SOS 001 | What to Do When Your Loved One Goes Missing: A Guided Action Plan

"When my husband went missing while traveling in Nepal, I felt helpless. I didn’t know what to do. I was unable to contact him due to the lack of cell phone signals in the area, and unclear about whether the local police could assist. All I knew was that he missed his flight home and hadn't made contact with anyone."

Locate-Missing-Person

Based on a true story.

Writer: Ron Lavy, Search & Rescue Specialist and the founder of SAR-ADVISORS.

• Navigating the Unforeseen

It happens all the time. People often head out on solo adventures for a bunch of reasons. Some are chasing personal goals, others are seeking some peace and quiet or simply wanting to enjoy the outdoors. However, unexpected emergencies can leave them isolated, making it impossible for them to keep their loved ones updated. Sometimes these are just false alarms, but unfortunately, sometimes they're not.

• Acting Swiftly, Thinking Clearly

In these stressful situations, it's important for friends and family to stay calm and composed. It's time to take control, gather essential information, share updates, and make quick, informed decisions. Focus on actions that maximize the chances of locating your missing loved one, and try to avoid unnecessary steps.

• Tackling the Unknown

It's natural to feel overwhelmed when you can’t contact your loved one. Here's what you can do:

• The First Steps

Lean on your instincts, but also consider involving a level-headed friend who can help you strategize effectively. Discussing the situation can often uncover answers that your stress might be hiding from you. Don't keep your feelings to yourself; sharing can be a source of comfort and clarity.

• The Checklist – Guided by an Expert

  • Reach Out: Send a concise, straightforward message like, "Hey, I'm worried. Please send your location when you receive this message," across all platforms your loved one frequently uses like WhatsApp, SMS, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and even Email. Your aim? To make sure that the first thing they notice across any communication app or platform is your message of concern – someone is looking for them. Maximize your message's probability or reaching yoru loved one by using internet-based, cellular, and satellite communications. You never know which channel they might check first or if their cellphone has cell or internet reception.

Your ultimate goal is to get them to share their location.

• Organize Critical Information: Be prepared with key details in case you need to reach out to professional organizations for assistance. You'll need specific details readily available. Examples: ID card number, photocopies of flight tickets, passports, and insurance certificates, details of fellow travelers, passport number, phone number, citizenship status, a recent photo, additional communication channels, distinctive identification marks, payment methods, history of contact loss, close friends, and any other relevant information.

• Check Insurance: Determine if your travel insurance company provides SAR (search and rescue) services and KR&E (kidnap, ransom, and extortion).

• Engage Experts: Be cautious of fraudulent companies claiming to offer search and rescue services. The fields of SOS, search and rescue, kidnapping and ransom, missing persons, injuries, and remote medical treatment have been extensively studied. Real expertise in these areas takes years of experience and rigorous training. When it comes to search and rescue, it's best to call in experts. Not everyone has the know-how to handle these situations properly.

• Involve the Police: Contact your local law enforcement and seek their assistance. If the situation escalates, involving the local authorities where your loved one was traveling becomes vital.

• Holding Onto Hope

Once you've done all you can, it's time to be patient. It's common for travelers to face battery issues or unavailability of network coverage. Discuss with the experts, define a reasonable wait time based on circumstances, and surround yourself with trustworthy people. Above all, don't lose hope.

• Immediate Assistance

If you are looking for a loved one, use our Locate-Missing-Person, designed to help you make informed decisions when every second counts, or reach out to us via the WhatsApp button below. We are ready to bring your loved ones home.

• Understanding Survival Times

In survival situations, a person can typically last up to three days without water and around three weeks without food. However, these are not hard and fast rules, and many factors can influence survival possibilities.

Contact us for any feedback

+1 (910) 535-9922

info@sar-advisors.com

Coming Soon on

SOS 002 | Searching for Missing Persons: Exploring Communication Methods in Remote Regions

We would love to hear from you — if you found this article interesting or have gone through a similar experience that you'd like to share with others, feel free to leave a comment below. Your response could be valuable and can even help save a life!