Tag Archives: camping

Survival Weekly – 2/25/15…

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 –

Personal Locator Beacons (PLB), satellite messengers, and cell phones save lives, but have their limitations. They can fail, give erratic signals, and do not guarantee that the rescue teams will be able to get to you in time.

“Unfortunately, a lot of the coordinates that we received over the night were all over the place within a mile circumference,” Fish and Game Lt. Jim Goss told WIMU

https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2015/02/21/the-young-woman-and-mountain/SEBPucaGpA1Fun4R5uoj7K/story.html

Two stories of satellite messengers failing –

Overdue skiers found – http://www.nelsonstar.com/news/292301261.html

News –

NASAR launches new website – http://www.nasar.org/

RIP to SAR Technician – http://www.comoxvalleyecho.com/news/local/search-and-rescue-technician-funeral-to-be-held-in-the-comox-valley-1.1773220

Drone policy in works for Utah SAR – http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865622689/Bill-eases-restrictions-on-police-drone-use-for-search-and-rescue-training.html

Winter Sports –

Overdue skiers found – http://www.nelsonstar.com/news/292301261.html

Teens survive an icy night out – http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/snow-bound-maine-teens-survive-sub-zero-night-stranded-woods-n308061

Lost skier rescued – http://www.conwaydailysun.com/newsx/local-news/119312-wayward-skier-rescued-at-attitash

Snowmobilers rescued – http://fox13now.com/2015/02/22/search-and-rescue-crews-locate-two-overdue-snowmobilers/

Hiking –

Lost hiker found – http://icelandreview.com/news/2015/02/18/search-and-rescue-find-lost-tourist

Adironack Ranger Rescue highlights – http://poststar.com/news/local/adirondack-forest-ranger-search-and-rescue-highlights-feb/article_feb7ba6c-b770-11e4-8788-cb5376d768cc.html

Hiker self-rescues – http://www.standard.net/Police-Fire/2015/02/16/Davis-Creek-Canyon-fall

Injured hiker rescued – http://www.timescolonist.com/news/local/helicopter-rescues-injured-hiker-on-juan-de-fuca-trail-1.1764349

SAR for missing hiker – http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/emergency/search-underway-for-missing-german-tramper/

Hikers rescued – http://www.rgj.com/story/news/2015/02/20/lost-hikers-dog-reach-safety/23758081/

Injured hiker rescued – http://www.nzherald.co.nz/bay-of-plenty-times/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503343&objectid=11406263

Hikers rescued – http://lasvegas.cbslocal.com/2015/02/23/3-hikers-rescued-in-red-rock-canyon-area/

Student group rescued – http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona/2015/02/24/stranded-nau-students-grand-canyon-abrk/23936159/

Hunter-gatherer –

Wounded hunter rescued – http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/66688644/Shot-hunter-rescued-from-Tararua-Ranges

Hog hunters rescued – http://www.nola.com/traffic/index.ssf/2015/02/lost_hog_hunters_rescued_from.html

Ice fishermen recount story of survival – http://www.postcrescent.com/story/sports/outdoors/blogs/2015/02/24/schram-green-bay-ice-survival/23931739/

Climbing –

Injured climber rescued – http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-31634704

Climber rescued – https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/highlands/497006/climber-rescued-after-cairngorm-fall/

Water Safety –

Rio Grande Wild & Scenic River (TX)
Overdue Canoeist Rescued From Lower Canyons

On February 15th, rangers Greg Drum and Beau Bracken began a search for a 68-year-old man from Albuquerque who had departed on January 30th to canoe the remote Lower Canyons portion the Rio Grande Wild and Scenic River.

When his permit revealed to rangers that he was overdue, a request for assistance was put in to the U.S. Customs Air and Marine Branch out of Alpine, Texas. Drum joined the pilot to assist him with the aerial search.

The man was spotted on the Mexican side of the river near Upper Madison Falls, a Class III/IV rapid. He’d attempted to portage the rapid, but became stranded due to his physical condition and diminished supplies. He said that he’d flipped his canoe several times earlier in the trip and had lost a bag filled with essential medication. Without his medication, he had begun to succumb to extreme lethargy and was unable to continue his trip. He said he hadn’t seen another human during his entire time on the river and therefore believed his chance of rescue was miniscule.

Drum was dropped off nearby and hiked to the man’s location. Using his canoe, Drum helped him back across the Rio Grande. The pilot waited on the Texas shore, then flew him to park headquarters in Panther Junction. He was transported to Big Bend Regional Medical Center, treated there, and released with no lasting injuries.

The remote Lower Canyons of the Rio Grande Wild and Scenic are among the most rugged and desolate locations in the Lower 48. Rangers are the only people who patrol the river along this stretch of international border. For more information and photographs of this area, click on the link below.

