The primary purpose of the three volumes of the I.A.M.S.A.R (International Aeronautical and Maritime Search And Rescue) manual is to assist the states in meeting their own search and rescue needs, and the obligations they accepted under the convention on international civil aviation, the international convention on maritime search and rescue, and the international convention for the safety of life at sea.
These volumes provide guidelines for a common aviation and maritime approach to organising and providing SAR services. States are encouraged to develop and improvise their SAR services, co-operate with neighbouring states, and to consider their SAR services to be part of a global sar system.
Each IAMSAR manual volume is written with specific SAR system duties in mind, and can be used as a stand-alone document or, in conjunction with the other two volumes as a means to attain a full view of the SAR system.
The IAMSAR Manual is published jointly by the International Civil Aviation Organization and the International Maritime Organization.
International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue Manual
IAMSAR VOLUME 1: Organization and Management
Volume I, Organization and Management, discusses the global SAR system concept, establishment and improvement of national and regional SAR systems and co-operation with neighbouring States to provide effective and economical SAR services.
IAMSAR VOLUME 2 : Mission Co-ordination
Assists personnel who plan and co-ordinate SAR operations and exercises
IAMSAR VOLUME 3 : Mobile Facilities
Volume III, Mobile Facilities, is intended to be carried aboard rescue units, aircraft and vessels to help with performance of a search, rescue or on-scene co-ordinator function, and with aspects of SAR that pertain to their own emergencies
Good high level intro of IAMSAR manuals