Why Search and Rescue is

like Software Development

David Webster

January 2018

Learn. Connect. Collaborate.

My roles

Local: Oxfordshire Lowland Search and Rescue - (OxSAR):• Search Manager• Water Team Lead

National: Lowland Rescue -• Subject Matter Expert, Water and Technical Rescue Department

Learn. Connect. Collaborate.

UK SAR

• Level 1

– Level 2

• Level 3 (DO NOT USE IT)

• Feel free to replace the content and change

the format accordingly with your layout,

preference, style, needs

Search Manager: manages on scene resources during a call out & ultimately

responsible for all search related decisions

Learn. Connect. Collaborate.

How big is a search?

~50 searchers ~6 dog teams

Police

resources & air

support

2hrs – 9 days

So what?

Transferrable skills.

Decision Making

Remove emotion from decisions

Be prepared to justify decisions

Data based decisions

Stress Inoculation

Limited emotional bandwidth

Recognise external pressures

Checklists reduce stress

Understanding stakeholders

Tailor communication

Understand stakeholders’ needs

Learn. Connect. Collaborate.

Recap

Decisions

• Pre-empt hard

decisions

• Be prepared to

justify

• Use data

• Record data

Stress

• Remember

emotional

bandwidth

• Practice

• Checklists

Stakeholders

• Understand their

needs

• Establish &

maintain trust

• Tailor

communication

Learn. Connect. Collaborate.

Recap

Decisions

• Pre-empt hard

decisions

• Be prepared to

justify

• Use data

• Record data

Stress

• Remember

emotional

bandwidth

• Practice

• Checklists

Stakeholders

• Understand their

needs

• Establish &

maintain trust

• Tailor

communication

@davidcognite

@oxsar

http://oxsar.org.uk

Thank you!