Rescue personnel will initiate a search by looking for clues as to where the missing paddler could be. When you consider that the area of water covered by rescue personnel can be enormous, finding a missing paddler can be a regular detective thriller. A lot of valuable time might be spent looking for clues, running down phone numbers, interviewing people and calling airports and ferry terminals. That sort of high drama could leave you in a wet, cold and dangerous predicament for longer than you'd like. A float plan identifies your intended route, narrowing the search area dramatically, saving valuable time, which could save your life.
Pilots always file a flight plan.
You may already let someone know when you go backpacking in the wilderness-where you're going, when you expect to return. Filing a float plan involves filling out a form such as the example on page 11-it can be a quick exercise by just checking the appropriate box. Make two copies of the form and leave one with a responsible friend. Establish your expected return time with him, and the time at which he should become concerned by your absence. The float plan should include the phone number of the agency in charge of search and rescue operations.