Real-Life Decision Making
You've returned to your camp from a day of hunting to find two of your six clients missing. They were supposed to be back at camp over an hour ago and it's getting dark and cold. Earlier in the day you told them they were to be prompt about returning to camp.
Following instructions is vital to a safe hunting trip. That message has been drilled home with all your clients, and now you're wondering whether they're lost or hurt.
Sven-Erik Jansson says that when searching for missing hunters it is important to weigh the possibilities. "My first reaction is this: How could this happen? What could have gone wrong?"
You're especially worried because you know there is a mother grizzly with young cubs in the area. A mother is very protective of her cubs and likely to attack if she sees people.
Your imagination goes wild with the possibility they have been attacked and are unable to make it back to camp. If the hunters suffer injuries from an animal, they might lose a lot of blood, go into shock during the night and die.
If they're lost but uninjured, the consequences can be just as severe. You're in the mountains and it gets really cold during the night. You know that they might die from exposure if they don't get back to camp as soon as possible.
The problem is that if you go search for them now, you put yourself at risk. It's cold and dark and you are the only hunting guide. You would have to go alone and put yourself at the mercy of the animals and wilderness.
What would you do?