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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (June 3, 1987)
Northern Cross Society strives for survival By Peter Mason Of lh* Emrald Ask 100 people on tho street who survivalists are. and 90 of them will say. "...They're those crazies who live up in the hills in bomb shelters waiting for World War III with a huge stockpile of canned goods, semi-automatic weapons, children who don't go to school and evil gleams in their eyes." It might be an exaggeration, but the connotations of "sur vivalists'' are extreme. There is, however, one survival-related group that doesn't fit the image of pessimists waiting for a nuclear strike to send the world to hell in a Volvo. The Northern Cross Society is provide a clearinghouse where ideas and survival information can change hands freely. Haranski formed the group in 1983 after flight training where he noticed that pilots downplayed the idea of sur vival. There seemed to be a lack of communication on the sub ject. so he thought a group where survival preparation was the foremost topic would be a big help. The “society" has evolved from a small, select group whose main objective was ex changing information to a broader-based organization with a larger objective. Membership growth and the compilation of the Northern *Preparation is absolutely essential. Any problem that occurs can be attributed to poor preparation... nothing is more important. ’ — Jim Blanchard an international organization of men and women dedicated to preparation for a variety of potential survival experiences. The NCS divides potential survival experiences into the following five areas: an unex pected hostile environment, like being lost in the wilderness; survival in a societal collapse brought on by economic or technological fac tors; survival associated with explorers and professional adventurers; survival in a natural disaster; and survival after a nuclear war. Less than 5 percent of the members rated this last area as their number-one concern. NCS founder Dennis Haranski also de-etnphasizes this aspect in the organization and believes the best way to prepare for that situation is at home on an in dividual basis. One objective of NCS is to Cross Register, a computer base of member profiles, am now the two main objectives. So now, for instance, if the private sector needs someone to skydive into the Swiss Alps, study the geology there and hike out. they may turn to NCS which can refer them to several possible members with the necessary credentials. The credentials for member ship aren't rigorous. If an appli cant shows genuine interest and fully understands what the group is about, the chances are good for being accepted. Haran ski said, lie stressed that those most often turned away are the "radical fringe" who want to "revolutionalize survivalism." live in the woods and wait for the flash. An example of those who are indicative of NCS members an* two men who showed real guts when they faced a hostile en t 1 EUGENE’S ONLY DISCOUNT PAPER & OFFICE SUPPLY • Stationery and Thesis Papers • Envelopes • Copier Papers • Graphic Arts Supplies • Office Supplies • Plus Computer and D/P Supplies •Computer Paper •Diskettes •Addressing Labels •Ribbons fbpofPhv "The cash and carry store with warehouse pricing.” 345-3223 8:00-5:00 Mon Fri 9:00 1:00 Sat 2641 W. 5th Street vlronment in the full of l‘»H4 Rich Dailey and Steven McCoy wen; caught in a snowstorm while hunting near Cuddey Mountain. Idaho. They weren't able to return to their camp despite the fact they were each on a horse. Things looked bleak as the temperature fell, and they weren’t able to light a fire. They began to notice the first and se cond stages of hypothermia and knew their survival depended on staying warm So they shot their horses, split open the car casses. crawled inside and sur vived on the animals' body warmth. They received the NCS’s “Survivor Award” for exempli lying courage and resourcefulness in order to escape death and survive under adverse environmental conditions. The society consists of women and men who are pilots, backpackers. climt>ers. adven turers and others who are just interested. Haranski notices about one-third of the members are “university age" (18-25). and he assumes it is because of their active lifestyles. Active lifestyles, however, can cause problems if people aren't prepared |im Blanchard, (ho coordinator of the Outdoor Pursuits Program at the tJniver sity said. “Preparation is ab solutely essential. Any problem that occurs can be attributed to poor preparation .nothing is more important." door leadership course, said the l>est way to Ixt prepared is to have firsthand experience. "Go out in a controlled situa tion with people who know what they're doing and see how they hatullo it. So later you can know and have a point of 7fa VCR breaks down, it can be taken back to the store, but out in the wilderness, things have to work the first time.' — Dennis Baranski Baranski agreed. saying that carrying th« proper equipment like a compass, maps and mat chits is vary important Thu N('S also tests equip ment. and Baranski believes this is a critical aspect of their job. "If a VCK breaks down, it can be taken back to the store, but out in the wilderness, things have to work the first time," he said. Mental aspects ant also im portant for survival Tim Setnlick. a University student who recently completed Blanchard's principles of out reference to work from.” he said. The general public soon will have a chance lu benefit form the NCS's knowledge. "The Northern Cross Bible of Sur vival" will soon be on the market, and Baranski predicts it will be the most complete hand book on all the various aspects of survival. Membership information can he obtained by sending to the NCS/Northern Cross Ranch. P.O. Box 4527, Topeka. Kan., M.t)04 The society encourages liM:al groups, hut there are no formal regional or local structures. Etal. MEETINGS The 1987-88 Oregon Daily Emerald staff will meet today at 5 at the Emerald office. Suite 300 EMU. to finalize job descriptions and summer staff positions. MISCELLANEOUS "A Test of Love," a film in the Mental Health and the Cinema Series, will la- shown tonight at 7 in the Sacred Heart (General Hospital auditorium. ATTENTION: Al.l. GROUPS SHOWING MOVIES DURING 1987*88 All student organizations showing more than two films and charging ad mission must attend a required film programming meeting Procedures and requirements for showing films on campus will Ik* discussed. The 19H7-HH movie calendar will Ik* passed around for groups to sign up for rooms and dates to show films. The meeting will be Friday, June 5, at 3:30 in Room 337 EMU. “Faith and Reality,“ a video surveying lha life and protects of the Kev. Sun Myung Moon, will lie presented by C.A.R.P. Thursday. June 4. at 12:30 in EMI I Century Room II. Deadline for submitting El als to the Emerald front desk. 300 EMU. is noon the day before publication. El als are run only once. Events with a donation or admission change will not bo considered. Events occurring nearest the publication date and campus events will t>e given priority. Tihhmm... irregular heartbeat.. .erratic pulse...fainting spells .frequent seizures. IT MUST BE DEAD WEEK!! Someone call The Pizza Answer Quick!’ s3.99 for any \ 1 item 12” pizza • 1 free 32 oz. pop Good Wed. June 3, 1987 only NAME I I I I PHONE_ one coupon per pizza good Wednesday only 687-8600 1432 Orchard Eugene Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Dr. Pepper 7-UP or Root Beer OPEN FOR LUNCH
