Tracker. The very word evokes images of buckskin-clad braves crouching over the ground, carefully studying the signs before them-a part of history. But the modern world has not put behind it the need for the earthy business of tracking-far from it. Such skills are still routinely used by the military, rescue personnel, and law enforcement, as well as by hunters and people living at subsistence level throughout the world. Tracking-Signs of Man, Signs of Hope is the ultimate authoritative guide to this most complex pursuit. A great resource for military, law enforcement, and rescue professionals, Tracking-Signs of Man, Signs of Hope is also useful for outdoor enthusiasts. Users will find it invaluable as an on-site manual in the course of any search.
Chapters cover topics such as:
discovering how the experts gather and take advantage of information about their "Chase"
turning your five senses into scientific evidence gathering machines
telling the difference between natural and unnatural movement, foliage, and sounds
differentiating between unrelated or incidental signs and those left specifically by your Chase
accurately interpreting the age of a sign
determining the physical, mental, and emotional condition of your Chase
transforming hindrances into advantages
picking up the trail again once it has been lost
protecting yourself against a dangerous and/or desperate foe
working together as a team
documenting the evidence so that others can pick up where you left off
and more
Unlike many tracking manuals, this guide focuses on tracking humans-be they enemy combatants or lost children. With careful attention to the details that make the experttracker, author David Diaz explains what it takes to be a tracker, from physical stamina to focus and perception. He explains the tools of the tracker and presents safety tips. Tracking-Signs of Man, Signs of Hope will be an invaluable addition to any library-and could be a lifesaver.
David Diaz is a twenty-year U.S. Army Special Forces/Marine Corps professional who recently retired from the U.S. Armed Forces. He first learned about tracking from an indigenous Malaysian who hunted insurgents in the jungles of Malaysia. Diaz fine-tuned his craft through years of dedicated study and instruction from the finest trackers throughout the world, including the Dyak/Iban of Brunei, Nigrito aborigines from the Philippines, the San Man of Botswana, and U.S. Vietnam-veteran Marine trackers who gained their skills from the Montagnards in the highlands of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. He has taught these skills to U.S. Army soldiers, police officers, and foreign military forces worldwide, in times of war and peace, in both friendly and hostile environments.