The procedures documented here are intended to represent examples that reflect current best-practice in the field. Feel free to copy any parts that are useful, and please correct anything that is confusing or in error.

NOTE: If these documents are adopted, they would NOT be entirely compliant with the International Mine Action Standards ( IMAS ). Where the content of these documents is at variance the content of the IMAS, they are compliant with various National Standards (approved or otherwise) in use around the world, and I believe that they increase the safety aspects of the IMAS by being essentially practical.

Terms used

Drills/procedures: In military circles the word "Drill" often means a fixed procedure that should be implemented without deviation from the sequence practiced during training. In civilian circles the word has a less rigid interpretation, and allows for judgment-based variations in procedure. The distinction between these uses has value. There are some activities in HD that should be conducted "automatically" and without deviation (such as the CASEVAC drill), while most should allow for intelligent variations authorised by the appropriate Supervisor. The military use of "Drill" is followed in these documents, and most activites are described as "procedures".

Shall, Must & Should: Throughout these documents the distinction made between the terms “should” and “shall” used in the IMAS is adopted. When “shall” or “must” is used, those working to these SOPs must follow the procedure as written. When “Should” is used, those working to these SOPs must follow that procedure unless they have a reason to vary it that is approved by the senior staff with operational responsibility. Variations must be recorded in writing (usually in the Site Log) and the person(s) making them identified.As a general rule, all procedures must be flexible because the context of the work is so varied. As a result, the word "should" is widely used.

Reducing areas / resurvey/ "Retrofit" survey *

Manual undergrowth clearance

Metal-detector setup (general)

Metal-detector search (general)

Investigating a metal-detector reading

The Rake Excavation and Detection (REDS) Drills

Excavating with a spade

Battle Area Checking (surface check)

MV-4 mini-flail SOPs

Using Explosive Detecting Dogs (EDDS) for area-reduction