ASTM's search and rescue operations standards cover the personnel, equipment, and procedures relevant in the performance of search and rescue (SAR) operations. These procedures involve the use of available personnel and facilities in locating and providing immediate aid to persons, other living beings, or property that are in actual or imminent distress. These operations are most commonly carried out in urban and suburban locations, combat sites, areas of large bodies of water, and rugged terrains such as mountains, deserts, and forests. These standards help guide SAR organizations and emergency response teams in conforming to the proper methods of conducting these emergency aid procedures.

Search and Rescue Operations Standards

ASTM's search and rescue operations standards cover the personnel, equipment, and procedures relevant in the performance of search and rescue (SAR) operations. These procedures involve the use of available personnel and facilities in locating and providing immediate aid to persons, other living beings, or property that are in actual or imminent distress. These operations are most commonly carried out in urban and suburban locations, combat sites, areas of large bodies of water, and rugged terrains such as mountains, deserts, and forests. These standards help guide SAR organizations and emergency response teams in conforming to the proper methods of conducting these emergency aid procedures.

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Equipment, Testing, and Maintenance

F2116-01(2015) Standard Specification for Low Stretch and Static Kernmantle Life Safety Rope (Withdrawn 2024)

F2266-03(2015) Standard Specification for Masses Used in Testing Rescue Systems and Components (Withdrawn 2024)

F1773-09(2015) Standard Terminology Relating to Climbing, Mountaineering, Search and Rescue Equipment and Practices (Withdrawn 2024)

F2822-10(2016) Standard Specification for Fixed Anchorages Installed on Structures used for Rope Rescue Training

F3222-16 Standard Terminology Relating to F32 Land Search and Rescue Standards and Guides

F3262-17 Standard Classification System for Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUASs) for Land Search and Rescue

F1772-17 Standard Specification for Harnesses for Rescue and Sport Activities

F1764-97(2018) Standard Guide for Selection of Hardline Communication Systems for Confined-Space Rescue

F1823-97(2018) Standard Guide for Water Rescue Personal Flotation Device (PFD)

F2436-14(2019) Standard Test Method for Measuring the Performance of Synthetic Rope Rescue Belay Systems Using a Drop Test

F1774-20 Standard Specification for Climbing and Mountaineering Carabiners

F2821-15(2020) Standard Test Methods for Basket Type Rescue Litters

F1956-20 Standard Specification for Rescue Carabiners

F1775-97(2004) Standard Specification for Labeling of Climbing and Mountaineering Equipment (Withdrawn 2009)

F1491-93(2002) Standard Specification for An Avalanche Beacon Frequency (Withdrawn 2007)

F1549-94(2011) Standard Terminology Relating to Underwater Search, Rescue, and Recovery Activities (Withdrawn 2020)

F2491-20 Standard Guide for Determining Safety Factors for Technical Rescue Systems and Equipment

F2684/F2684M-07(2022) Standard Test Method for Portable High Anchor Devices

Management and Operations

F1583-95(2019) Standard Practice for Communications Procedures—Phonetics

F2047-00(2019) Standard Practice for Workers’ Compensation Coverage of Emergency Services Volunteers

F1591-95(2019) Standard Practice for Visual Signals Between Persons on the Ground and in Aircraft During Ground Emergencies

F2752-19 Standard Guide for Training for Basic Rope Rescuer Endorsement

F1730-96(2020) Standard Guide for Throwing a Water Rescue Throwbag

F1729-96(2020) Standard Practice for Single Person Cold Water Survival/Rescue Technique: HELP Position

F1728-96(2020) Standard Practice for Multiple Persons Cold Water Survival/Rescue Technique: Huddle Position

F1422-08(2020) Standard Guide for Using the Incident Command System Framework in Managing Search and Rescue Operations

F1766-97a(2020) Standard Guide for Ice Awls Self-Rescue Technique

F1767-14(2020) Standard Guide for Forms Used for Search and Rescue

F1768-97(2020) Standard Guide for Using Whistle Signals During Rope Rescue Operations

F2662-08(2020) Standard Guide for Minimum Training of Dispatchers and Telecommunicators of SAR Incidents

F2099-01(2020) Standard Guide for Use of Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) Grids When Preparing and Using a Field Map for Land Search

