Final answer:
In search and rescue (SAR) operations, a distress case refers to a situation where someone is in immediate danger and requires urgent assistance, while a non-distress case refers to a situation where someone is reported missing, but there is no immediate threat to their life.
Step-by-step explanation:
In search and rescue (SAR) operations, a distress case refers to a situation where someone is in immediate danger and requires urgent assistance. Examples of distress cases include a person stranded in a sinking boat or lost in a dangerous mountain area. On the other hand, a non-distress case in SAR refers to a situation where someone is reported missing, but there is no immediate threat to their life. An example of a non-distress case is a hiker who failed to return from a trip but is believed to be adequately prepared.