This outline is to be used as a basis for discussion on fatigue encountered in Search and Rescue team members. This outline also proposes a methodology for search management to rate and act upon potential "fatigue risk" situations based on a non-empirical point scoring system devised by the author; revised by judgmental methodologies, including "adjustment" feedback acquired during these discussions.

Searcher Fatigue is a set of symptoms, often known only to the searcher, that is often both task and time dependent-task being an individual search assignment, overhead function, or ancillary task such as driving during or after a search incident.

Fatigue can be classified as occurring as a result of one of the following categories:

• ACUTE
  For this paper, this definition is the fatigue brought on by repetitive tasks or a significant change from dynamic to static states, e.g., the task of driving home after a high-adrenaline search effort.
  
  
• CUMULATIVE
  Brought on by extended periods on inadequate rest time.
  
  
• CIRCADIAN
  Fatigue brought on by the effects of the human body's natural "clock" when normal sleep patterns are broken.
  
  
• PHYSICAL
  The effect of body functions shutting down after strenuous field work.

• SEARCHER EFFECTIVENESS
  Summary: Should a search manager believe the POD reported by a team that could be fatigued? Should the reporting team provide supplemental data that ranks the potential level of fatigue within the team?
  
  
• TEAM SAFETY
  Will one or more member of a team who is fatigued pose a risk to themselves/the entire team? How can operations identify and modify tactics to minimize such risks?
  
  
• PERSONAL SAFETY
  According to research, at approximately 17 hours awake time, the body's reaction time is equivalent to an individual having a 0.05 blood alcohol level. In perspective, when the average searcher gets up at 7:00 AM to go to work on a normal 8-5 day, then leaves to go on an evening search starting at 11:00PM at night, they potentially begin their first assignment with some impaired judgment. How does the search management team determine when it is safe for the participants to leave a search?

The following are considered individual and identifiable characteristics that could, based on the answers provided by the individual, discriminate those individuals that are at risk of being seriously fatigued verses those that are "in the safe zone".

• Time spent on assignment in the Field
• Physical difficulty of the assignment
• Time awake without effective rest
• Searcher "Lapses" (missing periods of time - zoning out)
• Time since last food intake
• Amount of water intake over last "n" hours.
• Circadian effects
• Variety of assignments
• Success of the search

• Proper hydration
  Though I am sure there is better research available, I propose that an active searcher should take one liter per each assignment of 2 hours.
  
  
• Healthy eating & sleeping habits
  The quality of sleep acquired prior to an event contributes to the level of cumulative fatigue.
  
  
• Searcher personal assessment
  Each searcher must make an adequate assessment of themselves through the provision of honest answers to specific questions whose answers can help identify risk of fatigue.

• Fatigue assessment as part of debrief and demobilization
• Normal & additional logistics accommodations
• Fatigue risk mitigation action plan

To better develop a plan, the author took the following steps:

• Recognition that a problem, and risks, exist.
• Compose & deploy a systematic approach to fatigue assessment.
• Propose that SAR teams use it, evaluate it, and then assist in improving it.

The following is a personal assessment form in the form of questions to be asked and answers to be codified and documented on the form. Though only a handful of questions are asked, the intent is to sample the areas of fatigue mentioned earlier and to make a judgment as to the effectiveness of the form.

Here's how you and your team can help.

• Show the form to those that have been on a variety of searches, and preferably, one in which they clearly knew fatigue symptoms where present.
  
  
• Answer the questions and add up the score
  
  
• Provided the author with feedback as to whether the score was too high or too low-providing any pertinent information that you believe affected your level of fatigue.

All answers are confidential and the feedback will only be used to improve the form.

Outline and Exercise in Word Format