The National Search and Rescue Council

National Search and Rescue Manual

Published by AMSA on behalf of the Australian National Search and Rescue Council.

The manual was originally made available on the Internet in September 2003. Since then, editorial changes have been made. An annual amendments program is conducted coinciding with the report of the meetings of the National Search and Rescue Council. Amendment sheets are included on line to show what changes have been made annually. If you are maintaining a printed version of the Manual you might find it worthwhile to have a look at the amendment sheets as some amendments to Chapters or Appendices might be small enough to only require a manuscript amendment thereby saving some printing.

For ease of keeping manuals printed from the Internet up to date each chapter and appendix has the latest revision date noted in the index below.

© The National Search and Rescue Manual is copyright. The reproduction of this work in whole or in part is invited for search and rescue purposes other than commercial purposes provided due acknowledgment is given to the Australian National Search and Rescue Council.

Access the National SAR Manual in sections

(pdf files - maximum size approx. 2.5 MB; average size 0.2 MB).
Last revision date shown in [ ]

Foreword   [30 Nov 04]
Defence Letter of Promulgation   [14 July 05]
Abbreviations and Acronyms   [30 Nov 04]
Glossary   [30 Nov 04]
Chapter 1 Search and Rescue system [28 Jun 07]
Chapter 2 Communications [07 Jun 06]
Chapter 3 Awareness and initial action [30 Nov 04]
Chapter 4 Search planning and evaluation [30 Nov 04]
Chapter 5 Search techniques and operations [07 Jun 06]
Chapter 6 Rescue planning and operations [30 Nov 04]
Chapter 7 Conclusion of SAR operations [30 Nov 04]
Chapter 8 Training [30 Nov 04]
Chapter 9 Emergency assistance [04 Nov 03]
Appendix A Search and Rescue Region (SRR) [01 Mar 06]
Appendix B Functions and responsibilities [01 Mar 06]
Appendix C Inter-Governmental Agreement on National SAR Response Arrangements [30 Nov 04]
Appendix D Transfer of coordination form [30 Nov 04]
Appendix E Distress and emergency signals [04 Nov 03]
Appendix F Maritime SAR recognition code (MAREC) [04 Nov 03]
Appendix G Plotting Symbols [30 Nov 04]
Appendix H Sighting and hearing technique [04 Nov 03]
Appendix I Tables and graphs [30 Nov 04]
Appendix J Probable errors of position [04 Nov 03]
Appendix K Worksheets [01 Mar 06]
Appendix L Aircraft accident site precautions [04 Nov 03]
Appendix M Tier capabilities and locations of AMSA supported SRUs [04 Jun 07]
Appendix N RAAF SAR equipment and aircraft capabilities [04 Nov 03]
Appendix O Royal Australian Navy response [30 Nov 04]

30 June 2007