The 11th essential item - leave mom a note

If you're going into the woods ( desert, etc) the other thing you should do is leave a note with someone -- or 2 someones -- as to where you are going and when to start looking. Saves the guys in SAR oh so much time....


-- who

-- Where

-- how long

-- gear/ training

-- any medical issues

- communications gear? ( cell? walkie talkies? PRB?)

i may have said this before but i do that before i go off on the two week solo canoe trips.along with a photo of me and the tent,canoe,PFD..so on.left on the dining room table it's also for the police/EMT to know where i am if something happens at home.
God Forbid...

A great reminder. Thanks.

So true. It makes it so much easier for SAR.

This is a good idea even in non-wilderness excursions.

If you're concerned about helping the local SAR Team, leave your ego at home and contact them to get current info on what would help them before you go out. They might also have info you wouldn't have regarding current conditions you may be unaware of.

If you are out and discover that you are lost... STAY PUT!!!

I know, I know ...it's just around the bend, just over the hill, just over there, that spot looks familiar, that going downhill will get you out of any trouble and I'm sure you could get home without the help of SAR...but to HELP the SAR guys, stay put.

You might also consider leaving your recorded shoe track and a scent article (ask the team where and how), a list of all items including all food and snack containers you will be carrying and the name and number of the person you left your info with and who you would contact first when you get out. If something goes awry and you come out in a different location than planned and the time has come for notification to the agency responsible for SAR operations, call them immediately and inform them of the situation in addition to notifying your contact person. Do that before you go home, cleanup and have dinner.

The longer you wander around to try to find a way out, the longer SAR personnel are at risk responding and searching for you and the more tax dollars are being spent bringing in more and more resources as the perimeter expands.

Don't take this as all-inclusive info, I've been out of it a few years.

This is taken from the internet: http://tracker.sbsar.org/accident/Search%20and%20Rescue%20deaths.pdf

Edit: This was not meant as a rant; if it was taken that way, the rant is over.

It's a good idea in day to day life too. My wife and I communicate our comings and goings via text since we are always going in different directions. At least we know when we have to start worrying.

Yes, if you want to tip the balance in your favour, you provide that critical starting point. That makes the difference.

The simplest note changes everything. It's not the 11th item, it's the item that happens first, and the other ten follow. (Semantics maybe, but indulge me.) It is the first thing you do, before you strap on your 10 essentials. Always.

It's perhaps more important in the small trips than the big ones. Preps for a major trip include all standard notifications, planning for contingencies, etc. But in a local trip, I can cover a lot of ground in a 30-minute drive, and much more within an hour. That puts me into a range of different terrain. And it's a lot of square miles to cover, just to find my car.

Contrast that with the simplest method: a post-it note in the bathroom mirror. Gone for a stomp, Dearest, out at ____x____, back for supper/ before dark.

I'd pint some up* and put them in your box with checklists - Mush easier to do if you have one handy


( * examples?)

I give DW that information whenever I'm going out on an adventure. I also include:
-what time to start worrying if I don't call.
-what time to call the cops/rescue people if I haven't returned.
-google map with directions to where I'm going and location of trailhead where I'm parked.
-phone number of park ranger's office (if there is one).
-copy of my trail map with direction of travel marked.

She gets both a printout and e-mail with all this info. It gives her much comfort.

-Blast

Google map with the trip route marked out,great idea.i just leave the lakes i'll pass thru or plan on camping at.some are big and would take some looking around.

That's great extra info to include.
Put yourself in the position of Mrs Blast at home:
- Blast said he'd be back on Sunday evening. Its 10:30 pm now and he's not back. What should I do ?

- Monday morning - he's still not back ! I don't want to seem a fool and call SAR if he's just running a bit late or decided to stay an extra night because he was too tired to drive.

-Oh look ! The note says to call the local ranger on "555 123 456" on Monday morning if he's not back. I'll call now ...

Writing some fairly specific instructions, even escalation instructions gives your family psychological "permission" to take action and to know what and when to do it.
If you are travelling with several people, give a home contact for each person, better than Mrs Blast saying to the SAR “He was travelling with someone called Aussie he met on the internet …”

Provide the phone numbers of the relevant authorities and contact details of the other people you are travelling with to make it as easy as possible for people to raise the alarm, or at least start the process.

If necessary nominate one person to be the primary point for coordination: Mrs Blast to check with Mrs Aussie, then call the Ranger …

I also include details such as the car description and rego; this means that a Ranger or SAR can quickly spot it if they need to, and Mrs Blast has the info to hand.
If there are possible alternative routes or plans, include them too eg “we may divert via big mountain if we’re ahead of scheule”, or “if the weather is bad, we’ll try and head to the town” … you get the picture.

"When to worry" Such a great idea. Also include you hiking buddy's cell and home numbers -- in case yours is out...

Mine includes car description and plate, driving route to/from TH, important pack contents, personal description and GPS waypoints if I have a specific route in mind.

Call the Sheriff time (with some margin for my own delays) is the most important.

I've gotten MUCH better about this in recent years.

A Basic Route Cards is one of the best things you can do. I don't leave home without taking a few minutes to ensure I will really be searched for in the right place, when I really need the help.

Link to Basic Route Card PDF

Does anyone still do the boot print on foil trick? I used to but got out of the habit.

no boot print here,that's more for the hiking gang.

Leaving a note is a great idea.

For an over night trip or a long backpack trip I tend to leave more info. For example, if my buddy has a medical condition that is important for SAR to know.

To take a look at a recommended form, please see the link below.

http://outdoorquest.biz/TripPlanV2.pdf

Blake

Very useful form - Thanks Blake.