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Contents, Page, Chapter I: , , INTRODUCTION: SEARCH AND RESCUE , , 2-3, , Chapter II: , , RESCUE FROM DAMAGED BUILDING , , 4, , Chapter III: , , USE OF ROPES IN SEARCH & RESCUE , , 5-7, , Chapter IV: , , EMERGENCY METHODS OF RESCUE , , 8-12, , Chapter V: IMPROVISED STRETCHER 13, Chapter VI: WATER RESCUE 14-16, Chapter VII: RESCUE EQUIPMENT 16, , 1

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CHAPTER-I, INTRODUCTION: SEARCH AND RESCUE, Search and rescue is a technical activity rendered by a group of specially trained, personnel, who rescue and attend to the casualties under adverse conditions, where, life is at threat. Search and rescue is organized in close cooperation with the community, and in a team approach. The search and rescue activities are undertaken in three, steps;, 1. Normal search and rescue may be carried out by a village level team/task force –, the volunteers for the team could be selected by the VDMC and trained by Civil, Defence., 2. Medium search and rescue work – a team/task force may be created at the Police, Station (or Block Level, if there is no police station in the block)., 3. Heavy search and rescue the assistance of the team from State Government or, armed forces may be requested., Functions of rescue party, • To rescue trapped persons from damaged building, etc., • To render First Aid to trapped person., • To support damaged building with endanger to life., • To cutoff supplies of water, gas, and electricity from damage building , and, • To recover the dead from damaged building., Team Composition, Physically and Psychologically sound volunteers male and female, having demonstrated, ability, capacity and willingness to work in an emergency, could constitute a rescue, team., Volunteers, of both the sex, above 18 years of age, with a minimum education level to, read and write in local language., Preference would be given to ex-military or army personnel and artisans from the, village or from the locality., It is essential that each safe shelter form a rescue group, comprising of 8 members, out, of which a minimum of 2 members should be skilled persons. The members should be, from the safe shelter, community and from the periphery villages., Team leader: , 1, Skilled persons: , 2, Members: , 5, The members should have interest to participate in the training courses on search and, rescue organized by the Government, Civil Society Organization or any other NGOs., 2

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Rescue Stages, Stage-1, Surface Casualty (Emergency Rescue), To locate the surface casualty the rescue is conducted from the outer-edges of the, damaged area and rescued shall be provided First Aid services. In case the rescued, is more severely injured, after providing the First Aid services, dispatch as quickly as, possible to the nearest hospital for medical care., Stage-II, Search in Slightly Damaged Buildings (Immediate Rescue), The rescue team should move towards the slightly damaged buildings after responding, to the surface casualty. It might happen that some persons trapped can be contacted, but cannot be reached easily. In such events, before entering to the damaged building, or house, a careful analysis of the methods best suited to safely rescue the trapped is, to be made. The team leader has to take proper decisions without risking the lives of, the rescuers or the injured. Safety at all points is to be ensured. The same procedures, shall be followed in the case of the trapped people or cyclone/flood -marooned people., Stage-III, Search of Possible Survival Points (Specialized Rescue), Any chances of a person being trapped or injured are to be searched at all possible, places and all options. The rescue team should try with all means to rescue with the, appropriate method. Consider safety as top priority., Stage-IV, Selected Debris Clearance (Specialized Rescue), The rescue team should search until all the persons are accounted for and identities, are ascertained., Stage-V, General Debris Clearance (Specialized Rescue), Clear up the debris and reach to the trapped persons, when all possible ways of, contacting the trapped persons has failed., Specialized Rescue Teams should preferably carry out the last three stages., , 3

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CHAPTER-II, RESCUE FROM DAMAGED BUILDING, Precautions before Entering the Damaged Building;,  Observe the construction of the building and collapsed portions,  Check whether the walls need any supporting.,  Be careful for possible hazards, which may occur from the exposed, household equipment.,  Precautions when Entering the Damaged building,  Use a helmet,  Work in pairs,  Listen for possible sounds,  Keep calling,  Do not touch or disturb any damaged walls or blocked doors which are, broken and /or projecting.,  Treat all naked wires as live wire, Precautions Whilst Moving Inside the Damaged Building,  Do not ignite fire.,  Keep close to the walls,  Be careful in all of your movements.,  Do not pull anything projecting out from the collapsed portions., , 4

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CHAPTER-III, USE OF ROPES IN SEARCH & RESCUE, 1. Thumb Knot: Tied in the end of the rope, and also used as a “Stopper Knot”, , 2. Reef Knot: For joining two ropes of equal, sizes and make. Also used in bandaging, , 3. Multi thumb Knot – Use as a ladder., , 4. Figure of ‘8’: For joining of two poles, and for anchoring purposes., , 5. Half Hitch – Use in stretcher lashing., , 6. Clove Hitch – One of the most important in rescue work. It is a multi-purpose, hitch., , 5

