ASTM F2890-17

Standard Guide for Hazard Awareness for Search and Rescue Personnel

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This guide establishes the minimum level of training required to provide awareness-level knowledge for personnel operating in and around the areas and operations listed in 1.1.  
4.2 This guide may be used by individuals and AHJs that wish to identify the minimum training standards for land-based personnel operating in and around these areas and operations.  
4.3 A person trained to this guide is considered to be aware of the hazards and risks associated with these areas and operations.  
4.4 A person trained solely to this guide is not considered a “searcher,” “rescuer,” or both.  
4.5 This guide may be used to augment other training for a searcher and/or rescuer.  
4.6 This guide by itself is not a training document. It is only an outline of some of the topics required for training or evaluating a searcher and/or rescuer, although it can be used to develop a training document or program.  
4.7 It is the responsibility of the AHJ to determine the depth or detail of training needed to meet its training requirements.  
4.8 Nothing in this guide precludes an AHJ from adding additional requirements.  
4.9 This guide does not stand alone but must be used with the reference documents to provide the specific minimum training needed by a ground searcher and/or rescuer operating in these areas.  
4.10 This guide can be used as a reference for training of searchers, rescuers, or both.  
4.11 The information presented in the following sections is not in any particular order and does not represent a training sequence.  
4.12 It is the responsibility of the AHJ to determine the evaluation process to assess a person’s knowledge. This may be by written exam, oral exam, demonstration, or some other means specified by the AHJ.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide is intended for training those who normally work in natural environments, solely subject to terrain and weather-related risks, who may be asked to respond to, or who may encounter, the operations defined in 1.2.  
1.2 This guide identifies and describes hazardous situations and environments, and the associated risks affecting search and rescue personnel who may be working on or around the following:  
1.2.1 Landsearch;  
1.2.2 Land rescue;  
1.2.3 Structural collapse;  
1.2.4 Rope rescues;  
1.2.5 Confined spaces;  
1.2.6 Water, both still and moving; and  
1.2.7 Trench or excavation collapse.  
1.3 The knowledge conveyed in this guide is intended to enable search and rescue (SAR) personnel to recognize situations that may require skills or capabilities they have not been trained to perform. This understanding will allow them to seek more knowledgeable personnel to mitigate the hazard and perform such rescues or other activities required to complete their mission.  
1.4 This guide is not intended to suggest that all search and rescue personnel must have the training identified within it. However, wherever the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) deems this training to be appropriate, this document can be used as a guide.  
1.5 The AHJ shall determine what level of training constitutes sufficient competence for search and rescue personnel to enter areas, or carry out missions, which include the hazards described in this guide.  
1.6 This guide identifies some of the known disciplines of SAR and their associated hazards. It does not, however, attempt to list all hazards or risks of which a person must be aware to operate safely and effectively in and around any of the areas listed in 1.1.  
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.8 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for ...

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Nov-2017
• ICS: 13.200 - Accident and disaster control
• Technical Committee: F32 - Search and Rescue
• Drafting Committee: F32.03 - Personnel, Training and Education

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM F2890-17(2024) - Standard Guide for Hazard Awareness for Search and Rescue Personnel
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2024
• Refers: ASTM F1773-09(2015) - Standard Terminology Relating to Climbing, Mountaineering, Search and Rescue Equipment and Practices (Withdrawn 2024)
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2015
• Refers: ASTM F2209-10 - Standard Guide for Training of Level I Land Search Team Member
• Effective Date: 01-May-2010
• Refers: ASTM F1773-09 - Standard Terminology Relating to Climbing, Mountaineering, Search and Rescue Equipment and Practices
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2009
• Refers: ASTM F1773-97(2004) - Standard Terminology Relating to Climbing and Mountaineering Equipment and Practices
• Effective Date: 01-May-2004
• Refers: ASTM F2209-03 - Standard Guide for Training of Level I Land Search Team Member
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2003
• Refers: ASTM F1773-97 - Standard Terminology Relating to Climbing and Mountaineering Equipment and Practices
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-1997

