Drones For Water SAR Course

 

The use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) or “drones” for a wide variety of operations and businesses has been dramatically increasing both nationally and internationally.  The drone regulatory environment in the United States continues to evolve. New drone capabilities and more effective ways to use these capabilities are constantly being developed and implemented. Drones have quickly become the most widely used tool for many industries. From Police and Fire Departments to agriculture and energy operations, drones have become essential to boosting safety and productivity.

Over the past few years, there has been an increasing interest in using drones in support of water search and rescue.  Regardless of the type of water from flood, river, swiftwater, coastal, ocean, surf or ice, a drone can be another valuable tool in your toolbox to effectively, efficiently and most important of all safely assist with the conduct water search and rescue operations.

However, there is little evidence that they are used in a structured and strategic manner to best effect. An effective response is essential if lives are to be saved and suffering alleviated.

The Drones for Water Search and Rescue Course was developed and designed to be taught in a three-day format with 1 day classroom and 2 days situational field / flight training, where students already have a FAA Part 107 with basic flight knowledge and experience in land search and rescue.

The course is designed for public safety agency personnel such as law enforcement, firefighters, military, lifeguard, search and rescue and others whose job assignment is in an area where the potential for water search and rescue exists.

Students will gain basic knowledge and practical experience in, drone platforms and payloads, aerial search techniques, aerial rescue mission support with payload delivery and line crossing, thermal imaging, night operations, lost person behavior, incident command, pre-planning, size-up, site control, scene management, hydrology and moving water dynamics. The course will enable the students to identify clearly their own limitations as well as those of the equipment, so that they will be able to utilize drones more safely and effectively.     

Prerequisites:

• FAA Part 107 or public agency COA certification
• Basic flight experience.
• Completion of FEMA IS-100, 200, 700 and 800
• Land search and rescue training and experience preferred.
• Swiftwater rescue training preferred.
• Agency approval to attend course.

Course:

• Drones for Water Search and Rescue
• Hours: 24 Hours (3 days) total
• Course Fee: $610.00 USD
• All course fees are set at a minimum of 6 students.

Equipment Requirements:

• Drone/UAS and landing pad
• Helmet with headlamp
• Eye protection
• High visibility Vest/Jacket 

SAS Water Safety offers certification through SAS, EMMU Aerial and other nationally recognized organizations and agencies. In addition, all of our courses compliant with and meet or exceed NFPA 1006 (2021) 2400 (2019) and 2500 (2022) standards and integrate FEMA standards for position qualification for search and rescue operations.

For complete course descriptions or additional information: SAS or EMMU Aerial