SAR Debriefing
When planning any search exercise time needs to be allowed for the debriefing. It is one, if not the, most important parts of the exercise. Everything that anyone learns from the exercise can be lost if not recalled at this stage by them, and feedback to the whole group for them to learn from others too.
This debriefing should be recorded!
The notes from this end of exercise session have a number of essential uses. They can form the basis of forthcoming training sessions, especially when deficiencies have been noted. They can also help inform future basic search, team leader and search controller training – again by identifying both good and bad practice.
These debriefing notes can also be used as a learning tool for new members, or those looking to make the step up to Team Leader or Search Controller, giving them an insight into the issues that arise in each of these positions. Search exercise debrief notes are importantly of use though, in making sure future exercises are run well and assist the Unit to improve.
How long should the debrief session be? As long as it takes; as I’ve noted before the UKLSI Team Leaders course allows a good hour and a half to debrief a three hour exercise so that all the learning points can discussed and feedback. You should consider putting aside a minimum of half an hour for a valuable debrief; if not the whole of the next training session!
Who should lead the debrief? The more skilled the person leading the debrief; the more that will be gained from it. Look for someone skilled in facilitation or training to carry out the debrief; preferably someone with no vested interest [or at least someone who can talk criticism without making it personal!]
What should you discuss?
You could start with discussing any learning points from the exercise itself; what did participants learnt that would help them search better? Lead a search team better? Manage a search better? Deal with potential search incidents better? And so on.
After this you should discuss whether the exercise met its objectives and how the exercise could have been run better?
I know I keep repeating this but take your time and do this properly. It will improve your search unit immensely!
Return to Search Exercise Planners Handbook Index
