Blog: Norman Ahumada, Advancing Mental Health Guidance in Search and Rescue

The International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue (IAMSAR) Manual has long been a cornerstone of global SAR operations, guiding rescuers, coordination centres, and organisations in their mission to save lives. Now, work is underway to expand the Manual with new guidance on the psychological aspects of SAR, an area that has often been overlooked, despite its critical importance. 

To understand the significance of this development, we spoke with Norman Ahumada, a Chilean Navy officer with 26 years of experience in coast guard operations. Having served as a patrol boat commander, Captain of the Port, and in international representative positions, Norman has been deeply involved in maritime SAR, law enforcement, and environmental emergency responses. These experiences have shaped his commitment to strengthening psychological support for both rescuers and survivors. 

Norman explained that while mental health has been mentioned in earlier editions of the IAMSAR Manual, the guidance was limited. Drawing on Chile’s extensive SAR experience across the South Pacific and Antarctic regions, he and his colleagues recognised repeated psychological challenges in rescue work. 

“Psychological care must be understood as a continuous process that extends before, during, and after the mission,” Norman said. “Immediate support, structured stress management, and post-traumatic care are all essential if we are to truly safeguard wellbeing and maintain operational effectiveness.” 

Rescuers and survivors alike face immense emotional strain during operations. SAR crews and coordination centre staff contend with long hours, high-stakes decision-making, and constant exposure to stressful conditions. Volunteers, merchant mariners, and fishermen who respond may feel this even more acutely, as they are often unprepared for the psychological intensity of SAR. Norman stressed that rescuers are too often regarded solely as professionals, when in reality they can also be “secondary victims” of the incidents they face. 

The effort to expand mental health guidance began within the SAR Joint Working Group (SAR-JWG). Norman recalled that while the first proposals focused mainly on rescuers and survivors, discussions soon broadened to include SAR managers and leadership. “The IAMSAR Manual has technical and conceptual guidelines that need to be respected,” he said. “The task was to identify which elements of emergency psychology would truly enhance SAR operations, while keeping the Manual’s focus practical and operational.” 

Amendments are expected to be formally integrated into the IAMSAR Manual in 2028. In the meantime, discussions are ongoing about how best to provide SAR organisations with early access to key guidance. One option under consideration is the development of an interim IMO circular, though this is still to be decided. This two-step approach, if adopted, could ensure that valuable material can be applied sooner, while the full revisions undergo international review and approval. 

For Norman, these changes represent more than an update to procedures. They signal a cultural shift in how the SAR community approaches psychological wellbeing. “Being able to contribute to safeguarding the mental health of those who plan, coordinate, and execute SAR operations means they can continue to perform their duties in the best possible way,” he said. “And for survivors, it means their wellbeing is recognised as a vital part of being rescued.” 

As one of the world’s most maritime nations, Chile has played a leading role in this effort. With over 4,300 kilometres of coastline, a vast SAR region extending into the Antarctic, and a society deeply connected to the sea, Chile carries immense responsibility in international SAR. Norman reflected that, “It has been an honour for Chile to contribute at this level. Our work has been enriched by the expertise of colleagues from around the world, and it reaffirms our commitment to the international SAR community and the noble effort of saving human lives at sea.”