SAR called off for missing man – http://www.theolivepress.es/spain-news/2015/02/17/breaking-search-and-rescue-operation-underway-in-gibraltar/

Rescue for fishing vessel – https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/aberdeen/496484/large-rescue-operation-launched-sinking-north-sea-fishing-boat/

Search suspended for missing boy – http://www.itv.com/news/update/2015-02-20/river-rescue-teams-end-third-day-of-searching-for-boy-11/

Vehicles –

Stranded motorist rescued – https://www.stgeorgeutah.com/news/archive/2015/02/20/hrc-search-and-rescue-saves-the-day-man-stranded-near-kolob-reservoir/#.VO1J-flQMsM

Stranded ATV riders rescued – http://www.wgrz.com/story/news/local/southern-tier/2015/02/21/atv-riders-rescued-at-sturgeon-point/23823547/

Rollover turns to SAR – http://www.newsoptimist.ca/news/follow-the-sirens/rollover-leads-to-search-and-rescue-operation-1.1771657

Urban –

Missing man – http://www.wkyt.com/home/headlines/Wolfe-Co-rescue-crews-searching-for-missing-man-292150581.html

Missing dementia and Alzheimer’s patients –

Tracker for patient’s – http://www.petoskeynews.com/featured-pnr/rescuers-roll-out-program-to-help-find-missing-people/article_532bd520-d04f-5356-b437-91e6d98081a0.html

http://www.nj.com/middlesex/index.ssf/2015/02/80-year-old_man_suffering_from_dementia_missing_in.html

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/vulnerable-elderly-man-dementia-still-8697665

http://www.abcactionnews.com/news/region-north-pinellas/clearwater/missing-suzanne-nuxoll-dementia-patient-walked-away-from-brookdale-senior-living

http://www.wfla.com/story/28185013/man-with-alzheimers-missing-in-lakeland

http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Missing-Alzheimer-s-patient-from-Palo-Alto-6097538.php

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.htm

Survival Weekly – 2/17/15…

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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 –

This article about evaluating risks and decision making applies to all pursuits, not just pilots – https://www.adn.com/article/20150214/alaska-pilots-sometimes-winter-survival-means-not-taking

News –

Three planes left in bid for Canadian SAR plane – http://ottawacitizen.com/news/national/defence-watch/canadas-fixed-wing-search-and-rescue-aircraft-contest-down-to-three-contenders

Body of rescue tech recovered – http://thechronicleherald.ca/canada/1268761-body-of-missing-rescue-tech-recovered-from-mountain

Winter Sports –

Rescue of sledder – http://www.calgarysun.com/2015/02/16/young-sylvan-lake-sledder-saved-from-creek-bed-near-golden-bc-by-search-and-rescue-team

Missing snowmobiler rescued – http://county10.com/2015/02/13/quick-search-and-rescue-yesterday-has-positive-outcome/

Injured snowmobiler rescued – http://www.greatfallstribune.com/story/news/local/2015/02/15/injured-snowmobiler-rescued-gallatin-county/23465013/

Snowmobiler rescued – http://globalnews.ca/news/1831956/sylvan-lake-snowmobiler-rescued-from-creek-near-golden/

Hiking –

Grand Canyon National Park (AZ) **originally reported at Shenandoah by morning report, but Chuckzilla caught their mistake
Hiker Dies At Ribbon Falls On North Kaibab Trail

Early on the afternoon of Thursday, February 12th, park dispatch received a broken 911 call reporting the discovery of a man’s body in the vicinity of Ribbon Falls near the North Kaibab Trail. Ranger medics responded by helicopter.

The victim was found to be a 73-year-old man who was day hiking from Phantom Ranch to Ribbon Falls with several companions. He’d collapsed shortly after reaching the falls. Bystanders began CPR while another visitor hiked to a place on the trail where limited cell service was available.

When park medics arrived, the man had been down for about 90 minutes. They pronounced him dead.

The man’s body and his companions were flown to the South Rim. The body was then transported to the Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office in Flagstaff.

Grand Canyon National Park (AZ)
Search For Missing Man Scaled Back

The search for a missing 21-year-old Texas man has been scaled back due to a lack of clues as to his whereabouts.

Drake Kramer, 21, was last seen near Bright Angel Lodge on the South Rim on Sunday, February 1st. He was reported as missing by members of his family on Monday. A six-day search for him ensued, but failed to turn up any evidence as to where he might be.

Rangers searched the South Rim developed area from Hermit’s Rest on the west side to Grandview on the east. Teams of searchers walked miles along the canyon rim, searched heavily forested areas, utilized dog teams, performed several over-the-rim technical searches, and conducted multiple aerial reconnaissance missions to support ground searchers.

