Req 6b — PLS and LKP
The terms look similar, but they are not identical. In the merit badge pamphlet, the PLS is where someone who can positively identify the subject actually saw that person. The LKP may be the same spot, but it can also be the place the subject was known to have been based on evidence instead of direct sight.
Examples of an LKP might include an abandoned vehicle, a trail register, security camera footage, or another piece of solid evidence. That makes LKP broader than PLS.
Why SAR teams care so much
The search area grows from these points. If the starting point is wrong, the search may begin in the wrong place and waste precious time.
- PLS: Best when a witness truly saw the subject.
- LKP: Useful when evidence shows where the subject was, even if nobody saw them there.
- Both matter: Teams compare them to build the most accurate timeline possible.
Simple example
If a ranger saw a hiker at a trail junction at 2:00 p.m., that junction is the PLS. If the hiker’s car is later found at a different trailhead and a timestamped photo shows the hiker there at 2:30 p.m., that later location may become the LKP that matters more for planning.
Questions that help establish PLS or LKP
Good search starts with accurate last-location information
- Who saw the subject? A direct witness may support a PLS.
- What evidence exists? Vehicle, register, camera, or tracks may support an LKP.
- When did it happen? The timeline matters as much as the place.
- How certain is the information? Searchers weigh facts differently than guesses or rumors.
Clear starting points only help if people report them well. Next, focus on the communication habits that keep SAR information accurate under pressure.