[pct-l] To SPOT or not to SPOT

[Cat Nelson]

All great advise. Thank you from us rookie thru wannabees.
On Oct 13, 2012 7:06 PM, "Ed Jarrett" <edjarrett at msn.com> wrote:

>
> 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.
> >
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