object away from the last known position.
Where safe and appropriate, marker dye or another approved method may be used to assess underwater current direction and rate of drift.
Search Teams should observe and report:
- Direction of underwater drift,
- Rate of drift,
- Differences between surface current and underwater current,
- Tide direction,
- Rip current or outflow influence,
- Wind effect,
- Changes in water movement, and
- Any impact on the search area.
Where current or drift is identified, the search area and search pattern may need to be modified.
Search Area
Before commencing underwater SAR, the initial search area should be defined.
The search area should consider:
- Last known position,
- Time since last seen,
- Underwater current,
- Tide,
- Wind,
- Surf and wave action,
- Water clarity,
- Water depth,
- Likely movement of the search object,
- Hazards,
- Search Diver capability,
- Available daylight,
- Available Search Teams, and
- Control Agency direction.
Where the initial search area is unsuccessful, a new search area may be defined where the likelihood of survival and risk versus gain assessment supports continuation.
Search Pattern
The search pattern should be determined before underwater SAR commences.
The Search Team leader should consult with the Search Diver where practicable to determine:
- Search area,
- Search pattern,
- Search direction,
- Search line arrangements,
- Width between each search run,
- Number of Search Divers,
- Search Diver spacing,
- Anchor Lifesaver position,
- Support personnel roles,
- Powercraft support requirements,
- Communications or signals,
- Emergency procedures, and
- Withdrawal triggers.
The width between each search run should be based on water clarity, depth, visibility, Search Diver capability, and the size of the search object.
Search Teams must avoid gaps between search runs where possible.
SMAR Underwater Search Method
Where the SMAR underwater search method is used, the Search Team should:
- Establish the last known position.
- Mark the last known position where safe and appropriate.
- Position the Anchor Lifesaver at the agreed reference point.
- Confirm the search line and search direction.
- Confirm the Search Divers Path.
- Confirm Search Diver spacing.
- Confirm communication or signal arrangements.
- Confirm powercraft exclusion or support arrangements.
- Commence the first search run from the reference point.
- Maintain the assigned search path.
- Progressively expand or adjust the search path as directed.
- Maintain contact or awareness between the Anchor Lifesaver and Search Divers.
- Record areas searched.
- Report sightings, clues, hazards, or limitations.
- Provide SITREPs to the SOC or coordinating role as required.
The search should be modified or suspended if the Search Team cannot safely maintain the search line, search path, Search Diver spacing, or communications.
Search Diver Requirements
Search Divers must:
- Be trained, proficient, and authorised for the task,
- Understand the assigned search pattern,
- Understand the search object,
- Understand the last known position,
- Understand the search area,
- Understand safety signals and communications,
- Operate within capability,
- Maintain awareness of fatigue and breath-hold limitations,
- Maintain awareness of other Search Divers,
- Maintain awareness of powercraft,
- Report hazards or limitations,
- Cease activity if unsafe, and
- Follow the direction of the Search Team leader or SLS command role.
Search Divers must not use SCUBA equipment for SLS underwater SAR operations under this SOP.
Anchor Lifesaver Requirements
The Anchor Lifesaver should:
- Maintain the assigned reference point,
- Support the search line or search direction,
- Assist Search Divers to maintain the search path,
- Monitor Search Diver location where practicable,
- Maintain awareness of hazards,
- Maintain awareness of powercraft,
- Communicate with the Search Team leader or support crew,
- Identify Search Diver fatigue or distress,
- Support emergency withdrawal where required, and
- Report any issue that affects search safety or effectiveness.
Crew Duties
Support crew should:
- Assist Search Divers with approved equipment where required,
- Monitor Search Diver safety during deployment,
- Use agreed signals to confirm Search Diver condition,
- Observe the position of Search Divers at all times where practicable,
- Report hazards to the driver, skipper, Search Team leader, or SLS command role,
- Maintain awareness of other Search Teams,
- Assist Search Divers back into the vessel or to shore,
- Monitor fatigue and exposure, and
- Support SITREPs and records.
Driver or Skipper Duties
Where powercraft is used to support underwater SAR, the driver or skipper should:
- Maintain safe separation from Search Divers,
- Display or ensure display of a dive flag where required,
- Anchor the vessel for a stationary search where appropriate,
- Ensure motors are in neutral when Search Divers are entering or leaving the water,
- Avoid reversing near Search Divers,
- Maintain a lookout,
- Steer appropriate bearings as directed,
- Listen to directions from crew or the Search Team leader,
- Maintain safe speed,
- Avoid running over Search Divers,
- Maintain awareness of wind, tide, current, swell, and drift,
- Maintain communications with the SOC or coordinating role where required, and
- Stop or modify the task if safety cannot be maintained.
