Got invited to be a subject in a training session. A couple questions.

I was only told to be at so and so at a certain time. I’ve spent a large amount of time off the trails throughout my life so am pretty confident in what I should wear and what the terrain is like. But other than food and water, anything special I should bring?

Also, I have an amateur radio technician license. I also own and have a fair amount of experience with a drone. Should I mention these things or just keep my mouth shut and do what I’m told?

Edit: I average about 12,000 steps a day (according to my phone). What should I be doing at minimum to be prepared for SAR in the long term.

in searchandrescueby Front_Somewhere2285

88%

23d

User deleted comment

23d

Front_Somewhere2285

23d

That’s a problem for me as I’m not an extrovert, but I am interested in joining. I’ve been obsessed with finding things my whole life in the outdoors. Wether it be metal detecting to find old homes, antler sheds, or wildlife in general.

User deleted comment

23d

Front_Somewhere2285

23d

Thanks. I’m sure they will tell me, but when found, are you to generally avoid interacting with the dogs?

User deleted comment

23d

ImportantMud7427

23d

I second this as a dog handler with dogs in two different disciplines - one area and one trailing. Each handler is going to want something different, typically. But after the find, there’s always a big party. I usually tell my subjects not to do anything until I get to them. My area dog is a recall/refind. Trailing dog I’m right there when my dog makes the find, but don’t reward anything until she performs her trained final response.

hotfezz81

🍰

23d

Do this session, don't do anything stupid (like get hurt) and follow up with an email expressing interest and asking for an application

han_shot_1st_

23d

You should bring a book. You’ll probably be a “lost” or “lost and injured” hiker. Sounds like a classic search scenario exercise. So they’ll either take you where you need to be or have you hike to a spot and stay put until they find you.

Take snacks and a comfortable pad to rest on and enjoy your day.

Front_Somewhere2285

23d

Thanks. I hunt during fall and winter, so I’m acquainted with boredom while sitting in woods lol

sketchyAnalogies

23d

I like the idea of bringing an ironic book like "how not to get lost in the woods"

BallsOutKrunked

WEMT / WFR / RFR / CA MRA Team

23d

Probably just pipe down. They'll probably give you a radio that's on 150mhz / mra simplex. Just be prepared to be bored if it's a search, or quasi terrified if it's high angle.

Front_Somewhere2285

23d

“High angled”? As on steep terrain?

BallsOutKrunked

WEMT / WFR / RFR / CA MRA Team

23d

yeah if they package you in a litter, rope system. hopefully they would have tipped you off to that in advance.

Front_Somewhere2285

23d

Thanks

Beginning-Pea-7556

23d

I recommend bringing a backpack that can sustain you for a few hours. Water, snack, book, phone, whatever will keep you happy.

I’d also recommend asking questions! I’ve read the thread and see you mentioned dogs. Each handler and dog will have different SOP’s, and although they’ll tell you what they are, they’d much prefer you ask questions than not about rewarding dogs. All dogs have to get “paid” for finding a person. This is usually done via a certian kind of play after a specific series of events (search -> find -> final trained response -> handler arrives -> payment)

All in all, have fun! Being a victim is lots of fun, if you let it be fun.

sketchyAnalogies

23d

I got to be a reporter in a simulated air crash investigation at my school. So much fun snooping around and "taking pictures" and being where I wasn't supposed to get "getting arrested"

There were also concerned family members there, wailing away wanting to know if uncle Jimbob was ok or what happened.

Interesting_Egg2550

21d

Pay extra attention to the weather and your clothes. What is comfortable walking around in can get uncomfortable when you aren't moving around as fast.

TheMielkeWay82

More insect repellent than you’d think. A battery charger for phone. Lots of snacks and a book

laeiryn

also: Some toilet paper and a baggie to put it in after you've used it. Doggy pickup bags but not for dogs.

If they put you in a Spot to be Found, and you must relieve yourself: don't leave the Spot. I don't care how humiliating you think it'll be to have them walk up just as you drop a deuce. Stay in the Spot. "Oh, I'm just going three feet for a piss- " no. That's how people actually get lost, three feet off the trail, and never found. Stay. Put.

Front_Somewhere2285

Gotcha