Mounted search and rescue

[pennbo@bbv.net]

My experience in the mountains has been that adults and children older
than about 8 often travel up, younger than that they travel down. Of
course there are exceptions to every rule and each situation is unique!
I find it hard to believe that a Boy Scout was fearful of folks looking
for him. Hopefully they were calling his name and were identifiable with
uniforms/vests. What I would surmise is really the issue here is that
the guy who found him stated the child was 'delirious'. If that is truly
the case, and it is entirely probable after that much time lost, he
would not be acting in a normal manner. And in fact he might have run
from the guy on the ATV if he hadn't possibly been surprised too quickly
to react. It's important to remember that the longer the exposure to the
elements and the longer time without the probability of food/water- the
less likely the reactions are to be 'normal'.

Maybe this incidence will spur parents/groups to discuss with kids what
they should do if they ever become lost  It would be nice if something
good and far-reaching were to come from this event.

I'm just very glad he was found.

Chris Pennington
Big Bear Sheriff's Posse
MSAR