As you can probably imagine, Urban Search and Rescue or USAR requires a lot of critical tasks.  It involves locating, extracting and applying medical aid to help stabilize victims that are trapped in collapsed structures caused by natural disasters, terrorist attacks and the likes.  Since USAR is considered a multi-hazard effort, USAR teams are relied upon during hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, explosions, biological attacks and other terrorist activities, and the likes.

search and rescue markingsNeedless to say, rescuers are also exposed to dangers.  During the rescue and recovery efforts after the 9/11 attacks, more than 300 rescuers died while trying to search for and rescue the victims inside the collapsed towers.  This danger is the reason why they're trained extensively.

Urban Search and Rescue markings is a very crucial part of their training in order to achieve their goal of ensuring their own safety.  While it's true that searching for and rescuing victims are their primary goals, they also have to ensure their own safety so they can fulfill their sworn duties.  Having a standardized marking system helps a lot.

In addition, Urban Search and Rescue markings can also help their effectiveness and efficiency.  With these markings, the group is able to evaluate the situation and identify the best courses of action.  This document will teach you three things in three sections namely:

  • Structure/Hazards Marking
  • Search Assessment Marking
  • Victim Location Marking System

There's a reason why only a few individuals are given the privilege of helping with urban search and rescue operations.  In addition to the fact that it requires a lot of training, there are also standardized activities that need to be done before beginning search and rescue operations.  After reading this document, you'll know how to do the following:

  • Identify buildings individually (by address, physical location, etc.)
  • General triage to separate buildings that offer the highest potential for viable rescue opportunities.
  • Hazard assessment and hazard marking of any building prior to search & rescue operations.
  • Search and rescue marking of a building

This comprehensive document also includes the same page that USAR teams incorporate into their response gears.  Boost your understanding of these markings.  You'll never know when you might need this knowledge.