Welcome to Issue 2 of the 7th Volume of the Journal of Search and Rescue, the second in this volume and this year. We are immensely proud of the role of the journal, being freely accessible and providing peer reviewed research and contributions. The contributions cover a wide variety of issues pertinent to search and rescue, reflecting the diversity of search and rescue operations which are rarely out of the news.
As search and rescue professionals, we are acutely aware that time is critical during searches with a reliance on human searching alongside other resources and technologies. Searching of vast areas can present an array of challenges including communication, terrain and discerning relevant clues. Techniques to maximise best use of resource is essential and this edition presents two articles which can contribute to this discourse.
Our first is an article on a voice calling dedication algorithm. This presents an interesting tool that could be considered to maximise efficiency when searching and can be adopted with minimal requirements for additional resources. We also bring research that considers the impact that knowledge on the missing person’s footwear may bring to a search. This could potentially further assist efficiency of a search with practical application. This author provides an invite opportunity to contribute data to further study.
The second part of our edition is a technical case study. This piece provides a comprehensive explanation on the use of wedge bolts including their use and considerations of the danger of misuse.
We finish this edition with a letter to the editor. This covers water rescue which is a skill undertaken within many search and rescue operations. Water presents its own challenges, and this letter discusses where there is potential for improving the effectiveness of water rescue operations.
We hope you find this issue useful and interesting; the journal will continue to publish robust research to develop the knowledge base in this area and welcomes submissions from authors.
Linda Wyatt,
Editor