Light search and rescue
Conduct only low-risk searches with accountability, communication, and a clear limit on what untrained people should attempt.
Rebootlib original guide. Written for practical orientation; verify high-consequence decisions with qualified local professionals and current local instructions.
Search from safe to difficult
Start with a verified list of missing people and the last known locations. Search open, stable, visible spaces before considering any confined or damaged area.
- Use teams of at least two and maintain a check-in schedule.
- Mark searched areas and record time, names, and findings.
- Call, listen, and pause; noise can hide a response.
- Look for secondary hazards and signs of movement before shifting anything heavy.
When to stop
Do not enter a collapsed structure, smoke-filled space, floodwater, energized area, or contaminated zone without appropriate training and equipment. Report precise information to trained responders instead.
Handoff
Pass over the map, search log, last-known information, hazards, access routes, and any people already located. Keep witnesses and families informed without inventing certainty.