| The NASAR Hug-A-Tree program is geared for children 7 to 11 and teaches them what to do when they get lost. Contact Sandy Vernlund or Brookings County K9 SAR to provide this preventive training to your school, Boy or Girl Scout group or Boys and Girls Club group. |
| Do you know what to do if you get lost? |
1. Find a tree and stay there. By staying in one place, you will be found more quickly and you won't get hurt.
2. Always carry a whistle and a trash bag – Whenever you go hiking, you should carry a whistle on a lanyard
around your neck and a trash bag. By making a hole in the side of the bag (so you don’t suffocate!) for your
face, and putting it over your head, you will keep dry and warm. The whistle can be heard from farther away
than your voice, even when you are yelling very loudly.
3. Mom and Dad won't be mad at you – Your parents will be so happy to see you again, and to know that you
are safe.
4. Make yourself big – From a helicopter, people are hard to see when they are standing up, when they are in
a group of trees, or wearing dark clothing. Find a tree to hug near a small clearing if possible. Wear a brightly
colored jacket (red and orange are easy to see from far away) when you go into the woods or the desert. Lie
down when the helicopter flies over. If it is cold and you are rested, make crosses or an “SOS” using broken
twigs, branches, rocks or by dragging your foot in the dirt.
5. Animals are afraid of humans -- If you hear a noise at night, yell at it! If it is an animal it will run away to
protect itself. If it is a searcher, you will be found.
6. You have hundreds of friends looking for you – Many children who are lost don’t realize that if they will just
sit down and stay put, one of the many searchers will find them. The searchers will be yelling your name, but
they are not angry. They are just worried about you and want to find you as quickly as possible. Don’t be
afraid to let them know where you are.
2. Always carry a whistle and a trash bag – Whenever you go hiking, you should carry a whistle on a lanyard
around your neck and a trash bag. By making a hole in the side of the bag (so you don’t suffocate!) for your
face, and putting it over your head, you will keep dry and warm. The whistle can be heard from farther away
than your voice, even when you are yelling very loudly.
3. Mom and Dad won't be mad at you – Your parents will be so happy to see you again, and to know that you
are safe.
4. Make yourself big – From a helicopter, people are hard to see when they are standing up, when they are in
a group of trees, or wearing dark clothing. Find a tree to hug near a small clearing if possible. Wear a brightly
colored jacket (red and orange are easy to see from far away) when you go into the woods or the desert. Lie
down when the helicopter flies over. If it is cold and you are rested, make crosses or an “SOS” using broken
twigs, branches, rocks or by dragging your foot in the dirt.
5. Animals are afraid of humans -- If you hear a noise at night, yell at it! If it is an animal it will run away to
protect itself. If it is a searcher, you will be found.
6. You have hundreds of friends looking for you – Many children who are lost don’t realize that if they will just
sit down and stay put, one of the many searchers will find them. The searchers will be yelling your name, but
they are not angry. They are just worried about you and want to find you as quickly as possible. Don’t be
afraid to let them know where you are.
Click on above to access FEMA
information just for kids!
information just for kids!
Access "top secret" information
about dogs from the FBI (Federal
Bureau of Investigation).
about dogs from the FBI (Federal
Bureau of Investigation).
Access information about Drug
Abuse Resistance Education or
DARE.
Abuse Resistance Education or
DARE.
Access "Smokey the Bear" with
games and information.
games and information.
No Dog Bites - Rules to Remember...
Children get bitten more than anyone else because they
haven't learned a few rules.
1. Never approach a strange dog.
2. Never run towards a dog.
3. Ask permission before you pet a dog.
4. Never stick your hands through a fence or through an open
car window to pet a dog, even if the dog looks friendly.
5. Never reach over or lean over a strange dog.
6. Never approach a dog that has a toy or a bone or while
they are eating.
7. Never tease or scream at a dog.
Children get bitten more than anyone else because they
haven't learned a few rules.
1. Never approach a strange dog.
2. Never run towards a dog.
3. Ask permission before you pet a dog.
4. Never stick your hands through a fence or through an open
car window to pet a dog, even if the dog looks friendly.
5. Never reach over or lean over a strange dog.
6. Never approach a dog that has a toy or a bone or while
they are eating.
7. Never tease or scream at a dog.
| South Dakota Highway Department Youth Safety Website |
Kids K9 Korner...
Great Plains Search Dogs
