HOW I USE POCKET NAVIGATOR FOR SAR by Kevin M. Brewer, Search and Rescue Instructor

Here is how I use Pocket Navigator. As I told you, I personally use it on actual lost person wilderness search and rescue missions as well as during training for such. The benefits are innumerable. When I am sent out into a particular task area, I am sent out with a traditional 8 1/2 x 11 paper map of a particular area. That will never change; I will still always want the paper map. What Pocket Navigator allows me to have is a living real time map of the same area. Let me explain what I mean; traditionally as soon as we leave the search mission base we are using land navigation skills with a compass and the paper map to determine where exactly we are, for two reasons. First, we need to know precisely where we are at all times in the event of the subject being found. Second, we need to know where we are so that we can in fact search the area where we were sent by the search staff. If we were to find the subject and not be in the area where we were sent, or outside of our assigned area, then any other resources requested to come out and help could be going to the wrong place. Pocket Navigator running on a Pocket PC with a GPS allows me to know exactly where I am at all times (within atmospheric, environmental and satellite allowances). The breadcrumb trail recorded through pocket navigator shows where you've been, where you currently are and what direction you're currently heading. Another feature, which becomes very beneficial in the field, is color. Most SAR groups are tasked with black and white maps. Having a color map allows you to see where the vegetation really is or where the low laying swamp areas are in relation to where I am. Identifying, hazards not shown on the map, marking clues left by the search subject, etc. is possible through Pocket Navigator and again its position or direction of travel is accurate. The maps provided by base have what's called a grid segment drawn on it showing the specific task area which we are being sent to. Transposing that task area onto a Pocket PC is a snap. Determining where you are in relationship to your task area is as simple as looking at the screen. The map moves as you move showing your current location. When possible clues are found, they can be immediately marked within the software and any type of note can be attached to it through the Pocket PC virtual keypad. When we return to base after searching our segment, we are asked to show base exactly where we had searched. Showing them the screen depicting the actual USGS 7.5 minute quadrangle and having the bread crumb trail show where we started our task, what route we took within our assigned area and where we ended up gives them the precise information they are looking for. Showing them recorded proof that we searched our area takes out the ambiguity especially when searching at night. Having just a GPS means that the track shown on the GPS screen still has to have the individual points transposed onto a map and not all GPS's have that capability after the fact. But a GPS hooked up to a Pocket PC running Pocket Navigator has it all right there, available until it's purposefully deleted or hidden. Thank You. Kevin M. Brewer - kbrewer36@cox.net Tidewater Search and Rescue Group - Group Commander Search and Rescue Tracking Institute Virginia Search and Rescue Council Appalachian Search and Rescue Conference Virginia Department of Emergency Management - Adjunct SAR instructor