Operational Use Disclaimer – Enhanced Liability Notice
SAR Compass App
The SAR Compass App (“the App”) is provided as an operational support resource for trained Search and Rescue personnel. By installing, accessing, or using the App, you acknowledge and agree to the following conditions.
1. High-Risk Operational Environment
Search and Rescue activities are conducted in dynamic, unpredictable, and inherently hazardous environments.
Conditions including weather, terrain, water hazards, structural instability, medical emergencies, fatigue, and human factors may rapidly change and may not be reflected in information contained within the App.
Use of the App does not remove or reduce operational risk.
2. Support Tool Only
The App is intended to assist with reference to procedures and organisational information. It does not:
replace formal training, qualifications, or competency requirements
override incident command direction or organisational policy
provide real-time situational awareness
constitute professional, medical, aviation, maritime, or technical advice
Operational decisions must always be based on current conditions, team capability, and authorised command structures.
3. User Competence and Responsibility
Users acknowledge that they are responsible for ensuring they are:
appropriately trained and authorised for the tasks they undertake
operating within their level of competence and experience
applying recognised risk assessment and safety management practices
complying with all relevant organisational standard operating procedures
Users accept full responsibility for how they interpret and apply any information accessed through the App.
4. Accuracy and Currency of Information
Although reasonable efforts are made to maintain accurate and up-to-date content:
procedures and guidance may be incomplete, simplified, or subject to change
device-stored offline content may be outdated
technical or administrative errors may occur
information may not be appropriate for all operational contexts
Users must verify critical instructions through official operational channels where practicable.
5. Technology Limitations
Operational reliance on mobile technology involves known limitations including:
battery failure or device damage
screen visibility issues in adverse conditions
connectivity loss or delayed synchronisation
software malfunction or data corruption
Users must be prepared to operate safely without access to the App.
6. Assumption of Operational Risk
To the extent permitted by New Zealand law, users acknowledge that participation in Search and Rescue activities involves voluntary exposure to risk.
By using the App in an operational environment, users accept that:
they retain responsibility for personal safety and team safety
the App provider does not control field conditions or operational decisions
safe outcomes cannot be guaranteed
7. Limitation of Liability
SAR Compass, its developers, administrators, contributors, and associated organisations are not liable for any injury, death, loss, damage, operational failure, or consequential impact arising from:
reliance on App content
inability to access the App when required
technical faults or data inaccuracies
misuse or unauthorised use
failure to follow training, command direction, or safety procedures
This limitation applies to the fullest extent permitted under the laws of New Zealand.
8. Organisational Governance
Individual Search and Rescue organisations remain responsible for:
determining approved operational procedures
training and competency management
incident command and safety systems
authorising access to restricted information
The App does not create an employment, agency, or command relationship.
9. Acceptance of Terms
Continued installation or use of the App indicates acceptance of this Operational Disclaimer.
Users who do not accept these conditions must discontinue use immediately.
10. Contact
Privacy Officer
SAR Compass
privacy@sarcompass.com