Task: Perform Self-Extraction From a Mined Area

Number: 052-192-1042-T
Effective Date:

Enlisted MOS: STP: None

COM Skill Level 1

Conditions: You are in an area containing buried mines and trip wire-activated mines, given a probing
device, a trip wire feeler, personal protective equipment, marking material, and a vehicle.

{\b NOTE: A mine detector is not available.}

Standards: Self-extract from a mined area, by foot or from a vehicle, under the following conditions
without causing personal injury or mine detonation. When footprints are clearly visible, when footprints are
not clearly visible (stepping-stone and lane technique), and from a vehicle. Locate, mark, and bypass each
trip wire and mine within the area probed. Remove enough soil to confirm the presence of a mine. Report
the mined area information to higher headquarters.

Performance Steps

1. Take immediate action on observed indicators or confirmation of a mine.

NOTE: The acronym for stop, assess, note, draw back, inform (SANDI) is used to remember
the sequence of events for extraction. {\i S
a. {\b S}top immediately and gain control of yourself.
(1) Do not move your feet if you are on foot.
(2) Remain in the vehicle.
(3) Warn other elements operating in the area, and advise higher elements of the
situation for possible support with extraction.
NOTE: In an emergency mine situation involving a single casualty, call for help. If the casualty
is conscious, establish communication with the victim. Instruct the soldier to remain still and
administer self-help first aid. Reassure him that help is coming. The use of radio
communications equipment is acceptable. While there are certain mines that can be fuzed to
detonate on a specific radio frequency, these mines are extremely rare and unlikely to be
encountered within a minefield. The life saving advantage of using a radio to call for help far
outweighs the threat of radio frequency-activated mines. Submit a medical evacuation
(MEDEVAC) report.
b. {\b A}ssess the situation.
(1) Determine the nearest safe area not containing mines.
(2) Determine the shortest route to the safe area.
(3) Determine if in the middle of a mined area.
c. {\b N}ote the situation.
(1) Make notes about the mine that you see.
( a) Describe the shape, and draw pictures if necessary (square, round, conical,
circular, rectangular, concave, dome, or cylindrical) (Figure 052-192-1042-1).
 052-192-1042-1
( b) State the color (light green, dark green, brown, black, sand, camouflage,
gray, metallic, natural wood, olive, blue, or white).
( c) Annotate the size.
( d) Annotate the material type. Most mines are made of plastic, plastic casting,
wood, sheet metal, cast iron, metal alloys, concrete, Bakelite?, and cast
explosive.
(2) Indicate the number of mines.
(3) Annotate the terrain considerations.
(4) Indicate the location.
NOTE 1: Stay where you are, if possible, when support is available. If support is delayed,
consider probing a safe area to sit.

