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C onducting a Search & Rescue. Every Hour Lost Places A Huge Impact On The Possibility of A Safe Return. Can You Do It ??. Do you know the difference between Lost and Stranded ? Lost is not knowing where your at and which way to go.
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Conducting a Search & Rescue Every Hour Lost Places A Huge Impact On The Possibility of A Safe Return.
Do you know the difference between Lost and Stranded ? • Lost is not knowing where your at and which way to go. • Stranded is knowing where your at but know one else dose.
Are You Physically and Mentally Able To ?? . Are you medically able to stand the heat of summer or the cold of winter. • Can you physically & mentally survive 24 hours or more out doors if need be.
So CERT Members • It’s a January morning, its 7am your sitting at home with your first cup of coffee, and the phone rings, • Its your CERT leader he tells we are being deployed to search of a lost hunter. The police have been out all night and has had no luck.
He tells you to meet at the local Fire Department, to pick up equipment and head to the staging area, • The staging area is near a state forest with an adjoining swamp, • The police have set up a command post and advises you of the area last know by the hunter’s son.
He was gone from is hunting spot when it was time to leave. • Your advised he has no medical issues, • He has snacks and a large bottle of water with him,
Command states the area is not accessible by roads, snowmobile, and do to weather planes can’t fly. • Your advised the tracking dogs this morning were unable to find a scent due to the snow. • There was a 3 inch fresh snowfall last night. With more predicted today.
Do You have ? • Back pack • Compass, Local Maps • Gps with extra batteries, • Wrist watch • Small flashlight, Whistle • Dry matches and or lighter • Peace of steel wool. Or paper
A small tarp, • A good sharp knife with serrated edge, Pocket knife. • Small First Aid Kit, • Protein bars, • Small bottles of water. • A 5 or 6 foot length of rope • Small mirror • A small military shovel • Emergency blanket.
Dress for the weather • Dress in layers, • Have water proof boots • A warm jacket or snowmobile suit. • Warm gloves • Sounds like a lot doesn't it ? • But it good mean the difference between life or death!!
It may sound funny but carry an extra pair of socks and gloves in a plastic baggy. • Rain poncho • A couple large trash bags. • A stocking cap or hat. • Snow shoes, • You’d be surprised how this stuff will help you and your equipment stay warm and dry.
You’re a team of 4 . Its 26 degrees out, and cloudy. With 10mph wind out of the north. Temp’s to drop into the low teen’s tonight, • You’ve been given your general area to search, and decide to do a grid search.
So before you even start your search • What should you be aware of ?? • How about looking to see how deep the snow is, • Know if there is any lake’s pond’s, stream’s or river’s in the area. • Any steep terrain
Why should you know this ?? • Deep snow is hard and exhausting to walk in, • Snow can cover small creeks, streams, ponds, and lakes where there may be no or very thin ice, • On steep terrain snow can cause slip and falls, or other hidden dangers,
The key points in this type of Search • Work at a slow pace don’t fight or rush your way through deep snow. • It will only burn excessive energy, • Take breaks as needed conserving energy keeps you warm, • Conserve your food and water, • Make sure each team member is rested enough to continue.
You’ve been out searching sense 10am. With no signs or luck of finding your hunter.You realize its 3pm your all tired, and a snow storm has moved in.
Your group leader says it time to return to the staging area, • When you realize you and your group has veered off course, and the radio stops working. • You cant see your tracks in the heavy snow that’s falling. And its getting colder • What should you do?
A= Attempt to find your way back, and hope you make it back before dark. • B = Start yelling for help. • C = Realize your lost and as a team work together and prepare for a long night.
Hopefully you picked C, • Realize your lost and work as a team and divide the task that need to be done.
The first thing to do if you get Lost, Stranded, or Separated, Is To Not Panic. • Panic is one of the biggest killers of people who get Lost, Stranded or Separated, • They become either over heated or extremely cold before they know it.
Stop and relax and look at your surroundings, • Do you recognize the terrain if you back track a few yards. • If you don’t sit down where your at take a deep breath and relax yourself and go to your training, • Listen for sounds of other people, or traffic,
! OK GUY’S YOUR LOST ! • SO ASK YOURSELF’S ? • DO I KNOW WHAT TO D0?
Do you know how to build a shelter ? • Build a fire to stay warm in your shelter ? • Find dry material to build a fire? • Find food or water? • Signal for help ? • Find your way without a GPS or COMPASS at day light ?
Knowing These Key Elements Can Mean The Difference Between Life And Death Of The Person or Person’s Your Search for, And Yourself.
So now you’ve determined you need to survive the night. • The first thing you need to do is find a shelter or a place to build your Shelter. • If possible find a dry area, well drained, and flat,
An area that has material to build a shelter, • If possible near a water source. • A place where there’s plenty of Fire wood • And protection from strong winds. • Build it so the wind is to your back.
Avoid areas with loose rocks, dead trees which could fall on your shelter. • Avoid low ground such as ravines, and narrow valleys, these could be damp and collect cold air at night. • Do not sleep on bare ground, you’ll burn more energy trying to stay warm. • If possible use dry leaves or evergreen boughs to lay on.
Natural formations for a shelter Caves • Rocky crevices, • Large trees with low hanging branches, such a an evergreen. • Large evergreen’s already have a cave area around them, use it,