Welcome to another edition of Survival Weekly, where the real wilderness survival “reality show” plays out everyday, in the wild places around our world. These unscripted stories will give you insight to the true threats and challenges you may face in your outdoor pursuits. So sit back, relax, and read on to get a dose of reality to sharpen your most valuable survival tool. – BPO

Featured – 

I pulled this story out, not only because it is a good read, but because the following statement is false –

“If you don’t have a way to keep the lighter dry, once the flint is wet, it’s not going to work,” said Armstrong. –  http://www.nelsonstar.com/news/285726061.html

A lighter is a valuable tool and has limitations, but with the right knowledge and skills they can be overcome. After spending the night in 28 degree weather with only a sheet of plastic, Carol (and her lighter) soaked in 40 degree water for almost 10 bone chilling minutes. Once she emerged into the 38 degree weather with 10 mph winds, she built a fire with only natural tinder and her wet lighter. 

Methodical, trained, and now skilled..

News – 

EMS in technical rescues – http://www.firehouse.com/news/12025075/applying-ems-capabilities-to-a-technical-rescue-incident

Winter Sports – 

Two snowboarders rescued – http://flatheadbeacon.com/2014/12/08/two-skiers-rescued-hellroaring-basin/

Hiking – 

Stranded hiker rescued – http://www.jrn.com/ktnv/news/Search-and-Rescue-team-looking-for-stranded-hiker-at-Red-Rock-285645901.html

Lost hikers rescued – http://www.desertsun.com/story/news/local/2014/12/14/hikers-rescued-palm-springs/20402215/

Hunter-gatherer – 

Missing Christmas tree hunter rescued – http://www.kcaw.org/2014/12/08/lost-christmas-tree-hunter-found-after-intensive-search/

Missing hunter rescued – http://www.capebretonpost.com/News/Local/2014-12-11/article-3972209/RCMP,-search-and-rescue-locate-missing-hunter/1

Large scale search for missing hunter continues –  http://www.skyhidailynews.com/news/14194849-113/search-rescue-county-gcsar

Search for missing hunter enters two week mark – http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2014/12/missing_new_cumberland_teen_se.html

Climbing – 

Stranded climber airlifted off cliff – http://globalnews.ca/news/1720500/watch-thai-navy-rescues-climber-stuck-on-cliff/

Fatality in New Zealand alps – http://home.nzcity.co.nz/news/article.aspx?id=198699

Water Safety – 

Rescuer swept into Los Angeles River (with video) –  https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10152931017849614&fref=nf

Couple rescued from flooding Los Angeles river –  http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Rescuer-Dives-Into-Swollen-LA-River-Searching-for-Men-Reported-Clinging-to-Trees-285634601.html

Coast Guard rescues four off Keys – http://keysnews.com/node/61117

Fourteen rescued from sinking boat –   http://www.kelownanow.com/watercooler/news/news/Provincial/14/12/12/Marine_Search_and_Rescue_Save_14_From_Sinking_Boat

Stuck in the mud. Girls rescued from tidal flats – http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/watch-incredible-moment-two-teenage-4808684

Vehicles – 

Search and rescue team locates missing boys from stranded vehicle –  http://www.ecprogress.com/index.php?tier=1&article_id=16576

Search underway for missing ATV riders – http://www.adn.com/article/20141213/3-missing-near-kwethluk-atv-recovered-river

Urban – 

Interested in learning skills to handle emergencies like the ones you read in Survival Weekly?   Check out BigPig Outdoors Survival 101 class  – http://www.bigpigoutdoors.net/survival-101-1.html