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The most important clue to predicting the behaviour of a lost person
What is finding the reason why they left in the first place?
Why is it important to search for clues?
Clues helps discover the characteristics and behaviour of the lost person that will help to limit the search area.
While aerial search has replaced the need for most fixed ______ towers, stationing ______ on high ground is also a viable method of establishing a perimeter.
What are lookout(s)?
Why is it important to keep in mind weather conditions?
- May restrict the lost person’s movement
- Principal contributor to hypothermia, which may affect movement and decision making
- Poor weather increases the importance of the length of time a person has been lost.
What does SAR stand for?
What is Search and Rescue?
What should SAR members keep in mind when looking for children 3-6 years old?
- Are more mobile and capable of walking further than children aged 1–3 years,
- Have a concept of being lost and will try to return home or go back to a place they are familiar with,
- Have definite interests and may be drawn away by animals, older children or just their curiosity to explore,
- Generally, try to find a spot to sleep when tired, and
- May follow instructions to stay away from strangers and as a result will not answer or talk to searchers when called by name.
What are some questions the SAR would ask the witness?
- What were they wearing?
- Who was there with him last?
- Where did you last see him at last?
A method where a large spool of string is mounted in a backpack, the string unrolls, which is then tied one metre above the ground leaving a very visible perimeter.
Arrows could also be placed on the string directing the lost person that comes across to the closest SAR group.
What is String Lines?
Why limit the search area?
The smaller the area, the less time is required to effectively cover it.
Types of clues that SAR leaders search for?
1. Physical
2. People
3. Recorded
4. Event
What should SAR members keep in mind when looking for children 6-12 years old?
- Have mature navigational and directional skills,
- Are oriented to their normal, familiar surroundings and become confused in a strange environment,
- May intentionally run away to avoid punishment, gain attention, or sulk,
- often not answer when called but darkness usually brings on a willingness to accept help and be found,
- Suffer from the same fears and problems an adult would, but with a greater sense of helplessness; and
- Are lost most often because they are being taken to unknown environment or surroundings by parents or other adults they know.
What are some examples of recorded clues?
- Trail register.
- Summit logs.
- A trip plan.
How does terrain affect travel?
Flat terrain yields different travel distances (farther) than mountainous terrain.
Why is it important to keep in mind personality?
- Has a substantial outcome on the lost person’s ability to survive.
- Aggressive individuals may be more easily irritated and become quickly stubborn with their surroundings
- May try to find their own way out
What resources should and SAR member have with them when trying to find a missing person?
- Prepared briefing,
- Compasses,
- Two first aid kits
- Hand-held radios,
- Spare batteries, and
- Whistle.
What should SAR members keep in mind when looking for Hikers?
- More likely to become lost,
- Relying on trails with a set destination in mind,
- Becoming confused when trail conditions change,
- Being mismatched in abilities and one person falls behind, and
- Becoming disoriented and ultimately lost by using switchbacks (a type of road/trail used to ascend/descend a slope by using almost 180 degree turns to follow the slope at a gentler angle for ease of driving/walking), which many times lead to disorientation or going down the wrong hill.
What are some examples of event clues?
- A flashing light.
- A campfire.
- A ground-to-air signal
_______ are designed to cover the parts of the perimeter made up of roads and trails.
_______ serve to confine the search area and inform through traffic of an ongoing search.
_______ serve to cover stretches of roads and trails between the blocks.
What is roadblocks/trail blocks/patrols?
Why is it important to keep in mind physical conditions?
- In case the missing person’s physical capabilities limited in any way
- A poor physical condition means an increased susceptibility to hypothermia.
- Has a direct bearing on the distance a lost person will travel.
Why is is important to know how to search?
If you know how to search, you will know how to be found.
What should SAR members keep in mind when looking for people with intellectual disabilities from all age groups?
- Tend act and react in much the same way as children from the age of 6–12, and,
- Generally, will not respond to their spoken name, * Will most often hide from rescuers because of fear or the need to shelter from the elements,
- Will often stay in one place for days They usually do not have any physical impairments but may not do anything to help themselves.
Why is it important to avoid forming opinions?
A SAR leader gathers information from everyone to learn all the facts. Forming opinions may limit the clues needed to find the missing person.
Explain track traps
Track traps are sections of trail or a road edge that has been brushed clear of all traces of use.
Patrols would, on a regular basis, examine track traps for footprints as evidence that the lost person may have left the confinement area.
What are some medical problems and why are they important to keep in mind?
In case the missing person has a condition that could precipitate abnormal behaviour and have a direct bearing on the distance a lost person will travel.
Examples of medical problems that may affect a person’s behaviour:
- Weak heart
- Diabetes
- Allergies
- Not having taken medication when needed
___________ is a learned skill which is particularly useful in developing a sense of what is the minimum information needed to decide on how to categorize a lost person.
What is clue seeking?