SEARCHING FOR TARGETS WHO WANT TO BE FOUND

The paper reports some simulation results for models of the types of s earch that might be conducted by a rescue helicopter when looking for a walker who is lost in the desert and wants to be found. The walker h as a smaller speed than the helicopter, but the walker can detect the helicopter at a greater distance than the helicopter can detect the wa lker. Possible search strategies include those in which the helicopter flies in a decreasing spiral or sweeps back and forth across a region . The walker may remain stationary, move randomly or walk towards the helicopter when he hears it. Simulation work suggests the types of str ategies that may do best.