With no additional clues to guide search efforts on land, the search will be scaled back to a continuous but limited mode in which rangers and pilots will continue to search for clues when in the area. Flyers with Kramer’s picture and description also remain posted at various South Rim locations. Anyone who may have information regarding his whereabouts is encouraged to call the National Park Service Silent Witness Line at 928-638-7840.

A photo of Kramer may be found on a previous park news release at this link:http://www.nps.gov/grca/parknews/expand-kramer-search.htm .

Stranded hikers rescued – http://www.stgeorgeutah.com/news/archive/2015/02/11/hrc-search-rescue-teams-find-hikers-stranded-in-darkness-near-valentine-peak/#.VOPKlPlQMsM

Hikers rescued, overnight with SAR crew – http://www.kesq.com/news/hikers-forced-to-spend-night-in-tahquitz-canyon/31258694

SAR for missing hiker – http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/north-shore-rescue-searching-for-missing-hiker-marilyn-mann-1.2957598

Hunter-gatherer –

Recovery of missing fisherman – http://www.abcactionnews.com/news/region-south-pinellas/st-petersburg/search-underway-in-gulf-for-two-missing-fishermen

Climbing –

Climber rescued – http://www.kvue.com/story/news/local/2015/02/14/climber-rescued-from-barton-creek-greenbelt/23418121/

SAR team rescues sheepdog off cliff – http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/search-team-rescues-sheepdog-8650867

Climbing party rescued – http://www.dailysabah.com/nation/2015/02/09/19-climbers-rescued-after-15-hours-of-ordeal

Water Safety –

Missing kayaker – http://www.wyff4.com/news/authorities-searching-for-missing-boater-on-lake-hartwell/31228996

Tourist rescued from riptide – http://www.nzherald.co.nz/northern-advocate/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503450&objectid=11402653

Another kayaker rescued – http://www.torquayheraldexpress.co.uk/UPDATE-Major-rescue-operation-injured-kayaker/story-26028904-detail/story.html

Vehicles –

Search for missing utility worker – http://gazette.com/search-and-rescue-team-looking-for-utility-worker-stranded-near-almagre-mountain/article/1546130

Couple stuck in snowbank rescued – http://oilcitywyo.com/2015/02/13/couple-found-safe-by-washakie-county-sheriffs-and-worland-police-department-after-being-stranded-in-a-snowdrift/

Rescue leads to arrest – http://www.chinookobserver.com/co/coast-guard/20150214/deanos-dream-turns-to-nightmare-when-rescue-transitions-into-arrest

Urban –

Missing teens rescued – http://www.8newsnow.com/story/28100280/tip-leads-dad-red-rock-search-and-rescue-to-missing-teen-girls

SAR for bridge jumper – http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/search-rescue-operation-underway-after-8646209

SAR rescues suicidal woman – http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/story/news/local/2015/02/15/suicidal-woman-found-unharmed-search/23461697/

Missing dementia and Alzheimer’s patients –

Survival Weekly – 1/7/2015…

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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 –

7 year old survives plane crash – http://www.cnn.com/2015/01/02/us/kentucky-plane-crash/

News –

First person account of getting rescued – http://www.xojane.com/it-happened-to-me/lost-in-the-mountains-of-north-carolina

Winter Sports –

Mount Rainier National Park (WA)
Search For Missing Snowshoer Comes To Tragic Conclusion

The search for a 37-year-old local man who was overdue from a snowshoeing trip in the park came to a tragic conclusion on December 29th when ground crews located his body next to Edith Creek in the Paradise area, not far from the point last seen.

The man went missing on the evening of December 27th during a winter storm that dropped 20 inches of snow in 48 hours. He intended to overnight at Camp Muir, but only made it as far as Panorama Point due to formidable winter storm conditions.

A party of two waiting out the storm at Panorama Point took him into their shelter, but when the shelter was destroyed by the extreme conditions they attempted to complete their descent to Paradise together. During the descent, the man became separated from his companions in the vicinity of Edith Creek.

A hasty search was conducted on December 28th, with members of the Nordic Patrol scouring main routes in the area. Operations expanded on December 29th to include air and ground searches from Edith Creek to the upper Stevens Canyon drainage.

Members of Tacoma, Everett, Seattle, and Olympic Mountain Rescues participated in the ground search. A Chinook from the US Army Reserve’s 214th Air Division, Joint Base Lewis McChord, with park climbing rangers aboard searched by air. Approximately 30 NPS and partner personnel were assigned to the incident. David Keltner was incident commander.

