Editing Balto/Search Log

== Search Log ==

[[File:balto_search_log.jpg|right|thumb|300px|The Search Log exercise editor]]

The Search Log captures the details of a search and rescue mission including the assignment, the subject(s) being searched for, their condition, and any notes from the mission. Unlike the discipline-specific exercise logs (Air Scent, HRD, Trailing, etc.), the Search Log focuses on the mission as a whole and the subject's profile.

=== Starting a Search Log ===

# From the Welcome page, press and hold the begin training button to start a new mission
# Configure the mission details (date, location, DR number) and tap Start a new task
# On the Exercise Configuration screen, select Search Log as the training type
# Tap Set Task Details to begin the exercise

The Search Log has four sections that scroll vertically: Subject, Conditions, Assignment, and Review.

=== Subject Section ===

This section captures information about the person or persons being searched for.

==== Subject Name(s) ====

Enter the name or names of the missing subject(s). Free-form text — you can include multiple names separated by commas.

==== Age(s) ====

Enter the age or ages of the missing subject(s).

==== Missing Since ====

Enter when the subject was last seen or reported missing. Free-form text — you can include date, time, and location of last contact.

==== Subject Type ====

Check one or more subject categories that apply:

* Aircraft
* Angler
* Boat
* Camper
* Caver
* Despondent
* Gatherer
* Ground Vehicle
* Hiker
* Horseback Rider
* Hunter
* Mountain Biker
* Person in Water
* Runner
* Walk-away
* Winter Sports
* Worker
* Urban Entrapment
* Abduction
* Other — Use the text field to specify

Subject type helps inform search strategy and historical pattern analysis.

=== Conditions Section ===

This section captures the subject's medical state, experience level, and equipment.

==== Medical Conditions ====

Check one or more medical conditions:

* '''Injured''' — Known or suspected injury
* '''Mental impairment''' — Cognitive condition affecting behavior
* '''Healthy''' — No known medical issues
* '''Known fatality''' — Subject confirmed deceased
* '''Other'''

Use the Details field to add specific information about the subject's medical condition.

==== Experience ====

Select the subject's experience level with the environment:

* Not experienced / does not know area
* Not experienced / knows area
* Experienced / not familiar with area
* Experienced / knows area
* Unknown

==== Equipment ====

Select the adequacy of the subject's equipment for the conditions:

* Inadequate for environment and weather
* Questionable for environment and weather
* Adequate for environment and weather
* Unknown

=== Assignment Section ===

This section captures the type of mission being conducted and the size of the search area.

==== Mission Type ====

Check one or more discipline types being used on the search:

* '''Air Scent''' — Searching for live subjects via airborne human scent
* '''HRD''' — Searching for human remains
* '''Trailing''' — Following a specific subject's scent trail
* '''Ground''' — Visual ground searching
* '''Evidence''' — Searching for evidence items
* '''Other''' — Any other mission type (use the text field to specify)

Multiple types can be checked for missions that combine disciplines.

==== Area Size/Length ====

Enter the approximate size of the search area. Use the spinning wheel control to quickly adjust the value, or tap the text field to enter a specific value.

Select the appropriate units from the dropdown:

* acres (max 200)
* meters (max 1000) — for linear search areas
* sq. feet (max 10,000)
* sq. meters (max 10,000)
* miles (max 20) — for linear search areas

=== Review Section ===

This section captures notes from the mission.

==== Notes ====

Free-form text area for activity notes, search strategy details, outcome information, and any remediation plan.

=== Finishing the Search Log ===

When you're done recording the search:

# Scroll to the bottom of the screen
# Tap '''Finish & save exercise'''
# The search log will be saved

If you tap the back button instead, you'll be prompted to confirm cancellation. Cancelling discards the search log.

=== Tips ===

* The Subject Type field allows multiple selections — check all that apply to a single missing person, or use multiple selections if searching for multiple subjects
* The mission type checkboxes should reflect what your team is actually doing during the mission, not what the overall search effort involves
* Use the Notes field to record key decision points, weather changes, or other operational details for later review
* For training exercises that simulate a search, fill in realistic subject information to make the training as realistic as possible