X ProGuide Series USAR OPERATIONS SECOND EDITION Dr DF Merchant & Darryl Ashford-Smith
Urban Search & Rescue Operations 2016 Dr DF Merchant & Darryl Ashford-Smith all rights reserved. Second edition, published in the UK 2016 by UVSAR ISBN 978-0-9560784-3-8 This book contains condensed technical information intended for use by trained rescue team members as part of urban search and rescue operations. Techniques detailed herein are unsuitable for construction or workplace uses. The authors and/or publishers make no representations or warranties as to the accuracy and completeness of the material herein nor shall they be held liable for any loss or damages caused by their application. Specifications valid at time of press only. This book does not constitute a training program if used in isolation. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transformed, broadcast or transmitted in any physical or electronic format without prior written permission of the authors and publisher except insofar as is permitted by UK law. Trademark names used herein are the property of their owner(s) and are used to their benefit in an editorial context only. For more information on this and other titles, visit www.uvsar.com/books ProGuides are printed on waterproof polymer paper that can be repeatedly washed. You can write permanently on any page using ballpoint or marker pens. Chinagraphs can be erased. 100% WATERPROOF PAPER X ProGuide Series PGU2G
2 Table of Contents SCENE MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE ASSESSMENT SEARCH OPERATIONS Signals and warnings / LACES 4 Scene safety considerations 5 Scene operational considerations 6 Structure orientation 7 Sectorisation 8 INSARAG marking systems 9 Victim marking system 10 Sketch maps 11 Structure assessment 12 Safety and operational considerations 13 ASR levels 14 Canine search considerations 16 Interview questions 16 MOVING LIFTING & Safety and operational considerations 18 Resources and safety factors 19 Load angles 20 Force triangle sketches 22 Slinging mode factors 23 Essential knots: F8, F9, TH, ABK 24 Crane operator hand signals 28 Block and tackle pulley systems 30 Compound pulley systems 31 Cribbing patterns and safe loads 33 X ProGuide Series
Urban Search & Rescue Operations SHORING BREACHING & BREAKING CONFINED SPACE ENTRY CASUALTY CARE REFERENCE Safety and operational considerations 34 Safe work at height on shores 35 Resources 36 Timber measurements 37 Shoring rules 38 Paratech RSS tables / raker setup 40 Standard nail patterns 42 Kerb beams and anchor fixings 51 Timber shore length/diameter rules 53 Timber cutting and measuring 54 Cross-bracing 58 Timber shore standard patterns 60 Safety and operational considerations 84 Resources 85 Breaching techniques 86 Hot cutting safety considerations 90 Hot cutting procedures 92 Safety and operational considerations 98 Properties of common gases 98 Safe system of work 99 Primary and secondary surveys 100 BLS AED algorithm 102 Blank casualty assessment forms 103 Properties of materials 109 Metric Imperial converter 111 3 Table of Contents
6 Incident Management SCENE OPERATIONAL CONSIDERATIONS rrmaintain immediate scene safety LACES. rrestablish communications between USAR Tactical Advisor and emergency services in attendance. rrinner and outer cordons with scene access control points. rrclear restricted area of public and non-essential personnel. rrappoint key personnel (Search Coordinator, Rescue Coordinator, USAR Safety Advisor, Logistics Supervisor). rrrequest other agencies/key personnel (utilities, structural engineer, air/rail accident investigation, health & safety). rrrequest site manager/building plans etc. rridentify key areas: RVP, safe access/egress routes, logistics, holding areas, casualty clearing, decontamination, evacuation point, welfare, parking, media. rrgather information on the incident, structures/transport, safety and resources. rrdetail and brief assessment team. rrestablish communications plan. rrprepare relevant documentation (operational forms, analytical risk assessment, lifting plans, confined space permit to work/risk assessment, decision-making log, etc.). X ProGuide Series