Hiking –

Search suspended for missing hiker – http://www.thenewstribune.com/2014/12/29/3562638/search-for-olympic-national-park.html

FLETC classmate Hinchy to the rescue!! – http://www.nbc29.com/story/27749624/park-rangers-rescue-hiker-near-old-rag-mt#.VKeo0v6pomo.facebook

Tracks of missing hiker found – http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11382483

Hikers rescued – http://poststar.com/news/local/adirondack-forest-ranger-search-and-rescue-highlights-dec–/article_96ac1a74-94ef-11e4-9dd5-5b54d5d746e2.html

Leave a location in your trip plan – http://www.kelownanow.com/watercooler/news/news/Provincial/15/01/05/Search_and_Rescue_Called_in_to_Look_for_Missing_Vancouver_Man

Hunter-gatherer –

Missing hunter found – http://www.scsun-news.com/silver_city-news/ci_27262788

Fishermen rescued – http://www.news-mail.com.au/news/chopper-search-and-rescue-mission-near-baffle-cree/2500109/

Climbing –

Climber rescued – http://www.havasunews.com/news/mohave-county-search-and-rescue-volunteers-help-man-stuck-on/article_49168308-904e-11e4-8b11-b727d75687bd.html

Water Safety –

Two bodies recoovered in boating fatality – http://www.wctv.tv/home/headlines/Emergency-Crews-Conducting-Search-and-Rescue-on-Lake-Talquin-287421731.html

Dive team recovers drowning victim – http://www.wfla.com/story/27764635/pasco-dive-team-member-reflects-on-search-and-rescue-efforts

Vehicles –

Missing mountain bikers found – http://www.hometownstation.com/santa-clarita-news/lost-santa-clarita-valley-hikers-found-by-search-and-rescue-117468

Helicopter diverted from plane crash search to water rescue – http://www.voxy.co.nz/national/search-and-rescue-teams-kept-busy-near-ruakaka/5/211241

Urban –

Search continues for missing woman – http://www.chillicothegazette.com/story/news/crime/2014/12/30/search-resumes-missing-woman/21051643/

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

Survival Weekly – 12/15/14…

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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

Foothills Army Navy..

2 Replies

Not everyone needs a rubber ducky pool thermometer in December, but I do..

Well, really it is not for me, it is for Survival 101 students so I can gauge the temperature of the creek for the “man in the creek” drill. Luck would have it that the local pool shop had a good selection and even luckier was that there is an Army-Navy store right beside it.

Tucked off Foothills Mall Drive in Maryville, you can find a nice selection of military clothing and outdoor gear. I was happy to find brown polypro glove liners, which I hunt in all winter. Most outdoor stores just have black or blue, so I was happy to find and buy them.

I got to talking with the friendly owner, Eva Murphy, and found out that after running a surplus store in Billings, Montana for 20 years. Eva said that they started out as Civil War memorabilia collectors and the store evolved from there. Wanting to escape the frigid winters, They migrated to Tennessee and Foothills Army Navy opened up five months ago.

Being a small business owner myself, I told Eva I would give her a shout out on the blog tonight.

Like any surplus store, you will be able to find plenty of knives, a mix of new and used equipment, and a variety of tactical and outdoor gear.

What did I personally like that I saw? Well, gear that I have actually used and carry. They had a good selection of polypro and fleece..

My favorite firesteel, orange please..

Mountain House meals for your emergency pack..

Wool pants..

And the patrol bag from the military sleep system sold separately (or the whole system)..

Now what I am going to say something that will probably bring the wrath of every internet survival expert out there crying me to be hung by a paracord noose and flogged with firesteels..

If for some magical reason I was thrust into the vortex of unreality where I could only have one item to survive outside right now, it would be a sleeping bag, not the all mighty knife.

It took decades for that simple lesson uttered by Mors Kochanski to our class 15 years ago to sink in, but after experimenting, researching, and seeing wilderness emergencies first hand, it has taken root.

Take Dimwiddie’s ordeal for example..http://americasroof.com/wp/archives/2004/12/24/hiker-rescued-after-stranded-4-days-on-at-nearr-inadu-knob-in-smokies/ Laying in his sleeping bag for four days kept him alive, but if he only had a knife, Rangers would have found a corpsicle.

While I teach people to build shelters and fires if they are caught out unexpectedly, I always drive home how many calories it consumes and how hard it would be if their wrist or leg was broken.

What if they threw a lightweight, synthetic sleeping bag in a dry sack and stuffed it down at the bottom of their pack with a bivy or tarp? Coupled with a good puffy jacket, the 40 degree bag will now get them down below freezing, Hopefully they replaced the backpack frame sheet with a cut down sleeping pad to insulate from the ground as well, and now they have a solution that works when injured, conserves calories, and will afford better sleep.

Two and a half pounds of lifesaving insurance for $40. Sure there are lighter, better synthetic bags on the market, but they are 5 times the price. Quilts and woobies are other great options, but if you move much in your sleep, you will wish you had a bag, and once again, more expensive.

I have bought several of these over the years and they are floating in both our vehicles and in our packs. Good gear for a great price.

If you are out and about in the Maryville area, stop by and welcome Eva to the area..

