What happens when you are activated?

That depends on the type of mission it is. We have two basic types of search and rescue scenarios.

The first type of search, called a pack out, is when we know where the person is and they need our assistance because of illness or injury. When we get a pack out call, we pack in first aid equipment, a Stokes litter for transport, and items needed to make the sick or injured person comfortable and safe (dry clothes and blankets, warm drinks and food, etc.). We send a hasty-team and medical personnel in to the person's location, administer any necessary first aid, pack them up and bring them out. This is for serious illness or injury only.

The second type of search is what most people think of when they think of search and rescue: a lost hiker, hunter, child, boater, etc.. These searches can be based anywhere from a remote wilderness area to an urban shopping mall. It involves more searchers--often several different search teams--and can last for several days. As searchers arrive at the search base they are briefed and given information about the missing person(s) and are sent out in teams to begin searching. Search days can be 12-15 hours long or more and some searchers will cover as much as 20-30 miles or more in a day. In certain situations searchers will camp in the field throughout the night in case the missing person is on the move at night.

While many people think search and rescue is about finding lost hikers alive, sometimes the outcome is not so pleasant. In addition to live person rescues, we also do evidence searches, body recoveries and suicide searches. We do not participate in searches for escaped criminals or known dangerous persons. See the Join Us page for more information on things you should know before joining any Search and Rescue team.