Searching For Answers

In Seattle, Tanya Rider remains in critical condition after spending eight days trapped in her vehicle after she ran off the road and into a twenty foot deep ravine. Her husband, Tom Rider, is raising the complaint that he had to fight through red tape to get authorities to launch a proper search for her, and if the investigation had proceeded more quickly, she might not be in the precarious condition she is in currently.

Problems arose because police weren't able right away to categorize her as a missing person; she didn't fit the criteria to begin an immediate search since she is not a minor, suicidal or mentally ill, nor did she have health problems requiring access to medication.

"We don't take every missing person report on adults...if we did, we'd be doing nothing but going after missing person reports," Deputy Rodney C. Chinnick said. Many of the reports received on missing adults involve someone who fails to return home of their own accord, making it a personal, not a police matter.

However, Rider was eventually located using cell phone locator technology; her cell phone signal was finally searched for and detected, leading to her discovery in the ravine, trapped in her SUV. King County Sheriff Sue Rahr has ordered an investigation into the matter, initiating a review of the 911 tapes from Mr. Rider's calls about his wife's disappearance. "I want to know if he tried to report this and we made a mistake. If we made a mistake, we're going to address that," stated Rahr.

The case certainly raises questions about how missing person cases involving adults are investigated. Without clear evidence of foul play, investigators must often initially assume that a person has left town or made herself unavailable of her own accord. Domestic discord or extramarital affairs may be involved. Unfortunately, the prevalence of these cases causes cases such as Rider's, who actually was in peril, to fall by the wayside as investigators struggle to determine if a true crisis situation exists. Certainly no one wants to see police time and resources used heavily on a case where, for example, a woman has run off from her husband with her boyfriend. However, are there some simple search tactics that could be initiated within the first 24-48 hours of an adult's disappearance, even if that disappearance has not yet been determined to fall into the category of a police matter? Hopefully, the investigation of Sheriff Rahr may lead to new procedures that can be used in such cases, while still maintaining cost- and time-effectiveness.

Metal Detectors: For Work And Play

Metal detectors play an important role in police work and public safety. They are used in police investigations to recover murder weapons and other evidence, and both large and hand-held wand models are used for security purposes in public buildings, airports, prisons, and elsewhere. However, a metal detector can also prove entertaining and occasionally lucrative as a hobby, as well.

The metal detector was born through the assassination of a President. In 1881, as President James Garfield lay dying from a gunshot wound, Alexander Graham Bell (of telephone fame) stepped in to offer his services. On the spot, he invented the first crude metal detector, to be used to locate the bullet within the President's body. While that attempt was not successful, Bell had gotten the concept right, and thus gets credit for the invention. In 1925, a portable version was developed by Gerhard Fischar.

A national organization exists for metal detector hobbyists: it is called the Federation of Metal Detector and Archaeological Clubs, Inc. or FMDAC. They advocate the legal and ethical use of metal detectors for sport. It is not as simple as it may seem at first glance; metal detecting should only be done in places where permission has been granted, and of course some places are completely off-limits, such as federal and state parks and historic sites. Trespassing on private property is also a no-no, naturally. Misuse of a metal detector can lead to fines and imprisonment. Ethics come into play if someone were to discover a valuable item that has identifying features. Obviously, the item belongs to someone else who has lost it, and the ethical hunter would look into ways of reuniting the object with its true owner. Some examples might be a class ring, or a ring or other piece of jewelry with names or initials engraved on it.

As long as all of these things are kept in mind, metal detecting can be an enjoyable and exciting undertaking for both old and young.

How To Save a Life

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR, is a basic medical term that most of us are familiar with to some degree. We know it has saved many lives and it is a skill we should all have. Many of us have even taken a CPR certification course at some point in our lives, usually some type of work-related requirement. But how many of us, when faced with an individual who is lacking in a vital sign, would feel confident enough in our abilities to be the person who rushes forth to perform the procedure and save the day?

CPR consists of artificial blood circulation and artificial respiration. It is unlikely to restart the heart, but its purpose is to maintain a flow of oxygenated blood to the brain and heart, delaying tissue death. It increases the window of opportunity for a successful resuscitation without permanent brain damage. It has been known at least in theory for hundreds or even thousands of years; some claim it is even described in the Bible. In II Kings 4:34, the prophet Elisha is described as warming a dead boy's body with his own and putting his mouth over the boy's, thereby restoring him to life.

Ready to be the person who can step up and save a life? Contact your local American Red Cross chapter to find out when and where to take a CPR class near you.

Volunteers Needed

As many as two-thirds of the nation's fire departments are understaffed, mostly due to budget constraints and employees leaving city and county employment for higher pay in the private sector. With this in mind, volunteer firefighting programs can be a great way to fill in the gaps caused by a lack of paid personnel. However, as with many jobs with "volunteer" in the title, it can be difficult retaining citizens willing to donate their time to the cause.

Volunteer fire departments are most often found in rural communities, without much of a tax base and limited public services. Most of the money a volunteer department receives is used to buy and maintain equipment. A volunteer post is a great way to get experience for someone interested in becoming a career fire fighter. A volunteer may have the opportunity to meet other firefighters from surrounding areas, and can learn important skills such as how to drive the trucks. Many departments require applicants to hold a Class B Commercial Driver's License.

Interested in becoming a volunteer? Here are some steps you can take:

- locate your nearest city and county departments, and call or write a letter expressing interest.
- visit the station and meet with someone to discuss opportunities.
- fill out an application and any other necessary steps; also, be aware that after joining, you will have to go through a certification course and other training to prepare yourself for the dangers and challenges of the position.

Even if you don't have the time, ability, or desire to become a volunteer firefighter, there are other ways to contribute to your local station, such as fundraising, support organizations, or even helping to clean the trucks.