A checklist is a great thing to have when under stress. I've taken some wilderness first aid classes and have learned of the value of S.O.A.P. Notes. Basically a checklist of what to do & what to pay attention to when trying to keep Someone stable until help can arrive. It is also used when calling for help to say what you have found & what you are doing. You always keep two sets. One your using and you make a duplicate if you have to send someone to get help. I keep them in all my packs always.

I don't know if the information is copyrighted & I don't want to get this site in trouble so if anyone wants to see what I'm talking about type: wfa soap notes into Google.

The first link is a nols manual. The second link is for a good set of soap notes.

Perhaps some of our members who have done search & rescue can let us know what they have learned to do to record and communicate vital on scene info. That knowledge would be greatly appreciated.