2. Perform self-extraction when footprints are not clearly visible (without a vehicle).
NOTE 1: Carry a personal extraction kit. For example, as a minimum, carry 50 markers, pins, or
poker chips; a trip wire feeler; and a probe (nonmetallic preferred). Use of a nonmetallic probe
is recommended. When a nonmetallic probe is not available, probing tools can be made of any
material as long as they are rigid enough to push through the soil, long enough to penetrate
the ground at least 3 inches at a 30? angle, and small enough so that a soldier can continue
the probing drill for several hours. Magnetic and nonmagnetic metal tools, such as bayonets,
screwdrivers, and penknives are suitable for probing when a nonmetallic probe is not
available.
a. Assume the prone position.
(1) Squat down without touching your knees to the ground.
(2) Use the {\i look-feel-probe} procedure to clear the area.
( a) {\i Look} around for high and low trip wires. {\i Look} for mine indicators on
the ground, to include mine fuzes, mine parts, or disturbed ground.
( b) {\i Feel} for trip wires using the trip wire feeler. Push the trip wire feeler
forward along the ground from your feet to your front left, then front center,
and then front right. Raise the trip wire feeler in a gentle upward sweeping
action to above your head height. {\i Feel} the ground around your feet with
your fingers using a slow sideways sweep, feeling for exposed mine fuze
prongs or other mine parts.
NOTE 1: A trip wire feeler can be made of a light, wooden rod or stick; a light-gauge wire;
plastic rods; or anything else that will allow you to feel a trip wire without activating it. The trip
wire feeler must be a minimum of 24-inches long and a maximum of 36-inches long. The trip
wire feeler should be stiff enough to be held straight out to the front, but not so stiff as to
come in contact with a trip wire without you being able to feel the wire.
( c) {\i Probe} the area as far forward as comfortable. Hold the probe in either
hand, with the palm up, allowing the blunt end of the probe to extend beyond
the cup of the palm. Apply just enough pressure on the probe to sink it slowly
into the ground at a 30? angle and to a depth of 3 inches (Figure
052-192-1042-2).
DANGER: USE EXTREME CAUTION WHEN PROBING. IF YOU PROBE AT AN ANGLE OF MORE
THAN 30?, THE PROBE TIP MAY DETONATE A MINE.
( d) {\i Probe} every 1 inch across the required extraction width path (0.6 meter
[24 inches] for self extraction, 1 meter for evacuating a casualty using the
individual-carry technique, and 2 meters for evacuating a casualty using a
litter), then move forward 1 inch and stagger (offset) the probe indentations
from the previously probed row (Figure 052-192-1042-3).
NOTE: Continue the probing technique and ensure that the probe indentations in each row are
offset from the previously probed rows, thus creating a diamond shape.
(3) Kneel on the ground after the area is found to be clear, and continue probing forward
until you can assume the prone position.
(4) Continue the {\i look-feel-probe} procedure across the required extraction width path
until you reach a safe area or the casualty.
NOTE: Go to performance step 6 for actions taken after detecting a possible mine.
( a) Clear up to and under the casualty in case he is lying on a mine.
( b) Clear and mark a 1-meter circumference around the casualty for
individual-carry extraction or a 2-meter circumference for litter-carry
extraction.
( c) Remove the casualty out of the mined area.
(5) Mark the area for mines.
(6) {\b I}nform higher headquarters with noted information using the UXO spot report
(Figure 052-192-1042-4).
 052-192-1042-4
b. Use the stepping-stone technique (Figure 052-192-1042-5).
NOTE: Go to performance step 5 for actions taken after detecting a trip wire. Go to
performance step 6 for performance actions taken after detecting a possible mine.
(1) Clear individual stepping-stone areas to step into by using the look-feel-probe
procedure.
(2) Probe from a squatted position an area of 18 inches in diameter to your front to allow
for both feet to stand in the area. The gap between stepping-stones should be no
more than 12 inches.
(3) Step into the cleared area and reorient towards the previously determined safe area.
(4) Mark each stepping-stone perimeter or center.
(5) Continue the look-feel-probe procedure during the stepping-stone technique until a
safe area is reached.
NOTE: The {\i look-feel-probe
(6) Mark the area for mines.
(7) {\b I}nform higher headquarters with noted information using the UXO spot report.

3. Perform self-extraction from a vehicle.

a. Stop immediately.
b. Radio the situation to higher headquarters, and remain in the vehicle.
c. Extract from the rear of the vehicle after all communication efforts have failed, and walk inside
the visible tire track to the last known safe area.
CAUTION: TRACKED VEHICLE TRACKS MAY ALSO BE FOLLOWED, BUT CARE MUST BE
TAKEN AS SMALL ANTIPERSONNEL MINE FUZES HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO BE MISSED BY
THE GAPS IN THE TRACK SHOES. THESE MINES POSE A THREAT TO PERSONNEL WALKING
INSIDE THE VEHICLE TRACK MARKS.
d. Perform the look-feel-probe procedure from the vehicle to the last known safe area if the
tracks are not clearly visible.
e. Probe an area to step in from the vehicle before making contact with the ground.
f. Mark the area for mines.
g. {\b I}nform higher headquarters with noted information using the UXO spot report.

4. Perform self-extraction when footprints are clearly visible (without a vehicle).

WARNING: THIS SELF-EXTRACTION METHOD IS THE LEAST PREFERRED AND SHOULD
ONLY BE PERFORMED WHEN TIME IS THE DETERMINING FACTOR.
a. Turn around carefully within your footprints, and follow the exact footprints back along the path
entered.
b. Follow the footprints until clear of the threat.
c. Mark the area for mines.
d. {\b I}nform higher headquarters with noted information using the UXO spot report.