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7. Clove Hitch on an object – Usually used, when we start lashings but can be used, for anchoring also., , 8. Draw Hitch – For self rescue., , 9. Timber Hitch – Use for lifting planks, etc., , 10. Round turn & two-half Hitches – use, for securing a rope to a ring, etc. or, anchoring., , 11. Single sheet bend – Joining of two ropes, of unequal size., , 12. Double sheet bend – Joining two ropes, of unequal and equal size when the rope, is wet., , 13.Sheep shank –When a rope is damaged, and we do not want the damaged part, to bear the load., , 6

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14. Bowline – Use as guide rope., , 15. Running bowline – Use for flood rescue., , 16. Bowline on the bight – Use as a sling for, rescue purpose.etc., , 17. Chair knot – for rescue of casualty from, top floor., , 7

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CHAPTER-IV, EMERGENCY METHODS OF RESCUE, There may be occasions when a stretcher is not available or it is impossible, to use a stretcher. Therefore, some other means must be used to lift and move or, extricate the casualty. There are various methods by which a casualty can be moved., These moves are known as EMERGENCY METHODS OF RESCUE., The method to be used in cases where a stretcher is unavailable or cannot be used, depends on the factors listed below:, ▪, Nature of injury, ▪, Position in which the casualty is found and, ▪, The number of rescuers available., RESCUE WITH ONE RESCUER, R- Rescuer, C- Casualty, 1., HUMAN CRADLE: When the casualty is unconscious or, cannot walk, provided the casualty is lightweight or a child., •, Make the casualty lie in supine position., •, The R_ kneels down on the right side of the C_., •, The R_ places one of his hands below the armpits, and the other below the knees of the C_., •, The R_ then lifts the casualty., 2., HUMAN CRUTCH: When the casualty is conscious and, with leg injury, •, The R_ stands on the injured side of the casualty, •, He then places the casualty’s arm around his, shoulders and grasps the wrist with his hand, •, The R_ has to pass his other hand around the waist, of the C_ and grip the C_’s clothing at the hip, •, This method is usually used for C_ with minor leg, injuries., , 8

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3., , PICK-A-BACK: When the casualty is conscious and can help himself, • Make the C_ stand with his legs spread sideways., • The R_ stands with his back towards the C, make the C locks his arms, around the neck of the R., • The R bends his right knee & passes it in between the legs of the C & lifts, the legs of the C around his waist by passing, his arms below the knees of the casualty., • This method is used for casualties with minor, injuries only. However, the rescuer has to take, ensure that the casualty is not suffering from, any abdominal injuries (internal or external)., , 4., , PICK-A-BACK REVERSE: When the casualty is conscious and can help himself, • The R and the C stand back to back with the legs of the C spread sideways., • The R then places both the arms of the C in front so as to prevent direct, pressure to the pelvic region., • The R bend his right knee & pass it in between, the legs of the C & then he passes both his hands, backwards, place on top of the C’s hands, then, leans forward and lifts the casualty off his feet, and upon his back., • This method is used for casualties with minor abdominal or chest injuries., , 5., , FIREMAN’S LIFT: When the casualty is unconscious, • If the C is lying on his back, the R kneels on one knee (usually the right), and turns the C on to his face gently supporting the face of the C with the, hand and the fore-arm of the R., • The R then places his hands under the armpits, of the C and lifts the chest of the R first on one, of the R’s knee and then gradually lifts the C, up to a kneeling position., • The R then passes his arms around the body, of the C and brings him (C) to his feet (standing), his body being supported, by the body of the R., • The R then faces the C sideways and holds the right wrist of the C with, his left hand and passes it over his (R’s) shoulder. The R then stoops down, and passes his right shoulder in between the legs of the C, places the C, on his shoulder and lift., • The left hand of the R is now free to support the head of the C, • This method is suitable for rescue from high rise buildings using a ladder., 9