Foothills Army Navy – 821 Foothills Mall Drive Maryville, TN 37801 (865) 977-0090

Survival Weekly – 12/2/14…

1 Reply

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 –

Starting and mainting a fire in cold, wet conditions if a must have lifesaving skill. Mushroom hunter rescued – http://www.mailtribune.com/article/20141202/NEWS/141209953/101064/NEWS

News –

Sea-Doo releases SAR version – http://www.jems.com/article/industry-news/new-sea-doo-search-and-rescue-watercraft

Social media, another SAR tool – http://vancouver.24hrs.ca/2014/11/30/social-media-a-new-tool-for-rescues

Winter Sports –

Injured cross-country skier rescued – http://www.kbzk.com/news/west-yellowstone-search-and-rescue-assist-injured-cross-country-skier/

Injured skier rescued – http://www.kbzk.com/news/injured-skier-rescued-near-west-yellowstone/

Hiking –

Missing men rescued – http://www.yumasun.com/news/mcas-yuma-search-and-rescue-helicopter-crew-assist-ycso-locate/article_93760aa8-7448-11e4-a407-3f83b6e5212f.html

Hiker stays put and is rescued – http://www.lakeconews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=39491:sheriffs-office-reports-on-cobb-mountain-womans-rescue-offers-tips-for-staying-safe-in-the-outdoors&catid=1:latest&Itemid=197

Hunter-gatherer –

Crews dispatched for possible search – http://metronews.ca/news/vancouver/1224734/coquitlam-rescue-crews-searching-for-possible-missing-man-on-burke-mountain/

Injured hunter rescued – http://www.eacourier.com/news/hunter-rescued-after-suffering-injury-in-gila-mountains/article_3e72d376-7509-11e4-a92b-0bbdbb1730b0.html

Injured hunter rescued – http://www.kelownanow.com/news/news/Local_News/14/11/30/Injured_Hunter_Rescued_by_Helicopter_Near_Lumby

Climbing –

Injured climber rescued – http://www.news-leader.com/story/life/2014/12/02/grueling-rescue-saves-ozark-man-cliff/19784181/

Water Safety –

Hikers rescued from flash flood – http://www.timesofisrael.com/stranded-hikers-rescued-from-judean-desert-flood/

Coast guard rescues five in rough seas – http://www.inquisitr.com/1644598/u-s-coast-guard-rescues-five-off-rugged-oregon-coast/

Vehicles –

SPOT activation leads to rescue of stranded ATV rider – http://www.terracestandard.com/news/284004941.html

SAR underway for helicopter crash – http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2014/11/30/search-and-rescue-team-approaches-chopper-crash-site.html

SAR teams saves tourists – http://www.icelandreview.com/news/2014/12/01/search-and-rescue-saves-tourists-highland-road

Urban –

Body found near campground – http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2014/nov/27/womans-body-may-be-missing-sally-estabrook-julian/

Sherriff obtains Project Lifesaver gear – http://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2014/12/01/sheriff-gets-gear-track-wandering-residents/19733183/

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

Survival Weekly – 11/24/14…

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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 –

Great article about bears tracking hunters. It has happened to me several times and one of my co-workers had a big bear that was tracking him finish off an injured hog over at Pretty Hollow Gap years ago. Having a bear follow you down the trail in the middle of the night, miles from anywhere, waiting for the dinner bell to ring can be a little unnerving. Another safety plus of thermal monoculars if you do control work in bear country – http://www.foxnews.com/science/2014/11/24/gps-study-tracks-grizzlies-as-follow-hunters/

Pretty common scenario. No flashlights, dying cell phone, lower extremity injury. http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2014/nov/23/hiker-lost-cuyamaca-julian-ramona/

Flashlights, trip plans, maps, charged cell phones, and first aid training are cheap companions on a trip.

News –

SAR drone challenge – http://theconversation.com/robots-in-the-skies-how-outback-joe-was-found-and-rescued-34234

Innovative agency gets dispatchers out in the field – http://www.sltrib.com/news/1855872-155/911-dispatchers-go-up-in-the

Blood stopping gel in the works – http://www.ted.com/talks/joe_landolina_this_gel_can_make_you_stop_bleeding_instantly

Hiking –

Lost hikers found –http://www.agassizharrisonobserver.com/news/283402241.html

Clues of missing hiker found at mine shaft –http://www.jrn.com/ktnv/news/Red-Rock-Search-and-Rescue-find-missing-mans-cell-phone-283603351.html

Lost hiker found –http://www.torquayheraldexpress.co.uk/Devon-student-rescued-getting-lost-Dartmoor/story-24596588-detail/story.html

Surveyor airlifted after fall – http://www.independent.ie/regionals/newrossstandard/news/fears-grow-as-search-for-paul-21-continues-30751506.html

Hunter-Gatherer –

Search called off for missing hunter – http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/local-news/search-called-off-for-missing-hunter-richard-kothanek-at-meadow-creek-reservoir-near-frasier

Climbing –

Rocky Mountain National Park (CO)
Body Of Missing Climber Found

During helicopter search operations yesterday, the body of Peter Jeffris, missing since last Sunday, was found 200 feet below the Ledges on the Keyhole Route.

