Parameters:
(1) age of the person or persons involved
(2) medical condition of the person or persons
(3) number of persons to be rescued
(4) weather conditions
(5) equipment and supply status of missing party
(6) experience profile of the missing party
(7) terrain and hazards
An emergency response should be conducted if:
(1) The missing person is very young.
(2) The missing person is very old.
(3) The missing person has a known or suspected serious illness or injury.
(4) The current or proximate weather is hazardous.
(5) The equipment and supplies of the missing party are inadequate for the environment.
(6) The missing person is inexperienced and unfamiliar with the area.
(7) There are significant hazards in the environment.
where:
• The original listing includes a person who is alone, or a group of people that has totally disbanded, as an indication for an emergency search. However, a person alone may be quite capable of prolonged survival if conditions are right.
The presence of all of the following allows for a careful evaluation and investigation prior to starting the search:
(1) The person is not very young or very old.
(2) The person is known to be healthy and uninjured, or else is known dead.
(3) There is a group of people missing that has managed to stick together.
(4) The weather is not expected to be hazardous.
(5) The equipment and supplies are adequate for the conditions.
(6) The missing person is experienced and is familiar with the area.
(7) There are no significant hazards in the environment.
Situations between these should be conducted with a measured response.
