| Lost people are usually predictable. Their behavior can be charted depending upon age, gender, interests, physical and mental condition, time of day, weather, and terrain. With that in mind, it can be dangerous to make any presumptions regarding lost person behavior. A subject’s behavior is affected by many factors including environmental factors. Use your own judgment when considering these traits. This page is not designed to teach you how to search for your subject. It should give you a starting point. Data gathered from past search and rescue successes can point you in the right direction for your next search and rescue mission. |
Behavior Characteristics of Despondent
A despondent will often seek solitude. Of all the characteristics, the despondent is the only one who is not really lost.
If your search and rescue team is activated to help find a despondent, keep in mind that they are usually found within sight and sound of civilization. Some will avoid being found so your search and rescue team may want to set up a confinement area before sending the search team in. Most will not respond to searchers, but your team should still try calling out to them while searching.
When found, most will feel intruded upon and will say they were just trying to get away to think.
Notes your search and rescue team may find helpful:
- Many are found near prominent locations (scenic lake, lookout...)
- They tend not to go into underbrush.
- Many will go upward to distinctive locations.
- Some will settle down in first secluded spot, often next to a tree. (remind your search and rescue team to look up)
- Once they reach the chosen location, they tend to stay there.
Tasking your search and rescue team:
- Do a through systematic search of residence. Repeat throughout search.
- Send a hasty team to all scenic or significant locations.
- Cut for signs along roadways and trails.
- Containment is important. Set up spotters.
- The search urgency is high.
An excellent book can be found on Amazon.com Lost Person Behavior: A search and rescue guide on where to look - for land, air and water.
