News from the survival world…

As the countdown to the birth of my son marches on, the tragedy of this story hits a little closer to home tonight. Like the father in the picture, I know that I will deeply love my son and I am already planning great wilderness adventures. I cannot imagine the grief and sorrow felt by this family and my heart goes out to them.

You and I have something that they do not have though… another opportunity. An opportunity to spend some quality time outdoors with someone we love and an opportunity to leave a trip plan that can save our lives.

When you are cold, wet, and have no cell service, it is too late. Take the time before your trip and leave a trip plan with someone that cares about you. A trip plan is free, easy, and saves lives. If you have a family member that ventures of into the wilds and does not leave a plan, steal their keys until they fill one out. I leave a modified version with my crew everyday.

Click here to print some off: http://www.bigpigoutdoors.net/bpo-trip-plan.html

Father and son missing on spring break hike. Note that the SAR personnel did not know where to start looking – http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/local-news/father-and-son-missing-in-echo-lake-area-clear-creek-deputies-searching-for-them

Search for father and son suspended. I can only hope that maybe they are still hanging in there – http://kdvr.com/2014/04/10/search-for-missing-father-and-son-in-echo-lake-area-called-off/

Caught out – Bad weather, unprepared, lost

Missing Doctor from story a couple weeks ago found dead – http://guardianlv.com/2014/04/missing-indian-hiker-dr-james-mcgrogan-found-dead-in-colorado-mountains/

Note the use of isometrics to keep warm – http://www.chron.com/news/us/article/California-man-lost-in-wilderness-beat-the-odds-5369101.php

Very large group of students lost in bad weather – http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:http://www.grough.co.uk/magazine/2014/04/07/23-dukes-award-walkers-among-beacons-walkers-rescued-in-foul-weather

Missing hunter – http://www.odt.co.nz/news/national/298580/search-missing-hunter

Effective trip plan launches SAR team – http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/Missing-students-Dartmoor-Plymouth-Search-Rescue/story-20923830-detail/story.html?891

Missing person reported, but lack of information delays SAR – http://www.odt.co.nz/news/national/298595/missing-tramper-located-westland

Injury –

“Your not dead, until your warm and dead” Amazing hypothermia save with 4 hours of CPR!! – http://www.piquenewsmagazine.com/whistler/woman-defies-medical-odds-after-miraculous-tree-well-rescue/Content?oid=2550166