5 ms·

As a SAR guy, I can say the big big thing is the first aid (plus CPR). It sounds like you're relatively close to civilization, but realize that if someone has t

As a SAR guy, I can say the big big thing is the first aid (plus CPR). It sounds like you're relatively close to civilization, but realize that if someone has to come to help you, they're likely not going to be there within the Golden Hour (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_hour_%28medicine%29 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_hour_%28medicine%29). That, and just being prepared in general (ten essentials: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ten_Essentials https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ten_Essentials and knowing how to use them), having skills, and being wary. I've seen even well-seasoned people end up in bad situations; the best way to survive seems to be to avoid the bad situations. Also, never go alone.

philbarr 13y ago
Reading all the advice that is being given in comments around this thread, it would seem the best advice would be: get someone who knows what they're talking about in the local area and get their advice; like the parent poster SAR but that also knows about dangers closer to home. Maybe you could make a weekend of it for your families or something.
- npsimons 13y ago
  My SAR group actually teaches a class where one of our stated upfront goals is to prevent people from having to be rescued. Depending on the area, the local SAR group might be too busy putting out fires to do similar (it takes a lot of planning and prep).
jacquesm 13y ago
Good stuff second all of it, the last one you can't emphasize enough. 'SAR guy' -> Search And Rescue guy.
edkennedy 13y ago
Although that area is typically serviced by hovercraft and close to civilization, having first aid skills are certainly essential.
- lostlogin 13y ago
  And gear. Setting up a supply of basic medical stuff isn't that expensive if you do it right and it could be very handy. A few key drugs, a few laminated sets of instructions on how to give them and you'll potentially be much better off. Allergic reactions etc can be ugly.
deleted 13y ago
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ballard 13y ago
Yep. Life is fragile. One subtle mistake can be game over (McCandless) Non-nonsense survival guide: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0762448180 http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0762448180 Also: man vs wild (television)
- jackgavigan 13y ago
  > Also: man vs wild (television) I would very strongly advise AGAINST emulating Bear Grylls' antics in 'Man vs Wild'. He often does things that are the complete and total opposite of what you should do. One example that stuck in my mind was when he (supposedly) needed to cross a mountain and decided, instead, to go through the mountain via a cave, which is possibly the most stupid idea I've ever heard. He arguably puts young people at risk by encouraging such dangerous behaviour. Lofty Wiseman (author of the SAS Survival Guide) has described him as an "idiot". Also, while the TV show portrays him as roughing it in the wild, the truth is somewhat different: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-470155/How-Bear-Grylls-Born-Survivor-roughed--hotels.html http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-470155/How-Bear-Gryl...

philbarr 13y ago

Reading all the advice that is being given in comments around this thread, it would seem the best advice would be: get someone who knows what they're talking about in the local area and get their advice; like the parent poster SAR but that also knows about dangers closer to home. Maybe you could make a weekend of it for your families or something.

npsimons 13y ago
My SAR group actually teaches a class where one of our stated upfront goals is to prevent people from having to be rescued. Depending on the area, the local SAR group might be too busy putting out fires to do similar (it takes a lot of planning and prep).

jacquesm 13y ago

Good stuff second all of it, the last one you can't emphasize enough. 'SAR guy' -> Search And Rescue guy.

edkennedy 13y ago

Although that area is typically serviced by hovercraft and close to civilization, having first aid skills are certainly essential.

lostlogin 13y ago
And gear. Setting up a supply of basic medical stuff isn't that expensive if you do it right and it could be very handy. A few key drugs, a few laminated sets of instructions on how to give them and you'll potentially be much better off. Allergic reactions etc can be ugly.

deleted 13y ago

[deleted]

ballard 13y ago

Yep. Life is fragile. One subtle mistake can be game over (McCandless) Non-nonsense survival guide: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0762448180 http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0762448180 Also: man vs wild (television)

jackgavigan 13y ago
> Also: man vs wild (television) I would very strongly advise AGAINST emulating Bear Grylls' antics in 'Man vs Wild'. He often does things that are the complete and total opposite of what you should do. One example that stuck in my mind was when he (supposedly) needed to cross a mountain and decided, instead, to go through the mountain via a cave, which is possibly the most stupid idea I've ever heard. He arguably puts young people at risk by encouraging such dangerous behaviour. Lofty Wiseman (author of the SAS Survival Guide) has described him as an "idiot". Also, while the TV show portrays him as roughing it in the wild, the truth is somewhat different: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-470155/How-Bear-Grylls-Born-Survivor-roughed--hotels.html http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-470155/How-Bear-Gryl...