5. Perform the following actions after detecting a trip wire:

NOTE: When a trip wire is located, stand still and visually inspect the wire along its length to
identify the possible mine location and trip wire anchor point.
a. Identify the shortest route to probe around the trip wire.
b. Probe the required extraction width path (0.6 meter [24 inches] for self extraction, 1 meter for
evacuating a casualty using the individual-carry technique, and 2 meters for evacuating a
casualty using a litter), 12 inches away from but along the line of the trip wire until you safely
bypass the hazard.
c. Mark the line of the trip wire along the ground surface 12 inches before the trip wire (Figure
052-192-1042-6).

052-192-1042-6

6. Perform the following actions after detecting a possible mine while probing:
a. Stop probing when the probe encounters a solid object.
b. Investigate the solid object.
(1) Start excavation 6 inches back from the suspect object.
(2) Dig towards the suspected object using a suitable tool or your fingers in a sideward
action.
NOTE: Periodically use the probe to verify the suspected mine location.
(3) Stop excavation when you encounter the solid object.
( a) Use two fingers from each hand to carefully remove the minimum amount of
surrounding soil to confirm the object as a mine or not.
( b) Mark the location with a marker 6 inches to the rear of the mine if the object
is confirmed as a mine. Continue moving forward if the object is not a mine.
WARNING: DO NOT ATTEMPT TO REMOVE OR DISARM THE MINE. REPORT THE HAZARD TO
HIGHER HEADQUARTERS.
( c) Bypass the marked mine and continue moving towards the safe area.
c. Mark either one or both sides of the cleared path as you move forward.

Evaluation Preparation: Provide the soldier with the items and information listed in the conditions. The
soldier must perform the performance substeps in sequence to self-extract from a mined area.
Performance steps 2 through 4 of this task indicate different situations while performing
GO self-extraction.
NO GO

Performance Measures

1. Took immediate action on observed indicators or confirmation of a mine. _____ _____

a. Stopped immediately and gained control of himself.
(1) Did not move his feet (no vehicle).
(2) Remained in the vehicle.
(3) Warned other elements operating in the area, and advised
higher elements of the situation for possible support with
extraction.
b. Assessed the situation.
(1) Determined the nearest safe area not containing mines.
(2) Determined the shortest route to the safe area.
(3) Determined if in the middle of a mined area.
c. Noted the situation.
(1) Made notes about the mine.
( a) Described the shape, and drew pictures if necessary
(square, round, conical, circular, rectangular, concave,
dome, or cylindrical).
( b) Stated the color (light green, dark green, brown, black,
sand, camouflage, gray, metallic, natural wood, olive,
blue, or white).
( c) Annotated the size.
( d) Annotated the material type. Most mines are made of
plastic, plastic casting, wood, sheet metal, cast iron,
metal alloys, concrete, Bakelite?, and cast explosive.
(2) Indicated the number of mines.
(3) Annotated the terrain considerations.
(4) Indicated the location.

