The research on survival detection systems is of most importance to the post-earthquake search and rescue in our country.In this paper,the application of infrared techniques in survival de- tection instruments is discussed.The principles of dual waveband infrared temperature measurement and pyroelectric infrared detection are studied.The novel infrared phase imaging and the typical in- frared temperature measurement systems,infrared alarming systems and infrared imaging systems are presented.These provide the theoretical reference for the survival detection based on infrared techniques.