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Copyright © 2008 RRAMSAR
All Rights Reserved.
DISCLAIMER
Traveling in the wilderness and in cold conditions can be life threatening.
Information and material provided here is designed for educational use only and
is not a substitute for specific training or experience. RRAMSAR and the authors
assume no liability for any individual’s use or reliance upon materials
contained or referenced herein. Remember when going into the wilderness or into
cold conditions it is your responsibility to learn the latest information and be
prepared. Material provided here might not be the most current. RRAMSAR does not
necessarily support or endorse any company, products or organization referenced
on it’s website.
Public Service
As a public service, Rapid Response Advanced Mobile Search and Rescue unit (RRAMSAR) would like to be one of your resources for backcountry travel information in the Pacific Northwest. We want to help educate YOU, the general public, by providing you with information gathered from knowledgeable resources.
Based on our experience, we hope that by supplying these resources we can prevent the need for a Search and Rescue operation and the potential loss of life.
Have the advantage, be prepared!
Enjoy yourself and have a safe wilderness experience.
SAFELY TRAVELING IN THE WILDERNESS
Whether you’re riding your snowmobile, ATV or hunting, hiking or fishing in the backcountry your wilderness experience will be more enjoyable if you are properly prepared. Being informed, having the appropriate equipment with the knowledge of its use and being in good physical condition can make the difference if an emergency or survival situation should arise.
1. Before you begin your trip, tell a responsible person your proposed route of travel and when you will return, then be sure to let them know you have returned.
Remember, cellular phones should NEVER replace preparedness!
2. Find out the current weather conditions on your route and prepare for them. Sudden storms are always possible even in the summer. Find out what the weather is going to do. Check the forecast from National Weather Service.
3. If you’re going to traveling in winter conditions you’ll want to check the most current weather and avalanche conditions from the USDA Forest Service Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center and heed local postings.
Be prepared!
TAKE THE ESSENTIALS
No matter where you’re going, whether you’re out for a day or a month, there are a few things that you and each member of your group should always carry. These items are considered essential for safe backcountry travel.
There are countless tales of hikers, hunters, snowmobiles, ATV riders and others who have found themselves in trouble even on short day outings because they neglected these essentials.
You should try and carry these essentials on your person not on your recreational equipment (snowmobile, ATV) this will guarantee the equipment will be with you if you ever need it.
Map Compass Flashlight or Headlamp (carry it where you can consult it frequently. Pay attention to where you are before you get lost!) (and knowledge of how to use it) (with extra bulb and batteries) Food Clothing Pocketknife (fleece, wool, pile, or other insulating clothing and rain gear. NO COTTON! NO JEANS!) Matches fire-starter First-aid-kit (in a waterproof container) Sunglasses and sunscreen Water bottle or bladder Water purification system (full, 1-2 quarts) (chemical or filter) Other recommended items include:
- Watch (will help you track distance traveled)
- Shelter Tent or Tarp
- Closed cell sleeping pad (for ground insulation)
- Toilet Paper
Traveling in cold winter-like conditions requires more extensive equipment and clothing. Here is an example of some items to consider:
- Snow shovel (and knowledge of how to use it)
- Avalanche probing poles (and knowledge of how to use it)
- Avalanche beacon (and knowledge of how to use it)
- Snowshoes and Ski Poles
- Insulated water repellent boots (adaptable to snowshoe bindings)
- Additional clothing, fleece, wool, pile, or other insulating clothing (keep in a plastic or dry bag)
If you get lost or find yourself in an wilderness emergency or survival situation...
PRIORITIZE THE SITUATION
Now that you have the essentials you need to carry, prioritize the things you need to do in an emergency or survival situation. Call 911 if you can. Don’t wait!
Any expert will be quick to tell you what kills the lost and the stranded: Panic. The first most important thing in a survival situation is this: Sit down and calm down. Keep your priorities in order.
The Rule of Threes
They’re not hard and fast rules by any means, just excellent general guidelines for prioritizing the elements basic to survival.
- You can die in as little as three minutes without air. Relax. Take a deep breath. Start thinking.
- You can die in as little as three hours from loss of body heat. Shelter, starting with your clothes and working outward, should be given highest priority.
- You can die in as little as three days without water. Carry it. Know how to find it. Know how to make it as safe as possible to drink.
- You can die in as little as three weeks without food. But most people, in fact, can live much longer without eating.
Hypothermia
Hypothermia is the biggest killer in the wilderness. Learn how to recognize it and how to treat it.
Last but not least, if you think you’re lost – S.T.O.P!
| S | Stop and Stay Put. Stay calm. If you're in a group, stick together. Don't go any further without thinking things out.
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| T | Think. Use your brain. It's your best survival tool you have. Study your map and your surroundings. Don't make snap judgments. If you have any doubt about where you are, stay put. Move only if necessary to clear a hazardous area like avalanches, falling rocks, deadfall, lightning, flash floods, etc., then Stop and Stay Put.
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| O | Observe. Are there any hazards nearby (avalanches, falling rocks, deadfall, lightning, flash floods, etc.)? What is your personal condition and that of the members of your party? Does anyone need first aid? What does the weather look like? What do you have with you to help? Where is the best spot within view to make camp?
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| P | Plan and Prepare. Build a shelter near an open space, if possible. If it can be done safely, make a fire. Set out signals (streamer, marker, or panel). Rest. You will survive. Wait for help. It's on the way!
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Volunteering for Search and Rescue can be very rewarding. Not only do you get the training that could help save a life but the training that could save yours as well.