Why This Zig-Zag Coast Guard Search Pattern is Actually Genius - Smarter Every Day 268

I like that feeling I get when I do the final watch through of a video just before uploading it.... and I genuinely enjoy the content. It's like I'm grateful that the video exists, independent of who made it. Checkout this link to sign up for the email list if you’d prefer not to think and want me to just email new videos to you when I make them. www.smartereveryday.com/email-list Thanks to all the Coasties that took the time to teach me, and who worked with me to make this video possible.

That drifting VS pattern was really interesting. Overlying drifts with search patterns really leads to a counterintuitive result. This video definitely lived up to the channel name. 👍

I’m an old man, and just did the finger whistle for the first my whole life and have always wanted to learn and no one has been able to explain it to me. Love this channel!!!

Destin learning how to whistle with his fingers was the most wholesome thing I'll see today

My relative was once the subject of a Coast Guard search and he mentioned that they told him they found him because they knew he was alone with just a kayak and did modeling math. They told him that a ship juts way more out of the water and usually has WAY more air currents exerted on it than a person with just their head and shoulders out of the water, who is pulled by the first 8 feet of surface currents. Mindblowing. That's a level of predictive science that's like... High risk high reward meteorology.

A retired Coastie here. It's good to see someone talking about what the Coast Guard does to help their fellow man in distress. It's not talked about much, and I wish things like this was publicized more. I think it would benefit the Coast Guard greatly. I had a lot of fun in the Coast Guard, there's a lot of real good, and dedicated men and women hard at work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year to do only one small part of the Coast Guard's job. I don't regret the time I served, and I'd gladly do it again without hesitation. I remember one SAR case I got involved in. I was on a cutter returning from a Narcotics Patrol in the Caribbean, on our way home when we got tagged to do a SAR for a sailboat. It was almost an all hands effort, even I had pair of binoculars and was looking for them. I made a comment to one my fellow watchstanders saying "it's too bad we don't have a helo onboard". I noticed the Captain jerked his head up and stared at me, then left the bridge. The next morning we had a helo onboard. After refueling it, giving the flight crew bathroom break (called a head), and a snack, they were back in the air officially joining the SAR effort. About 40 minutes into their patrol. They found the sailboat. All hands were rescued. And we went home to loved ones we hadn't seen in almost 2 months.

"Zoom in, enhance" I think Destin just fulfilled a childhood dream saying that line.

Former Canadian Volunteer marine SAR guy here. Ive done all of these search patterns except the barrier search (not relative for our region) and this video is absolutely dead accurate for how it really works. In canada we use slightly different terms and tech, but the core is exactly the same, as are the outcomes. Bravo Zulu to everyone involved in this!

I honestly love how they were there to talk and teach instead of them just doing it and you watching. You don't even ask anything and they'll still look at you and the camera and explain everything. Amazing way to teach and learn.

Career Mariner here, I would also like to stress the importance of the capacity of those in need to reacue to also have their own search and scanning patterns. If they have flares, mirrors, flashlights, whistles, smoke signals, flags, anything... it can help the search party locate them quicker. Do not use your equipment until you spot a search asset. I understand not all lost at sea may have this equipment.

As a retired Coastie of almost 22 years, I want to thank you for this look into what truly is an amazing career! The men and women of the CG work tirelessly to maintain their profession, which is hard to convey to anyone who is not a member of the CG. Your CG series is doing a good job as helping the public see a little more of what makes the CG such a great service! I miss being in the CG, as I feel the CG and its outstanding members helped made me the person I am today. Keep up the great content, and stay safe out there, my brothers and sisters in blue!

At first, I thought they would be crisscrossing the triangles, and the center was fixed by GPS. When I discovered they move around the perimeter of the triangles surveying in three directions and staying relative to a drifting center, it all fell into place. This is one of the most interesting and relevant things I have ever watched. Thank you and bravo.

I love what the Coastguard does. Your videos highlight the precision and professionalism of how they do and why they do their business. As pilot, I’m awed by their SAR process.

Well I just learned how to whistle with my hands the first try... That is crazy haha.

This patterns reminded me of patterns for farming operations. Every pattern is good for certain conditions. For example, the most efficient way for harvest is "narrowing square" or "narrowing parralel" but if there are wild animals spotted in the area, you need "expanding parralel" pattern for those animals/birds to be able to escape.

Great to see Station Rochester featured (and of course CG in general)! I work in the Sector Command Center for Rochester's AOR and it's still amazing to me the tools we use to get the job done. Definitely checking out the rest of this series, I've really enjoyed your channel!

I spent 23 years as a coxswain with the Coast Guard Auxiliary before retiring four years ago. We did a lot of search-pattern training and I wish I'd had your video to show new crew members before going out. You did an excellent job, and it was a pleasure going through it again with you.

Washed my hands, spent maybe seven min trying; got a little light headed. But after about twelve years I can finally whistle with my fingers. A skill I've always genuinely desired.

I am a member of the US Coast Guard Auxiliary. We also train on these search patterns in our mission to augment the active duty surface operations. This is one of the best explanations of SAR patterns I have ever seen. I am going to suggest to all of my operational colleagues that they watch this episode. Bravo Zulu, Destin!

Destin, that was sooooo cool and informative. I’m glad to see that there is a clear scientific method to their madness when conducting these operations. I love your enthusiasm and work, keep up the good job.