Search and Rescue Manual: Part 1

The most effective strategies for life-saving at fire sites include planned search operations, rapid water deployment, and coordinated ventilation.
This guide outlines the basics of rescue and search operations in fire scenes.

Every year, approximately 1,000 people lose their lives in building fires. Firefighters often represent their last, and only, hope for survival.

Overview

Data about victim locations is sourced from NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) and Firefighter Rescue Survey.

Locations where victims are commonly found:

Bedrooms: 42%
Non-bedroom rooms: 17%
Hallways: 11.5%
Fire origin room: 23%
Adjacent rooms: 42%
Rooms where escape was attempted: 36%

The survival rate depends significantly on the time taken to locate victims:

Found within 2 minutes: 66% survival rate
Found within 6–8 minutes: 36% survival rate

Key responsibilities for search teams:

Search teams are fully responsible for the victims until they are handed over to other teams or medical personnel.
Once a victim is found, quickly transfer them to others as appropriate.
Assess the situation to decide whether to evacuate via the nearest exit, a window, or by traversing the building.
“Time is as critical as air supply—sometimes even more so.”

Communication with the command team:

Alert others immediately by reporting, “Victim located.”
Decide as a team if you can handle the rescue independently. Avoid delays caused by waiting for radio confirmations.

Victim condition assessment:

Rescuers usually do not conduct medical evaluations at the scene. Victims are often either already deceased or unable to escape on their own.

Grip Techniques

Grip techniques are essential for efficient dragging or carrying of victims. Two commonly used methods are:

Gable Grip
Kimura Grip

Key features of these grips:

Both utilize a “thumbless” grip, where the thumb stays aligned with the fingers for better strength.
When one arm wraps around the victim’s body, the opposite hand performs a top grip.
The aim is to treat the hand as a large hook rather than individual fingers.

These grips are strong, simple to execute, and effective even while wearing gloves or in low-visibility conditions.

Practical tips:

Always keep the victim close to your body for better control and reduced effort.
These grips help maintain hold on the victim, even during difficult extractions.

Drag Techniques

Dragging techniques are often used for victims, particularly lighter ones like children.

General principles:

Low posture: When carrying a child, maintain a low stance for balance.
Clean air zones: Keep the victim in areas with better air quality, especially near windows while awaiting rescue.

For adults, dragging often requires a buddy system due to their weight and the energy needed for transportation.
The goal is to ensure swift and simple movement to remove the victim from danger as quickly as possible.

Common Drag Methods:

Head-First Drag
- Involves locking wrists or using a single-arm lock.
- This method provides greater length between the rescuer and victim, which can be useful in tight spaces.

Head-First Drag

Feet-First Drag
- Keeps the victim’s head lower, which helps protect them from smoke.
- Shorter overall length compared to head-first dragging.
- Secure the victim’s feet under your arms or against your body for effective movement.

Feet-First Drag

Tips for positioning victims:

If the victim is lying face-down, cross their ankles to rotate them to a face-up position.

Stairs or narrow spaces:

When moving down stairs, always protect the victim’s head by dragging them headfirst.
Use webbing techniques only as a last resort since they are time-consuming and complex.

Webbing Drag:

This method is particularly useful for:

Extremely heavy victims.
Scenarios requiring upward movement, such as stairs.

Note: Be cautious when using webbing, as it increases the victim’s overall length and can make maneuvering around corners or narrow spaces challenging.

Additional Techniques for Efficient Rescue:

Sheet or Blanket Roll:
- If a victim is found in bed, roll them onto the sheet for easier handling.
- For victims on the ground, use a blanket to wrap and carry them.
Shoulder Hitch:
- A quick and safe technique suitable for limited visibility conditions.
- Reduces strain on the victim and works well in confined spaces.

Sheet or Blanket Roll

By mastering these techniques, firefighters can execute rescues efficiently and minimize the time victims spend in dangerous environments.

FIRE RESCUE CLUB

Search and Rescue Manual: Part 1

Overview