Pre cell phone and PLBs, a SAR operation usually began with a phone call stating that "johnny is overdue from his hike," along with more or less precise information about his route and plans. So many operations began as searches which might become rescues, with wildly varying outcomes ranging from benign to tragic.

Today, operations more often begin with a call from the scene, along with information about the situation. That definitely enables a more effective response.
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Geezer in Chief