Greg and Michelle Steffens 909.336.7971 direct | 909.534.8183 cell | info@gregsteffens.com
OUTDOOR SAFETY
My dad, Gary Steffens (left), during training session with Rim of the World Search & Rescue Team
One of the greatest blessings I had growing up in these mountains was a father that loved the outdoors. Though I learned many things from my involvement in Boy Scouts, I learned many times more from my dad as we spent time hunting and fishing together, cutting and splitting firewood, driving the forest roads, camping and hiking. I learned so much from him - and many others learned from his experiences as well.
That's because Gary Steffens isn't just my dad, he was a member of the Rim of the World Search and Rescue Team for 35 years. He is an expert tracker and has tale after tale about rescuing lost hikers, searching for downed aircraft and pulling people from cars that had careened over the edge.
Learning about outdoor safety from him was alot of fun and his catch phrase, "It's always better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it" has become one of my life's sayings as well!
So, here are some tips passed from father to son, to keep you alive, safe and having fun in our mountains:
1) Have a plan and stick to it. Know where you're going and when you'll be back. Do not deviate from your plan when out in the field. Leave a written copy of your plan with someone you trust.
2) Leave an impression print of each person in your party's shoe or boot by placing a piece of aluminum foil on the carpet and then stepping on it. Label each one with the person's name. In the even you get lost, this will help searchers identify you by the prints you leave behind. Leave the imprints with the person you left your written trip plan with.
3) Before you head out, check the latest weather forecast to make sure a storm isn't on the way. Weather can change in the blink of an eye and weather forecasts can be very unreliable. Better to be safe than sorry. Better to reschedule a trip because of questionable weather than to get stuck in something you're not prepared for.
4) Be prepared. This isn't just the Boy Scout motto, it's common sense. Have a first aid kit, extra clothes, extra food and extra water, some survival gear (including a space blanket, a flashlight, a knife, a signal mirror, a whistle and some form of fire starter). I would also recommend taking a cell phone with a full battery charge with you. Also include a map and compass (and know how to use it). Lastly, take a stocking cap. You lose 80% of your body heat through the top of your head.
5) Don't go alone. If you get hurt, who's gonna go for help if you're by yourself?
6) Again, stick to your plan when you're in the field. Stop to rest, drink water and snack frequently. Dress in layers so that you can add or take off clothing as you get hot from exertion or cold when you stop. Keep a pace that doesn't have you dripping sweat. Don't get too tired.
7) If you get lost, don't panic. Try to retrace your steps if possible. If you can't, stay put. Find shelter for yourself prior to it getting dark. Use your whistle periodically in three loud blasts.
8) Beware of hypothermia - this is the real killer of the outdoors. Hypothermia is the cooling of the body's core to a level that it cannot replenish it. The first stage of hypothermia is uncontrollable shivering as the body attempts to generate more heat for itself. To avoid hypothermia, stay dry and warm. Put on your stocking cap, build a small fire and wrap up in your space blanket and find shelter out of the wind and other elements.
The mountains are home to some spectacular places to hike and camp. The moutains are also home to rattlesnakes. Click here to learn how to avoid them and how to treat a bite from the venomous reptiles.
