Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Search & Rescue Operations

Within rural and mountainous environments, a drone, or more correctly known as an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) may be used extensively for a number of taskings such as assessment (incidents such as floods, wildfire or major transport), search or team safety such as routefinding or the monitoring of a rescue on a cliff face for example. In search and rescue, technology can only be relied upon so much before a physical search and rescue will have to be carried out however, when possible to use, UAS can dramatically improve situational awareness, lead to better decision making and enable a more efficient and safer search and rescue.

Improved Situational Awareness

Better Decision Making

Efficient & Safer Search & Rescue

UAS Search & Rescue Operations

The UAS (Unmanned Aircraft System) Search & Rescue Operations Course has been created by subject matter experts with suitable skill, knowledge, understanding and experience to focus the training delivery specific to the needs of Search & Rescue UAS Pilots that will carry out operations in rural or mountainous environments. The UAS Search & Rescue Operations Course enables delegates to become confident in deploying a UAS at a range of incidents, in range of environments searching effectively and safely.

  • The aim of this course is to provide the skills, knowledge and understanding to enable delegates to become competent in Unmanned Aerial Systems Search and Rescue Operations.

  • Successful completion of the course will enable delegates to fulfil the following outcomes;

    • Describe the nature of UAS operations within an rural and mountainous context

    • Describe the UAS SAR capability, associated hazards, Safe Systems of Work, sequence of activities and responsibilities

    • Describe the UAS SAR organisation and structure

    • Correctly identify all items of equipment issued for the purpose of UAS SAR

    • Describe the design, use, advantages, disadvantages, limitations and safety aspects of UAS SAR equipment

    • Describe all aspects of UAS safety

    • Detail the information to be gathered prior to creation of a flight/search plan

    • Describe incident assessment considerations

    • Describe scene assessment, situational awareness and incident monitoring practises

    • Describe general search considerations

    • Detail search terminology

    • Describe search strategy and search types according to feature (mountain face, gully, woods, river etc.)

    • Demonstrate how to brief relevant personnel

    • Demonstrate a range of tasks including assessment and search

    • Demonstrate a handover to the incident or search manager.

  • 3 Days