Search and rescue

Who coordinates rescue?

SAR is available to people in distress, irrespective of nationality.

The SAR system

Contracting States arrange prompt SAR services individually or in cooperation, on a 24-hour basis, covering their territories and the high-seas areas for which they have accepted responsibility. SAR regions are established in coordination with neighbouring States and normally align with FIRs as far as practicable; the service boundary does not create sovereignty. Each region has an RCC, with rescue subcentres where appropriate.

The RCC coordinates efficient SAR organisation and conduct of operations. The operator is the person/organisation operating or offering to operate the aircraft; the PIC commands and is responsible for the flight; the State of Registry holds the aircraft’s registration. An emergency phase is the collective term for uncertainty, alert or distress. Their abbreviations are INCERFA, ALERFA and DETRESFA.

A phase is an assessment

Uncertainty means doubt about safety, alert means apprehension, and distress means reasonable certainty of grave and imminent danger requiring immediate assistance. ATS initiates the appropriate notification based on evidence; RCC then coordinates the SAR response. It is not necessary to wait through all three phases when distress is already established.

A received distress message must be relayed promptly with available identity, position, time, condition, persons and intentions. An uncertain position should be identified as uncertain rather than converted into an invented exact coordinate.

First aircraft at the scene

Observe, report and assist within the aircraft’s safe capability.

First arrival and distress reception

The first PIC at an accident scene, unless unable or instructed otherwise, remains in sight until presence is no longer necessary, determines position, identifies the wreck and survivors, observes weather and terrain/sea conditions and reports to RCC or ATS. Act in accordance with the coordinator’s instructions and coordinate with other assisting aircraft.

On intercepting a distress transmission, acknowledge if appropriate, record and establish the position if possible, take bearings where equipped, notify the appropriate RCC/ATS and proceed toward the scene when appropriate and able. Do not jeopardise the assisting aircraft through fuel exhaustion, terrain or unsafe low flying; relay limitations and available endurance.

Survivor and acknowledgment signals

The survivor ground-to-air code uses V for require assistance, X for require medical assistance, N for no/negative, Y for yes/affirmative and an arrow for proceeding in the indicated direction. Make symbols conspicuous, large and contrasting, normally at least 2.5 m long, using available material.

An aircraft acknowledges understanding by rocking wings in daylight, or flashing landing lights twice at night, or navigation lights twice if no landing lights. Absence of the signal means the message was not understood; a single incidental wing movement should not be invented as an acknowledgment. The interactive scene pairs each original symbol with a crew response.

Can you apply the rules?

Four original questions. Choose from the facts, then review the explanation.