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WanderSearch

Searching for wanderers

The number of New Zealanders with a cognitive impairment is forecast to treble by 2050 – meaning the SAR sector can expect a significant increase in searches for those with cognitive impairment who go missing.

 

But it is not just a future problem. Last year, 23 percent of all Police-led search and rescue operations on land involved lost or missing subjects with cognitive impairments.


Since 2017, LandSAR has been providing national coordination for the Safer Walking Framework, liaising with stakeholder agencies to improve outcomes for those people at risk. One of the key initiatives is public education, through the SaferWalking.nz website.


“We’re providing a suite of strategies, ideas and technologies which can be adapted for each person’s situation,” says Liz Henderson, the National WanderSearch Coordinator for LandSAR. “The aim is that people can retain a degree of independence, and access the health benefits of walking, whilst mitigating the risks of becoming disoriented and lost.”


A key resource is the Safer Walking Profile. Similar to leaving intentions with a trusted person before heading to the mountains or out in the boat, the profile confidentially records key information about the person at risk, their memories, favourite places and any other helpful data. “All this information can be gained from family and caregivers, but when the person wanders off in the middle of the night, the profile can help speed up the initial part of the information gathering process,” explains Liz. “This especially helps when there is high turnover of caregiver staff.”


One of the specialised technologies is the WanderSearch system. The devices are small radio transmitters, encased within a pendant, which a person can wear, that can be located by trained personnel with special receivers. Altogether, there are about 1000 pendants issued by 33 groups across Aotearoa; 22 LandSAR groups, six Alzheimer's organisations and seven Trusts. However there are an estimated 6500 people who would currently benefit from a device; a sector of society which is forecast to double in size by 2030.


Effective search operations for wanderers with a cognitive impair-ment requires a knowledge of Lost Person Behaviour. This provides tailored statistical guidance for higher probability search areas and patterns, alongside practical tips on how to deal with people when they are found. This is a key part of LandSAR field training, but the knowledge comes in handy for other parts of the SAR sector.


In 2021, a four-day SAR operation for a man with dementia in Northland involved coastal searches by Surf lifeguards and Coastguard rescue vessels, as well as urban and bush searching by LandSAR teams, Fire and Emergency NZ and local helicopter operators.


“Often a person with dementia will go to a familiar area, or to something which they like,” says Liz. “In New Zealand, this is often the coastline and there is a growing need for on-water search teams. Plus, with the forecast increase in dementia, there may be more experienced boaties and sailors who will start to become forgetful or disoriented out on the water. Having a working knowledge of the techniques and considerations when searching for people with cognitive impairment is helpful for everyone in the SAR sector.”


Dementia currently represents the largest proportion of searches for individuals at risk due to cognitive impairment. But there are a wide range of other situations such as people rehabilitating from a stroke or a traumatic brain injury. Other conditions could include autism and some intellectual disabilities.


“"We encourage people to tell their family and friends about SaferWalking.nz, so that as many of those people who could benefit from the framework are aware of it. Also we want to remind everyone in the SAR sector to be aware of the techniques, tools and considerations that come with searching for wanderers.”

 

Learn more about searching for wanderers

SaferWalking.nz has a range of resources, including the Safer Walking Profile form and WanderSearch information.

LandSAR has produced short YouTube videos to help responders approach a person with autism or dementia who may have got lost. https://bit.ly/YouTubeWanderers

Resources for Lost Person Behaviour include the book Lost Person Behaviour by Robert J. Koester, the Lost Person Behaviour app for Android and iPhone, plus the LandSAR Field Guide.

 

This article was first published in the December 2022 issue of Link Magazine. 

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