Man-Tracking for Search and Rescue (SAR)

At the time I'm writing this, it is Fall in the Adirondacks, an area that is mountainous, and covered in endless miles of forests, rivers, and lakes. Thousands of hunters, hikers, photographers, and even locals just going for a stroll, leave the roads and pathways to make their way into the Great Outdoors. Some of these folks, both experienced and inexperienced, sometimes get lost or injured, and need to be rescued. This is what most people think of when they think of Man-Tracking, but this subject encompasses much more than that. Man-Tracking is about the location missing or hiding people for either rescue, or fugitive recovery, even in urban settings.

A skilled tracker is a boon to Search and Rescue Operations, often making the difference between finding a lost child, or someone who has died due to exposure to the elements. Law enforcement also makes use of the experienced tracker during fugitive recovery.

Listed Resources:

Combat Tracking - http://selousscouts.tripod.com/combat_tracking.htm - Link last checked 10-31-2012 - Silver

Man-Tracking 101: How To Find And Follow Tracks For Search And Rescue - http://www.squidoo.com/man-tracking-find-follow-tracks - Link last checked 10-31-2012 - Silver

Man-Tracking: A Vital Part of Search and Rescue - www.cpds.org/Docs/MANTRACKING.pdf - Link last checked 10-31-2012 - Silver

Cool... Very cool.

Thank you. And I know that while others may ignore the subject, you will look into it and take away some pretty useful stuff. You've always impressed me with your willingness to learn, adapt, and grow. The Sky's the limit!

I assure you, I may not always post but I appreciate your guides. I learn vasts amount from your tutorials that you piece together for us.

I've always wanted to try my hand at the Mantracker show.

Appreciate the links, S.

Your posts are an invaluable source of knowledge. Really appreciate you sharing your wisdom with others.

dan brown also has some very good information on this. . .dc

Awesome!

This is really cool, thanks for the info, Silver

Great links there Silver Sentinel!

Real nice.

Hey Silver Its great to see you around again
The best thing anyone can do to help
Searchers is to always be prepared for
Anything whether its
In the city the wilderness
Or even on the water

Even if you are spending
A weekend camping
At a park its always
A good idea to have
A personal locater
Device on you
Another thing is carry a cellphone
AND a walkie talkie
With you in case you can't
Get a signal on the phone
You can use the walkie talkie
To send out an S O S if you have ti
Also some cellphones have GPS systems
In them or you can get them for your
Blackberry device plus a maP
Use the map on the blackberry while
Calling on the walkie talkie may help but
It may also wear down the battery
If you are in a strange city your
Blackberry should have a map telling you
The name of the street and if the building
Has a name. Such as The Astro Hill
Complex the name should appear
On the map in the APP
When in the wilderness
Look for any tracks
Predator tracks will have footprints like
A dog or bear unless the animal is smaller
Like a rabbit
Some exceptions can be made if
There are wolverines in the area
For the most part the animals shouldn't
Bother you if you don't bother them
However that doesn't mean you are
100% safe If you see a bear chances
Are her cubs are hidden near by
Your best chance is slowly
Back away the same direction
You came in from
This decreases the chance of
Tripping over the cubs and
Making the mother angry at you
If you are in a boat make sure that
The life vest is a bright color
Orange yellow red ect that stands
Out from the color of the water
Make sure you wear the life vest at all times
If you are in northern Canada or any other
Colder climate you will need a waterproof wetsuit
Usually orange or red
It looks like a snowsuit but is designed
To keep the water out and the body
Warm if you happen to fall in the water
Or the boat sinks Always carry and know how to
Use a flare gun and plenty
Of flares send one up every hour or so
Keep in mind that the searchers are doing
The best they can to locate you
The best way to help is to make them find
You and try to make it as easy and safe
As possible for them to be able
To get to you once you are found
Send up a flare as soon
As you see lights in the
Distance or in the sky
Even if you don't think
Its the rescuers If its not the rescuers
Then they can send help to you
And point the SARs in your direction
If you hear people calling
Make noises yell out
So they can follow
Your voice
Answer any questions
They may ask
So they know what to
Expect when they get to you

Great help.  Always good to know how to track someone, even when you're the one that is lost.  If you know how to track someone, you can do things to make it easier for someone tracking to find you.