AIM ¶ 6-2-6 — Search and Rescue

6-2-6. 6-2-6. Search and Rescue General. SAR is a lifesaving service provided through the combined efforts of the federal agencies signatory to the National SAR Plan, and the agencies responsible for SAR within each state. Operational resources are provided by the U.S. Coast Guard, DoD components, the Civil Air Patrol, the Coast Guard Auxiliary, state, county and local law enforcement and other public safety agencies, and private volunteer organizations. Services include search for missing aircraft, survival aid, rescue, and emergency medical help for the occupants after an accident site is located. National Search and Rescue Plan. By federal interagency agreement, the National Search and Rescue Plan provides for the effective use of all available facilities in all types of SAR missions. These facilities include aircraft, vessels, pararescue and ground rescue teams, and emergency radio fixing. Under the plan, the U.S. Coast Guard is responsible for the coordination of SAR in the Maritime Region, and the USAF is responsible in the Inland Region. To carry out these responsibilities, the Coast Guard and the Air Force have established Rescue Coordination Centers (RCCs) to direct SAR activities within their regions. For aircraft emergencies, distress, and urgency, information normally will be passed to the appropriate RCC through an ARTCC or FSS. Coast Guard Rescue Coordination Centers. (See TBL 6-2-2 .) TBL 6-2-2 Coast Guard Rescue Coordination Centers Coast Guard Rescue Coordination Centers Alameda, CA 510-437-3701 Miami, FL 305-415-6800 Boston, MA 617-223-8555 New Orleans, LA 504-589-6225 Cleveland, OH 216-902-6117 Portsmouth, VA 757-398-6390 Honolulu, HI 808-541-2500 Seattle, WA 206-220-7001 Juneau, AK 907-463-2000 San Juan, PR 787-289-2042 Air Force Rescue Coordination Centers. (See TBL 6-2-3 and TBL 6-2-4 .) TBL 6-2-3 Air Force Rescue Coordination Center 48 Contiguous States Air Force Rescue Coordination Center Tyndall AFB, Florida Phone Commercial 850-283-5955 WATS 800-851-3051 DSN 523-5955 TBL 6-2-4 Air Command Rescue Coordination Center Alaska Alaskan Air Command Rescue Coordination Center Elmendorf AFB, Alaska Phone Commercial 907-428-7230 800-420-7230 (outside Anchorage) DSN 317-551-7230 Joint Rescue Coordination Center. (See TBL 6-2-5 .) TBL 6-2-5 Joint Rescue Coordination Center Hawaii Honolulu Joint Rescue Coordination Center HQ 14th CG District Honolulu Phone Commercial 808-541-2500 DSN 448-0301 Emergency and Overdue Aircraft. ARTCCs and FSSs will alert the SAR system when information is received from any source that an aircraft is in difficulty, overdue, or missing. Radar facilities providing radar flight following or advisories consider the loss of radar and radios, without service termination notice, to be a possible emergency. Pilots receiving VFR services from radar facilities should be aware that SAR may be initiated under these circumstances. A filed flight plan is the most timely and effective indicator that an aircraft is overdue.Flight plan information is invaluable to SAR forces for search planning and executing search efforts. Prior to departure on every flight, local or otherwise, someone at the departure point should be advised of your destination and route of flight if other than direct. Search efforts are often wasted and rescue is often delayed because of pilots who thoughtlessly takeoff without telling anyone where they are going. File a flight plan for your safety. According to the National Search and Rescue Plan, “The life expectancy of an injured survivor decreases as much as 80 percent during the first 24 hours, while the chances of survival of uninjured survivors rapidly diminishes after the first 3 days.” An Air Force Review of 325 SAR missions conducted during a 23-month period revealed that “Time works against people who experience a distress but are not on a flight plan, since 36 hours normally pass before family concern initiates an (alert).” VFR Search and Rescue Protection. To receive this valuable protection, file a VFR or DVFR Flight Plan with an FAA FSS. For maximum protection, file only to the point of first intended landing, and refile for each leg to final destination. When a lengthy flight plan is filed, with several stops en route and an ETE to final destination, a mishap could occur on any leg, and unless other information is received, it is probable that no one would start looking for you until 30 minutes after your ETA at your final destination. If you land at a location other than the intended destination, report the landing to the nearest FAA FSS and advise them of your original destination. If you land en route and are delayed more than 30 minutes, report this information to the nearest FSS and give them your original destination. If your ETE changes by 30 minutes or more, report a new ETA to the nearest FSS and give them your original destination. Remember that if you fail to respond within one‐half hour after your ETA at final destination, a search will be started to locate you. It is important that you close your flight plan IMMEDIATELY AFTER ARRIVAL AT YOUR FINAL DESTINATION WITH THE FSS DESIGNATED WHEN YOUR FLIGHT PLAN WAS FILED. The pilot is responsible for closure of a VFR or DVFR flight plan; they are not closed automatically. This will prevent needless search efforts. The rapidity of rescue on land or water will depend on how accurately your position may be determined. If a flight plan has been followed and your position is on course, rescue will be expedited. Survival Equipment. For flight over uninhabited land areas, it is wise to take and know how to use survival equipment for the type of climate and terrain. If a forced landing occurs at sea, chances for survival are governed by the degree of crew proficiency in emergency procedures and by the availability and effectiveness of water survival equipment. Body Signal Illustrations. If you are forced down and are able to attract the attention of the pilot of a rescue airplane, the body signals illustrated on these pages can be used to transmit messages to the pilot circling over your location. Stand in the open when you make the signals. Be sure the background, as seen from the air, is not confusing. Go through the motions slowly and repeat each signal until you are positive that the pilot understands you. Observance of Downed Aircraft. Determine if crash is marked with a yellow cross; if so, the crash has already been reported and identified. If possible, determine type and number of aircraft and whether there is evidence of survivors. Fix the position of the crash as accurately as possible with reference to a navigational aid. If possible, provide geographic or physical description of the area to aid ground search parties. Transmit the information to the nearest FAA or other appropriate radio facility. If circumstances permit, orbit the scene to guide in other assisting units until their arrival or until you are relieved by another aircraft. Immediately after landing, make a complete report to the nearest FAA facility, or Air Force or Coast Guard Rescue Coordination Center. The report can be made by a long distance collect telephone call. FIG 6-2-1 Ground-Air Visual Code for Use by Survivors FIG 6-2-2 Ground-Air Visual Code for use by Ground Search Parties FIG 6-2-3 Urgent Medical Assistance FIG 6-2-4 All OK FIG 6-2-5 Short Delay FIG 6-2-6 Long Delay FIG 6-2-7 Drop Message FIG 6-2-8 Receiver Operates FIG 6-2-9 Do Not Land Here FIG 6-2-10 Land Here FIG 6-2-11 Negative (Ground) FIG 6-2-12 Affirmative (Ground) FIG 6-2-13 Pick Us Up FIG 6-2-14 Affirmative (Aircraft) FIG 6-2-15 Negative (Aircraft) FIG 6-2-16 Message received and understood (Aircraft) FIG 6-2-17 Message received and NOT understood (Aircraft) Previous | Top | Next AIM | ATPUBS | FAA | Send your comments regarding this website.