EMERGENCY PLANNING FOR EXPEDITIONS Brian J. Hill, Ph.D. Professor of Recreation Management, BYU President, Utah County SAR

Class Objectives Participants in this class will be able to: provide an appropriate trip plan and gear checklist for group members prepare a simple risk management plan for their backcountry expeditions including risk assessment, weather analysis, and emergency communications plan develop a plan to find a lost group member build an appropriate emergency kit for various activities, understand helicopter operations in an emergency more comfortably stay in the backcountry during an emergency using appropriate fire and shelter

Expedition/Adventure Trip Plan Purpose and Objectives Itinerary Travel Beta Maps Gear List Risk Plan Weather Analysis Emergency Communication Protocols

Gear List Develop a gear list for every activity, and then refine it SAR Minimum Personal Equipment Clothing (appropriate for mission) Shelter (appropriate for mission) Fluids (appropriate for mission) Food (appropriate for mission) 2 Light Sources Whistle Fire Starter Knife Personal First Aid GPS Radio

Canyoneering Class Gear List Equipment Essential: Food for 1 lunch Cash for 1 dinner on return Tent Sleeping bag Appropriate clothing for cool nights, warm days Swim Suit for Hot Tub Canyoneering clothing-quick dry, fleece or other non-cotton jacket Canyoneering shoes/old running shoes Leather glove (could also use neoprene or coated plumbers glove) for brake hand Rain gear Sunscreen Sunglasses Hat 1 Liter Water Container (2)-filled with water Insect Repellent Headlamp or Flashlight Toiletries Cooking Equipment Eating plates, bowls and utensils Daypack with Ten Essential Systems Navigation Hydration Nutrition Insulation Illumination Skin Protection Emergency Medical Fire Repair Recommended: Sleeping mat Pillow Towel for Shower Dry Bag Flashlight Camera Personal harness and rappel device if you desire

Risk Plan Identify Risks Assess Risks Probability x Impact Control Use 1-3 scale for probability, impact, and control Risk Management Strategies Risk Matrix

Risk Management Strategies Low ImpactHigh Impact High ProbabilityREDUCE (Mitigate) Emergency Preparedness AVOID (Don’t Go) Low ProbabilityACCEPT (Anticipate) Personal Preparedness TRANSFER (Waiver/Insurance) Evacuation Plan

Risk Matrix RiskProbabilityImpactControlIndexStrategyMitigation Actions

Weather Analysis weather.com noaa.gov Follow weather 10 days out Include forecasts in last minute reminders Decide on a decision point appropriate for activities

Emergency Communication Plan Emergency trigger/action Know cell phone coverages Consider battery life Collect and distribute phone numbers Local emergency agencies Contacts at home Consider radios and satellite phones Electronics-free communications plan

Lost Individual Search Establish buddy rules Call for help? Clear likely locations quickly PLS Trails/paths Accommodations, bathrooms, vehicles Grid searching

Emergency Kits Medical Kits Based on Activity Extra Clothing Extra Food and Water Extra Activity Equipment PFD, Paddle, Rapell Device

Personal First Aid Kit 1 Pair Latex Gloves 25 Flexible Cloth Band-Aids 5 Finger and Knuckle Band-Aids 10 Butterfly Bandages 1 Tube Triple Anti-biotic Ointment 1 Irrigation Syringe 1 WMI Wound Pack 1 Sheet Moleskin 1 Pack Second Skin 3 3” Band-Aids 1 Roll Athletic Tape Pieces of Duct Tape 1 Ace Wrap 1 Roll Curlex 2 Triangular Bandages 2 Safety Pins 1 Pair Scissors 1 Pair Tweezers 3 Vials Benzoin Tincture 1 Bottle Sting Eze 1 Bottle Eye Drops 1 1 Tube Aquaphor 4 Packets Alcohol Wipes 10 Extra Strength Tylenol 20 Ibuprofen Tablets Consecrated Oil

Group Backpacking First Aid Kit

Helicopter Operations DPS—used in search operations, bright lights Lifeflight/Air Med—versatile Not over water, Not at night, Need LZ management Lifeflight can hoist Serious medical conditions or risk for victims and rescue personnel May or may not transport to hospital

Backcountry Comfort in Emergency Build a fire if possible and appropriate Stay dry or shaded with shelter Ration food and water Establish appropriate teams Be easy to find