Critical Separation Versus Effective Sweep Width: Bridging the Old and New Search-and-Rescue Worlds

ConclusionsCritical separation is a simple, quick way to array searchers in the field. The current study suggests that the value of critical separation in producing the 50% target POD will depend on the whether the search object used for the critical separation determination has a similar detectability/W to the actual target of the search effort. Still, the results from a critical separation determination may offer more predictability and reliability than the common practice of POD estimation by team leaders.

Source: Wilderness and Environmental Medicine - February 8, 2020 Category: Environmental Health Source Type: research