Survival SystemsLance 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!

Negligible Marginal Critical Catastrophic

Improbable

Remote

Occasional

Probable

Frequent

L

i

k

e

l

i

h

o

o

d

Severity

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

PainHungerThirstFatigueColdHeatFearBoredom LonelinessDespair

“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 GoalsDon’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 SafetyFirst Aid InventoryShelter WarmthSignalingFood/waterPlanning & 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:

ClothingNavigationFirst AidToolsShelter

FireSignalingCommunicationWater & FoodPersonal

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…. HeadlampChemical Heat PacksWhistle Multi-toolEmergency “Bivy” BagFire Starter SystemMap/Compass/GPSEnergy 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 Whistle9

(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.

http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/tools/a396/

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

tayslanc@isu.edu

Questions?