2. Performed self-extraction when footprints were not clearly visible (without a

vehicle). _____ _____
a. Assumed the prone position.
(1) Squatted down without touching his knees to the ground.
(2) Used the look-feel-probe procedure to clear the area.
( a) Looked around for high and low trip wires. Looked for
mine indicators on the ground, to include mine fuzes,
mine parts, or disturbed ground.
( b) Felt for trip wires using the trip wire feeler. Pushed the
 trip wire feeler forward along the ground from his feet to
his front left, then front center, and then front right.
Raised the trip wire feeler in a gentle upward sweeping
action to above head height. Felt the ground around his
feet with his fingers using a slow sideways sweep,
feeling for exposed mine fuze prongs or other mine
parts.
( c) Probed the area as far forward as comfortable. Held the
probe in either hand, with the palm up, allowing the blunt
end of the probe to extend beyond the cup of the palm.
Applied just enough pressure on the probe to sink it
slowly into the ground at a 30? angle and to a depth of 3
inches.
( d) Probed every 1 inch across the required extraction
width (0.6 meter [24 inches] for self extraction, 1 meter
for evacuating a casualty using the individual-carry
technique, and 2 meters for evacuating a casualty using
a litter), then moved forward 1 inch and staggered
(offset) the probe indentations from the previously
probed row.
(3) Kneeled on the ground after the area was found to be clear, and
continued probing forward until he could assume the prone
position.
(4) Continued the look-feel-probe procedure across the required
extraction width path until he reached a safe area or the casualty.
( a) Cleared up to and under the casualty in case he was
lying on a mine.
( b) Cleared and marked a 1-meter circumference around
the casualty for individual-carry extraction or a 2-meter
circumference for litter-carry extraction.
( c) Removed the casualty out of the mined area.
(5) Marked the area for mines.
(6) Informed higher headquarters with noted information using the
UXO spot report.
b. Used the stepping-stone technique.
(1) Cleared individual stepping-stone areas to step into by using the
look-feel-probe procedure.
(2) Probed from the squatted position an area of 18 inches in
diameter to his front to allow for both feet to stand in the area.
The gap between stepping-stones was no more than 12 inches.
(3) Stepped into the cleared area and reoriented towards the
determined safe area.
(4) Marked each stepping-stone perimeter or center.
(5) Continued the look-feel-probe procedure during the
stepping-stone technique until a safe area was reached.
(6) Marked the area for mines.
(7) Informed higher headquarters with noted information using the
UXO spot report.

3. Performed self-extraction from a vehicle. _____ _____

a. Stopped immediately.
b. Radioed the situation to higher headquarters, and remained in the
vehicle.
c. Extracted from the rear of the vehicle after all communication efforts
failed, and walked inside the visible vehicle tire track to the last known
safe area.
 d. Performed the look-feel-probe procedure from the vehicle to the last
known safe area if the tracks were not clearly visible.
e. Probed an area to step in from the vehicle before making contact with the
ground.
f. Marked the area for mines.
g. Informed higher headquarters with noted information using the UXO spot
report.

4. Performed self-extraction when footprints were clearly visible (without a

vehicle). _____ _____
a. Turned around carefully within his footprints, and followed the exact
footprints back along the path entered.
b. Followed the footprints until clear of the threat.
c. Marked the area for mines.
d. Informed higher headquarters with noted information using the UXO spot
report.

5. Performed the following actions after detecting a trip wire: _____ _____
a. Identified the shortest route to probe around the trip wire.
b. Probed the required extraction width path (0.6 meter [24 inches] for self
extraction, 1 meter for evacuating a casualty using the individual-carry
technique, and 2 meters for evacuating a casualty using a litter), 12
inches away from but along the line of the trip wire until he safely
bypassed the hazard.
c. Marked the line of the trip wire along the ground surface 12 inches before
the trip wire.

6. Performed the following actions after detecting a possible mine while probing: _____ _____
a. Stopped probing when the probe encountered a solid object.
b. Investigated the solid object.
(1) Started excavation 6 inches back from the suspected object.
(2) Dug towards the suspected object using a suitable tool or his
fingers in a sideward action.
(3) Stopped excavation when he encountered the solid object.
( a) Used two fingers from each hand to carefully remove
the minimum amount of surrounding soil to confirm the
object as a mine or not.
( b) Marked the location with a marker 6 inches to the rear
of the mine if the object was a mine. Continued moving
forward if the object was not a mine.
( c) Bypassed the marked mine and continued moving
towards the safe area.
c. Marked either one or both sides of the cleared path as he moved forward.

Evaluation Guidance: Score the soldier GO if all performance measures are passed (P). Score the
soldier NO-GO if any performance measure is failed (F). If the soldier scores NO GO, show the soldier
what was done wrong and how to do it correctly.

References:

Number Required Title

FM 20-32 N Mine/Countermine Operations

FM 20-32 N Mine/Countermine Operations

FM 20-32 N Mine/Countermine Operations

FM 20-32 N Mine/Countermine Operations

FM 20-32 N Mine/Countermine Operations

FM 20-32 N Mine/Countermine Operations

Certifications Required: None.

Supporting Individual Tasks:

Task Number Task Title

052-192-1021 Locate Mines by Visual Means

Supported Drills: None.