WORKSITE MARKING (100 120cm BOX) Team ID Urban Search & Rescue Operations Worksite ID A-2c US1 ASR2 14 JAN US1 ASR3 14 JAN US2 ASR4 16 JAN Line added when all work is complete ASR level completed (see page 14) - leave space for at least 3 rows Day and month Place markings in clear view near the point of entry RAPID CLEARANCE MARKING (20cm DIAMOND) rrc = Location is definitely clear of all live and deceased victims. rrd = Only deceased victims remain after a comprehensive search. rrwhen all deceased are removed, place a C marking next to the original. C D US2 14 JAN US2 14 JAN 9 INSARAG Marking Systems
Urban Search & Rescue Operations SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS rrbeware of exposed services (USAR equipment may not be intrinsically safe and often conducts electricity). rrensure area/void being searched is adequately lit and crew is protected (shored, clear access / egress, overhead hazards). rrensure air is monitored where required (including CBRN). OPERATIONAL CONSIDERATIONS rrall crews to book in and out of restricted area. rrensure area is as noise-free as possible. rrperform initial line and hail sweep. rrperform hasty acoustic / seismic search / deploy canines. rrco-ordinate calls for silence between crews. rrensure voids are adequately mapped. rrget victim hit clarified by other search means. rrdivide search area into mapping grid. rrperform thorough seismic / acoustic / audio-visual searches. TECHNICAL SEARCH RESOURCES Loud-hailer and radios Thermal image camera Lighting units & light-sticks Canine search team Listening device / search camera Laser rangefinder Digital camera and printer GPS & local maps Cable detection tools Atmosphere monitor First aid/resuscitation kits Binoculars UAVs / drones Line rescue/search team Online data (satellite imagery, weather, etc.) 13 Search Operations
Urban Search & Rescue Operations ASR LEVEL 3: RAPID SEARCH AND RESCUE Conducted in the early stages of an incident. rrusar teams appointed to worksite(s). rrrescue commitment comprising of debris removal, shoring, and limited breaching and breaking. rrlimited penetration into structure/debris pile, with most rescue operations completed within hours. rridentify worksites requiring Level 4 operations (which may happen concurrently if resources are available). ASR LEVEL 4: FULL SEARCH AND RESCUE rridentify, locate and rescue heavily trapped casualties. rrpenetration into the most accessible survivable voids. rrextensive technical search, shoring, lifting and moving and breaching and breaking operations. rrpossible confined space working. rrinter-agency cooperation. ASR LEVEL 5: TOTAL SEARCH AND RECOVERY Moving from rescue to recovery and transfer of responsibility. rrtransition must be given serious consideration. rrdelamination of the debris pile/structure to confirm no live casualties and to recover the deceased. rrsearches repeated as delamination occurs. rrmay require heavy machinery, cranes etc. rrclose liaison with structural/demolition engineers required. rrmaintain minimum numbers of personnel in the risk area. 15 ASR Levels
LOADS ON A DEVIATION POINT When a line deviates by an angle A, the load on the deviation point is given by the line tension T multiplied by the deviation factor D. The line tension T is equal to M as it can slide freely through the deviation, so:- F = M D e.g. if A = 45 and M = 100kg, the deviation load F = 75kg For lifting and moving always keep the deviation angle A below 90. T=M Angle A 20 30 45 60 90 Deviation factor D s Urban Search & Rescue Operations 0.33 0.5 0.75 1 1.4 F A M If the deviation has high friction and the rope is moving in either direction, F will be up to twice as high as the above figures indicate. 21 Load Angles
