Stay Safe on the Trail

TIPS ON OUTDOOR RECREATION AND STAYING SAFE

OR

HOW TO HELP US HELP YOU

 

 1)      ABSOLUTLEY MOST IMPORTANT!:

Always let someone know where you are going and when you plan to return.

·          Provide them a reasonably specific location of where you’re going, (not just, “Hiking”, or “for a ride”, etc.).

·         Let them know when you expect to return, so they will know if too much time has lapsed.  This is important because while no one wants cry “Wolf” and unnecessarily cause a Search and Rescue mission to begin; the sooner rescue teams can be mobilized and begin their search, the greater the likelihood of a good “find” and the less time you may have to spend in a difficult situation.

·         If the person you had left word with does find it necessary to call for help; they call the local New Mexico State Police office (numbers are available in local phone books or directory information).  In New Mexico, unlike many other states, Search and Rescue activities are coordinated State wide under the provision of the 1978 NM Search and Rescue Act, and the NM State Police have oversight responsibility.

·         The State Police will make the determination to activate a Search and Rescue Mission.

If you do nothing else, this one simple act may be the most important thing you can do to help assure your being safely found in the event of a Search and Rescue situation. 

2)      Always take along extra clothing for inclement weather and/or cool to cold weather.  Even in the summer and in the desert areas, it can get very cold at night.  Further, New Mexico is known for its quickly changing weather conditions.

 

3)      Always bring plenty of water.  Water is much more important than food if you are stuck in the out-of-doors for any length of time.

 

4)      Carry a (charged!) cell phone.  With advances in cell phone technology and support systems, cell phones can obtain a signal even in some pretty remote areas.  If you need to use your cell phone in a remote area and do not have a signal, try climbing to a high point, or moving to where you have a different line of sight opportunity.

 

5)      If you have a GPS unit, be sure you KNOW how to use it, it is fully charged and you have extra batteries.

 

6)      Have a good compass and KNOW how to use it in conjunction with your map.

 

7)      Have a good map and KNOW how to find yourself on the map as well as to relate it to your GPS or Compass.

 

8)      Carry a small flashlight with good batteries and a whistle to signal others for help.

 

9)      Often times a simple, lightweight tarp or shelter half can be literally a lifesaver if you get stuck in severe inclement weather conditions.

 

10)  Carry matches in a waterproof container and/or a cheap, butane lighter that can be used to make a fire.

 

11)  Carry some type of knife that can be used to cut cloth, make kindling for fire starting, etc.

 

12)  Carry a lightweight “space blanket” to help maintain warmth or to reflect sun.

 

13)  Carry a good plastic whistle.  It can be heard further and better than your yell.

 

14)  Carry a small signal mirror.

 

15)  Carry any critical medications you may need to have on a daily basis.

  

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  UH OH; I’m lost! Rarely do Search and Rescue Units have to respond to a mission where the subject “planned” to become lost.  Much more typically, the person went for a: hike, hunting, ride, bird watching, etc., and something happened:  An injury occurs; inclement weather closes in; a wrong trail was taken; was stalking an animal and lost track of where I was; night came sooner than anticipated; etc., etc.  The point is that presuming you will take your hike, or hunting trip, or ride, while enjoying the out-of-doors, and that you will return on time and with a totally uneventful experience is exactly the frame of mind which may get you into a “survival” situation.  “Those who are most prepared; are those who will least likely need to be.” 

Should you fall victim to circumstances, if you have taken the precautions recommended above there is every likelihood you will be found quickly.  However, “quickly” is a relative term.  It may well mean that you will have to spend the night out.  Most successful Search and Rescue missions are accomplished within three days.

 

You need to be prepared to handle such an ordeal, if necessary.  There are literally hundreds of “Survival” publications, DVDs, blogs, schools, etc. out there for your education.  However, you do not have to be, or even be interested in being an expert in “primitive” skills (finding plants to eat; making animal snares, etc.) to “survive” in the out-of-doors for a few days.  You primarily need to accomplish two things: 

• protect your core body temperature and:
• do whatever you can to assist in your rescue.

Call it “modern” survival skills, remember we’re typically talking a maximum of three days here. Baring specific medical concerns, most of us have enough stored “fat” that we can easily go that long without significant food – not comfortably, but successfully.

 

Heat migrates to cold.  If the outside temperature is cooler than your body temperature, you will lose heat.  If the outside temperature is warmer than your body temperature, you will gain heat.  This simplistic explanation is the main thing you need to remember to figure out what you must do to protect your body core temperature.  If it’s cold, you’ve got to stay warm.  If it’s hot, you need to stay cool.

 

Lack of water (dehydration) can accelerate the loss of body core temperature.  Wet clothing can increase body heat loss by as much as 25%.

 

It’s COLD: A jacket, sweater (wool), “space blanket”, hat, neck scarf, can all go a long way in helping protect your core temperature in cold circumstances (avoid wearing cotton clothing next to the skin).  The ability to make a fire (waterproof matches, lighter) can not only help maintain core temperature but can be a real asset psychologically.

 

It’s HOT:  A “space blanket” to reflect heat and form a shelter; finding shade; minimizing activity during daylight; can all go a long way in protecting your core temperature in high heat circumstances.

 

Hey! Here I am!:  A whistle, signal mirror, flashlight, smoke, bright jacket, can all be of assistance in aiding you in alerting rescuers to your location.  Your cell phone may work!  As noted previously, try getting to a high point if you’re able and see if you can get reception.  Even if you cannot tell anyone exactly where you are, you can certainly alert them that you are in trouble and what, if any, complications you may have.  In some instances, Search and Rescue may be able to obtain a GPS position from your cell phone.