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: F2890 − 17
Standard Guide for
1
Hazard Awareness for Search and Rescue Personnel
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F2890; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
Recognition of hazards associated with search and rescue operations is critical to the decision-
making process as it relates to personal safety, the urgency of response, and resource requirements.
This guide is intended to ensure that emergency personnel responding to incidents outside their normal
operating area are aware of the hazards associated with response to unfamiliar environments.
1. Scope 1.5 The AHJ shall determine what level of training consti-
tutes sufficient competence for search and rescue personnel to
1.1 This guide is intended for training those who normally
enter areas, or carry out missions, which include the hazards
work in natural environments, solely subject to terrain and
described in this guide.
weather-related risks, who may be asked to respond to, or who
may encounter, the operations defined in 1.2. 1.6 This guide identifies some of the known disciplines of
SAR and their associated hazards. It does not, however,
1.2 This guide identifies and describes hazardous situations
attempt to list all hazards or risks of which a person must be
and environments, and the associated risks affecting search and
aware to operate safely and effectively in and around any of the
rescue personnel who may be working on or around the
areas listed in 1.1.
following:
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the
1.2.1 Landsearch;
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
1.2.2 Land rescue;
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
1.2.3 Structural collapse;
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
1.2.4 Rope rescues;
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.2.5 Confined spaces;
1.8 This international standard was developed in accor-
1.2.6 Water, both still and moving; and
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
1.2.7 Trench or excavation collapse.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
1.3 The knowledge conveyed in this guide is intended to Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
enable search and rescue (SAR) personnel to recognize situa-
tions that may require skills or capabilities they have not been Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
trained to perform. This understanding will allow them to seek
2. Referenced Documents
more knowledgeable personnel to mitigate the hazard and
2
perform such rescues or other activities required to complete
2.1 ASTM Standards:
their mission.
F1773 Terminology Relating to Climbing, Mountaineering,
Search and Rescue Equipment and Practices
1.4 This guide is not intended to suggest that all search and
F2209 Guide for Training of Land Search Team Member
rescue personnel must have the training identified within it.
However, wherever the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ)
3. Terminology
deems this training to be appropriate, this document can be
used as a guide. 3.1 Acronyms:
3.1.1 AHJ—Authority Having Jurisdiction
3.1.2 ASTM—American Society for Testing and Materials
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F32 on Search and
Rescue and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F32.03 on Personnel,
2
Training and Education. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2017. Published January 2018. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 2012. Last previous edition approved in 2012 as F2890–12. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/F2890-17. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
F2890 − 17
3.1.3 PPE—Personal Protective Equipment 5.1.2 Terrain considerations such as high angle or moving
water;
3.1.4 SAR—Search and Rescue
5.1.3 Natural phenomena;
3.2 Definitions:
5.1.4 Atmospheres that are immediately deadly or hazard-
3.2.1 Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ), n—the
ous;
organization, office, or individual responsible for enforcing the
5.1.5 Spaces that requi
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: F2890 − 12 F2890 − 17
Standard Guide for
1
Hazard Awareness for Search and Rescue Personnel
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F2890; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
Recognition of hazards associated with search and rescue operations is critical to the decision-
making process as it relates to personal safety, the urgency of response, and resource requirements.
This guide is intended to ensure that emergency personnel responding to incidents outside their normal
operating area are aware of the hazards associated with response to unfamiliar environments.
1. Scope
1.1 This guide is intended for training those who normally work in natural environments, solely subject to terrain and
weather-related risks, who may be asked to respond to, or who may encounter, the operations defined in 1.2.
1.2 This guide identifies and describes hazardous situations and environments, and the associated risks affecting search and
rescue personnel who may be working on or around the following:
1.2.1 Landsearch;
1.2.2 Land rescue;
1.2.3 Structural collapse;
1.2.4 Rope rescues;
1.2.5 Confined spaces;
1.2.6 Water, both still and moving; and
1.2.7 Trench or excavation collapse.
1.3 The knowledge conveyed in this guide is intended to enable search and rescue (SAR) personnel to recognize situations that
may require skills or capabilities they have not been trained to perform. This understanding will allow them to seek more
knowledgeable personnel to mitigate the hazard and perform such rescues or other activities required to complete their mission.
1.4 This guide is not intended to suggest that all search and rescue personnel must have the training identified within it.
However, wherever the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) deems this training to be appropriate, this document can be used as
a guide.
1.5 The AHJ shall determine what level of training constitutes sufficient competence for search and rescue personnel to enter
areas, or carry out missions, which include the hazards described in this guide.
1.6 This guide identifies some of the known disciplines of SAR and their associated hazards. It does not, however, attempt to
list all hazards or risks of which a person must be aware to operate safely and effectively in and around any of the areas listed in
1.1 or in Appendix X1.
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
1.8 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
1
This test method guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F32 on Search and Rescue and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F32.03 on Personnel,
Training and Education.
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2012Dec. 1, 2017. Published October 2012January 2018. Originally approved in 2012. Last previous edition approved in 2012 as
F2890–12. DOI: 10.1520/F2890–1210.1520/F2890–17.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
F2890 − 17
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
F1773 Terminology Relating to Climbing, Mountaineering, Search and Rescue Equipment and Practices
F2209 Guide for Training of Land Search Team Member
3. Terminology
3.1 Acronyms:
3.1.1 AHJ—Authority Having Jurisdiction
3.1.2 ASTM—American Society for Testing and Materials
3.1.3 PPE—Personal Protective Equipment
3.1.4 SAR—Search and Rescue
3.2 Definitions:
3.2.1 Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ), n—the organization, office, or individual responsible for enforcing the requirements
of a code or standard, or approving equipment, materials, an installation, or a procedure.
2.2.2 awareness-level knowledge, n—the ability to recognize the following associated with a situation or environment:
(a) Whether search and/or
...

