Page updated: 16 November 2020
If you're the Incident Controller, you're responsible for creating a search plan. Your search plan needs to include information about the area to be searched, and the SAR resources and search method you will use.
The Initial Planning Point (IPP) is the point you use to define the area that you will search. You can use the last known position of the subject (LKP) or the position last seen (PLS) as the Initial Planning Point. Alternatively, you can calculate an Initial Planning Point that is based on the last known position of the subject or the position last seen.
Consider variables when you do this. These variables include:
The variables will differ depending on whether you are creating a search plan for a land or marine operation.
Consult the resources below for more information.
The area of probability (AOP) is the area the subject is most likely to be in. When defining the area of probability, try to eliminate as much of the rest of the world (ROW) as possible.
If necessary, focus some of your response activity on defining the area of probability more accurately.
Use the information you have to keep the area of probability as accurate and small as you can. Smaller areas are easier to search than large areas.
Keep in mind that:
Use data on lost person behaviour (LPB) to estimate the maximum distance the subject has travelled from the Initial Planning Point. However, remember to factor in a margin of error for the maximum distance figure you use.
You should also consider the time it will take to:
For land incidents, you need to get a map of the search area determination (SAD). For marine incidents, you need to get a chart of the search area determination.
You should also get maps or charts of the areas SAR resources are likely to pass through on their way to the search area.
Ask for:
Do both of these things at the same time so that you get a map of the search area determination as soon as possible.
Having both versions will assist with confirming the credibility of the search area determination. The manually-created map will help you to make decisions quickly. The computer-aided map will offer a more sophisticated picture of the possible location of the subject. The computer-aided map is also a valuable cross reference to the manually-created map.
The accuracy of the computer-aided maps of the search area determination depends on the input data being correct. When your team gets a computer-aided map of the search area determination:
You should do this if you think it will make the search more effective.
Base sub-areas on terrain features, or areas that suit particular SAR resources. You can decide how large or small sub-areas are.
When selecting the SAR resources you need, consider:
Use the SAR resources you have in the most effective way.
The search method you choose should be:
Consult the resources below for more information.
You need to reduce the chance the subject will leave the search area before it has been searched.