Questions tagged [search-and-rescue]
Questions about search and rescue
20
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9
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5
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What to do if your friends' hiking group is overdue?
I was supposed to pick up some friends from a very long (12 hour) day trip. The original plan was for them to come at 5:30pm but in the end they only reached the destination at 10:45pm. I was very ...
- 3,017
0
votes
5
answers
950
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Why isn't carrying a satellite phone considered best practice for hiking/mountaineering in remote regions? [closed]
Every year we read stories about people getting lost in a forest or in the mountains, with no way of calling for help. Sometimes this is due to a lack of experience, sometimes due to accidents, ...
- 3,017
9
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5
answers
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Transition to "Starvation Mode" in Survival Situations
The textbook "Fundamentals of Search and Rescue" in Chapter 6 describes the priorities of needs in survival situations. The priorities listed are
Air
Shelter
Rest
Signals/Communication
Water
Food
...
- 1,333
7
votes
3
answers
1k
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How do I make and test a radar-reflecting hat?
At significant risk of tin foil hat jokes, I’ve read compelling evidence that a homemade hat incorporating angled and crumpled aluminum foil may slightly increase a kayaker’s visibility on radar — not ...
- 3,466
17
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3
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How do you wave off a search and rescue helicopter?
We were out on a night hike. A helicopter showed up, by behavior it was search and rescue, looking not too far away from our group.
It might have simply been doing training, but if it was a real ...
- 2,334
7
votes
2
answers
797
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What ever happened to the proposals for no-rescue zones for backpackers?
Decades ago, there was a proposal that there should be no-rescue zones for backpackers, in which backpackers would be entirely on their own, and rescue by government agencies would not be permitted. (...
- 24k
11
votes
3
answers
4k
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How often are missing people found?
Sometimes, people go into nature and go missing. A big search party is set up but they may be never found again. A morbid version of “leave no trace”. We probably all know examples: Joe Keller, ...
- 27.3k
29
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6
answers
7k
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How do you aim a signal mirror?
Say you are in the middle of a desert where there is lots of sunshine, and you are trying to signal for help with a signal mirror.
Either in the distance there is a person, or there is an airplane ...
- 69.4k
8
votes
2
answers
929
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What should go in the hiking/backpacking plan that you leave with someone else? [duplicate]
It is good practice on a hiking or backpacking trip to leave a written plan behind with someone. Then if you fail to return by your estimated date Search and Rescue will have an idea of where to look ...
- 69.4k
9
votes
3
answers
557
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To activate PLB if you know search and rescure are looking for you but there is no emergency?
If you are held back a few days by bad weather or some other unforeseen natural circumstance and you know emergency services are looking for you because you can hear the helicopters but you know you ...
- 293
10
votes
1
answer
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Do I need to worry about inadvertently creating a distress signal while using a space tarp?
If I use a space tarp (basically a heavy-duty reusable space blanket) as a sunshade or as a ground tarp with the shiny side facing up, do I need to worry that someone might see it and think that I am ...
- 69.4k
8
votes
1
answer
867
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Is there a Polish mountain rescue organisation?
I was talking to a friend on my lunch today about visiting the Tatra mountains in Poland and he said that an issue was the lack of mountain rescue if you get into trouble.
Is this true, there is no ...
user2766
10
votes
5
answers
990
views
Optimal use of available GPS devices when stranded
There are quite a lot of questions concerning GPS device usage, however I couldn't find any specific information on more passive usage (as in waiting for rescue).
Say I have a watch and a phone which ...
- 941
8
votes
2
answers
226
views
Are there standardized signals to communicate with aircraft?
Suppose one is in distress in the wilderness, and is being searched for by planes or helicopters because they thoughtfully told their friends where they were going and when they'd be back. Alternately,...
- 8,720
23
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8
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11k
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What format should I use to report my location to emergency responders?
Suppose I am out in the wilderness and an emergency arises. I have an accurate fix on my location (from GPS, map and compass, astronomical observation, etc...). I manage to get in touch with ...
- 899