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: F2890 − 17
Standard Guide for
1
Hazard Awareness for Search and Rescue Personnel
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F2890; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
Recognition of hazards associated with search and rescue operations is critical to the decision-
making process as it relates to personal safety, the urgency of response, and resource requirements.
This guide is intended to ensure that emergency personnel responding to incidents outside their normal
operating area are aware of the hazards associated with response to unfamiliar environments.
1. Scope 1.5 The AHJ shall determine what level of training consti-
tutes sufficient competence for search and rescue personnel to
1.1 This guide is intended for training those who normally
enter areas, or carry out missions, which include the hazards
work in natural environments, solely subject to terrain and
described in this guide.
weather-related risks, who may be asked to respond to, or who
1.6 This guide identifies some of the known disciplines of
may encounter, the operations defined in 1.2.
SAR and their associated hazards. It does not, however,
1.2 This guide identifies and describes hazardous situations
attempt to list all hazards or risks of which a person must be
and environments, and the associated risks affecting search and
aware to operate safely and effectively in and around any of the
rescue personnel who may be working on or around the
areas listed in 1.1.
following:
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the
1.2.1 Landsearch;
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
1.2.2 Land rescue;
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
1.2.3 Structural collapse;
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
1.2.4 Rope rescues;
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.2.5 Confined spaces;
1.8 This international standard was developed in accor-
1.2.6 Water, both still and moving; and
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
1.2.7 Trench or excavation collapse.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
1.3 The knowledge conveyed in this guide is intended to
enable search and rescue (SAR) personnel to recognize situa- mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
tions that may require skills or capabilities they have not been
trained to perform. This understanding will allow them to seek
2. Referenced Documents
more knowledgeable personnel to mitigate the hazard and
2
perform such rescues or other activities required to complete
2.1 ASTM Standards:
their mission.
F1773 Terminology Relating to Climbing, Mountaineering,
Search and Rescue Equipment and Practices
1.4 This guide is not intended to suggest that all search and
F2209 Guide for Training of Land Search Team Member
rescue personnel must have the training identified within it.
However, wherever the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ)
3. Terminology
deems this training to be appropriate, this document can be
used as a guide. 3.1 Acronyms:
3.1.1 AHJ—Authority Having Jurisdiction
3.1.2 ASTM—American Society for Testing and Materials
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F32 on Search and
Rescue and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F32.03 on Personnel,
2
Training and Education. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2017. Published January 2018. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 2012. Last previous edition approved in 2012 as F2890–12. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/F2890-17. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
F2890 − 17
3.1.3 PPE—Personal Protective Equipment 5.1.2 Terrain considerations such as high angle or moving
water;
3.1.4 SAR—Search and Rescue
5.1.3 Natural phenomena;
3.2 Definitions:
5.1.4 Atmospheres that are immediately deadly or hazard-
3.2.1 Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ), n—the
ous;
organization, office, or individual responsible for enforcing the
5.1.5 Spaces that require special equipment or skills such as
requirements of a code or standard, or approving equipment,
confined spaces, mines or tunnels, or trenches;
mat
...