From time to time families and local authorities will request volunteers to assist in a search party for a missing or abducted child or adult.  ATVs have the advantage of covering large amounts of area in a very short time with very good evaluation.  Many areas are restricted to air search or ground view is obliterated by trees.

There are some important elements to keep in mind if you participate in one of these searches.

• You are a volunteer, you are not employed by the family, city, state, or any other governmental, religious or fraternal organization.
• You participate at your own risk.  Any injuries or damages incurred while participating in such an event are your personal responsibility, just as though you were out recreating with your friends or family.
• You are not an officer of the law.  You have no authority to arrest, detain or intervene in any way with any person, that a person does not grant you out of common courtesy.
• While riding your ATV you must stay on existing roads or trails, unless you are in an area that is designated by the land manager as open to cross country travel. (these areas are very rare).  When needed you may need to get off your ATV to search other areas not accessible by ATV.  Do not abandon the trail simply because you are on a search.  Other parties who follow later will only see the off trail tracks and not know the tracks were made in an effort to find a missing child.  They will consider it the work of a motorized forest terrorist.
• ATV operators must be 21 years or older and wear a helmet.
• All searchers must register with the search coordinator at the control point before you leave.
• All searchers must be assigned to a team (4 or 5 riders) and report to their team leader for assignments.
• You must agree to follow the direction of your team leader.
• Do not travel at high speeds.  remain less than 25 MPH at all times.
• Periodically stop and turn off your engine and listen and call.  The victim may be injured and need your help.
• Each Searcher must carry water.
• Stay in contact with your group leader and the control point.  A cell phone, and FRS or GMRS radio is very important and helpful to keep the members of the search party teams together.
• If you have a GPS unit use NAD27 for datum.
• All persons must return to the control point by a designated hour. (Usually 6:00 PM.)
• You must sign out at the control point indicating your safe return.
• You must be debriefed before you leave the area.
• Your safety is paramount.  Do not take risk or endanger your life.
• Do not attempt any activity that might endanger the safety of yourself or your fellow searchers.
• If you observe something that requires a closer evaluation, but you can not get to it safely, mark the area and report your findings to the control center.
• Be observant Watch for items that are out of place such as blankets, large plastic bags, discarded rolls of carpet, sleeping bags, etc.
• Watch where you walk or ride.  Use extreme caution near steep slopes.
• Search piles of rubble or brush with gloved hands or sticks.  Watch out for snakes, bees, and other potentially dangerous wildlife.
• If at any time during your search you are confronted by a landowner informing you that you are on private property, stop your search.  Explain to the landowner what you are doing and ask for permission to continue.  If permission is denied, discontinue the search and return tot he Control Center.  Notify the control center so arrangements can be made through Law Enforcement to complete the search.
• If there is a well maintained fence along your search route, do not cross the fence and enter private property.  If the fence has a break, search within 200 feet of that break.
• Should a member of your search team become ill or injured, immediately stop your search and provide assistance.  Assess the situation, advise the control center of the situation and have another search team member accompany the ill/injured party back to the Control Center or call 9-1-1 if it is warranted.
• Carry extra water and drink plenty of it.  Consider carrying a snack bar or other type of nutritional food.
• If you note any smell or decay try to locate the source of the odor.
• Team members must stay together as a team.  Do not separate and run and independent search.  At the completion of the search the entire team should return to the Control Center for a Team Debrief.
• If the area assigned is too large  or is too difficult to complete, note the area that has not been searched on your map and identify this area during your Team Debrief.

• FRS or GMRS radio for each member of the team.
• Camera
• Binoculars
• Dust Bandana to cover your nose and mouth from the trail dust.
• Water - a "camelback" water pack is very handy while riding.
• Snack Food.
• GPS
• First Aid Kit.
• Tire repair Kit
• Tire inflation canister/ Fix a flat
• Don't forget your ATV keys.
• Forest Service or BLM map of the area of the search.

DO NOT TOUCH ANYTHING!!!!! LEAVE IT ALONE!!!

Use tape to cordon off the area and do not disturb anything.  Even footprints can offer material evidence.

If you find the victim,
 

• call police at 911 or the Control Center immediatly.
• Offer the victim medical assistance and/or protect the area around them.

written 6-10-02