How many Major Stages are there in SAR?

• A. Three
• B. Four
• C. Six
• D. Five

Answer: (D)

The way SAR work is organized, from the moment a distress event is identified through to its completion, is into five distinct stages. The first stage is the initial alert and assessment, where the event is confirmed, priorities are set, and a plan begins to form. The second stage is planning and mobilization, which involves outlining the search area, allocating assets, establishing safety and communications, and preparing for action. The third stage is on-scene search and rescue operations, where the actual search is conducted, survivors are located, and immediate safety is maintained during extraction. The fourth stage is medical care and evacuation, providing any necessary stabilization and transporting victims to medical facilities if required. The fifth stage is demobilization, debrief, and case closure, covering the return of assets, administrative follow-up, and a review of what happened to improve future responses. This five-stage structure helps ensure a clear, safe, and coordinated progression from alert to resolution, with defined triggers to move from one stage to the next.