Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 7, 1981)
Emergency 'i ) i c ^ Search and Rescue Unit aids victims of outdoor accidents By LESLIE FARRIS Of the Emerald ;on9qf )0 The Lane County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Unit has an identity problem. Emergency Services Assist ant Dale Trink says accident victims and witnesses too of ten waste valuable time by not ifying the local or state police instead of directly calling the unit. “By the time we get the call, which could be hours later, we may be looking for a body in stead of a person.” The unit employs two full time search and rescue workers plus volunteers from various groups such as the Eugene Mountain Rescue Unit, the sheriff’s posse and scuba divers clubs. Trink says the unit is the only one in the county and has a reputation of being "second to none" in the state. “We use anything from air support to horses." The 24-hour emergency services-search and rescue unit can be called directly at 687-4160. Trink says most recreation related accidents, including people getting lost, are caused by carelessness and a lack of common sense. “Usually the family and friends will say ‘oh, he’s an experienced outdoor person.’ But it’s extremely rare we’re Emerald Photo called on to find someone who’s really experienced and knows what they’re doing.” "You get the experienced hunter who goes out alone, no maps, no compass, no survival kit, in poor health. But he’s an ‘experienced’ hunter — he knows the land and he can name every tree." Trink says a wintertime ac cident victim most likely will be a lone skiier without a survival kit and lacking proper equip ment. The more serious and sometimes fatal accidents usually befall “inexperienced mountaineers who try to do something way over their heads.” As basic guidelines for sur viving snow outings, search and rescue tells travelers to: • Notify someone of your planned route of travel, your departure time and your planned time of return. Mark your route on a map and carry a survival pack. • Wear layers of clothing that can be adjusted to prevailing conditions. A good quality windbreaker and wind pants are recommended, and avoid tight-fitting clothes and boots that may restrict cir culation. • Bring extra socks and gloves or mittens, a warm cap, matches in a waterproof con tainer, candle, firestarter, nylon cord, general-purpose knife, high energy food, plastic tarp, space blanket, signal mirror, first-aid kit, wide tape for repairs and metal container for melting snow. • If you are lost, injured or your equipment fails, keep calm. Use your compass or backtrack. If those solutions are impractical, remain in place. Don't abandon your snowshoes or skis, and build a fire and shelter to keep warm Mark your camp so it's visible from the air. • To help prevent ava lanches, cross dangerous slopes near the top and avoid fracture lines in the snow. If you must ascend or descend a dangerous slope, go straight up or down. Do not traverse back and forth across the slope. • Be aware of the danger of hypothermia, subnormal temperature of the body. The number-one killer of out door recreationists is expo sure to cold aggravated by wet, wind and exhaustion SUNDANCE Natural Jtxxls fL h 2<Z< 1<Z iiuq{ SC.lec t icm, bulk rra.tJ fniVc fresh. juices organic produce Vi tscmins > (Timported, bear's C, , local wines herbs f spices boobs fcosmetics 10% discount with this ad (Limit one per person) Recycle this paper “I’m living with a terrific diesserr You can too. When you rent furniture from GranTree. Not only do we have terrific dressers we also have great looking desks, chairs, sofas, beds, and tables. Everything you need to turn a house or apartment into a place of your own. All with low monthly rental payments. And now they're even lower because we’re offering college students a special 10% discount. (We’ll even help you find a place to rent with our free apartment locator service.) Come in and let us introduce you to something you can really live with. 10% Off For Gillege Students only. This coupon is good for a 10% discount on any furniture you rent at GranTree Furniture Rental. Student’s name College _ Limited to one coupon per student. Expiration date: June 5, 1981 GrorilFeeri^it FURNITURE RENTAL® I 1162 Gateway L<x>p North, Springfield, OR 97477 Phone 741-2065
