The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office wants to remind the public to be safe by properly preparing themselves for outdoor activities.
This message comes on the heels of two cases earlier in the week where the FSO Search and Rescue (SAR) team was dispatched into the mountains. Even in the summer, the weather can change rapidly in the high country. We saw this occur this week with rain and thunderstorms in the mountains.
Tuesday morning, SAR was called out to the Edison Lake area. They conducted a search for a 17-year-old girl who became separated from her hiking party. At approximately 7:30 am Wednesday, a SAR member found the girl in good condition.
Around 10:00 am Wednesday, SAR received another call of a missing hiker. The 51-year-old man had failed to meet friends at the Maxon Trailhead at the time the group had agreed to. SAR members searched the area around Courtright Reservoir and eventually found the man in good condition at about 1:30 pm. This man is an experienced hiker who became tired and failed to keep up with his group.
The Sheriff’s Office offers these tips for hikers to stay safe.
• Tell someone where you are going. A timetable, itinerary, vehicle de.scription, a list of outer clothing and tent colors and a copy of a map showing where you are going should be left with family or friends.
• A party of four is ideal. A party of two should be considered the minimum. Soloists must understand the risks of "going at it alone." Make sure you have enough experienced people along to manage a group of novices. ---
• Parties with members of similar abilities usually perform best together. The slowest person should set the pace for the group.
• During planning, make sure to have current maps and guidebooks from park and forest service personnel. Those who have been there before can be helpful in trip planning.
• If you become lost, stop and think! Backtrack if possible and trust your compass. Don't travel more than a short distance unless you know where you are going. If a search is initiated for you, it will start at the point you were last seen. If conditions make travel impractical, seek shelter. Make your location visible with brightly colored items, stamping words out in the snow, etc. Make noise by using a whistle, firearm, shouts, etc. Three sounds in a row (whistle blasts, gunshots, etc.) is a recognized distress signal. Shelter, warmth and water are more important than food.
• Always be specific with friends or relative about your planned route and stick to it. If you get lost, stay put! Especially at night. Stationary people are much easier to find.
ESSENTIAL ITEMS
•Carry plenty of water and make frequent stops to drink.
•Carry adequate high-nutrition food.
•Matches or butane lighter in a waterproof container.
•Map and Compass (plus the knowledge of how to use them).
•Candle
•Extra clothing
•Extra water
•Whistle
•First aid kit (plus the knowledge of how to use it)
•Knife
•Tarp (plastic sheet, space blanket, large garbage bags, etc.) for shelter
•Head lamp or flashlight with extra bulb and batteries 25 feet of 1/8 inch cord
•Ground insulation i.e. ground pad (should be closed cell foam). Much of your body heat can be lost by sitting on a surface that is wet or colder than you.
OUTDOOR CLOTHING
• Layer Your Clothing.
• Layers are far more versatile than one heavy coat. They allow you to add or subtract insulation depending on activity level and weather conditions.
• Make every effort to keep your clothing dry! Remember, clothing can get just as wet from perspiration as it can from the elements.
• Never use cotton as any essential part of your clothing. It retains little or no warmth when wet.
• Layer your clothing. The first layer that does not absorb much water, but instead wicks it away from the body. Similar to traditional "long johns" but made from synthetic materials. Second layer for insulation, preferably one that is warm even if wet, i.e.; wool, polyester, nylon pile, etc. Third layer of insulation, similar to second layer, if needed. Fourth layer should be wind and rain protection for both the upper and lower body. It should be large enough to fit over insulation and still allow freedom of movement.
COMMON ERRORS WHICH LEAD TO SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES
(based on actual rescue missions)
•Climbing alone. I couldn't find anyone to go, and I was only going to go a short ways.
•Leaving your partner behind to "wait" for you. Usually because they can't continue for whatever reason. If your partner "can't make it"... return with them to base camp.
•Leaving your equipment or summit pack behind (including medications) because it was heavy, you didn't think you would need it, and you were just a little ways from the top.
•Novices climbing too difficult a route, thinking it didn't look that hard, but pushed onward beyond their physical ability to the point of no return.
•"Desk job" workers trying to explore too far in too rugged terrain without first building up their physical stamina and condition.
For more information, visit https://www.fresnosheriff.org/sections/specialty-units/search-and-rescue.html
