Friday, December 23, 2016

The Disabled Hiker, eps 5, Lost in the Woods, pt-1, GETTING LOST

Each year hundreds of hikers and backpackers are reported missing. 
And although the reasons and circumstances leading to these reports greatly vary, they all seem to only end in one of three ways. That is, that the party was found alive ... found deceased ... or is still missing.
 

"Lost in the Woods" is intended to be my first sub-series created with the intent of instilling some of the basic survival skills needed to keep the adaptive day hiker or backpacker safe long enough for rescue by the search party or even an attempt at self rescue. Although this series is intended to be only a feature in the yearly episode, I wanted to kick off the series by dedicating an entire episode to this worthwhile and possibly life-saving topic.
 

To quote some unknown survival guru ... 
"Knowledge is in the equipment that you can never forget at home."
 
Whereas I do not consider myself to be a survival expert, I am considered by many to be a collector of life skills that are proven to be very useful in a survival situation. And adapting these skills to my "new normal" has been a foregone conclusion over the last 20 years.
 
 

Click on the video below to begin the journey.


 

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As anyone who knows anything about actually using survival skills will tell you, practicing these skills is key above all else. Without practicing these skills you are forced to learn how to work their magic within the madness, panic, and mayhem of the actual emergency situation they were intended to help you out of. Without repeated practice in different situations and weather conditions you may find out how truly unprepared you are for the real thing should the time come.
 

A good example of this is how most people seem totally unprepared for how hard even the simplest of fire making devices can be in a cold, wet, or windy environment. There's an element of panic that rushes over you as the rain is pouring down your back and the wind is howling in your ear, your hands shaking so bad you can hardly use your fingers... and that's when you start to realize it.
That some things are really hard even with practice.
 

As a matter of point, please keep in mind that there is no way that I could think of everything or hope to demonstrate it all in one episode. But I'll get around to it eventually. But in the meantime I urge you to continually learn and practice new survival skills on your own.
And who knows, maybe you'll be teaching me a few things.

Note: Sorry everyone. Due to my continuing health problems and further complicated by computer software issues that have slowed my usual process, Episode five will be coming out a bit later and released at a slower rate of speed than usual. I want to thank all of you for your patience, kindness, and understanding concerning this delay and will be doing my best to get things out as quickly as possible.


Thank you all so much for watching.

Please remember to
like  share  subscribe  and comment 


Be well ... and Happy Hiking!


 

Produced by: Terry Craig,  
The Disabled Hiker

Assistant editor: Dave Deubler

Photos & video by: Larry Deitch,
& Terry Craig, 

Featuring music by: Mad Mme. Em
&
T.Craig  


Disclaimer: This blog, written articles, video presentations, and all content within are not intended to take the place of professional medical advice. Please consult your Doctor before making any changes to your treatment plan and/or changes to your exercise routine.
  



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THE DISABLED HIKER.


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2 comments:

  1. Back in the Boy Scouts, a simple two mile hike to the parking lot became a situation. We fell off the trail. After hiking down a runoff, I asked my replacement if he knew where he was. Nope. So there I was with 20 scouts, two mentally challenged and another who needed his insulin (in Dad's car.) Picking a heading that would lead to a horse we couldn't miss, we did direct orienteering. Placing a guy on our heading and then forming up on him. Four hours later we came upon the road where very anxious parents were waiting.

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    1. Wow! You had quite the adventure indeed. And yes, it doesn't take a lot of miles to get you lost. Once, my brother in-law and I went out at dusk to hang our bear-bag and didn't`think we needed a flashlight. We hadn't gotten half way to where we hung the rope when a thick, pee soup fog rolled in. Not only did we have trouble finding the rope, but by the time we found it it was dark to boot. Mind you we are only about 500 yards away from camp. But no lantern was lit at camp... and when we turned around to head back, we just looked at each other and ... Well. There were a few explitives exchanged. :) We used a low grade form of echo location to get back to camp though. I took a stick and as I walked in as strait a line as possible knocked on the trees I passed while my brother in-law would answer back with a knock on a tree he stayed stationary at. It took a few tries each in a different direction, but once I found the camp I simply knocked on a tree to guide my brother in-law in.
      We were lost for a little under 2 hours. And yes... within earshot of our camp. But hey, each time it happens you get better at getting out of it.
      Thanks so much for reading, watching and commenting on my blog Muddog.
      Be well.
      Terry

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