SCSARDA SC Search and Rescue Dog Association

Community Education The South Carolina Search and Rescue Dog Association will come to your school, scout troop, church, or other community organization for an educational demonstration of our SAR K9 teams and talk with your group about how to avoid getting lost and what to do if you become lost. To request a demonstration, e-mail us at education@scsarda.org

How to avoid getting lost
Inform someone of your intended destination and expected time of return. Give instructions for them to call
authorities if you do not return.
• Bring a map and compass with you and know how to use them
• Bring along a whistle, flashlight, knife, matches, first-aid kit, and mirror
• Bring clothing with you (extra layers provide warmth). Wear bright colors
• Bring water and high-energy food
• Never hike alone and always keep to the trails.

If you become lost...
Stop! Find a safe area where you are visible to searchers. Stay there and conserve energy.
• Before it becomes dark make a shelter and signals (eg., fire, smoke)
• Conserve water and food
• Leave evidence if you must travel: pieces of cloth, notes, drag a stick
• Use a whistle to alert searchers or a mirror catching the sunlight to alert aircraft
• Remember anything repeated 3x is internationally known as a distress signal!
• In case of a lightning storm remove metal possessions and crouch down
• Make noise so you can be found.

Tips to tell your children...
• Let your children know that if they become lost, they won’t be punished when found. Children often hide
from searchers because they are scared of angry parents.
• Let your children know that if they become lost and someone finds them, this is one time when it is OK to
talk to a stranger.

How to help in case of a search mission
• If you know or suspect someone is lost, call help immediately. Tell authorities everything you know,
including where the person was last seen, their travel plans, what he/she was wearing, medical information, etc.
• Try to keep vehicles away from the place the person was last seen. Vehicle fumes can hinder a search dog’s ability to find a person’s trail.

Scent articles
Dog teams are most effective when they have a scent article, that is, some article of clothing that only the
missing person has touched. Use a long object to pick up such items and place them in clean zip lock bags (put only one item per bag) and keep the bags in a cool place. Make certain that no one touches the clothing.
Comment: As a preventive measure, families, individuals, nursing homes personnel, etc. can collect scent
articles and freeze them.

SCSARDA is a 501-C3 non-profit organization. We do not charge for services rendered.
Our membership is made up entirely of volunteers.