Be prepared for your chosen recreation - Being fit enough to go the distance takes physical preparation. Stick to your turnaround time. Take the proper equipment, have a trip plan and use reference and guide books.

Complete a Trip Plan and leave it with a friend - The trip plan explains your destination, the route you are taking, who is in the group and your return time. If you do not return as planned, the friend you left the trip plan with can give the form to the police to initiate a search.

Never hike alone - Hike with a group and keep together. Travel at the speed of the slowest person. If a person becomes separated by going ahead or falling behind, they are more likely to become lost.

Do not panic - Maintain a positive mental attitude if you become lost. Being lost is not dangerous if you are prepared.

Stay where you are - People who carry on after they become lost usually get further from the trail and further from people who are looking for them. Also, going downhill often leads to natural drainage. Gullies which typically have very thick bush, expansive cliffs and waterfalls make travel and searching more difficult.

Use signaling devices - Blowing a whistle, lighting a fire and staying visible will help searchers find you. Help searchers find you even if you are embarrassed or afraid. Remember that animals will not be attracted to your signals. Searchers may also use planes or helicopters - make yourself visible to them.

Build or seek shelter - Protect yourself from the rain, wind and excessive sun. Be as comfortable as possible, but when it is daylight, make sure you are visible to searchers in helicopters or planes.

The most common mistake - An individual's belief that "it could never happen to me" is summed up as EGO. By being prepared, you can enjoy your trip outdoors regardless of what nature throws at you!

• Map of the area and compass. KNOW HOW TO USE THEM!
• Large orange-coloured plastic bag - useful as emergency shelter, signaling device or rainwear.
• Flashlight and spare batteries.
• EXTRA food and water.
• EXTRA clothing - rain and wind clothes, toque and gloves, sweater and warm pants (NOT jeans!)
• Sun protection - sunglasses, sunscreen, hat, long-sleeved shirt and pants.
• Pocket knife.
• Waterproof matches and/or a full lighter.
• Candles and/or fire-starter (efficient fire-building in adverse weather must be learned before you venture out!)
• Ensure weather forecast and hazards (e.g. Snow conditions) are checked prior to departure.
• First aid kit - (training is required to develop skills needed for proper first aid.)
• Extras - whistle, small lightweight ground insulation such as "insulite", projectile-type flares, tarp.
• Leave a Trip ITINERARY.

REMEMBER: bad weather, early darkness or an unexpected injury
can turn any outing into an extended crisis

DESCRIPTION OF THIS TRIP'S MEMBERS: LEAVE THIS WITH A FRIEND

	PERSON 1	PERSON 2	PERSON 3	PERSON 4
LAST NAME
FIRST NAME
DISABILITY
AGE
HEIGHT
WEIGHT
HAIR & SKIN
20/20 VISION?
FAMILY
HAT COLOUR
COAT COLOUR
SHIRT/SWEATER
PANT COLOUR
FOOTWEAR
PERSONAL PREPAREDNESS
SURVIVAL
OUTDOOR
FIRST AID
AVALANCHE
SKIIER
SNOWSHOER
OTHER

THE FOLLOWING WILL BE NOTIFIED IF I/WE CHANGE DESTINATION:

Name:____________________________________
Address:____________________________________
Home Phone: ______________________________
Work Phone:_________________________________

PLEASE NOTIFY POLICE IF I/WE DO NOT RETURN BY:

Date:_____________________________________
Time: ______________________________________
Signature: _________________________________
Date:_______________________________________

START: __________ / _________ / _________ Day of week Date Month INTENDED RETURN: _____________/ ___________/ ___________ Day of week Date Month PURPOSE OF TRIP: Day Hike Overnight Hike Fishing Skiing Canoeing/ Kayaking ½ day Hike Climbing Hunting Snowmobiling Mushroom/    Berry Picking Other_________________________ THE TRIP: General Area: _______________________________ Specific Area: ________________________________ Intended Route in (be specific): ________________________________ ________________________________ Intended Route out (be specific): ________________________________ Destination: ________________________________ Local Landmarks: ________________________________ Map used: ________________________________ B.C. Hunting and Fishing Regulations Management Unit: ________________________________ Fresh Water Regulations Synopsis Unit: ________________________________ Have you been to the area before? ________________________________ If yes, how many times? _______________________________

THE STARTING POINT: Vehicle Licence no.: ______________________ Make/Model: ______________________ Colour: ______________________ Owner: ______________________ Or Dropped Off at Starting Point by: Name: ________________ Phone: ________________ To Be Picked Up at End Point by: Name: ________________ Phone: ________________ Time: _________________ Date: ________________ Location: ______________________________ Other rendezvous points used by the group: _____________________________________ _____________________________________ EQUIPMENT/SUPPLIES TAKEN: Backpack Water Firestarter First Aid Kit Flashlight Whistle Avalanche Beacon (PIEPS) Snowshoes Extra Clothing Skis Stove Sun Protection Tent (colour): _________________________ Food (days per person): _________________________ Radio (type and frequency): _________________________ Signaling Device: _________________________ Personal Locator Beacon (PLB#): _________________________ Cellular Phone No.: __________________________ Firearms: __________________________ RV, ATV, Boat (description): __________________________ __________________________

This page may be downloaded using Acrobat Reader. If you do not have Acrobat Reader, a free download for this program may be obtained at: Adobe Acrobat Reader
 
Download: Trip Planner

Thank you for your time, interest and support in
Surrey Search and Rescue