Survival Systems Lance Taysom RN, CFRN, WEMT

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 2014 Search and Rescue 2,658 SAR missions (2,348 in 2013) –24% “error in judgment” –20% “fatigue” –22% listed as “saves” % of lost persons were found within 24 hours 374 (12.3%) lost people stayed-put

What Can We Learn From The NPS Data?  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  “ Safe” does not = “risk free”  Participants may not all exactly agree  If anyone feels like this situation is in the RED – don’t do it! Risk Assessment Matrix

“Carelessness and overconfidence are more dangerous than deliberately accepted risk.”Wilbur Wright, 1901

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”  Stay 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

Principles 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. Putting Leadership Principles 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 (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 while still daylight to spending the night where you are.  Make a safe, solid camp: shelter, warmth.  Gather more wood than you think you need.  Keep a fire going, be ready to make smoke.  Huddle close together. Insulate from the ground.  Listen, use your whistle.  Get a nap early in the evening.

General Guidelines for First Aid & 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!

Recognize it’s the skilled person, not the gear, who…..ultimately, saves lives.

Questions?

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