Surviving the wild

By Connie Mertz
For The Daily Item

April 13, 2008 01:03 pm

— As turkey hunters and anglers head to woods and streams in the upcoming weeks, they need to take one essential component with them — common sense. No one expects to become lost in the woods, or fall into cold rushing creeks, but it can happen. How does an outdoors man or woman prepare for such an outdoor accident?
Larry Wolfe, of Catawissa, an American Red Cross volunteer, will address outdoor survival techniques through a course called “Wilderness First Aid — When Help is Delayed” at the Montour Preserve’s Environmental Education Center on Saturday, April 19, and Saturday, April 26
“This is the first time this course has been taught in our area,” said Jon Beam, Montour Preserve’s senior naturalist. “These are skills that anyone can use in an emergency situation when help is more than five minutes away.”
Wolfe, now retired from the Army, has had his share of thrilling outdoor experiences. “I served in Southeast Asia, and I know jungle terrain,” he said.
He has also been involved with QUEST at Bloomsburg University and has traveled with other members to Ecuador. “I spent a month of high altitude climbing. We went down the Amazon on rubber rafts, and the natives stole our food. It was quite an adventure,” he said.
He was willing to share a small portion of what he will present at the Wilderness First Aid course.

Lost! Now what do I do?
“The biggest problem is you must admit you’re lost. Usually people keep walking, thinking they’ll find a way out. The only thing they are doing is using up energy and becoming dehydrated,” Wolfe commented.
“Find shelter before dark and never move around after darkness sets in.”
According to Wolfe, the problem with continual walking is that rescuers will go to the location where the victim is thought to be. The more movement away from that area, the more difficult it could be to relocate him.
“Keep blowing the whistle remembering that three is the international message for help,” he further advised, “and wait for help.”
One of the misconceptions about being outdoors alone is that people often rely on cell phones in case of emergencies. “You can’t always rely on cell phones. Oftentimes, there is no signal, and they are of no
use.”
Oops, I fell into icy cold water!
“If anglers are wearing waders, get them off immediately. Let go of the fishing rod and react quickly. You only have a few minutes to do this until hypothermia sets in,” Wolfe warns. “Waders fill with water quickly, and weigh you down.
“For boaters who think they can put their PFD’s on once their boat capsizes, they will soon find out this is next to impossible,” he added.
Wolfe also recommends staying with the boat. “People often misjudge the distance to shore . They start swimming, and this decision often costs them their lives.
“If they can, it’s a good idea to flip over the canoe or small boat and then crawl inside until help arrives,” he said.
Wolfe added this sobering comment: “If you can’t swim, you shouldn’t be in the water.”

Preparation is key
One of the most relaxing places to visit is Montour Preserve. There are 14 miles of trails, with boating and fishing on Lake Chillisquaque. Beam recalls few incidents that required emergency personnel, but he recommends everyone walking the longer trails get a map. Those are easily found throughout the Preserve.
“They need to be oriented before starting out, and they need to be prepared. It can get pretty windy and chilly around the lake, so appropriate clothing is necessary. In summer, they need to carry water with them to avoid heat exhaustion.
“Taking precautions is just using common sense as well as letting others know where you plan to be. That way, if you do become injured or lost, rescuers know where to search,” Beam added.
Lake Chillisquaque is popular with boaters. “Always wear a PFD,” Beam advised. “It doesn’t do you any good unless you wear it.”
“And,” he added, “alcohol and boating don’t go together. Knowing the basic techniques and boating skill will keep you out of the water.”
Beam also urged boaters and hikers to keep an eye on the sky. “Thunderstorms come up quickly here.”
While Montour Preserve’s trails aren’t too challenging to the average hiker, the 20 miles of trails at Ricketts Glen State Park are. In fact, a mishap occurred here in early spring. “The majority of the accidents here are a result of people leaving the designated trail and going on closed trails,” Terry Daldroff, Ricketts Glen Park Manager said. “People will even climb up our waterfalls.”
“Proper foot gear — not sneakers or flip-flops — is essential,” he said. “Our trails are steep, slippery and beautiful, and all I can say to people is ‘Don’t leave your brain at the trail head.’”
n Connie Mertz is a hunter and nature enthusiast from Danville. Contact her at owcam@verizon.net.

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