SAR - Ice Rescue

Our Search and Rescue field training in February was on a mostly frozen Utah Lake, where we learned some serious ice rescue skills. Not sure what knuckleheads are going to end up stranded in the water out there this time of year - but when they are we'll be ready. . .

We learned how to use this slick little 'Rescue Alive' sled that can shimmy quickly across ice or paddle through open water to reach a victim. Rescuers on shore pull the sled back in by the rope attached to the sled, once they're loaded and ready.

Then there were the hover-crafts. These bad boys can cruise along water or ice with power. They are propelled by a honkin' motor and fan attached to the back. Pretty fun stuff.

Search and Rescue dudes definitely have some sweet toys to play with.

Backyard Elk Tracking

There is a rumor that a herd of elk roam the field and golf course behind our house this time of year. Joshua and I decided to be adventurous and go see if we could track them down. Tracey and the girls said we are idiots - which confirmed for us that it was a good idea. Turns out there actually are elk down there! We found 'em.

Okay, so I learned that Joshua is not that great of a tracker. I turned around to see if he was keeping an eye on the herd while I adjusted lenses and above is what I saw coming at me. Punk. He's lucky his aim stinks or he would have been taken down.

Not sure what exactly is going on here, but the pond reflection is cool. Some sort of macho 'I just chased a herd of elk through the field' type of yell. I don't know what is up with the stick, either - but Josh said he wanted to be prepared if the elk charged us. Good to know we were safe in a worst case scenario, with the snowballs flyin' and all.

There was no Mr. Bull Elk with the lady herd today - so we may have to go searching again another day to see if we can track him down.

Search and Rescue - Avalanche Training

I have been fascinated with Search & Rescue for awhile. After looking into it towards the end of '08 I was asked to come in and interview with the team. They liked my climbing background and invited me to train with the team for a couple months and see if it was a good fit. It is.

It's a volunteer organization, but gives me an excuse to play in the mountains and train to do mountain, swift water, dive, open water, downed aircraft and cave rescue. We also do lots of emergency medical training - which will allow me to recertify as an EMT.

The other weekend we met up at the base of Mt Timpanogos for a winter - avalanche rescue training. After arriving I was informed that I was selected as the leader for this rescue. (I'm the nerd in the red pants and yellow gaters)

The scenario was that 4 victims were caught in an avalanche and 3 of them had beacons. So off we went with our probes, shovels and avalanche beacons to make the rescue. The 3 victims with beacons were easy to locate and uncover. I was surprised that they actually had live volunteers buried (wrapped in pads and with a strategic vent hole, but a good 3 feet under the surface). These guys don't mess around. We got to dig them out and provide emergency care for injuries.

Above and below I am leading the probe line in search of the 4th "victim". This one was a little tougher and was quite educational as to why avalanche rescues are almost always a body recovery if they are without a beacon. It took awhile, but we found #4. I guess nobody would volunteer to be the beacon-less victim, so this one was a large duffle bag buried at the base of the chute.