Working with Powercraft
Where in-water personnel are operating with or near IRB, RWC, JRB, or other approved powercraft, the following safety controls should be applied.
This may include:
- Establishing a clear powercraft operating area,
- Establishing an exclusion area around Search Divers,
- Confirming Search Diver location,
- Confirming the powercraft operating path,
- Confirming communications or hand signals,
- Maintaining safe speed and separation,
- Maintaining active lookout,
- Placing the engine in neutral when Search Divers are entering or leaving the water,
- Avoiding reversing near Search Divers,
- Avoiding crossing through Search Teams unless specifically required and safe,
- Confirming emergency stop or withdrawal signals, and
- Modifying or stopping the task if safety cannot be maintained.
Dive Flag
A dive flag must be displayed where underwater SAR is being undertaken and powercraft or other water users may be operating in the area.
The dive flag should be clearly visible to nearby vessels and Search Teams.
The presence of a dive flag does not remove the requirement for active lookout, safe speed, separation, communications, and risk management.
Recovery of the Search Object
Where the search object is located and is believed to be a person who may still be alive, the Search Diver or Search Team should:
- Commence rescue where safe and appropriate,
- Maintain a visual if immediate rescue is not possible,
- Signal the support crew or powercraft,
- Notify the SOC immediately,
- Provide a SITREP,
- Transfer the patient to shore, vessel, or emergency care as appropriate, and
- Commence first aid or resuscitation as required.
Where the incident is, or becomes, a confirmed body recovery, SLS personnel should avoid disturbing the scene unless required to save life or prevent further harm.
Body recovery and evidence recovery are specialist functions and must be managed by the Control Agency or authorised specialist agency unless SLS has been specifically authorised and the task remains within approved capability.
Communications and Signals
Before commencing underwater SAR, the Search Team should confirm:
- Primary communications method,
- Backup communications method,
- Hand signals,
- Dive signals,
- Distress signals,
- Search Diver condition checks,
- Emergency withdrawal signal,
- Search Team leader,
- Powercraft contact,
- SOC contact,
- SITREP frequency,
- What to do if the search object is located,
- What to do if a Search Diver is in difficulty, and
- What to do if the task cannot be completed.
Communications and signals must be understood by all Search Team members before entering the water.
SITREPs
SITREPs should be provided to the SOC or coordinating role as required.
SITREPs may include:
- Current status,
- Search area,
- Search pattern,
- Last known position,
- Marker buoy or reference point,
- Search Divers deployed,
- Powercraft deployed,
- Areas searched,
- Water clarity,
- Depth,
- Underwater current or drift,
- Hazards,
- Search Diver fatigue or welfare concerns,
- Sightings or clues,
- Search object located,
- Search modified,
- Search suspended, and
- Assistance required.
Safety Considerations
Personnel involved in underwater SAR must maintain awareness of:
- Drowning risk,
- Breath-hold limitations,
- Fatigue,
- Cold exposure,
- Surf, swell, tide, current, and drift,
- Underwater visibility,
- Water depth,
- Rocks, reefs, sandbanks, jetties, pylons, or structures,
- Entanglement hazards,
- Marine creatures,
- Contamination or pollution,
- Other vessels or water users,
- Powercraft movement,
- Propeller strike risk,
- Reduced visibility,
- Weather changes,
- Communications limitations,
- Scene preservation requirements, and
- Public safety.
Search activity must be managed using a risk versus gain approach.
SLS personnel must not continue underwater SAR where conditions become unsafe or the task exceeds approved capability.
Suspension or Stand Down
Underwater SAR should be suspended, modified, or stood down where:
- The search object is located,
- Directed by the Control Agency,
- Directed through SLS command or coordination arrangements,
- The task becomes unsafe,
- Conditions deteriorate,
- Search Divers become fatigued,
- Communications fail,
- Powercraft safety cannot be maintained,
- The search area is completed,
- The likelihood of survival has been exhausted,
- Specialist resources are required, or
- Continued activity is no longer appropriate.
Where underwater SAR is suspended or stood down, the SOC must be updated as soon as reasonably practicable.
Records
Underwater SAR activity should be recorded where practicable.
Records may include:
- Initial report,
- Last known position,
- Witness information,
- Landmark references,
- Marker buoy location,
- GPS coordinates,
- Search area,
- Search pattern,
- Search run spacing,
- Search Divers involved,
- Anchor Lifesaver,
- Powercraft involved,
- Start and finish times,
- Areas searched,
- Water clarity,
- Depth,
- Current or drift observations,
- Marker dye observations,
- Sightings or clues,
- Hazards,
- Safety concerns,
- Decisions,
- SITREPs,
- Task modifications,
- Stand down instructions, and
- Follow-up actions.
Records should be provided to the SOC for inclusion in the incident log.
References