Exercise: What Do You See?

The best way to improve your skill and confidence as an advanced searcher is to practice.

The below images present an opportunity to apply what you've learned about visual refinement.  

Each image has an anomaly (something different or unusual than expected) that can be identified by using your 'search brain' to filter the image using the techniques discussed in the course.

The exercise takes at least 10 minutes.

Spend as much time as you need to inspect each image.  When you are ready to see the answer, drag the slider at the bottom slowly from left to right to reveal the anomaly.

Image #1

Image #2

Image #3

Image #4

Image #5

Image #6

Image #7

Image #8

Image #9

Image #10

Image #11

NOTE: Out of respect to the victims and the responders, I'm not including graphic images of people trapped, injured or killed in a void space.  Interpreting the images requires the same visual acuity needed by all great searchers, regardless of what they end up locating.


As discussed, mental priming is a powerful tool.

If you knew in advance what you were looking for in each image, the time it would take to find it would be greatly reduced.

Try it.  

  • Challenge a colleague, friend, or family member to view the above images and evaluate the different speeds of their response based on what information they are given initially.  Social sharing options are at the bottom.

Also, bookmarking this page is recommended so you can refer back to it for refresher practice.

Hello, Visitor!

This free, sample lesson is part of the course Interior Search Strategy, which is one of dozens of courses included in the one-of-a kind SAR Responder Membership

Responders around the world are learning the benefits of a virtual-first approach to SAR education for individuals and teams.  How would you or your team benefit from being one of them?

No registration or enrollment is required to review this page so feel free to SHARE it freely with your network.

Have additional "What Do You See" examples appropriate for inclusion here?  You can send them to me here.

  • Positive attitude!
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