How to Look for a Lost Person

When looking for a lost person, remember to stay calm and utilize as many people as possible in searching.

Looking for a missing person can be a challenging task, especially if you do not know where or when they were lost. Most important in this process is remembering not to panic and developing the best system for finding the missing person by covering the greatest amount of space in the least amount of time. Be certain to cover all of your preliminary bases and involve as many people as possible. The more people involved, the faster you are likely to find the person you are looking for.

Instructions

1. Alert the authorities. Filing a missing persons report with the police is the best way to gain free, professional help in finding that person. Likewise, if you've lost a person around a park or a forest, alert officials in that area to be aware of anyone who looks lost.

2. Isolate the time window of when the person went missing. By talking with the people who last spoke with or were seen with the missing person, you'll be able to get a better idea of when he went missing. This will also narrow down his location.

3. Alert friends and family. It may be that someone has gone missing merely because she forgot to leave a note, and is not actually lost at all. By letting the people around you know that this person has gone missing, you may actually find them.

4. Create a search party. If time wears on and the missing person is not found, create a search party consisting of close family and friends. Split into pairs and separate to search thoroughly the proximity where the missing person may be.

References

• Tuolumne County: Search and Rescue Tips
• Check list: What to Do When Someone Goes Missing