Search and Rescue in Antarctica

Article by Grant Prattley, Programme Manager Rescue, SARINZ Ltd.

JSART Training

In September 2006 I ran training for the JASART or the Joint Antarctica Search and Rescue Team. This team consists of members from Antarctica New Zealand and the United States Antarctic Programme who are mainly employed as instructors for the outdoor safety and survival training.

This customised training consisted of 5 days in New Zealand initially based around Christchurch and then at Craigieburn Ski Area.

This included:

·      Key concepts

·      Knots, bends, hitches

·      Systems approach for rescue (anchor system, pulley system, lowering system, belay system)

·      Small team pickoff techniques

·      Pulley systems

·      Hot changeovers (lower to a raise and raise to a lower)

·      Prussik testing

·      Litter rigging for vertical terrain

·      Stretcher scoop

·      SA Frame rigging

·      Whiteboard analysis theory (hands free, safety factor, critical point)

·      Team progression (vertical stretcher, H-pole, horizontal stretcher, tripod)

·      Slope lowering theory

·      Passing bends

·      System changeovers

·      Snow anchors

·      Earth anchors

·      Counterweight raise

·      Double rope versus single rope

·      Multi-pitch slope lowering

·      Deflected offset

Antarctica Orientation Visit

In December 2006 I undertook an orientation visit to Antarctica, hosted by Antarctica New Zealand at Scott Base. This was an extremely productive time. I was able to provide an objective view of Search and Rescue in the field and the incident management.

The aims for the visit were:

·      Orientation of Antarctica SAR operations

·      Attendance at a primary and secondary team training

·      Undertake workshops as required

·      Testing programme as required

·      Assessment of current rescue procedures

·      Assessment of the current procedures for lost personnel

·      Assessment of current equipment and standardisation of setup

·      Meeting with key people from the NZ and US programmes

·      Report for ANZ, USAP and SARINZ on the visit

What I ended up achieving:

·      Antarctica Field Training

·      Attended the debrief for a SAR callout – Big Razorback

·      Reviewed JASART Callout procedures and Incident Management

·      Undertook introductory Coordinated Incident Management Systems (CIMS) Training for Antarctica New Zealand

·      Attended and ran JASART primary and secondary team trainings

·      Undertook snow and ice anchor testing

·      Presentations to Scott Base and McMurdo on rescue and the results of the anchor testing

·      Reviewed the SAR Equipment for Antarctica New Zealand

·      Assessed the Castle Rock ascent

·      Assessed the IMAX Crevasse

·      Undertook an orientation visit to the dry valleys

·      Completion of a 100 page report

The Future

SARINZ is currently working on a continuing project in 2007 with Antarctica New Zealand (ANZ) and the United States Antarctic Programme in the following areas:

·      Delivery of Incident Management training to ANZ

·      Development of a Search and Rescue Manual for JASART

·      Development of lesson plans for Antarctica SAR training

·      Delivery of JASART training in New Zealand

If your organisation is interested in Search and Rescue consultancy, training, manuals, testing/research or programme development we have the skills and experience to help. As you can see from the above article we can provide a comprehensive service. We have extensive experience operating in alpine, wilderness, urban and industrial areas.

Contact:

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Click here to view photos from Grant's trip to the ice