Lost Person Scenario
Statistics show that a high percentage of persons who become lost die within the first 24 hours.
Early on, the missing person can be expected to be found in a relatively small area but, as time passes, the area that must be searched expands alarmingly.
Think of it this way:
If an ordinary business card represents the size of the search area within the first few hours, then a search mounted several hours later could be represented by an area the size of a newspaper!
These startling facts should motivate the Professional Guide to react quickly and with a reasonable and well thought-out plan.
Every year thousands of clients go into fields, forests and waters of this great state. They safely return home without ever realizing the tremendous responsibility that their guide assumed during their trip. As a Maine Guide, your clients put all their trust in you to make sure they are safe. This liability cannot be taken lightly.
The number one goal of the testing process for guides is to provide clients with people who make their safety a first priority. The Maine Warden Service holds Maine Guides to a much higher standard of both skill and integrity. We hold you accountable for what happens and how things are handled. We expect you to do what you can, looking and searching, but also by recognizing when you need help. Don't let your ego cause someone to die.
Plan ahead to prevent problems. Brief your clients on what to do if they become lost. Explain to them to stay put. Don't go running off helter skelter. Explain to them that the more they move, the larger the search area becomes. Set up a signal mechanism and tell them to listen for it. Let them know that if they should become lost, you will find them. They are not to find you. Explain the definition of being lost. "If you don't know how to get where you are going, or how to return from where you came: You are Lost!!! Stay Put!!!!"
What to do when a client gets lost. It is impossible to cover every situation. However, there are a few guidelines to follow. First, secure the others in the party. You don't want anyone else getting into trouble. Get them to stay put. If you use a client to help you look, you must not exceed their capabilities. For example: You might have one walk a road, yelling the victim's name, but not have them go cross country on a compass line.
Next, evaluate the situation. Establish the point last seen. Look at your immediate resources. Make a plan of action. Among the things you must consider are the health factors of the victim, weather, and distance from a phone to call the Warden Service for help. Obviously the higher the health risk, the more quickly you'll need help. As a guide, the Warden Service expects you to search for the client, using the common sense approach. We expect you to check out the likely areas where the victim should end up. Once you have reached the conclusion that the victim is not where you anticipated, you should be getting a call out to the Warden Service for help. You may call the Wardens immediately if you feel the situation warrants.
An example: Someone who needs specific medication and the time lapse has gone by which the chance of survival would be affected. If you rule out what makes sense to you, get help. If anyone in your party assists you, have a meeting time and a place to regroup. Don't make the meeting time too long. You need to keep in close contact with them. Regroup when more help arrives. Remember wardens will be scattered about. When you call, it may take several hours before they can get to your location. The warden that responds will know a lot about lost person behavior and search strategy, but he or she may also rely on you for the knowledge of the area of the search.
If you can get the call out and keep searching, do so. Again, never put others in jeopardy to do so. If you leave the last known point or the rendezvous point, leave a person or a note for the victim. Explain on it what you went to do. Tell them to stay there until you return. Remember when calling in for help to give clear concise details. WHO, WHAT, WHY and WHEN. Set up an area to meet the wardens. (Sometimes the warden responding will be from another district. He or she may not know the immediate area very well.) Make it clear and simple.
If there are serious health concerns, let them know immediately. This may change the resources and assistance the warden will need. Once the wardens arrive, they will need to interview you and the party. Your obligation to the client does not end when the wardens arrive. They will need your help until the client is located.
In conclusion, let's review.
First, know your client's skills and health and never let anyone go beyond their skill or physical level.
Second, discuss how they should react if they do find themselves lost. Include signals, staying put, and letting you find them.
Third, explain to them how wardens would assist you using aircraft. They need to find an open area so they can be seen.
And finally, the clients must understand that putting a search together in a remote area takes time. They must be patient.
