What do rescue operations primarily aim to accomplish during a Mayday situation?

Rescue operations in a Mayday situation are specifically focused on saving individuals who are in distress. These operations are critical during emergencies when firefighters or other personnel find themselves in life-threatening circumstances, requiring immediate assistance. The primary goal is to locate and extricate those who may be trapped, lost, or otherwise in need of urgent help, ensuring their safety and eventual escape from danger.

Efforts during such situations are not about gathering equipment, conducting inspections, or merely supervising standard firefighting operations, as these actions do not directly address the immediate need for rescue. The primary concern must always be for the lives at stake, which makes the effort to save individuals in distress the most crucial aspect of rescue operations during a Mayday scenario.