SAR lost person behaviour database

There used to be a pile of info you could access there including info to correct this annoying mistake by Aquila but the links have been broken, probably because someone wants to sell a book now 

Some great comments above, especially the initial post.

Couple more:

When leaving sign:
- Ferns if you walk through them (or put them in a similar state by hand) stand out very well for trackers...when walked through/brushed past the underside of the leaf is exposed and leaves what is known as a lighthouse it is very different looking to the top of the leaf and indicates your direction of travel well...get a mate to go through some bush and push past some ferns then stand back and look, it is very obvious where they went.

- Choppers; fire is good all the time as noted above give thought to how its down though and try to use green stuff for white smoke. At night a torch right into the cockpit will piss the guy off with night vision goggles but he won't miss you - it hurts (i.e. do it because it helps, don't be surprised if he slaps you when he gets down though hehe). Day time...wave by all means, when it looks like they are looking at you, stand straight with both arms up to form a Y with your body - international sign to say you want help and very obvious as opposed to a tramper waving at them. When they come in...bend on one knee, head down and cover your face...downwash and debris can be a bitch in the bush, wait for the rotors to stop or someone to come out and guide you into the chopper...and be careful of the rear rotors especially!

Whenever possible - recognise the guys that came out probably in shitty weather and the middle of the night or were meant to be at work...even just thanks through the local SAR group is appreciated but a Koha certainly never goes amiss, In NZ the guys are volunteers and most of the gear they are wearing is their own or only partially subsidised. My old man was a chopper S&R pilot for 30+years in highlands and fishing areas, fishermen often brought a sack or two of the catch in, farmers would drop a lamb in or whatever, really gives the guys a morale boost and as hunter costs very little extra time.

Any use in shining a green laser straight up into the sky?

They make a beam that's fairly visible in the night sky. Can get one with spare change from 10 bucks too.

What great information there is in this article thanks some of the stuff here I did not know.

As a child my farther and also at school I was always told if you ever get lost either in the the bush or in an urban environment then stay in that spot and not to move until you are found.  I would assume that this rule would still apply toady even when SAR are looking for me (should that ever happen).  I am teaching my 5 year old daughter this leason at the moment, am I wrong in my thinking and teachings. Would love to know peoples thoughts espeacialy from people who are currently in SAR.

Quote:


Technology these days makes it easier too.  I screen shot the DOC maps website where I will be hunting, and send that to my partner or save it on our Ipad so she can see.  You can even edit the image and draw your intended route on it if necessary.

I am now off to take a photo of the sole of my boots and pxt it to her - she will wonder what the hell I am doing