Lesson 2/Learning Event 4
LEARNING EVENT 4:
DETERMINE THE TYPE
OF SURVEY TO BE CONDUCTED
There are two types of radiological surveys which can be conducted to obtain radiological contamination
information. These are aerial radiological surveys and ground radiological surveys. Aerial surveys can
be detailed aerial surveys or simplified aerial surveys. Within each type there are three different survey
techniques. The techniques for aerial surveys are the route technique, the course leg technique, and the
point technique. The techniques for ground surveys are the point technique, the route technique, and the
preselected dose-rate technique.
In planning a radiological survey, a determination must be made about the type of survey to conduct and
the survey technique to use. The following factors will influence the determination of the survey
technique to use and the type of survey to conduct.
Weather conditions
Time of day
Urgency of the mission
Availability of survey personnel and vehicles or aircraft
Size of area to be surveyed
Time available for the survey
Ground Radiological Survey
When available resources, time, and the size of the area permit, a ground survey should be used.
The advantages of a ground radiological survey are that it
is independent of weather conditions.
can be conducted at night
provides more accurate data than an aerial survey.
The disadvantages are that a ground radiological survey
lacks the speed and flexibility of an aerial survey.
exposes personnel to higher radiation doses.
places a greater burden on communication facilities than aerial surveys.
diverts more personnel and equipment from the mission than aerial surveys.
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