If you’re lost, BY GERRY GODSOE When someone gets lost in the
woods, professional search and rescue teams say every operation is the SAME – Search, Access, Medi- cal attention and Evacuation. The search phase is usually the longest and hardest. If a hiker or camper has told some- one where they are going, when they will be back and what to do if they don’t show up on time, that’s a big help as people set out into the backwoods to track the missing. The alarm is raised faster and searchers know where to start looking. Once an alarm is received (of-
ten via 911), the missing person becomes the responsibility of the police and is viewed as a potential criminal investigation until proven otherwise. People go missing every day and
resources are scarce so police will first figure out what they think is level of urgency and how much response is needed. A child lost alone in the wintry
woods of northern Ontario will gets immediate action. A bunch of healthy, well-equipped and expe- rienced hikers on a pleasant day in July will probably have to wait a while. Once a search is launched, a manager is assigned, with overall responsibility. As the search continues, dozens of people may be involved, in communications, getting resources (choppers, dogs, ATVs, boats) and just running the
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operation, as well the actual searchers. Police often turn to volunteer ground search and rescue groups to assist. Throughout a search, investiga- tion and planning continue. The team needs to know where the person was last seen and where else might they have been. Has their car been found? Did they reg- ister at the trailhead or mountain summit? Who’s missing, exactly? Search- ers need to know age, clothing, equipment, mental state, medical conditions, past behaviour, familiar- ity with the area, etc. Based on this information, matching statistical profiles (e.g., young child, Alzheim- er patient, hunter) are checked for possible similar patterns of behav- iours – distance travelled, favoured terrain, response to searchers, and the like. With this in hand, searchers can
focus on the topographical features of the area and throw into the mix how far this person has likely trav- elled, toward what possible destina- tions, across or blocked by what kind of barriers, and down which travel corridors. The goal is target areas where the missing person is most likely to be found. Searchers are always looking for
clues. A person travelling a kilometre through the woods leaves thousands of footprints, broken branches, and discarded articles as well as scent. At first, small teams of searchers check
out the most likely spots (trails, at- tractions, scenic viewpoints, tricky trail junctions that led hikers astray in the past). If that doesn’t work, larger teams
may search an area by spreading out at fixed distances, based on the terrain and vegetation, and travelling to maximize the likelihood of finding clues and the missing person. There are other techniques and
tools. Teams driving roads or trails, or camping at trail junctions or on hilltops can contain the missing per- son in a fixed area. Sirens, lights and
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it’s not hopeless SEARCH TEAMS KNOW WHAT THEY’RE DOING
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