Survival Systems Lance Taysom RN, NRP, CFRN

What Makes a Good Survival Epic? “Looking back, it could have been avoided.” “It happened fast.” “It happened when we least expected.” “It was not what anyone planned for.” “The weather was bad.” “We were not prepared.”

Relevant? Is the study of wilderness survival relevant to what we do as EMS providers?

National Park Service 2013 Search and Rescue Statistics 2,348 SAR missions, costing taxpayers $3.8milion 703 missions listed cause as: "fatigue and physical condition“. 516 incidents listed “error in judgment”. 148 fatalities 47 cases activation by PLB. 101 by satilite phones. Day-hiking was listed in 1,379 SARs, which involved 588 injuries and 27 fatalities. 92% of lost persons were found within 24 hours (in 19 cases, it took more than a week). 374 lost people stayed-put.

Bottom-line from the research:  What is the most dangerous outdoor activity for the average person? The day hike.  The most common cause death? Hypothermia  The most important survival equipment? Clothing  Most important survival skill? Judgment Who is most likely to need a rescue?

What is the chance you will find yourself in a survival situation?!!!!

“Familiarization and prolonged exposure without incident leads to a loss of appreciation of risk.” Dr. Ken Kamler, Mt. Everest expedition physician, 1996

 Defining acceptable risk is highly personal.  Participants don’t have to all exactly agree – Just try to get everyone on the same color.  If anyone feels like this situation is in the red – don’t do it! Risk Assessment Matrix

C.U.S. Words Concerned Uncomfortable Safety issue

Dynamics of Accidents Theory: Human Factors + Environmental Factors = Accident Potential

Physiologic Reserve Personal factors affecting survival-ability: Age Underlying illness or injury Physical conditioning Sleep deprivation Dehydration Malnutrition Stress: fear, anxiety

Knowing and Overcoming Enemies to Survival  Pain  Hunger  Thirst  Fatigue  Cold  Heat  Fear  Boredom  Loneliness  Despair

“Survival Attitude”  Remain cool, calm, and confident.  Establish priorities, make decisions.  Hope for the best, prepare for the worst, do it right the first time.  Focus on the now - don’t buy in to blame, guilt, fear, pride.  Be patient.  NEVER GIVE UP!

24hr Survival Goals  Don’t get injured, don’t die waiting for a rescue.  Don’t loose your gear.  Use your resources efficiently.  Don’t create new problems.  Stay warm & dry.  Stay healthy & happy.  Get found.

Immediate Survival Priorities:  Scene Safety  First Aid  Inventory  Shelter  Warmth  Signaling  Food/water  Planning & Waiting

Principals of Effective Leadership:  Know your environment.  Anticipate and plan.  Communicate effectively.  Delegate work load optimally.  Allocate attention wisely.  Use all information.  Use all available resources.  Call for help when needed.  Maintain professional behavior.

 Take care of yourself first.  Assume the leadership role - bring the group together: physically and emotionally.  Gather information. Inventory gear and all other resources.  Decide on what needs to be done. Prioritize and delegate tasks.  Maintain communication with individuals.  Smile. Find your inner strength, will yourself to stay positive, others will follow your example. Putting Leadership Principals into ACTION:

On a rescue, or in a survival situation, will you be an asset or a liability to your team?

Personal Survival Systems:  Clothing  Navigation  First Aid  Tools  Shelter  Fire  Signaling  Communication  Water & Food  Personal

Clothing Layering Systems:  Thin inner comfort layers.  Thick insulating layers.  Outer protective layers.  Specific systems for feet, lower body, upper body, head & neck, face & hands. Use your clothing correctly:  Plan for inactivity in harshest expected weather.  Keep water out of your insulation.  Practice!

What is in your pockets?  BSI, Pen/paper….  Headlamp  Chemical Heat Packs  Whistle  Multi-tool  Emergency “Bivy” Bag  Fire Starter System  Map/Compass/GPS  Energy Food

When technology fails, you must have skills to survive. If you don’t have skills, you will die”. Mel Otten MD, Mountain Rescue “We get to remote environments with the aid of technology. Technology enables us to live and work there.

Using a Whistle 9 (Much better than trying to yell for 24hrs!) ♪ blast- “Here I am” ♪♪ blasts- “Let’s get together” ♪♪♪ blasts- “Come to me now!”

Build a shelter or start a fire?

If you have to spend the night… Bivouac (“The Big Screw-Up”) Lou Whittaker - Rainier Mountain Guide  Commit yourself early (while still daylight) to spending the night where you are.  Make a solid camp: shelter, warmth, food, water, latrine.  Gather more wood than you think you need.  Keep a fire going, be ready to make smoke (daylight).  Huddle close together.  Listen, use your whistle. Get a nap early in the evening.

General Guidelines for First Aid and Survival Kits:  First Aid/Survival kits are highly personal.  No single kit will serve for all your outdoor activities.  Check your kit before and after each trip.  Select each piece carefully.  Know your kit.  Keep your kit with you.  Check commercial kits for ideas.  Keep it simple: The more you know, the less you need!

Above all, recognize it’s the skilled person, not the gear, who efficiently makes decisions, who keeps the group safe, warm, dry and hydrated; who cares for illnesses, treats injuries and ultimately saves lives. Lance Taysom RN, NRP, CFRN

Questions?