What should searchers be looking for at a rescue site?

Searchers at a rescue site should primarily focus on any evidence that the person was in the area because this information is crucial for locating and rescuing the individual in distress. Signs that indicate the presence of a missing person can include personal belongings, footprints, or disturbances in the environment, such as broken branches or dragged items. These clues can help establish a timeline of the person's actions and movements, leading to a more effective search effort.

While signs of local wildlife, operating machinery, and warnings from local authorities may be relevant to the overall safety and operations of the search, they do not directly aid in locating the missing individual. Instead, evidence of the person's presence is fundamentally linked to the goal of rescue operations, which is to find and assist those in need.