Open Water Search and Rescue (SAR)
Maritime SAR Operations (IAMSAR Aligned)
About This Course
A comprehensive course on open water search and rescue operations aligned with the IAMSAR Manual and IMO/SOLAS SAR obligations. Covers the SAR system and organisational framework, search planning and search patterns, on-scene coordination and communications, rescue and recovery techniques, survival in open water, helicopter and aerial operations, casualty care and triage, weather and sea state, and SAR incident management. Interactive video lessons, guided reading, and knowledge-check quizzes throughout.
What You'll Learn
Course Curriculum
12 modules · 36 lessons · 24 hours
Foundations of Maritime Search and Rescue
What SAR is, the humanitarian and legal basis, the SAR mindset, and the role of every seafarer in the rescue of others.
The SAR System, IAMSAR & the Organisational Framework
The global SAR system, the IAMSAR Manual, rescue coordination centres, SAR regions, and the chain of command in a SAR operation.
Search Planning Fundamentals
The datum, probable error, search radius, search area, and the factors that drive how a search is planned.
Search Patterns & Navigation
The standard IAMSAR search patterns, when to use each, track spacing, and navigating a search accurately.
On-Scene Coordination & Communications
Establishing the OSC, coordinating multiple units, SAR communications, and the standard message formats.
Rescue Techniques & Recovery
Approaching the survivor, recovery methods from the water and from life rafts, and the special case of recovering cold or injured casualties.
Survival in Open Water & Life Rafts
Survival equipment, the survival priorities, life raft management, and maximising survival time while awaiting rescue.
Helicopter & Aerial SAR Operations
The role of helicopters and aircraft in SAR, helicopter hoist operations, working with a helicopter from a vessel, and safety around the winch.
Medical Considerations & Casualty Care in SAR
Common SAR medical problems, hypothermia and cold water immersion, near drowning, and casualty care while awaiting evacuation.
Mass Rescue, Multiple Casualties & Triage
The challenges of mass rescue, the triage system, prioritising multiple casualties, and managing a large-scale SAR event.
Weather, Sea State & Environmental Factors
How weather and sea state affect SAR, reading the conditions, drift in wind and current, and the safety of the search units.
SAR Incident Management, Documentation & Lessons Learned
Managing a SAR incident end to end, documentation and reporting, debriefing, and turning each case into lessons that improve the next.
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