(no subject)

[vr_trakowski]

Okay, question: postulating mountain forest and mild weather, how long would an official search-and-rescue mission last before shut-down if the person is not found?  I.e., what's the cut-off? 

I'd ask Metafilter, but it'd take a week... 

ETA: I think I have enough data now.  Thank you to everyone who answered!

Comments

[elfling65.livejournal.com]

I have a call into my friend who does horse back search and rescue. Heh, she's a college professor so it could take a few days.

[vr-trakowski.livejournal.com]

Wow, thanks!! I was just hoping someone knew off the top of their head. :D

[laura27md.livejournal.com]

i'm glad you specified "mountain forest" or I'd wonder why you were asking, given my upcoming activities. :P

I'm hoping/assuming this question is for a fic...

[vr-trakowski.livejournal.com]

Heh, well, it might be handy to have the way the imp of the perverse has been chasing after you!

Yes. NaNo. *twitch*

[inalichenmanner.livejournal.com]

It probably depends on whether any signs were found that indicated whether the missing person was dead or alive (bloody clothes, etc) A quick search shows several that were called off around a week to nine days.

[vr-trakowski.livejournal.com]

Huh, okay, thanks!

[boubabe14.livejournal.com]

Well, I hate to give you this but...it depends. The search will continue as long as there is a "likely" chance the person is alive. If weather isn't a limiting factor and the person is otherwise healthy, other factors would be is the person a skilled outdoorsman, is it likely the person would have survival gear, is the person familiar with the area, did the person have food and water or knows how to obtain them in the wild? IN reality, 3 days without water and 3 weeks without food if there were no other extenuating circumstances.

If you want to email me with the setup, I could give you a pretty good answer (tlwertz at ptialaska.net)

[vr-trakowski.livejournal.com]

Thanks! But I seem to have enough data here. I appreciate the offer and the info, though!

[cincoflex.livejournal.com]

*sigh* I did say three to five days, but *sniffle* I guess I'm just not a good enough resource---

[vr-trakowski.livejournal.com]

You are a librarian, dearest--you know the value of multiple sources! :D Besides, I asked you FIRST.

[mingsmommy.livejournal.com]

A woman wandered off from an assisted living facility here over six weeks ago...official Search & Rescue lasted for about 5 days. They're still doing unofficial with volunteers on the weekends. Granted, we're not mountainous, but it was a fairly rural area.

[vr-trakowski.livejournal.com]

Great, thank you!!