TRAVIS COUNTY DIVE TEAM
CIRCLE SEARCH PROCEDURE

JOB DESCRIPTIONS

ANCHOR - JOB:

1. First diver down the anchor line.
2. Trim negative. You have to hold the search line against strong pull from the POINT.
3. Locate the search line attachment loop, hold it up for POINT to attach the search line.
4. Mark compass heading when POINT deploys the search line.
5. Hold search line taut during the search.
6. CALL COMPLETION OF THE PATTERN. Allow short overlap over original heading.

ANCHOR - SIGNALS:

1. Exchange visual "OK" with inside SWEEP.
2. START THE PATTERN: Send TWO PULLS (START).
3. FINISH THE PATTERN: Send THREE PULLS (FINISHED).

POINT - JOB:

1. Second diver down the anchor line. Take the SEARCH LINE down.
2. Attach search line to the attachment loop and roll out the search line.
3. Hold search line taut during the search. Adjust speed so the OUTSIDE SWEEP covers the area.
4. Direct marking and recovery when any SWEEP finds the target.
   1. Roll search line in to OUTSIDE SWEEP. Leave search line there.
   2. Move in until you find the target. Direct other divers to mark and recover.
5. Roll up the search line when the pattern finishes. Bring the SEARCH LINE up.

POINT - SIGNALS:

1. Exchange visual "OK" with outside SWEEP. Don't start moving yet.
2. START THE PATTERN: Receive TWO PULLS (START).
3. FOUND TARGET: Receive FIVE PULLS (FOUND TARGET).
4. FINISH THE PATTERN: Receive THREE PULLS (FINISHED).

SWEEP - JOB:

1. Descend the anchor line in order from OUTSIDE toward INSIDE.
2. Swim OUT to the next diver out from your position.
   Then swim back IN to the INSIDE of your sweep area.
3. Sweep area: You are responsible for ONE OR MORE KNOTS or JOINTS.
   Start at the inside of your sweep area, and sweep back and forth in your area.
4. Finding and Recovering the Search Target:

   If YOU FIND THE TARGET:

   Signal FIVE PULLS (FOUND TARGET) both ways.
   STAY WITH THE TARGET.

   If you do NOT find the target:

   Receive FIVE PULLS (FOUND TARGET).
   Swim IN to the INSIDE of your sweep area and WAIT.

5. If the pattern stops for any reason: swim IN to the INSIDE of your sweep area and WAIT.

SWEEP - SIGNALS:

1. Exchange visual OK with next diver OUT.
2. Swim IN to inside of your area.
   Exchange visual OK with next diver IN. Don't start moving yet.
3. START THE PATTERN: Receive TWO PULLS (START).
4. FOUND TARGET:
   Send FIVE PULLS (YOU FOUND TARGET)
   Receive FIVE PULLS (SOMEONE ELSE FOUND TARGET).
5. FINISH THE PATTERN: Receive THREE PULLS (FINISHED).

Starting the Pattern

• The POINT and SWEEPs get into position from the OUTSIDE of the search line toward the INSIDE. Each SWEEP starts at the INSIDE of his or her search area.
• Each SWEEP passes a visual OK to the next diver IN, showing that he or she is in position.
• When the visual OK gets in to the ANCHOR, everybody is in position ready to start the pattern. The ANCHOR sends the TWO PULLS (START) signal.

Division of Labor

• The ANCHOR anchors the pattern and calls completion of the pattern.
• The POINT controls search speed, keeps the search line taut, and directs marking and recovery of the target.
• The SWEEPs concentrate on searching their assigned segments of the search line.

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