Creating a search plan

Identify the Initial Planning Point

The Initial Planning Point (IPP) is the point you use to define the area that you will search. You can use the last known position of the subject (LKP) or the position last seen (PLS) as the Initial Planning Point. Alternatively, you can calculate an Initial Planning Point that is based on the last known position of the subject or the position last seen.

Determine the search area

Consider variables when you do this. These variables include:

• what you know about the subject (refer to the profile of the subject)
• what you know about the incident
• the subject's last known position and the time the subject was in this position
• the accuracy of the Initial Planning Point
• the results of previous searches
• the environmental conditions before SAR resources were alerted to the incident and for the period when the SAR operation will be occurring.

The variables will differ depending on whether you are creating a search plan for a land or marine operation.

Consult the resources below for more information.

Define the area of probability

The area of probability (AOP) is the area the subject is most likely to be in. When defining the area of probability, try to eliminate as much of the rest of the world (ROW) as possible.

If necessary, focus some of your response activity on defining the area of probability more accurately.

Keep the area of probability as small and accurate as possible

Use the information you have to keep the area of probability as accurate and small as you can. Smaller areas are easier to search than large areas.

Keep in mind that:

• an overly large search area is harder for resources to search thoroughly, and it will add unnecessary cost
• an overly small search area creates the risk that the subject may leave the search area before it has been completely searched.

Use data on lost person behaviour for land searches

Use data on lost person behaviour (LPB) to estimate the maximum distance the subject has travelled from the Initial Planning Point. However, remember to factor in a margin of error for the maximum distance figure you use.

You should also consider the time it will take to:

• deploy SAR resources and contain the area of probability
• search the area of probability.

Get charts or maps of the search area determination

For land incidents, you need to get a map of the search area determination (SAD). For marine incidents, you need to get a chart of the search area determination.

You should also get maps or charts of the areas SAR resources are likely to pass through on their way to the search area.

Request both manually-created and computer-aided maps or charts

Ask for:

• a manually-created map or chart of the search area determination if you have sufficient time and resources to create them
• a computer-aided map or chart of the search area determination from the Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ).

Do both of these things at the same time so that you get a map of the search area determination as soon as possible.

Having both versions will assist with confirming the credibility of the search area determination. The manually-created map will help you to make decisions quickly. The computer-aided map will offer a more sophisticated picture of the possible location of the subject. The computer-aided map is also a valuable cross reference to the manually-created map.

Carefully check computer-aided maps of the search area determination

The accuracy of the computer-aided maps of the search area determination depends on the input data being correct. When your team gets a computer-aided map of the search area determination:

• ask RCCNZ to supply a file that shows the input data and the output data
• check that the output data corresponds with the input data you supplied to RCCNZ.

Divide the area of probability into sub-areas

You should do this if you think it will make the search more effective.

Base sub-areas on terrain features, or areas that suit particular SAR resources. You can decide how large or small sub-areas are.

Select the SAR resources you need for the search

When selecting the SAR resources you need, consider:

• the availability of resources
• how suitable the resources are for the task.

Identify the best method for the search

Use the SAR resources you have in the most effective way.

The search method you choose should be:

• suitable (able to be completed in the time available)
• feasible (able to be completed by the resources available)
• acceptable (the result should be worth the time and effort).

Consult the resources below for more information.

Consider how to contain the area of probability

You need to reduce the chance the subject will leave the search area before it has been searched.

Use a two-step process

1. Define a maximum area of probability that is reasonable. When doing this, consider the urgency of the search. This will help you and others involved in the SAR operation to analyse information and decide which SAR resources are needed.
2. Calculate whether the area can be searched and contained with the available resources.  If the answer is that the area can’t be searched and contained with the available resources, consider:
   • reducing the size of the area of probability
   • requesting and deploying more SAR resources to search the area
   • allocating additional SAR resources to containment
   • choosing not to search low priority parts of the area of probability, even if there’s a risk that the subject may be in one of those areas.