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6., RESCUE CRAWL: When a casualty is unconscious, in a confined space, unable to, help himself or one who is too heavy., • Turn the C on his back and tie his wrists together using a triangular, bandage or any other cloth., • The R then kneels astride him facing the C’s, head., • The R then places his head through the loop, formed by the C’s arms., • Left hand of R is used to lift the C’s head and, right hand in crawling., • The position of the knee should be one down and one up., 7., , TOE DRAG: When a casualty is unconscious., • Turn the casualty on his back., • The rescuer sits down at the casualty’s head side and places his feet, under the casualty’s armpits., • With both hands free, the rescuer pulls, himself back with one hand and places the, other below the casualty’s head. At the same, time drags the casualty with his feet., •, , 8., , This method is suitable for rescue in confined places or in smoke filled, rooms., , BOWLINE DRAG: When a casualty is unconscious., • Turn the casualty on his back., • Using one length of 15 feet sash cord or 40, feet lashing rope, tie a bowline at each end to, form two loops., • Place one loop over the casualty’s chest and, under his armpits, with the knot resting under, his head. This protects the casualty’s head from having contact with, the floor while dragging him., • The other loop goes on the rescuer, over his shoulder and under his, armpit to form a harness., • The rescuer then crawls on his hands and knees., • This method is suitable for rescue in confined places or in smoke filled, rooms., 10

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MORE THAN TWO RESCUERS, 1., FORE AND AFT METHOD: When the casualty is unconscious., • Turn the casualty on his back., • One rescuer raises the casualty’s shoulders and, passes his hands under the arms from behind, clasping them in front of the chest., • The other rescuer takes one leg under each arm, and lifts the casualty. The casualty is carried off, feet first., 2., , TWO HANDED SEAT: When the casualty is conscious., • Two rescuers face one another on either side of the, casualty, bend down and each passes his nearest, arm under the casualty’s back just below the, shoulders and if possible, grips his clothing., • The casualty’s back is raised and the rescuers slip, their other arms under the middle of his thighs,, clasping their hands with a hand grip., • The casualty is lifted and the rescuers step off with, short paces., , 3., , THREE HANDED SEAT: When the casualty is conscious., • Two rescuers face one another on either side of the, casualty., • The rescuer on the side of the injured limb keeps, his hand nearest to the limb free., • With the other hand, he grips the corresponding, wrist of the other rescuer, that hand in turn being, used by the other rescuer to grip his wrist of the, other hand (own). This hand of the second rescuer, is then used to grip the wrist of the first rescuer, thus forming a three handed seat., • The casualty sits on this three handed seat, supporting himself with his arms. He is carried and, his injured limb supported by the rescuers., , 4., , FOUR HANDED SEAT: When the casualty is conscious., • Two rescuers face each other and each grasps his, own left wrist with his right hand. Their hands are, then put together, the free left hand grasping the, right wrist of the man opposite., • The casualty then sits on the hand seat so formed, and puts one arm or both arms around the neck of, the rescuers. The rescuers then lift the casualty and, step off in short paces., 11

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5., , CHAIR LIFT FOR MEN: When the casualty is unconscious., • The casualty is firstly seated on the chair., • The first rescuer stands behind the chair and, grabs the upper portion of the hind legs of the, chair., • The second rescuer then kneels in front of the, chair and grabs the front legs of the chair., • The second rescuer then stands up, leaning the chair towards the first, rescuer., • The casualty is then carried away., , 6., , CHAIR LIFT FOR WOMEN: When the casualty is unconscious., • The casualty is first seated on the chair., • Both rescuers take the kneeling position on either side of the chair., • The rescuers use one hand to hold the front legs, of the chair and the other to hold the backrest, of the chair from below., • The rescuers then lift the chair simultaneously., • The casualty is then carried away., , 7., , BLANKET LIFT: When the casualty is unconscious or has suffered multiple , injuries., • A blanket is placed lengthwise on the ground in line with the casualty and, rolled up half its width., • The casualty is then turned carefully on to his, side., • The rolled up portion is then placed close to the, casualty and he is gently replaced on his back, upon the un-rolled portion of the blanket., • The rolled portion is then unrolled so that the casualty lies in the center, of the blanket., • The two edges of the blanket are then rolled up against the casualty’s, body, grasped by the two rescuers on each side of the casualty, thus, supporting the head, shoulders, hips and legs., , 12

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CHAPTER-V, IMPROVISED STRETCHER, Improvised stretchers: These can be made of a blanket and two bamboo poles or by, two sacks and pipes/bamboo poles as in pictures below., BLANKET AND BAMBOOS, , Step 1, , Step 2, , Step 4, , Step 3, , Step 5, , SACKS AND PIPES, , Step 1, , Step 2, , Step 3, , Step 4, , Step 5, , Step 6, , 13

