LOST/MISSING PERSONS

*LOST/MISSING PERSONS

This guideline is to ensure patrol members use correct procedures when approached by parents, friends or family who has lost a person. Patrol members will frequently become involved with scenarios involving lost and found persons. This guideline provides some principles on which to base a response.

A lost person is where a family member, friend or guardian approaches the lifesaver and reports a person missing or a person is identified as missing as a result of an aquatic incident.

A found person is where the patrol member either:

• Is approached by a member of public who has lost their group;
• Comes across someone who appears distressed and lost; or
• When a member of public finds the child/person and hands them over to a patrol member.
  

Note: If a patrol member is informed of a lost/missing person that patrol member is to keep the informant with them or another patrol member at all times until the missing person is located.

The patrol member should follow a series of escalating procedures to handle lost and found persons:

Contact Surfcom immediately

• There is concern that the person was last sighted in or near the water;
• The person missing is suspected to have a mental illness or is neurodivergent (spectrum disorder);
• There is reasonable suspicion or evidence that there may be criminal activity involved;
• There is any circumstance that suggests the person may be at immediate risk; and
• It is better to call additional resources early than have a delayed response to an aquatic incident when it may be too late.
  

Information Gathering
Gain the necessary information to commence appropriate actions.
Missing child:

• Obtain descriptive details of the missing person (name, age, basic clothing);
• Identify last location of missing person; and
• Identify time since last seen.
  

Missing parents:

• Try to obtain child’s name;
• Obtain child’s basic description; and
• Do not carry child on shoulders or give anything to drink/eat.
  

Missing person in the water:

• Identify the activity and last location of missing person;
• Identify time since last seen; and
• Identify their condition and if they are a swimmer or not.
  

Preliminary observation:

• Patrol members are to observe the local area, commence surveillance at water’s edge and work back; and
• Reassure parents or carer and where possible obtain addition details such as other possible search areas i.e., location of car, residence, etc.
  

Initial search:

• Patrol members are to commence the relay of information. Search to encompass adjacent beach areas and off-beach sites in the immediate area;
• Initial information should be passed to the appropriate coordinating agency; and
• Commence recording of information.
  

Co-ordinated search:

• All available information passed onto Surfcom;
• Lifesavers to continue as directed and in conjunction with the duty officer/ Lifeguard Supervisor (When applicable).