With so much attention regarding SAR lately, I just wanted to add some information to that which most of *this crowd* already knows....

Before venturing out, complete something such as this:

Wilderness Trip Plan

...and give it to a responsible person. I have taken a similar format, and incorporated more information as to gear carried, etc. That way, if my situation DOES become one involving SAR...then they will at least know what I've got (and probably figure that I'm pretty set for bit.... <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> )

I have several blank copies in a file and just pull one out, complete, attach maps printed from terraserver-usa.com of the area in which I will be, and have some piece of mind that people know roughly where I'm at.

Also, I record on the trip plan what type of communications gear I am carrying and what protocol I will follow in an emergency.

Example: I will transmit/monitor FRS/GMRS freq 462.5625 for five minutes at the top of even hours, etc.

Note: Check to see what frequency corresponds to what channel on your particular radio, as it may vary from another manufacturer. Just putting down "Channel 6" may not provide necessary infomation.

I have also briefed a couple people that, if they receive a txt message from me saying "SOS" and listing coordinates, write those down exactly and send calvary. Granted, if I have further connectivity, I'll exchange more information. But, as has been discussed, txt msgs may sometimes be a last alternative and hit and miss.

A further step would be to make an imprint of the footwear that you are wearing on some foil and leave it....along with a rag wiped around on your body and placed in a sealed bag.
Never know if trackers may need to find "your" footprints, and a tracking dog needs to find "your" scent.

....just hoping to keep everyone safe, sound, and found. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Harley

Good info. The Sierra Club calls them safety plans but contains much the same info on the form.

(hthomp: I have taken a similar format)

Please post your format. I am doing a set -

1. A brief windshield note with expected removal date of the vehicle.
2. A detailed note in a clear tube hanging from the side mirror.
3. A detailed note to be left with next of kin.

I use a checklist for trip preparation - www.tincher.to/CHECK-1.DOC

The problem with notes left on your car is that they let robbers know how long they have until you return.

The method I use is to give a friend or love one a detailed plan of who is going, where they are traveling and when you expect to return. Let them know you will notify them immediately upon your safe return and give them instruction to call the authorities if they don't hear from you.

Also sign in at all registers and leave a detailed plan at the local USFS office.

I knew you were from CA as soon as I read your first line. You beat me to it by seconds.

Another thing you can do is stop by the nearest USFS office, sheriffs substation, local CHP (or equivant in your area) resident officers place (or call the dispatch center to have the officer meet with you), fire station, whatever, to let them know your plans. If you are not parked toooo far off the beaten path they can try to keep an eye on your vehicle, and will know if you are late coming out. When you do come out be sure to recontact and let them know that you are alive a well...

What is a register?

I usually park my truck and stock trailer here -

GOOGLE EARTH - N44.157294 W115.716724

The USFS could give a [censored] about my plans. There are no warning signs on these roads. You get to decide if the road is closed or not.

Yes here in the PRK you got to keep a low profile when parking at trailheads.

Yes you can tell any LEO or fire / rescue of your plans; they would rather know and not need to look for you than having to SAR without a clue.

Take a manila envelope, copy your photo-ID and print it onto the envelope along with a note that briefly describes your intentions, a date of when you Should return, a list of the contents of the envelope, and in big bold print IF NOT RECLAIMED BY date PLEASE OPEN.
Include in the envelope:
a detailed trip plan (include anything you possibily can about your plans),
a photocopy of your bootprints with another copy of your ID on the reverse side,
a plastic ziplock baggie with a dirty sock or a bandana that has been worn for at least a few hours (marked on the outside with your name),
a list of gear and where it is kept (worn, pocket, belt, beltpouch, backpack, etc),
a list of emergency contacts,
a list of training and experience that you belive could possibly be pertinent,
a letter outlineing any emergency procedures you will follow (radio/cell phone useage and times with freqs or cell phone type, etc)
a letter with any special medical concerns,
a letter with instructions on medical care in case of incapacitation (take limbs if needed, do not resuscitate, in case of brain death, etc),
a letter, in a sealed letter size envelope marked OPEN IN CASE OF DEATH OR PRESUMED DEATH, with a letter to those you are leaving behind in case of your death. (morbid, I know),
anything else you can think of that would help SAR find you or help your loved ones if they don't.

If you can get everyone in your party to make an envelope like this, great, if not then include what you can get them to contribute of the above list and add it to your envelope, at the very least add a list of the other members of your party.

Make sure you mark the date on the envelope for when you want them to begin SAR operations in case you do not return. If you want them to start immediatly if you are not back when you think you should be, thats your call, I like to give it at least one day longer myself.

Leave the envelope with someone responsible (USFS office, police, fire and rescue, family, friend), or at the very least on your car seat.. if your worried about thieves you can leave the blank side up.

Be sure to promptly pick the package up
Be sure you follow your emergency procedures if you can
Be sure you follow as closely as you can your trip plans

At some trailheads there are sign in / out registers so the local rangers can see if they are missing anyone at the end of the day.

Nice job; most thorough.
I like the sock part.

Sock is easy and cheap, bandana fits better though..
Make sure you use a new copy of your boots each time, the tread changes with use..
though you could just make a unique mark in the tred (remove one tread or file one in half or something) if you didn't mind doing that to your boot that might make it even easier to track you...

Hi Harley!

I'm a SAR volunteer myself.

Realistically speaking, I think people might fill out such a form when going out on longs trips, but not on dayhikes. Such a form might be of use to someone that has few friends or relatives that don't know their whereabouts. Most people simply tell their friends or work collegues where they're going, or even better, then bring them along! :-)

I'd rather take the time it takes to fill out the form to double-check my gear and make sure i'm not forgetting something important. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

My 0.02$.

According to my wife, she could track me with one of my socks <img src="/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

Good stuff.

But, being from the land of auth theft, and with todays identity theft problem, I would really think twice about leaving copy of something like my drivers license in the vehicle, even in a sealed envelope. When I leave my car parked in the boonies I even take my insurance and registration papers out of it. Call me paranoid...

Hey, Bee.

I'm not actually involved in SAR.....just trying to think from SAR perspective. And, selfishly........would love to have myself found, in the event of trouble. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I don't leave any indicators in my vehicle about my intent....other than it's parked at a trail head. Any thief would get the same things that he/she would get if it were parked at a mall, basically.

Harley

I'M CALLING YOU PARANOID!!

No, really..

A recent photo and your name would work almost as good... Mostly it would be for when you retrieve the package from someone who may not have ever seen you before (the guy you gave it to at the USFS may not be the guy you see to get it back from) so that they don't give it to anybody that is NOT you. (yah, with the things my estranged wife has pulled, I'm a bit paranoid too)

It may be of limited use knowing what you look like and your name in a SAR situation, I think mostly it would be a psychological benefit on my part (they know what I look like and who I am), though it might help personify you to the rescuers somewhat as well, which may be of some use too.

Or to identify your body if SAR takes a while? but that wouldn't happen to us 'cuz we're smart enough to signal our position. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

See, there I went assumeing (assume = make an a** out of you and me) that if you were reading this and they needed to ID your body, you would be so messed up that they would need to resort to DNA testing because visual/dental/fingerprint ID would be impossible..

Ok, so I actually felt I was morbid enough telling you to write the letter to your family and friends and didn't want you thinking 'at least they can ID my body' instead of 'at least they know what I look like'..

Bah! Keep the morbid coming? Morbidity = Motivation to Prepare! <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

I do have to say that your instructions were quite thorough and definitely inspire some thought about what all information can and should be available to rescuers. The "let someone know where you're going" idea seems much more significant with how you broke it down!

Nice tactic, I like that.