searchandrescue

Search and rescue (SAR) is the coordinated act of locating and assisting people who are lost, injured, or otherwise in danger. SAR operations are conducted across maritime, air, and land environments and involve a range of agencies, organizations, and volunteers working under established procedures to preserve life. Jurisdiction and responsibility are defined by national law and regional agreements, with dedicated rescue coordination centers directing resources and information flow.

Typical SAR activities include hazard assessment, mobilization, systematic search and locate, extraction or rescue, and medical care and evacuation. Search methods rely on patterns such as lines or grids, visual observation, and sensor technology. Distress signals from devices such as EPIRBs and PLBs, satellite beacons, radar, infrared cameras, and thermal imaging aid detection. Resources include trained responders on land, sea, and in the air, search dogs, boats, helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft, drones, and communications systems. Rapid triage and on-scene first aid are common.

Organizational frameworks include national coast guards or navies, rescue services, emergency management agencies, and volunteer organizations. International coordination is provided by rescue coordination centers (RCCs) and, for urban environments, the INSARAG system. The International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue (SAR Convention) and related agreements assign responsibilities for maritime search and rescue regions and facilitate cooperation across borders.

Training emphasizes safety, risk assessment, mission planning, medical care, and teamwork. Challenges include severe weather, difficult terrain, time-critical location, limited visibility, and communication barriers. Technological advances—such as unmanned aerial systems, improved sensors, and data-sharing platforms—have expanded capabilities but also require standardized procedures and interoperability.