Patrols let you document and structure field activity over time, linking events and tracks to a defined period of effort. This article explains how to start, manage, and end a patrol using EarthRanger Mobile.

For patrols to be available in the app, the logged-in user account must have the required permissions in EarthRanger. See: Mobile User Permissions 

What is a Patrol?

A Patrol represents a period of field activity — it captures a subject's location, movement, and any events that occur during that time. Common uses include:

• Documenting animal behavior
• Documenting investigations
• Tracking game drives
• Planning and documenting operations team work
• Canine training

Start Patrol

When a Patrol is active, tracking is automatically enabled. Every event created during an active Patrol is automatically linked to that Patrol, retaining the location, time, and tracked subject set at patrol start.

You can start a patrol from two places in the app: 

	From the Patrols view: Tap the Patrols icon in the Navigation Bar. In the Active section, tap Start Patrol.
	From the Map view: Tap the patrol and tracking panel at the bottom of the Map view. Tap Start Patrol

Either way, the start patrol workflow is the same from here:

Select a patrol type. Patrol types are defined by your site administrator in the EarthRanger admin interface and reflect the purpose of each Patrol — for example, routine, scientific, or transport-based patrols such as plane or drone.

Confirm the Patrol name. By default, the Patrol takes the name of its Patrol Type. You can edit this name before starting if needed.

By default, each Patrol automatically receives the name of its corresponding Patrol type.  However, EarthRanger Mobile allows you to modify this name for improved organization and personalization of your Patrols.    Note: The Tracked By field automatically populates with the user or profile currently logged in and cannot be modified. It identifies the device being tracked during the patrol.

While a patrol is active

Once a patrol is running, it appears in the Active section of the Patrols view, showing the Patrol Type, name, status, elapsed time, and start time.    To see full patrol details, tap the patrol card. A panel slides up from the bottom of the screen showing:

	Patrol ID — a unique identifier assigned to the patrol Distance — an estimated distance traveled during the patrol, shown in kilometers. This is an approximation for planning purposes and may not reflect the exact travel path. Duration — time elapsed in hours and minutes Start location coordinates End button — to conclude the patrol
On the Map view, a minimized version of this panel is also visible at the bottom of the screen while a patrol is active. You can swipe it up to reveal the same patrol details without leaving the map.   Note: You cannot stop tracking while a patrol is active. End the patrol first, then you will be prompted about whether to continue tracking your device location.

Working offline

If your device loses connectivity during a patrol, all data is stored locally. Events and tracks will upload automatically when a connection is restored and will be associated with the correct patrol when synced. 

Tracks

The Tracks section of the Patrols view shows the current sync status of your track data, including the number of track points pending upload and the timestamp of the last successful sync.

Filter patrols

Tap Filter at the top of the Patrols view to narrow the list by specific criteria.

End a Patrol

Open the Patrol details panel by swiping up the panel at the bottom of the Map view. Tap the End button. EarthRanger will ask whether you want to continue tracking your device location after the Patrol ends. Confirm to close the Patrol. Patrol data will sync to EarthRanger when a connection is available. Once ended, the patrol moves to the Done section of the Patrols view, where you can see its sync status and patrol number.

Patrol Info (automatic event on patrol start)

If Patrol Info is enabled and a default event type is configured in patrol settings, an event form of that type will open automatically when a Patrol starts.

What you need to do: 

• Set a default Event Type in Patrol Info settings
• Start a Patrol and select a Patrol Type
• The default Event form opens automatically
• Submit the Event
• Return to the Map view to begin the patrol

For more information about how Patrol Info works, see : Understanding Patrol Info: Automating Event Creation with Patrols in EarthRanger Mobile 

EarthRanger version 3.0.0