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| A hunter's knowledge of the woods is an asset in a search. But ironically, a lost hunter poses a greater challenge for rescue teams. |
Hunters are usually well prepared for problems because they are required by law to wear an orange vest and hat to be visible from all sides, and carry water-proof matches, a knife or axe and compass that you know how to use. As well, most hunters carry rifles and can fire three successive bullets to signal distress - this helps searchers to search by sight and sound. Even if a hunter cannot move or signal to searchers, the bright coloured clothing makes it easier for searchers, ground and air alike, to find someone in the woods. But not all scenarios are this good.
Lost hunter behaviour
Accidents can happen easily where help is not readily available. Hunters
are at a great risk for getting lost during the 'thrill of the chase'
when tracking a specific animal. As well, a hunter may go deeper into
the woods and very far off the trail. The pursuit can take a hunter across
many different paths into unknown terrain.
Some hunters might not admit they are lost and continue walking around trying to find the way back to camp. It has been found that hunters travel further from their last known location. According to Ken Hill, expert in lost person behaviour, "interviews with hunters reveal that they frequently make an important distinction between being lost or merely 'turned around.' "
The largest demographic of hunters, younger males, is thought to be better equipped, mentally and physically, to handle themselves in the wilderness. But according to Hill's study on lost person behaviour, hunters over the age of 65 aren't any less able to navigate. In fact, it was found that both younger and older hunters had almost equal chances at finding their way once lost in the woods.
Age is not the only factor in getting lost. Rodgers explains that "it comes back to knowledge and skills, and preparedness. Since hunters often don't consider the possibility of becoming lost, they are the least likely to plan for it. In fact, many don't adequately prepare for the environment they are entering and end up lost as a result." Inadequate equipment and supplies as well as inadequate knowledge of the area are the cause of many searches.
The limited data that is available indicates that most lost hunters need search teams to rescue them and only a few make their own way out. According to Rodgers, the key to avoid getting lost (and minimizing search missions) is to leave behind a copy of the itinerary, and stick to it. With the vastness of the outdoors, it could take a long time for searchers to find the hunter's truck, let alone the hunter.
With the improved hunter education program in Nova Scotia, Mr. Rodgers says there hasn't been a search incident for a lost hunter in approximately seven or eight years.
by Paul Olmstead
The Civil Emergency Response (CER) course was developed to prepare all trained Alberta volunteer search and rescue teams to assist authorities in the event of a peacetime disaster - either man-made or natural.
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| All Alberta search and rescue teams are expected to receive the CER course training which gives them the proper training to assist in peacetime disasters. |
CER is a basic knowledge and skills course involving many areas of disaster response, and is designed to give trained volunteers awareness and information that could be used in any disaster or emergency event. The course will have an impact on the emergency services field in several ways.
Firstly, authorities will have a much larger resource base to draw from, depending upon the circumstance. Secondly, search and rescue teams will have a larger tasking and, of course, more opportunity to train in roles not traditionally associated with search and rescue, as well as the possibility of being called out more frequently.
The potential for use will hopefully prevent teams from losing their training skills while waiting for a call-out. We have to remember that SAR volunteers are high-energy people, with a desire and time to assist in this special area. The importance of keeping a team active and motivated was one of the main reasons for creating CER training, recognizing that we have a valuable resource with a potential to assist.
SAR teams also come to authorities as a " package deal." They are professional, organized and have basic skills in first aid and communications.
CER topics
In the CER Course additional topics taught include:
This is then broken down into categories such as handling pets and livestock, as well as electrical and gas shut off jobs. Students are given a refresher course in basic knot tying and in some casualty evacuation techniques using baskets, chairs and multiple rescuers.
Alberta instructors are SAR team members who currently teach basic SAR courses and have several years of SAR experience. There is an application process in place for this; Alberta currently has 14 instructors and will add 10 more this year.
To date the course has been taught in several Alberta communities and always with the assistance of the local fire and EMS services. All Alberta teams are expected to receive this training.
The feedback so far has been 100 per cent in favour of this type of cross-training and assistance.
Volunteers are not there to replace any of the trained emergency services workers. CER Teams will be used on a call out basis to assist and provide support that may otherwise tie up a professional worker in a non-technical function such as traffic control. CER team duties may include the procurement of blocking, maintaining perimeters or the filling of water-filled backpacks at grass fires.
SAR volunteers often respond to large-scale events and are eventually asked to assist. In 2000 at the Pine Lake Tornado, volunteers were tasked with locating propane tanks and shutting them off. This relatively simple task required knowledge of basic safety issues regarding propane. That is a prime example of CER.
| The CER course bridges the gaps often found between agencies in any community. |
The roles for trained search and rescue volunteers during peacetime disasters are too many to name in this article. Their ability to respond to a disaster safely and knowledgeably can be guaranteed with some additional basic training over and above typical search and rescue courses.
SAR Alberta plans on offering this course to all SAR groups in the province.
Each volunteer will receive a two day course, complete with a manual,
an orange vest and a hard hat of chosen color to identify them at an incident.
This course and manual will eventually be made available to other provinces
through 'train the trainer' courses and the manuals will be available
from SAR Alberta.
For more information, contact Paul Olmstead at polmstead@compusmart.ab.ca.
Paul Olmstead is a Search Manager with the Edmonton Police Service, instructor and course developer with SAR Alberta
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In
Nova Scotia, one in 10 people is involved in some sort of hunting activity,
according to Tony Rodgers, Executive Director of the Nova Scotia Anglers
and Hunters Association, and a NASAR-trained search manager. 