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CHAPTER-VI, WATER RESCUE, WATER RESCUE, Flood and cyclone disasters take thousands of human lives every year; rescue, from water related disasters is one of the important challenges for the rescuer., The rescuers must be equipped with swimming and floating aids and should have, adequate swimming capacity for rescuing the drowning casualty. The rescuers must, have knowledge and practice of swimming in order not to risk himself /herself whilst, rescuing the victims., Use of life Jackets, Life Jackets in rescue are important for water rescue. Add life jacket is a standard, life saving equipment, which gives confidence to the rescue that he /she is safe. The, life jacket is made out of waterproof canvas and is filled with; fine cotton, weighing, about 4 kegs equivalent 8.82 (pounds). Normally the life jacket is to be worn like a, jacket, and has three tying ropes to secure the jacket., Improvised Swimming and Floating Aids, Standard manufactured life jackets may not be available in rural areas or during, an emergency, however swimming and floating aid could be improvised from the, locally available materials., Empty Tins and Jerri canes., Steps for preparing floating equipment:, •, Collect 20 ltr. capacity empty tins., •, Seal the openings of the empty tins., •, Collect two equal size 4 feet (120 cm) bamboo pieces, •, Place both the tins with a gap of 1.5 feet (45 cms) from each other or, equal to the width of the chest of the rescuer., •, Tie the empty tins with the bamboo poles at two places with coconut, fiber ropes by square lashing, and tighten as far as possible to prepare, the floating aid., •, This can help to float a person in the water. The rescuer can use the device, for water rescue also., •, Empty and air tight 15 ltr. Capacity Jerri canes also could be used as, floating aids, Empty glass bottles, •, Collect 8 empty bottles of 750 ml capacity., •, Seal the openings of the bottles with polythene or waterproof materials, to make them airtight, 14

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•, , Tie each bottle at two places at the bottom edge and at the neck edge by, using clove hitch and thumb knots in a series to prepare the floating aid., This can help to float a person in the water., , Dry Coconuts, Collect dry coconuts. Continue adding the numbers of coconuts until, these can, carry the weight of the rescuer. Tie the dried coconuts with coir fibbers to prepare the, swimming aid. This can help to float a person in the water., Bamboo Bundles, Collect bamboo pieces of 1.5feet to 2 feet length (45 cms- 60 cms). Continue, adding the numbers of the bamboo pieces until sufficient amount that can carry the, weight of the rescuer. Tie the bamboo pieces with coir fibbers to prepare the swimming, aid. The swimming aid can help to float a person in the water., Metal pitcher, Collect 2 metal pitchers. Cover the openings with polythene or any waterproofing, materials, Place the two pitchers within a gap of 1.5d feet (0.5 mtr) or according to the, width of the rescuer., Tie the two pitchers with two bamboo pieces of 4 feet (120 cms) length with, coconut fibber ropes and tighten as strong as possible., The swimming aid is prepared. This can help to float a person in the water. The, rescuer can use the device for water rescue also. This is also known as “ pot water, wing”., Motor Tubes, Collect good leak-proof motor tubes (Jeep, Truck, Car, Bus only). Fill up with air., The swimming aid is prepared. This can help to float a person in the water. This also, can be used for water rescue., Raft, , During flood or cyclones availability of boats for rescue is likely to be difficult., Rafts could be improvised from locally available materials and used for rescue and, relief activities., Collect 4 good quality empty barrels of 200 ltrs capacity (Kerosene barrels)., Seal the empty barrels to make watertight. Tie the empty watertight barrels with a, bamboo frame as shown in the figure. Ensure the Raft is fixed properly with ropes and, becomes compact., 8-10 persons with safety can be transported on one Raft., , 15

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Breast- Line (Life-Lines), Water rescuers and lifeguards practice “Breast-line-Throw” for life saving., Breast-line-Throw is life saving skill. This can help and save the life of an, individual who is drowning in water. This method has the additional advantage, that the person who is throwing the line will be standing either in a boat or on, the ground, steadily able to rescue the individual who is drowning., Rules of Breast-Line-Throwing:, Breast- Line should be a minimum of 40 to 60 feet long (16 mtrs to 20 mtrs),, of 1.5 inch rope (3.5 cms) thickness. Breast- Line should be thrown in the, same fashion as we do in case of a “ Discuss Through or Fishing Net”, the only, difference being, that while doing a Breast-line throw we do not take a full, circle but throw the rope by swinging the hands., , CHAPTER-VII, RESCUE EQUIPMENT, Personal Equipments for Rescuer, •, •, •, •, •, •, , Helmet, Torch, Life-line, Gum-Boots, Life-Jackets (Water Rescue), Whistle, , Team Equipments for Rescuer, •, •, •, •, •, •, •, •, •, •, •, •, , Rope-3-inch (7 cms) diameter of 200 ft (61.5 mtrs), Lashing lines-1.5 inches (3.8cms) circumference of 40 ft (12.32 mtrs) , length, 6 Sash-cord-inch (2.54cms), Pulley blocks with different sheaves, Ladder (Wood/Bamboo), Small cutting tools, First Aid Box, Life Buoy, Crow Bar, Hammer, Stretcher, Blanket, 16