WELCOME TO THE PRSAR NEWS
Chief Editor: Doug Logan ------ duglogan@hotmail.com
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This is issue No. 3 of The PRSAR News.
This newsletter belongs to the membership of PRSAR.
"QUOTE OF THE DAY"
Never forget that life can only be nobly inspired and rightly lived if you take it bravely and gallantly, as a splendid adventure in which you are setting out into an unknown country, to meet many a joy, to find many a comrade, to win and lose many a battle.--Annie Besant
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Feb 5 - Regular Meeting and Training
Feb 19th Rope Team Training Night-Recent Events and Issues,
-Presentation by Dean Gerhart, PR Fire Chief, on:
-Improvements to Fire, Rescue and SAR Response,
-Possible funding cuts,
-ICS and expanding operations,
-Open questions.
-GSAR Evaluations
-Review of Embankment Basics
Feb 23-24 Vancouver Island Snow Weekend
Saturday was several kilometers of easy snowshoeing in the hills to the south of Mt. Washington. We reviewed some avalanche basics. The following topics were covered:
-Snow and avalanche evaluations in a snow pit,
-Personal locator searching techniques,
-Probing methods,
-Terrain evaluation,
-Methods of traversing higher risk areas,
-Rough country travel, including stream crossings,
Sunday was a spectacular snowshoe hike, up and around the back side(West) of Mt. Washington. Evaluating terrain as we traveled and practicing safer travel techniques, the views of the surrounding mountains were picture perfect.
No callouts in February!
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-confirming their 'personal locator' is on and working,-un-doing all cross-straps on their back pack,(for quick release)-un-strapping their ski poles, and preparing to arrest their slide.
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New Stretcher
The new two-piece stainless-steel stretcherr has arrived. So has the All-Terrain Wheel assembly and the patient-protective Plexi-shield. On the next training night, we will set it up, and we can try working with it.
We will need some-one to create or find a protective bag for the plexi-shield. At a cost of over $2500.00, these three critical pieces of equipment need to be protected.
It would be good if some members with packs could try carrying the stretcher halves, wheel, and shield. This is the time to work out the handling problems.
Snowmobiles
Powell River is seeing a relatively new recreational vehicle traveling the back country. Their unmistake-able tracks are appearing in some places. While most of this area is not ideal for snowmobiling, there are several in town. In the interest of resources, we need to know who has machines, and are they willing to be available for searches. We are also interested in which areas they use regularly. If some-one does get hurt, we need to plan on how to get them out. If you know people with snowmobiles, please forward their names to the Team Leaders or Managers.
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Send in your list by email to duglogan@hotmail.com.
The PRSAR subscriber that comes closest to the 5 most important items picked by my GSTL Instructor, Hamish Murray, will get an actual 'signed' explanation why he picked those 5 items.
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(Know of a coming conference send in the info or link)
Here is the link to the Washington Sar Conference - May17, 18,& 19 , 2002 www.skamaniasheriff.com/2002sarconference.htm
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Gunslinger's Second Law of SAR:
"Ignorance is far more costly than education and training."
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Note: Attendance at the Meeting/Training night was significantly less last month. It is hoped that the information contained in this newsletter is not perceived as a substitute for attending meetings. The information given for future meetings is given so members can add to their learning experience.
Mar 5/02 PRSAR Meeting/Training Night - 7 p.m.
(USUALLY FIRST TUESDAY OF EACH MONTH PRSAR/FIRE HALL)
AGENDA
Recent Events and Issues,
Report on Snow Weekend on Van. Is.
Map Navigation practice,
GPS's will be available for practice and review,
Review of local maps,
New Stretcher, Wheel and Shield practice,
Review of Fanny (First Aid) Packs,
Feb19/02 Rope Team Meeting/Training Night - 7 p.m.
(USUALLY THIRD TUESDAY OF EACH MONTH PRSAR/FIRE HALL
(CONTACT Doug Logan - Rope Team Manager)
AGENDA
Work with embankment operations,
GSAR Rope Evaluation,
Planning Recreational climbing,
(indoors, gloves and 'climbing clothes')
Feb2324/02 Comox Valley SAR Snow Weekend
(CONTACT Scott Larsen, 250-338-7377, or Doug Logan, 604-485-4834)
Leave Saturday 08:00am ferry to Courtenay, return Sunday 7:15pm ferry,
Two days snowshoeing with many Island SAR Groups, (Having fun required)
For details, ash for the email or the printed copy, or contact the above.
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Acronymphobia
This is a 'challenge' section.
Here's this month's Acronyms - SURVIVAL STRATEGIES
S.T.O.P.
PEP = Survival
Right from the GSAR Manual:
Stop Think Observe Plan
Pactice + Experience + Preparation = Survival
So, without looking what is:
R O R C
(answer below)
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Forward your contributions to duglogan@hotmail.com.
The more people participate, the more this becomes 'our' newsletter.
Thank you to those that have contributed.
The next issue will be April 2002. It will be sent out on Friday, March 29th. Deadline for contributions will be midnight, March 27th. Preferably, send in submissions as soon as possible. The information can always be changed before the deadline date.
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"Thought for Tomorrow"
One of the most tragic things I know about human nature is that all of us tend to put off living. We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden over the horizon-instead of enjoying the roses blooming outside our windows today.--Dale Carnegie
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BE RESPONSE READY!