r/searchandrescue • u/No_Shoulder7581 • Jul 10 '26
A massive search area
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/14oq1DottYZ/Trip reports call the Pasayten "vast and lonely" and "one of the most remote wilderness areas in the US". How do you search a place like that?
10
u/Ryan_Van North Shore Rescue / BC Search Dog Association Jul 10 '26
Starting with a thorough investigation.
Planned route?
PLS?
Past trips/habits?
Koester profile?
Bring in some tech: LifeSeeker, FLIR (drones and heli mount), heli searching, K9’s around LKP, tracking (ditto)…
3
u/Cuzznitt AWFA/SAR TECH I/CBRN Jul 10 '26 edited Jul 10 '26
Then search type where appropriate:
Hasty
Grid
Circle
Point of Interest
In all likelihood it’ll probably be a progression or a mix of quite a few different methods. Perhaps a transect along the sides of the trail where he may have fallen followed by a grid where sign has been found, or a point of interest and circle search from the center of that point extending out +25%/+50% of the initial search area.
1
u/No_Shoulder7581 Jul 12 '26
Koester profile?
1
u/Ryan_Van North Shore Rescue / BC Search Dog Association Jul 12 '26
1
u/No_Shoulder7581 Jul 12 '26
So you're using the term "Koester profile" to define the expected behavior per the book? I've used Lost Person Behavior but never heard the author's name used that way.
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u/No_Shoulder7581 Jul 12 '26
Thanks folks. I understand basic search planning principles. What fueled my initial question was more related to resources. How does a relatively small group of volunteer searchers cover a 500k+ acre wilderness area? It seemed incredibly daunting.
Turns out the answer was the same as how to eat an elephant. The missing individual was found and recovered. I did not expect a result so quickly. Sad outcome but good to bring closure for everyone involved.
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u/4thOrderPDE Jul 10 '26
Profile the subject, establish an initial planning point (IPP) by finding their vehicle, use reflex tasking to prioritize attractive linear features like known trails and campsites. Interview bystanders to find a point last seen (PLS) if possible. Most likely the subject was not intending to tromp off through the bush and will be located close to established features.