IAMSAR Manual INTERNATIONAL AERONAUTICAL AND MARITIME SEARCH AND RESCUE MANUAL

..................................aero................................................................
The primary purpose of the three volumes of the International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue Manual (IAMSAR Manual) is to assist States in meeting their own search and rescue (SAR) needs, and the obligations they accepted under the Convention on International Civil Aviation, the International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue and the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS). These volumes provide guidelines for a common aviation and maritime approach to organizing and providing SAR services. States are encouraged to develop and improve their SAR services, co-operate with neighbouring States and to consider their SAR services to be part of a global system.

Each volume of the IAMSAR Manual is written with specific SAR system duties in mind, and can be used as a standalone document, or, in conjunction with the other two Manuals, as a means to attain a full view of the SAR system.

The Organization and Management volume (volume I) discusses the global SAR system concept, establishment and improvement of national and regional SAR systems and co-operation with neighbouring States to provide effective
and economical SAR services;
The Mission Co-ordination volume (volume II) assists personnel who plan and co-ordinate SAR operations and exercises; and The Mobile Facilities volume (volume III) is intended to be carried aboard rescue units, aircraft, and vessels to help
with performance of a search, rescue, or on-scene co-ordinator function and with aspects of SAR that pertain to their own emergencies.

Organization and Management Manual
Chapter 1 presents an overview of the SAR concept, including what is involved in providing SAR services, and why such services are required and beneficial. The SAR system is examined from a global, regional and national perspective.

Chapter 2 introduces some of the key components of the SAR system. These include communications, rescue coordination centres and sub-centres, operational and support facilities and the on-scene co-ordinator.

Chapter 3 considers the use of training, qualification, and certification processes to develop professionally competent SAR personnel. A number of aspects of training and of exercises used for training, are examined in detail.

Chapter 4 describes the communications needs of the SAR organization for reception of distress alerts and for supporting effective co-ordination among the various components of the SAR system.

Chapter 5 provides an overall management perspective of the SAR system.

Chapter 6 discusses the necessary factors and recommends some techniques for creating an organizational environment that fosters improvement of services.

This Manual is published jointly by the International Civil Aviation Organization and the International Maritime Organization.................................a.