Fly fishermen who travel to wild waters in British Columbia can find themselves trapped by bad weather, injured, stuck by a broken truck or simply lost. Without wanting to, they can end up having to spend an unplanned night out.
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| Spey casting on the Thompson River |
A difficult situation can be made a lot worse by panic. So try and be prepared to deal with things - when everything seems to go wrong.
Surviving an emergency has been said to be 90% mental, 10% skill -- use your head and survive.
STAYING FOUND
Being lost is serious but it does not have to be dangerous if you react properly. A acronym to help you remember what to do is STOP.
SIT down, don't panic. Talk positively to yourself -- out loud! Have a drink or eat a candy bar. Remember your brain is the best piece of survival gear you have -- use it.
THINK about your problem. How bad is it really? Are there injuries that you need to take care of? Are you losing body heat? What needs to be done first? How much time do you have?
OBSERVE the area. What resources are available to help you survive? What natural hazards exist?
PLAN what to do next - but be flexible. Remember, you have no control over the weather or the onset of darkness. But you do have control over your actions.
When you become lost the first thing you must do is admit to yourself that you don't know where you are. You are lost, or more accurately you don't know how to get back to your starting point. While you are sitting, recall what you did since leaving your car or camp earlier in the day and compare your recollections with the information provided by your map. Unless you can positively locate yourself - the best advice is to stay put and not travel. This is advice we often give to kids. But it applies to adults too. Do not wander around looking for something familiar. Sit tight, protect yourself, signal and let searchers find you.
Before going on a trip, obtain maps from government agencies. The most useful are topographic maps which may be purchased at many sporting goods outlets and some book stores. They are worth the price.
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| All the basics for first aid and survival can be simply worn on a wading belt. |
BASIC SURVIVAL RULES
1. Always tell someone where you are going and when you plan to return. Leave a note if your family is asleep when you sneak out before dawn.
2. Be cautious about traveling alone. Accidents happen. In an emergency, a partner could save your life.
3. Take along a compass and map if the area you plan to fish is unfamiliar.
4. Wear clothing that will keep you warm and dry. Loss of body heat because of exposure to the elements, especially wind, precipitation and low temperatures must be prevented in a survival situation or hypothermia could result. Remember the weather can change.
5. Carry a survival kit containing several reliable ways to start a fire, (waterproof, windproof matches, cigarette lighter, metal match) waterproof, wind proof shelter material, a whistle and a signal mirror. Always take a survival kit with you.
6. Plan your outing so that you can return to your camp or vehicle before it gets dark but always carry a flashlight so that you can return safely after dark if it becomes necessary.
7. Drink a minimum of three to four quarts of water per day. The lack of water seriously reduces the body’s ability to function properly, especially its ability to stay warm, and greatly increases the possibility of other accidents occurring.
FIRE
Before you strike the first match make sure you have all the materials you need on hand. Remember in order to have fire you need three things: a heat source (matches or a spark), you need fuel to burn and you need oxygen. Carry lots of windproof, waterproof matches in waterproof containers. As a backup, include a metal match and a cigarette lighter.
WATER AND FOOD
The first indication that your body needs more water may be a headache. Increase the quantity of carbohydrate in your diet - carry extra candy bars, gorp or trail mix in your day pack - avoid jerky which requires large amounts of water to digest.
SIGNALS AND RESCUE
If you need help there are signals that you can use to signal your position and your condition to others. Remember that three of anything is a recognised signal for help. Three shots or three whistle blasts can help to alert others that you are in trouble and need help.
The light from your campfire is a very effective signal at night.
Whistles are effective devices to attract the attention of ground search teams.
SURVIVAL KITS
Everyone should carry a personal survival kit. The contents may be adjusted depending upon the time of year, the expected weather, the area you are travelling through and your personal needs. Carry it with you. If you get lost, the survival kit you left back at camp or in your car can't help you.
RUN FROM STORMS
Lightning kills approximately 300 people each year and many more are injured. Get off the lake before the storm hits, stay away from isolated trees. If caught by a storm, crouch on the soles of your feet, wrap your arms around your knees and tuck your head down until the storm arrives or just after it passes. Seek shelter early and wait until the storm is well out of the area before you continue your activities.
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| All this packed into a small belt bag on your wading belt "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure". |
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