Emergency Plans of Action

[Hikin_Jim]

Personally, I haven't had use for the confounded things since my youth.

Um, talk about TMI*!
My emergency plan is not to read this forum right after a meal.

*TMI = Too Much Information

[Jim Bakos]

Yeah, Stickboy: a plan does help (as long as you stick to it...)

If we have to "track" you, shoe prints help as well.

Anything we can get, helps -- if you stick to your plan.

Most don't. Most go where, and when they want. Sure, it makes our job more difficult, but that's what we do -- if it was EASY to find all the injured and lost people, there wouldn't be any Rescue Teams....

Enjoy what you do, be safe, know we have your back!

That's what we do!

--Jim

Lipbiter: Going "Commando" this weekend?? (Couldn't help myself!!)

[Jim Bakos]

Oops!

Sorry, inside joke:

Lipbiter's husband is an ex-commando.

Thought I should share that, so not to look like a wierdo...

--Jim (saved by the skin of his teeth...)

[halhiker]

Personally, I haven't had use for the confounded things since my youth.

Um, talk about TMI*!
My emergency plan is not to read this forum right after a meal.

*TMI = Too Much Information

Funny, when I wrote it I actually thought this is TMI. Oh well.

And I was thinking about first aid kits today. I carry gauze and tape, a few butterflies, a safety pin and a comb (for cactus). I also have some little antiseptic packets. I don't have any use for little bandages. My wife actually laughs at my wounds and knows I've had a good time the more I've bled. I used to carry an Ace Bandage but in twenty years never used it. What is the bare minimum? I hope I've found it but maybe since I have a knife I can get rid of the safety pin.

Edit: I almost forgot: molefoam. I always carry molefoam.

[Rick M]

From a SAR point of view, if something happens it really helps us if we know WHERE you were going so we know where to start looking. I remember years ago getting called out on a search for a dad and two kids that didn't return. When the wife was asked where they were going four wheeling for the weekend she could only say "the desert". Stickboy wants to know if an emergency plan helps SAR? ABSOLUTELY!!! On a recent search, miss communication caused some of the initial searchers to be deployed in what could be considered a hazardous area (under the tram) when it was later determined the person was headed for San Jacinto from the tram. San Jacinto is a huge mountain and RMRU does not have the people or resources to cover the entire mountain if a person is down (not able to respond). This is why we frequently have to use OES and request assistance from teams from other counties.

If you leave a itenery, try to stick to it and leave it with someone reliable. Especially if hiking solo. There have been times I’ve wanted to change what I was going to do while in the field but if I told someone or left in a note where I was going with my vehicle and couldn't revise it (pre-cell phone days) I wouldn't deviate from those. Sometimes I wouldn't leave any or tell anyone if I were not sure of what it was I was going to do. Obviously if your not planning on going far (1 mile?) then most may not but depending on conditions (icy trail?) it might be wise to leave a note in your vehicle.

Some organizations suggest stepping on a sheet of aluminum foil with your shoe to leave the impression and leave in your car so SAR responders know what your track looks like and aid in finding you if lost. In the old days with most wearing vibram soles tracks looked similar and size was important. Nowadays there are so many sole patterns out there that it really helps a lot knowing what we’re looking for. Just think that a lost person is like a needle in a haystack but if we have your track to follow, it's like looking for a needle in a heystack with a long thread attached. I've been on searches where we've followed tracks for 30 miles to find the person.

If on or near trails or roads, stick to them and don't take short cuts. Trails and dirt roads are usually searched first and lots of time passer bys might be able to render assistance. Frequently, lost people get themselves in further trouble by continuing in the wrong direction making it harder (and take longer) for searchers. Travel in darkness compounds your chance of further injury.

Now-a-days electronic communications make it easy for communicating with "others". Today cell phones are common with most people but don't always work in the field. Ham radios using hitting remote repeaters can often get out when cells phones can't (require easily obtained license) but cost >$100. Then there are the more expensive satellite based electronics. I personnally would like to see hikers carry the relatively inexpensive FRS/GRMS radios. Inexpensive and if many carried them an injured or lost person might be able to reach someone or SAR looking for them (I carry FRS when I go out). Problem with radios what frequency to use. PROBLEM WITH ALL ELECTRONICS IS BATTERIES. They Frequently go dead and then it's worthless.

If you've left your plans with someone and we start looking, a flashlight at night can be seen for miles (especially if the weather is good and helocopters are available. If the weather is bad, things are different. Electronics/flashlights don't last long on cold batteries-try to keep them warm and only use when necessary so they work when you need to signal.

In the daytime, flashlights can be seen if your in a dark area (trees?). Mirrors work for miles in the sun (I have successfully signaled over 30 miles with the mirror on a compass. And even on overcast days, a mirror reflecting the sky from a background can be seen (all of these things should be practiced in the field before your life depends on them).Since this post isn’t about survival skills, I’ll stop going on about this. Back to Stickboys’ original thread, YES, the more information you leave us the faster we can find you, the less it will cost the county, and the safer it will be for you and the SAR personnel. Especially if you stick to the plan. But like someone said, we will still respond regardless.

Rick

[lipbiter]

JIM, get a hold of yourself. NO NO, not that way....

[Jim Bakos]

Here you go folks…

There are plenty of SAR people here on this website; some are known, some are not.

Have fun in the wilderness, that’s what it’s there for. But, please be as safe as you can.

We (RMRU) are here for you. All those that have posted under our authority are, in fact, members of our team. Now you have the chance to ask questions, advice and underwear preference from the professionals!!

We’re here to serve.

You won’t find a better database of knowledge than this; ask away….

[Rick, Gracie, Dana… I expect you to contribute too…]

--Jim

[Hikin_Jim]

Rick:

All info appreciated. It's good to hear what really works from an experienced SAR person instead of reading the ad copy from the manufacturer or retailer. There's such a welter of "survival" gear out there that it sometimes is hard to "separate the wheat from the chaff." For signalling I usually carry:
Mirror
Headlamp
Whistle
Space blanket (could also be used for warmth, raingear, or shelter)
Cell phone.

There are also other things that have draw backs like flares (fire danger and peronal injury risk), calume sticks (relatively short shelf live and useless if package compromised), strobe lights (heavy, batteries tend to go dead), and laser "flares" (expensive) that I don't carry.

Haven't picked up a PLB yet, but might. Backcountry.com has the ACR Terrafix with internal GPS on sale for $495.00 right now, shipping and tax incl. Tempting but I hate to spend that kind of money and it adds 12+ oz to one's pack (yuck). It's possible to be so "prepared" that one can no longer hike.

HJ

[FIGHT ON]

FIGHT ON lipbiter. Great info Hikin-Jim. Rick M is the MAN.

[FIGHT ON]

Hey Hikin-Jim. I have pics of Ellen when she made her first summit to San Jacinto via C2C. Bloody legs etc. I do not know how to post them. Do you know how? Thanks. FIGHT ON.