A park SAR team was flown to a landing spot in the Glacier Gorge drainage and four team members climbed approximately 1,800 vertical feet to where Jeffris was found. His body was flown from the scene to a landing spot at Upper Beaver Meadows at approximately 4 p.m. and transferred to the Boulder County Coroner.

Jeffris was reported overdue the afternoon of Monday, November 17th, when he did not arrive at work. His vehicle was located in the parking lot at the Longs Peak Trailhead. He reportedly left Sunday morning to summit Longs Peak.

Safety was a top priority in determining when and where rescue personnel could search for Jeffris. Winter conditions, including extreme winds and below freezing temperatures, made search and recovery operations even more difficult. These challenging conditions hampered search operations, particularly above tree line, over the past three days. With Thursday’s calmer winds, searchers were able to utilize a helicopter, making it possible to cover a much larger area and ultimately locate Jeffris.

Over the multiple day search, park SAR teams were assisted by Larimer County Search and Rescue, Rocky Mountain Rescue, Alpine Rescue Team, Diamond Peak Ski Patrol, Douglas County Search and Rescue, Search Dogs of Colorado and the Colorado Search and Rescue Board. Park staff also worked with the US Air Force Rescue Coordination Center.

Empty pack sparks search – http://www.westbriton.co.uk/rucksack-sparks-scale-search-rescue/story-24553769-detail/story.html

Water Safety –

Body recovery on Kern river – http://www.onebakersfield.com/2014/11/search-and-rescue-volunteers-assist-in-removing-body-from-the-kern-river/

Tragic end for fishing trip – http://www.wexfordpeople.ie/news/body-of-local-fisherman-recovered-after-massive-search-operation-30766122.html

Rescue crews stage for melting snow threats – http://wivb.com/2014/11/21/rescue-crews-arriving-from-across-the-state/

Search underway for missing diver – http://www.hawkesbay.co.nz/general/general/14471-police-and-search-and-rescue-teams-resume-the-hunt-for-a-missing-diver-in-central-hawkes-bay

Vehicles –

Mount Rushmore National Memorial (SD)
Missing Man’s Body Found By Searchers

On the afternoon of Wednesday, November 5th, a Mount Rushmore employee reported an unattended vehicle in a legal but uncommonly used parking pullout on the west side of the park. Rangers responded, located the vehicle, conducted an NCIC inquiry, and received a return for a local man from Rapid City with no outstanding wants or warrants against him.

Approximately three-and-a-half hours later, park dispatch was notified of a late return from NCIC on the above vehicle that advised that the registered owner was listed as being a missing/endangered person. Rangers returned to the area to investigate and discovered the vehicle at the same place.

Additional personnel, including the park’s explosives detection canine unit (which is also trained in human tracking), were called in to begin a search. They were joined by personnel from assisting agencies.

Approximately 15 minutes after the search began, the man was found about 40 yards from the roadway at the base of a 40-foot cliff. A deputy coroner on scene confirmed that he was dead and that he probably died from a fall from the 40 foot cliff. No weapons were found at the scene.

Keystone Ambulance Service and Keystone Volunteer Fire Department assisted in removing the body. Pennington County is leading the investigation with the NPS and FBI assisting.

High angle rescue saves three – http://www.dailybulletin.com/general-news/20141122/ontario-whittier-men-rescued-after-driving-off-malibu-cliff

Urban –

Missing elderly man found – http://www.paradisepost.com/general-news/20141119/search-and-rescue-crews-find-missing-magalia-man

Urban SAR underway – http://www.independent.ie/regionals/newrossstandard/news/fears-grow-as-search-for-paul-21-continues-30751506.html

Interested in learn 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

Survival Weekly – 11/18/14…

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Featured –

Good expose on SAR in Iceland – http://roadsandkingdoms.com/2014/rescued-from-the-land-of-fire-and-ice/

News –

“Hike Safe” cards coming to New Hampshire – http://www.actionhub.com/stories/2014/11/17/hike-safe-cards-coming-new-hampshire/

Hiking –

Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks (CA)
Overdue Backpacker Found In Good Condition

On the afternoon of Wednesday, November 6th, overdue hiker William Roberts was located outside Kings Canyon National Park in the adjacent Sierra National Forest. Searchers found the 62-year-old Virginia man in good condition in Crown Valley.