Urban Search & Rescue Operations ALPINE BUTTERFLY KNOT: TYING SEQUENCE 1 2 3 4 27 Knots
44 Shoring : Nail Patterns Raker shore gussets R13 R13 = top of raker post W13 = wall/sole plate junction RB13 = bottom of raker post Always applied both sides. Gussets should be inset by approx ½ [10mm] from wall and floor to avoid taking any direct side load. E L P M SA ES G A P W13 RB13 In pattern RB13 the gusset plate is shifted to allow clearance for the wedge blocks. X ProGuide Series
Urban Search & Rescue Operations Raker height 45 Raker CUT length 60 Raker CUT length feet metres feet metres 3' (0.91m) 4' 3" 1.30 3' 6" 1.07 4' (1.22m) 5' 8" 1.73 4' 8" 1.42 5' (1.52m) 7' 1" 2.16 5' 10" 1.78 6' (1.83m) 8' 6" 2.59 7' 0" 2.13 7' (2.13m) 9' 11" 3.02 8' 2" 2.49 8' (2.44m) 11' 4" 3.45 9' 4" 2.84 9' (2.74m) 12' 9" 3.89 10' 6" 3.20 10' (3.05m) 14' 2" 4.32 11' 8" 3.56 11' (3.35m) 15' 7" 4.75 12' 10" 3.91 12' (3.66m) 17' 0" 5.18 14' 0" 4.27 13' (3.96m) 18' 5" 5.61 15' 2" 4.62 14' (4.27m) 19' 10" 6.05 16' 4" 4.98 15' (4.57m) 21' 3" 6.48 17' 6" 5.33 16' (4.88m) 22' 8" 6.91 18' 8" 5.69 17' (5.18m) 24' 1" 7.34 19' 10" 6.05 18' (5.49m) 25' 6" 7.77 21' 0" 6.40 19' (5.79m) 26' 11" 8.20 22' 2" 6.76 20' (6.1m) 28' 4" 8.64 23' 4" 7.11 21' (6.4m) 29' 9" 9.07 24' 6" 7.47 22' (6.71m) 31' 2" 9.50 25' 8" 7.82 23' (7.01m) 32' 7" 9.93 26' 10" 8.18 24' (7.32m) 34' 0" 10.36 28' 0" 8.53 25' (7.62m) 35' 5" 10.79 29' 2" 8.89 57 Timber Measurements
62 Split-Sole Raker SPLIT-SOLE (FLYING) RAKER SHORE At least two rakers per shore. Insert mid-point brace if required by raker post s L/D. Choose base type to suit ground conditions. B5 45 = C17 60 = C26 R13 B5 Split-sole raker, shown with U-box base. Flying raker, shown with trough base. X ProGuide Series
Urban Search & Rescue Operations 1 2 Central core-drilled hole and grid chased out with disc cutter. 3 Block removal. Central area can be left intact for speed in some cases. 4 Second level of grid chasing and block removal note smaller area. Slab removed bevel-sided cuts prevent slab falling through hole. 87 Step-Cut Clean Breach
Urban Search & Rescue Operations VERTICAL BEAMS FRONT WEB HINGE CUT Allows a vertical standing I-beam to fold down endways. 1 2 Cut fully across end web on opposite side to direction of intended fall. 3 Cut inner web at a 45 downwards angle, joining with the first cut. 4 Cut centre 70% of end web, leaving two safety tags to act as hinges. Allow beam to fold down in a controlled manner, with L&M support. Gentle heating of the tags may be necessary. 93 Hot Cutting Operations
PATIENT QUESTIONING Don t assume the responses from an injured or confused person are correct! PAIN ASSESSMENT PQRST Urban Search & Rescue Operations PATIENT HANDOVER NATMIST Signs/symptoms Allergies Medications and (illegal) drugs Previous medical history Last meal time Events causing the injury Provoked by? (motion, touch, etc.) Quality (stabbing, dull, etc.) Region / radiation from / to where? Severity? (scale 1-10) Timing? (duration, trend over time) Name Age Time of injury Mechanism of injury Injuries found Signs and symptoms Treatment given 101 Casualty Care
Name: (FE)MALE Age: Casualty ID: Location: Urban Search & Rescue Operations History & notes: Mark locations with:- A = abrasion B = burn C = contusion D = dislocation F = fracture H = haemorrhage P = pain only R = rigidity S = swelling Body temp: Pupils: Equal \ React light \ Round \ React accom \ 105 Patient Assessment
EYES SPEECH MOVEMENT Elapsed time (minutes) 0 Open spontaneously = 4 Open to speech = 3 Open to pain = 2 No response = 1 Responds normally = 5 Confused = 4 Inappropriate words = 3 Incomprehensible = 2 No response = 1 Obeys commands = 6 Points towards pain = 5 Withdraws from pain = 4 Bends limbs = 3 Straightens limbs = 2 No response = 1 GCS = total of above Pulse (beats per min) Respirations (per min) Treatment and meds given: X ProGuide Series