d. Subject experience profile: No experience/no knowledge of area, no experience/knows area, experienced/no knowledge of area, or experienced/knows area. e. Weather profile: Past or current bad weather, bad weather in next 8 hours, bad weather in next 24 hours, or no bad weather predicted. Temperature and visibility. f. Equipment profile: Inadequate, questionable, or adequate for environment or weather. g. Terrain/Hazard profile: Known hazardous terrain or, hazards or few or no hazards. h. History of incidents in the area: Outcome of other searches for individuals with similar profiles in similar situations. i. Time: Time since the subject went missing and the effects of time on clues. j. Political sensitivity: External sources; VIPs, politicians, relatives, media, or higher authority in your chain of command. 4.
DETERMINING THE SEARCH AREA. There are four methods used to determine the search area by rescue managers. The best application is to use a combination of these methods by personnel with search experience. (FMST.07.39c)
a. Theoretical: This is the distance that the victim could have traveled in the elapsed time since he/she was reported missing. (PI x R Squared) b. Statistical: Historical data on searches for similar individuals in similar conditions. c. Subjective: Evaluation of limiting factors for this specific incident and location. d. Deductive reasoning: Sherlock Holmes version, based on analysis of circumstances involving the specific incident. 5.
BEHAVIOR ASPECTS OF A LOST PERSON. General aspects of lost person behavior will give you an awareness of the actions of the individuals you are searching for by separating them into different categories. Some factors that could effect the search strategy are the general health of the subject, his/her past experiences, physiological effects of the environment, and the victims’ mental state or biological cycle. Also, looking at the subject’s ability to assist in his/her own survival with simple skills such as fire, shelter, signaling, and land navigation will determine strategy. The psychological impact on the victim should also be taken into account. Will the subject be overcome by Stress? Fear? Panic? Embarrassment? Or will the subject be calm and develop a positive "I'll be OK attitude? A further point to consider is the circumstances under which the subject became lost. Was the subject at a known location such as a campground? Enroute to a specific location or on a trail? Traveling in a wilderness area with no specific location or destination in mind? Or does the subject fall under one of the following categories: 14 -3