On October 30th, Roberts departed alone from the Rancheria Trailhead on the Sierra National Forest. He planned to hike to Tehipite Dome in Kings Canyon National Park, then, after several days in Tehipite Valley, return to the Rancherita Trailhead by November 3rd. Dispatch was notified that he was overdue on the morning of November 5th.

Sixteen National Park Service and twenty Fresno County Sheriff’s Office search and rescue personnel were involved in searching by ground and helicopter, conducting interviews, and planning search operations. An NPS helicopter, Fresno County Sheriff’s Office helicopter Eagle One, and California Highway Patrol’s helicopter H40 also assisted.

The search area, located approximately 35 miles southeast of Huntington Lake, ranged from elevations of 4,000 to 9,000 feet. The first significant storm of the season passed through the area on October 31st and November 1st, resulting in 12 to 18 inches of snowfall at higher elevations and heavy rain at lower elevations.

Two hikers rescued from canyon – http://www.stgeorgeutah.com/news/archive/2014/11/15/ccj-sar-team-rescues-2-hikers-from-snow-canyon-state-park/#.VGq4r_lpf58

Stranded hikers rescued – http://www.albanytribune.com/17112014-sheriffs-office-search-rescue-saves-two-stranded-hikers/

Teams battle extreme weather is search for missing hiker – http://denver.cbslocal.com/2014/11/18/search-for-missing-man-in-rmnp-hindered-by-extreme-weather-conditions/

Hunter-gatherer –

Missing hunter rescued – http://www.3news.co.nz/nznews/search-and-rescue-retrieve-hunter-from-kaimai-range-2014111811

Climbing –

New River Gorge National River (WV)
Rangers Rescue Injured Climber

A rock climber from Ohio was climbing the New River Gunks route in the Junkyard area, a 5.7 sport route supported by a top bolt, when he lost his grip, fell from 12 to 14 feet, landed in the sitting position, then fell backwards and hit his head.

Fellow climbers reported that the injured man used an old cam device someone had left on the route. No one knew where the old device came from or how long it had been there. The climber clipped into the device about ten feet above the ground and continued to climb up the route. He then lost his grip and fell. The cable attached to the device broke and failed to arrest his fall.

Rangers, an ambulance crew, and local first responders were dispatched to the accident after fellow climbers called it into the Fayette County 911 center. Rangers determined that the man had a possible broken wrist, back injury, and a minor head injury. He was not wearing a helmet.

Rangers, climbers, and first responders carried him out in a litter. Two low angle belays were set to support the team as they carried him out the steep trail to a waiting ambulance. He was transported to Raleigh General Hospital for further evaluation and treatment.

Friends and family mourn loss of Bend climber – http://www.ktvz.com/news/storm-stymies-search-for-fallen-middle-sister-climber/29708126

Runaway teen rescued off cliff – http://www.hoodrivernews.com/news/2014/nov/15/team-works-together-runaway-cliffhanger/

Water Safety –

Airman swept out to sea – http://sfbay.ca/2014/11/12/elite-search-and-rescue-airman-swept-off-beach/

Body recovered at Lake Mead – http://www.jrn.com/ktnv/news/282821401.html

Vehicles –

Search for missing Cessna – http://www.cfra.com/news/2014/11/12/search-and-rescue-operation-underway-for-missing-cessna-near-haliburton

Another missing Cessna – http://www.kvoa.com/news/search-and-rescue-for-two-people-on-plane-continues/

Lost mountain biker rescued – http://www.oc-breeze.com/2014/11/14/62078_ocsd-search-and-rescue-finds-lost-mountain-biker/

Stranded drivers rescued – http://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/2014/11/18/marion-county-search-and-rescue-locate-vehicle-stuck-in-snow/19242253/

Urban –

Search underway for elderly man – http://www.orovillemr.com/general-news/20141116/search-and-rescue-crews-look-for-missing-magalia-man

Interested in learn 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

Survival 101 dates announced!!…

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It’s fall, so you load up the family and drive to the mountains to enjoy the beautiful colors. Your family decides to hike up a popular trail that afternoon. The hike takes longer than you expected and night starts to creep in.You have no flashlight and the light on your cell phone is not bright enough to walk the slick trail safely.

You call 911 for help, but the spotty cell phone reception drops your call before you can give your location. You try again with no luck. Fear starts to creep in as the kids start to cry.

Your water is low, you ate all your food, and you don’t have anything to keep you warm other than the fleece jackets you are wearing. You try to start a fire, but everything is wet. Temperatures start to dip into the 30’s. Your kids are cold and start to shiver. You hope that rescuers are on the way, but realize that they have no clue of your whereabouts in the 500,000 acre park. You huddle with your family and pray that you make it through the night.

