Wilderness Grid Search Tips for a Missing Person

Missing people are in the news everyday. Camping or vacationing in a wilderness area offers some incredible advantages to hikers and lovers of nature. Unfortunately, in terrain such as this, it's easy to lose your sense of direction and end up lost. The National Park Travelers Guide states that between 1992 and 2007, the Park Service launched 65,439 search and rescue missions. Of the individuals recovered, there were 2,659 fatalities and 24,288 ill or injured. If you find yourself part of a group searching for someone lost in the wilderness, its good to have a plan and an understanding of grid search methods.

Probability Distribution Map

• A probability distribution map defines the most likely areas the missing person can be located. Factors involved in the design of the map include terrain, weather conditions, profile of the person that is missing and subjective judgment by experts in the field or area. The concept is to mark areas of high probability for the initial searches and then move on to areas with a lesser designation. This type of control procedure benefits the overall search by increasing the chance of finding the person quickly.

Definitions

• There are some important terms to be aware of when conducting or planning a grid search. "Point last seen" (PLS) is exactly what it sounds like. It is the position that an actual person last saw the missing individual. "Last known position" (LKP) refers to an area where an object or sign of the person was found. An example of this might be a shoe print on a trail, identified as belonging to the missing person. "Search area" is the portion of the map assigned to your group. It is important to know the boundaries of your search area so as not to interfere or slow down other groups.

Grid Searches

• The SAR (Search and Rescue Trained Teams) claim that grid searches are the last resort for missing persons. The reason for this is due to the amount of manpower required to conduct this type of search in an area. The concept of grid searches calls for a large number of people, lined up in a straight row. The searches progress slowly and methodically with each person standing an even-spaced distance away from each other. One important key to grid searches is not to take the path of least resistance. All places must be involved such as thorny or rocky areas.

  Grid searches are highly effective in discovering small clues as to the missing person's travel. Items passed over in a broader search are found by conducting a thorough grid search. Examples might include torn clothing, dropped jewelry, or equipment. Frequently, discoveries made during a grid search will lead to a location or point a direction for the next search.

  Some key issues to be aware of for grid searching. Be realistic about your chances of finding a missing person using this search method. According to SAR, that rarely happens. That doesn't mean grid searches aren't effective in other ways but a few broader well-placed initial searches are more helpful, leaving a grid search as a final alternative. The speed and spacing of a grid search relates directly to the number of people available. A slow speed with well-placed searchers is more likely to find a valuable clue.

Things to Consider

• Any search of a missing person should include the experts if that person has been gone for a long time or is in an area of high risk or danger. Don't try to search those areas alone. People missing in the wilderness are at risk and need the best-trained people to help find them.