SAR FUNDAMENTALS QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | LATEST SEARCH AND RESCUE
STUDY GUIDE 2026/2027
Define Search and Rescue - The use of available resources to assist persons and property in
potential or actual distress.
Eight Major Duties of SAR Coordinator (SC) - 1.Identify all SAR resources in area.
2.Establish close liaison with other services and agencies for SAR.
3.Prepare a comprehensive SAR plan.
4.Establish Rescue Coordination Centers (RCC).
5.Ensure operations conform to the National SAR Manual.
6.Conduct SAR.
7.Suspend SAR cases when necessary.
8.Report results to the parent operating command.
Who is responsible for planning the SAR mission? - SAR Mission Coordinator (SMC)
*Designated by the SC to manage a specific SAR mission and has full operation authority of the
SAR Coordinator.
What function does the Rescue Coordination Center (RCC) perform during a SAR mission? - The
SAR Coordinator (SC)
*District Commander
How many minutes prior to arrival on scene should a SAR unit (SRU) notify the OSC? - 15
minutes
What are the five response stages? - 1. Awareness
, 2. Initial Actions
3. Planning
4. Operations
5. Conclusion
What are the four most important pieces of information obtained during the awareness stage? -
1. Type of incident and nature of emergency
2. Location and time of the incident
3. Target description
4. Number and condition of the people involved
What are the five components of the SAR system? - 1. Organization
2. Resources
3. Communications
4. Emergency Care
5. Documentation
What are the three emergency phase classifications? - 1. Uncertainty- Key word is DOUBT
2. Alert- Key word is APPREHENSION
3. Distress- Key word is DANGER
Define Datum - The most probable location of the search object corrected for movement over
time.
*The two major forces needed when calculating datum is Total Water Current and Leeway.
What is the best source of total water current information? - DATUM Marker Buoy (DBM)-
inserted around the last known position of the target.
STUDY GUIDE 2026/2027
Define Search and Rescue - The use of available resources to assist persons and property in
potential or actual distress.
Eight Major Duties of SAR Coordinator (SC) - 1.Identify all SAR resources in area.
2.Establish close liaison with other services and agencies for SAR.
3.Prepare a comprehensive SAR plan.
4.Establish Rescue Coordination Centers (RCC).
5.Ensure operations conform to the National SAR Manual.
6.Conduct SAR.
7.Suspend SAR cases when necessary.
8.Report results to the parent operating command.
Who is responsible for planning the SAR mission? - SAR Mission Coordinator (SMC)
*Designated by the SC to manage a specific SAR mission and has full operation authority of the
SAR Coordinator.
What function does the Rescue Coordination Center (RCC) perform during a SAR mission? - The
SAR Coordinator (SC)
*District Commander
How many minutes prior to arrival on scene should a SAR unit (SRU) notify the OSC? - 15
minutes
What are the five response stages? - 1. Awareness
, 2. Initial Actions
3. Planning
4. Operations
5. Conclusion
What are the four most important pieces of information obtained during the awareness stage? -
1. Type of incident and nature of emergency
2. Location and time of the incident
3. Target description
4. Number and condition of the people involved
What are the five components of the SAR system? - 1. Organization
2. Resources
3. Communications
4. Emergency Care
5. Documentation
What are the three emergency phase classifications? - 1. Uncertainty- Key word is DOUBT
2. Alert- Key word is APPREHENSION
3. Distress- Key word is DANGER
Define Datum - The most probable location of the search object corrected for movement over
time.
*The two major forces needed when calculating datum is Total Water Current and Leeway.
What is the best source of total water current information? - DATUM Marker Buoy (DBM)-
inserted around the last known position of the target.
