[pct-l] To SPOT or not to SPOT

[Ed Jarrett]

I think of SPOT as more of a peace of mind issue for the wife than a rescue device.  I have no plans on ever needing a rescue.  Of course if I break a leg that might change :)

Ed Jarretthttp://aclayjar.blogspot.com/

> From: rbelshee at hotmail.com
> To: pct-l at backcountry.net
> Date: Sat, 13 Oct 2012 15:52:20 -0700
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] To SPOT or not to SPOT
> 
> Here's way to think about the need for an rescue device, such as a SPOT.
> 
> There are levels of safety protection, each providing a backstop if the one 
> above it fails.
> 
> LEVEL 1 - prevention.  Know enough to avoid trouble.  E.g. skills in reading 
> weather, in assessing stream crossings, ... or skills in knowing where to 
> pitch a tent impervious to wind or running water during a storm, ... or 
> navigation skills in snow, ... or ...
> 
> LEVEL 2 - keep it from getting worse.  Know how to handle the situation 
> independently.  E.g. ability to self recognize and treat early hypothermia 
> or dehydration, knowing what pain to hike through and which to not, treating 
> blisters, keeping inner clothes and sleeping bag dry through days of 
> rainstorms, ...
> 
> LEVEL 3 - fix a bad situation.  Know how to handle serious stuff 
> independently.  E.g. serious hypothermia or dehydration, or hiking out on a 
> sprained ankle, or broken collarbone or rib, ...
> 
> LEVEL 4 - friends fix a bad situation.  Other hikers (or possibly angels) 
> handle the situation.
> 
> LEVEL 5 - call SAR for help.  Search and Rescue.
> 
> 
> RISK Profile for the PCT
>    -  On the PCT there are very few situations that can't be handled at 
> LEVEL 1 or LEVEL 2.  The absolute most effective thing to do to keep 
> yourself safe is to increase your knowledge and skills.
>    -  I've helped out on several LEVEL 4 situations on the PCT including 
> heat stroke, severe altitude sickness, and many cases of wet and 
> hypothermic.  I've also seen plenty of near-misses, such as folks hiking 
> onto long barren ridges when thunderstorms approached and having lightning 
> hit all around them, or unplanned swims at dodgy stream crossings.  All of 
> those trace back to failures of safety protection at LEVEL 1 or LEVEL 2.
>    -  Very rarely, incidents can still happen that jump straight to LEVEL 5 
> (e.g. a slip and serious fall off a steep edge, or a cardiac event).
> 
> Should you carry a rescue device?
>    - You might if you want to provide a sense of comfort for loved ones
>    - You might if you want to provide a sense of comfort for those very rare 
> incidents that jump straight to LEVEL 5
> 
> What if you are not confident in your LEVEL 1 and LEVEL 2 skills?  Should 
> you carry a rescue device?
>    -  A rescue device could provide a false sense of confidence leading you 
> into unsafe situations.
>    -  As folks who have served on SAR will tell you, sometimes SAR incidents 
> are rescues, sometimes they are recoveries.  Recoveries are devastating for 
> everyone involved.  SAR cannot really make up for mistakes at LEVEL 1 and 
> LEVEL 2.
>    - SAR is not without hazards, risks and costs for the SAR team.  SAR 
> folks have privately shared their infuriation at being put in the position 
> of taking risks and the emotional trauma of bailing out folks with 
> inadequate LEVEL 1 and LEVEL 2 skills.
>    - You'd increasing your security much more by supplanting your LEVEL 1 
> and LEVEL 2 skills than carrying a rescue device.  That may come from hiking 
> with experienced hikers while you learn, or training hikes, or 
> classes/workshops, or whatever.  There are lots of options, including some 
> on-the-job training by pairing up with skilled hikers.
> 
> So, should you carry a rescue device?  It all depends.... but considering 
> the levels of safety protection might help you to think it through.
> 
> Steady, Sr.
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Pct-L mailing list
> Pct-L at backcountry.net
> To unsubcribe, or change options visit:
> http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l
> 
> List Archives:
> http://mailman.backcountry.net/pipermail/pct-l/
> All content is copyrighted by the respective authors. 
> Reproduction is prohibited without express permission.