On Sat, 14 Sep 1996, Jeanne Hedge wrote:

<ahem>

Now that I have your attention.....

Clever^^

Does anybody have RL info regarding Search and Rescue, particularly SAR as
related to structure collapses? (practical or experience from training-only
would both be useful).

Well, it wastouched on during a SaR course I took - the weren't too many 
large buildings in the area I was in at the time, tho. Basically, you:

1.) Approach the scene of the collapse, looking for any victims of 
shrapnel or falling object damage, and calling out in the hope of other 
victims responding.
2.) Do a quick assessment of the damage, still calling out.
3.) If you think it's at least possible that someone could be in the 
building, GET HELP. Don't try and dig everyone out yourself with no-one 
else aware of the collapse, lest something untoward happen to you.
4.) Once you call for help, you can return to the structure and begin 
clearing away loose debris, stuff that won't cause further collapse, 
calling out again.
5.) If you have to step out onto the collapsed building, be VERY CAREFUL. 
If you feel even a twinge of doubt as to whether or not the wreckage will 
hold up, BACK OFF.
6.) Peek into any nooks and crannies you uncover, CAREFULLY. Don't stick 
your head underneath any concrete slabs.
7.) If you find someone, and they're concious, keep them talking. Don't 
try and get them out yourself unless you're *really* confident you can do 
so without bringing any more of the building down.
8.) If they're unconcious, look for signs of breathing, etc. Again, don't 
try and dig them out of a dangerous situation unless they're really in 
bad shape and won't live much longer.

That's it, I think. Other than that, try and keep people away from the scene 
and whatnot. Mind you the course I took was geared towards civilians who 
would mainly be called up for searching for lost people - in situations 
like this they stressed leaving it up to the professionals and 
intervening only when absolutely necessary.

Does anybody know if it's been determined why some buildings built to the
"earthquake proof" Japanese building codes collapsed during the Kobe quake?

I'd go with the 'earthslide' theory proposed earlier - saw it on a 
'Nature of Things' special 8)

go forward with a story idea.  And a building collapse at the wrong time

*snip*

Thank you for your support :)

Ooh, *baaaad* pun^^

								- MW