When people become lost, the RCMP will often try to use an RCMP Police Dog and Handler Team to try to find them quickly. Nova Scotia RCMP has some advice that could help:

Tips for outdoor enthusiasts who become lost in the woods:

• Stay in one spot once you’ve identified a location that is best for you.
• Use your phone to contact emergency services, and if the battery is low, conserve it.
• Listen for searchers or other hikers who may be in the area.
• Keep in mind when you’re hiking in a remote area that your cell phone will use more battery life when it’s searching for service. You may want to turn the phone off unless you need it.
• If you’re hiking with your dog and searchers are coming to find you, please keep your dog on a leash.

Ways you can help us locate a family member or a friend:

• Please stay away from the area being searched, and the last known area where the person was seen. This helps a police dog locate the right track quickly. This includes all-terrain vehicles and larger vehicles.
• It’s best to wait for the search team to arrive at the scene and formulate their search plan before anyone else enters the search area.
• Bringing other dogs into the area may not be a good idea. This could impact the time it takes for the RCMP Police Dog to locate the right track.
• An RCMP Dog team can work with GSAR teams.

Best practices for outdoor enthusiasts:

• Plan ahead – that means telling someone where you’re going and when you’ll be back.
• Take a backpack with you, which has some basic supplies – food, water, GPS, matches, and whatever else you may need.
• Ensure you are prepared for the weather, keeping in mind that you could become lost and may be out for longer than you intended. Temperatures can fluctuate.

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Source: Media Release