Gary Zosel
(503) 829-7869
bigz@molalla.net

1.  Health tips.

• Get your body in good physical condition for walking with pack on your back.
• Carry medication for two days plus what is needed for evening of starting day.
• Take a first aid class
• Basic personal first aid kit; Athletic tape, Kotex, gauze pads; all in a Ziploc.

2.  How NOT to become lost.  Simple, don’t do anything careless…

• Good Topo Map(s) Leave copy of Map area at home, mark area and parking.
• Note left in car identifying destination; location of note prearranged with home.
• GPS: You will spend hundreds on the trip; then spend some on your safety, even if it is only used to point you to your trailhead.
• Before the hunt make route plan with partner and stick to it.  Talk “drainages”
• Long hunts of one day; frequent check in with others, buddy system,

3.  What you need to have with you when you hunt/hike. (Plan to spend two nights)

• Lunch plus two day’s snacks, 180 calories, five of them, (dinner day 1, two for day #2 and two for day #3.)   Dehydrated food (optional)
• Water; bladder, sports drink powder, filter,
• Shelter; tarp or one man tent, rope, emergency blanket, wire saw, pocket knife.
• Fire starter: material, lighter, steel cup, tinfoil, Garbage sack
• Flashlight versus headlamp. Store batteries backward until needed
• Clothing for the night; layered, carried in pack; snow (no jeans) (poncho)

4.  What to do when you are lost.

• Replenish your water if possible; don’t go far to do so.
• Find a place where you can be seen easily; from air and ground
• Stop before dark; set up camp, gather wood for fire, material for shelter,
• Stay warm; hypothermia will cloud judgment; you may lose logic, strength. Drink warm H2O, no snow.
• Heat exhaustion, drink fluids, not just water, if thirsty you waited too long
• STAY PUT. Improve your camp while waiting; keeps you busy. 

5.  How to be found. 

• Locate on ridge, road, or clearing, use Orange, (vest, smoke, ribbon)
• Leaving drainage…have agreement on this ahead of start of the day.

6.  Group behavior(s) for rescues.

• Have a set of keys hidden on vehicle if driver is the one lost.
• Make rescues a topic of planning. Plan ahead, have needed equipment
• Toilet paper to mark search boundary or trail
• Have a back board for group.  Think of time it takes to get S&R to you.

A more detailed version (6 pages) and info on Stroke and Heart Attack is available from bigz@molalla.net