F1846-98(2020) Standard Practice for Symbols and Markings for Use With Land Search Maps

F2794-09(2020) Standard Guide for Level 1 (Basic) Mounted Search and Rescue (MSAR) Responder

F1879-14(2020) Standard Guide for Demonstrating Obedience and Agility in Search and Rescue Dogs

F1633-97(2008) Standard Guide for Techniques in Land Search (Withdrawn 2017)

F1584-95(2003) Standard Practice for Marking Buildings During Disaster Search Operations (Withdrawn 2012)

F1847-14(2022) Standard Guide for Minimum Training of Search Dog Crews or Teams

F1848-14(2022) Standard Classification System for Canine Search Resources

F3048-13(2022) Standard Guide for Swiftwater/Flood Search and Rescue Operations

F3070-14(2022) Standard Guide for Evaluating Area Search Dog Crews or Teams

F3069-14(2022) Standard Guide for Requirements for Bodies That Operate Certification Programs in the Field of Search and Rescue

F3144-15(2022) Standard Guide for Evaluating Trailing Search Dog Crews or Teams

F1765-97a(2022) Standard Guide for Ice Staff Self-Rescue Technique

F1993-16(2022) Standard Classification System of Human Land Search and Rescue Resources

F1382-92(1997) Standard Specification for Search and Rescue Computer Software Information Exchange (Withdrawn 2002)

Personnel, Training and Education

F2209-20 Standard Guide for Training of Land Search Team Member

F3029-13 Standard Guide for Level I GPS Wilderness Navigator (GPS-IW) Endorsement (Withdrawn 2014)

F2751-16 Standard Guide for Training of a Land Search and Rescue Team Member

F3098-16 Standard Guide for Training of Non-Wilderness Land Search Team Member

F3175-16 Standard Guide for Training and Equipping Search and Rescue Personnel Operating on Mountain Bikes (Mountain Bike SAR Endorsement)

F3194-16 Standard Guide for Training for Personnel Operating Small Land Off Road Vehicles (ATV-ROHV Ops Endorsement)

F3193-16 Standard Guide for Training of a Land Search and Rescue Team Leader

F3221-16 Standard Guide for Training for Snowmobile Operator’s Endorsement

F2890-17 Standard Guide for Hazard Awareness for Search and Rescue Personnel

F3028-18 Standard Guide for Training of Search and Rescue Personnel Operating in the Alpine Environment (Alpine Endorsement)

F3315-18 Standard Guide for Training of Abandoned or Inactive Mine Search and Rescue Team Member

F1740-96(2018) Standard Guide for Inspection of Nylon, Polyester, or Nylon/Polyester Blend, or Both Kernmantle Rope

F1739-96(2018) Standard Guide for Performance of a Water Rescuer—Level I

F3027-18 Standard Guide for Training of Personnel Operating in Mountainous Terrain (Mountain Endorsement)

F2958-14(2019) Standard Guide for Helicopter Inland Search and Rescue (SAR) Technician

F3026-14(2019) Standard Guide for Helicopter Inland Search and Rescue (SAR) Crew Chief

F2954-19 Standard Guide for Training for Intermediate Rope Rescuer Endorsement

F2955-19 Standard Guide for Training for Advanced Rope Rescuer Endorsement

F2852-19 Standard Practice for Training a Land Search Tracker

F3071-14(2020) Standard Guide for Basic Wilderness GPS/GNSS Use (GPS/GNSS-IW) Endorsement

F3072-14(2020) Standard Guide for Intermediate Wilderness GPS/GNSS Use (GPS/GNSS-IIW) Endorsement

F1490-04a Standard Terminology Relating to Search and Rescue (Withdrawn 2010)

F1824-97(2021) Standard Guide for Performance of a Water Rescuer—Level II

F1783-97(2021) Standard Guide for Performance of an Ice Rescuer—Level II

F2685-14(2022) Standard Guide for Training of a Land Search Team Leader (STL)

F3024-13(2022) Standard Guide for Training of a Land Search and Rescue (SAR) Strike Team/Task Force Leader

F3068-14(2022) Standard Guide for Contents and Use of a Position Task Book (PTB)

F3145-15(2022) Standard Guide for Swiftwater/Flood Rescue Technician Basic