Urban Search and Rescue - The INSARAG Marking System

The INSARAG Marking System

Markings on searched structures usually use the International Search & Rescue Advisory Group marking system:

• A 1 meter by 1 meter square with G or N (for go or no-go), the team conducting the search, the date and time of the start of the search, and the date and time of the completion of the search written inside.
• The number of live victims removed is written to the left of the square. The number of dead victims found is written to the right of the square. Persons unaccounted for and/or location of other victims is written below the square.
• Additional information on hazards pertaining to the structure is written above the square.
• Any reference to building floor numbers use ground as G, 1 as the first floor above G, B1 as the first floor below G, and so forth. This is contrasted with US floor numbering, that starts with 1 as the ground level.
• INSARAG marking squares should be written in day-glo orange.