This isn’t fiction, it is reality. http://www.wbir.com/story/news/local/2014/10/19/rangers-help-lost-family-off-mt-leconte/17551633/

Wilderness emergencies can happen to anyone of us that choose to venture into the great outdoors. Chances are that you won’t be stranded on some remote island naked with a cute girl, but most likely you will be injured, wet, and/or facing a night out without proper gear. https://bigpigblog.com/category/survival-stories/

Understanding the true nature of wilderness survival scenarios is the first step. Next, you need to learn the skills to handle them and then train them under real world conditions. That is where BigPig Outdoors Survival 101 class excels.

Old Man Winter is here, so Survival 101 class dates are announced. Click here to learn how you can get the “pressure tested” skills, knowledge, and confidence to survive the night and more – http://www.bigpigoutdoors.net/survival-101-1.html

Survival Weekly – 11/5/14…

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Featured –

Hunting season is here. Itineraries, skills, and the proper gear are a good plan.

Seven days, six nights, unprepared hunter rescued – http://www.krcrtv.com/news/local/hunter-pilot-share-daring-search-and-rescue-story/29424548

News –

Cody Lundin speaks out about “Survival TV” –https://tv.yahoo.com/news/special-report-dangerous-side-survival-tv-205000449.html

Australia picks new SAR contractor –http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/2014-10-28/australia-chooses-cobham-future-search-and-rescue

Hunter/Gatherer –

Lost hunter found – http://tdn.com/news/local/search-crew-locates-lost-vancouver-hunter-near-kalama-horse-camp/article_d4f90ada-645c-11e4-a584-27739f19c2b8.html

Elk hunters rescued – http://www.columbian.com/news/2014/nov/03/mount-st-helens-rescue-toutle-stranded-hunters/

Injured hunter rescued – http://www.durangoherald.com/article/20141101/NEWS01/141109966//article/20141101/NEWS01/141109966/Rescue-underway-for-man-on-Missionary-Ridge-

Crew of fishing vessel rescued – http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/fisherman-found-dead-2-missing-4554434

Fishermen rescued – http://www.kolotv.com/home/headlines/Two-Fisherman-Rescued-From-Pyramid-Lake-281196281.html

Missing teen hunter found – http://www.kvewtv.com/article/2014/oct/28/lost-14-year-old-hunter-found/

Missing mushroom hunter found – http://www.kptv.com/story/27020244/search-and-rescue-finds-missing-mushroom-picker-still-looking-for-two-lost-hikers

Hiking –

Golden Gate National Recreation Area (CA)
Woman Killed In Fall From Coastal Trail

Park Police officers, park lifeguards and San Francisco Fire Department personnel responded to a report of two people stuck on the rocks near Painted Rock on the Coastal Trail on Thursday, October 30th.

A man was found on the rocks about 150 to 200 feet below the trail; there was a woman below him, but she was not immediately visible.

Park lifeguards swam to a spot below and found the woman’s body on the beach there. Lifeguards and firefighters swam her body out to a waiting fireboat. Meanwhile, firefighters set up a long-haul rope system and brought the man back up to the Coastal Trail.

Park Police detectives took a statement from the man and then transported him to his residence. The woman’s body was taken to the San Francisco Medical Examiners’ Office.

The man and woman had hiked into a closed area that was posted with a sign stating that the area was dangerous and that people had fallen from that location, a fall of approximately 300 feet. The woman fell to her death; the man became stranded while trying to reach her. The case remains under investigation.

Father and son rescued from side of Mt. Saint Helens – http://mynorthwest.com/11/2637245/Father-son-rescued-by-helicopter-near-Mount-St-Helens

Injured hiker rescued – http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona/2014/10/27/12news-crews-rescue-injured-hiker-on-mount-elden/18030867/

Multiple rescues in the Adirondacks – http://www.syracuse.com/outdoors/index.ssf/2014/10/the_latest_dec_forest_ranger_search_and_rescue_missions_in_the_adirondacks.html

Water Safety –

Coast Guard rescues sailor – http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2014/11/04/3953280_man-rescued-from-bellingham-bay.html?rh=1

Coast Guard suspends search for missing boaters – http://www.wmtw.com/news/coast-guard-2-missing-1-rescued-after-boat-sinks/29482498

Late night rescue of sailors – http://www.nbc-2.com/story/27183730/deputies-respond-to-early-morning-water-rescue#.VFra3vlpf58

Climbing –

Vehicles –

Injured horserider rescued – http://www.wbir.com/story/news/local/2014/10/27/park-volunteer-rescued-from-smoky-mountains/18029789/?utm_source=feedblitz&utm_medium=FeedBlitzRss&utm_campaign=wbir/local-news

Urban –

Missing girl found –http://www.abqjournal.com/489595/news/search-continues-for-girl-10-missing-from-rio-rancho.html

Search continues for autistic child –http://www.news4jax.com/news/search-resumes/29355280

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