Plan your trip first. Know your weather, pack the appropriate footwear and clothing, pack essentials (see list below), plan your route and timeline, and share that with someone who is expecting you to return. Leave a scent article and an impression of your boot (see below on instructions)

10 Essentials to pack

1. First aid kit
2. Map and compass
3. Pocket knife
4. Matches/fire starter
5. Shelter
6. Flashlight
7. Warm/rain clothing
8. Emergency food and water
9. Whistle
10. Something reflective

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Scent Articles and Boot Impressions

Scent articles and boot impressions are tools our teams use to locate missing persons. Scent articles are presented to our dogs, so they know who they are looking for among hundreds of volunteers. Boot impressions let our man trackers know what size and style of shoe you are wearing so they can look for impressions in the dirt or mud to get a direction of travel. Sometimes, it takes hours for our team to obtain this information. You can help by leaving these behind with a person that is expecting you or in your car or at your camp. 

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Scent Articles
Supplies:
4x4 Sterile gauze
small sterilized jar (preferred) or Ziplock bag
latex gloves

With latex gloves on, open your jar or bag,
then open your sterile gauze pad, rub it all
over your face, hair, neck and arms. Place 
contaminated gauze in your jar/bag, seal up and label with your name and date.
DO NOT OPEN. DO NOT LET ANYONE ELSE TOUCH IT. 
Your preserved scent article is good for a year if unopened.

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Boot Impressions
Supplies:
a small kitchen towel
piece of aluminum foil


Do this with the shoes you plan to wear on your adventure.
Place the kitchen towel on the ground.
Place foil on top of towel.
With one foot, step on the foil with all your weight.
Gently lift foot off foil, leaving an impression of your boot sole pattern. Store where it will not be folded or wrinkled.