As we pursue the sport we love, we often place ourselves in hazardous situations. The Santa Cruz Fly Fishermen Board supports an informative corner to sharpen our be smart and safe behaviors.
Be Prepared!
By Dougald Scott
Be Prepared!
By Dougald Scott
As I write this, our community is thankful that four local residents have been safely rescued after being stranded for nearly a week in the high Sierra. The first winter storm of the season dumped up to four feet of snow in the higher elevations. The storm also caught numerous other hikers and climbers by surprise, and unfortunately resulted in two fatalities.
I think the take home message is that things can quickly go bad, even with the best laid plans. For those of us taking advantage of winter fishing opportunities, it means we should be ready for the unexpected. Tom Stienstra wrote an excellent article on this subject in the October 21 San Francisico Chronicle. Here is a summary of what he presented:
THE LINE BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH
Before you go...
1. Trip plan: File day-by-day trip plan with ranger station. Team with a leader who is experienced in survival skills.
2. Phone contact: If entering hazardous conditions in wilderness, carry a satellite telephone. In less remote areas, cell phones can work from ridgetops.
3. Clothes: Wear a poly-based layer next to your skin to keep moisture away from your body. The next two layers should be material to keep you warm, such as fleece. An outer layer should be a 100 percent water-repellent shell. Wear waterproof Gore-Tex gloves. Wear a poly-based skullcap with a water- repellent hat. Remember, in a blizzard, "cotton kills."
4. Food: Create a meal-by-meal plan - and stick to it.
5. Shelter: Bring a four-season tent. Use only poly-filled sleeping bags.
In a blizzard:
1. Stabilize before acting: Stay dry and warm, appraise food supply, water availability and shelter.
2. Shelter: Dig a snow cave with a large interior and small opening. You must avoid exposure to wind and moisture.
3. Facing hypothermia: Make sure victim is dry, especially the head, and start physical activity. Have victim eat jerky and drink warm liquids, and induce shivering. If victim has difficulty moving, do not permit sleep.
4. Figure location: Orient position with topographic map, compass and altimeter.
5. Have a clear plan: Act decisively on that plan, even if that means staying put. Never guess, wander or hope.
When the weather clears
1. S-O-S pattern: If lost or stuck, create a large S-O-S pattern on open terrain for search aircraft to spot. Stay put, and signal with mirror. If firewood can be located, build a campfire and dry clothes and sleeping bags.
2. Orient landmarks: Peaks, ridges and canyons will provide points of reference to create a route to safety.
3. Be certain: Do not try to return to your vehicle unless you are certain to reach it. Never separate from your partners.
4. Keep an out: By tracing your footprints in the snow, you can always return to your starting point.
5. Dry clothes waiting: Always keep a spare set of fresh, dry, warm clothes in your vehicle.
Tom doesn't address this in his column, but cars can get stranded on back roads. I always carry an emergency kit in my car for winter travel:
1. One sleeping bag for each person in the party.
2. At least a gallon of drinking water.
3. Emergency food rations (non-perishable).
4. A camp stove, fuel, and matches or lighter.
5. Shovel and hatchet.
6. Try to keep your fuel tank full.
7. As for something to always carry in your pocket or vest, Kathy Powers quoted a ranger as strongly recommending a 3 mil black plastic garbage bag. This can keep you dry, protect you from the wind, and slow your heat loss.
Let's be safe out there this winter.