I would like to take a moment to inform everyone that Long Island Group, (NEW YORK) will be holding a winter search and rescue school from 18-23 February 2011. In the past we have offered 4 tracks of learning. Basic, Advanced, Expert, and Mastery. This year we are proud to announce the start of our fifth track.... Field Medic.
Application information, gear lists, and all other appropriate information can be found at http://www.ligsar.org
We welcome cadets and seniors from out of area, and have had successful students from New York City Group, SouthEastern Group, Conneticut Wing and Rhode Island Wing.
Last year the school operated in near white out conditions as a winter storm DUMPED 2 feet of snow on the students overnight, and continued to snow for another foot during the day.
For more information visit the web site above, or feel free to contact me via forum message or email me at ligsarmedic@gmail.com
Quote from: LIG SAR Medic on September 09, 2010, 01:51:54 PM
I would like to take a moment to inform everyone that Long Island Group, (NEW YORK) will be holding a winter search and rescue school from 18-23 February 2011. In the past we have offered 4 tracks of learning. Basic, Advanced, Expert, and Mastery. This year we are proud to announce the start of our fifth track.... Field Medic.
Application information, gear lists, and all other appropriate information can be found at http://www.ligsar.org
Wow wilderness SAR in the middle of Long Island ;) ::)
The website doesn't seem to have the very specifics on the winter gear required. I'm particularily interested in footware that participants are required to have. Also I noted that they slept in cabins versus tents, is that correct? Additionally, much of the clothing layering seen in the pictues likely would get very wet from sweating and if a full change of clothing wasn't available and they were in tents, it's likely there would be problems.
We've had some very significant discussions in our squadron with our ES Officer about implementing winter GT operations, and he's a guy with 30+ years of winter wilderness hiking/camping under his belt, with a lot of certifications and "good common sense". He is of the opinion that CAP cannot safely field a winter ground team without very substantial investment in both personal & organizational equipment.
Perhaps LI Group has the funding, BUT one is looking at some considerable expense to be safe to perform these tasks for the 'fantasy" world of CAP winter ops GT even for 24 hours, never mind 48 or 72 hours. Snow shoes, snowmobile support, etc.... Have you ever wondered why there's no winter NESA?? >:D :angel:
RM
Usually the staff and students sleep in three sided huts similar to those on the appalachian trail.
As far as special equipment, we allow students to modify equipment and uniforms to suit the mission and environment as allowed in the regulations. There is also one building which we use as our mission base which has electric, heat, lighting, and a wood stove which serves as our mission base for the week. We have been running a winter school for 5 years and have not have any problems with equipment, health and welfare. Usually we have at least 3 paramedics on staff (we just all happen to be professional career paramedics on the upper staff), and spend quality time discussing the early signs and symptoms of hypothermia, dehydration, and other cold weather related problems.
We use the incident command center to hold classes, keep cold cadets warm for a few hour before they venture out to the field again, dry wet socks and jackets, and keep moral up. We do have a fairly decent success rate with students making it through the whole week, we have never had a reportable injury (to my knowledge), and have NOT had any cold related incidents in the 5 years we have been running this school, or the winter bivouacs which were run for the past 15 years
The "wilderness" of long island is a county park were staff and support vehicles can be driven directly to the command site. No snow mobiles needed.
Typical snow falls do not need snow shoes, just snow boots or decent waterproof boots with thick socks.
This is not alaska, and we do not have an illusions that we are teaching cadets and ground team members to survive un-sustained in the alaskan wilderness for weeks at a time. It is usually only cold, with a dusting of snow.
I suggest you come out and try it... we usually have a blast.!
Quote from: LIG SAR Medic on September 11, 2010, 01:53:42 PM
Usually the staff and students sleep in three sided huts similar to those on the appalachian trail.
As far as special equipment, we allow students to modify equipment and uniforms to suit the mission and environment as allowed in the regulations. There is also one building which we use as our mission base which has electric, heat, lighting, and a wood stove which serves as our mission base for the week. We have been running a winter school for 5 years and have not have any problems with equipment, health and welfare. Usually we have at least 3 paramedics on staff (we just all happen to be professional career paramedics on the upper staff), and spend quality time discussing the early signs and symptoms of hypothermia, dehydration, and other cold weather related problems.
The "wilderness" of long island is a county park were staff and support vehicles can be driven directly to the command site. No snow mobiles needed.
Typical snow falls do not need snow shoes, just snow boots or decent waterproof boots with thick socks.
This is not alaska, and we do not have an illusions that we are teaching cadets and ground team members to survive un-sustained in the alaskan wilderness for weeks at a time. It is usually only cold, with a dusting of snow.
I suggest you come out and try it... we usually have a blast.!
Very good job :clap: Seems to me like this is a very good activity that LI group started and has sustained for such a long period of time with strong success, without any reportable injuries :clap:
Personally, I know my limits and like mission bases with a/c in summer & nice warm heat in winter, nice comfortable chair, and rest room facilities :angel: . I'd personally prefer not to take the chance of ending up with an issue with the environmental challenges of ver cold or very hot weather.
My short and log sleeve golf shirts only work so well :angel: ;)
HOWEVER, maybe it's something the squadron would have an interest in doing with your organization. I'll pass it on.
Thanks again for your efforts :clap:
RM
I can appreciate knowing limits and ORM wise it is the RIGHT thing to do because it helps to prevent injuries cause by working outside of your limits..
We do have limited numeber of mission base staff (although we do not have a mission base school, we do use qualified people to help with logistics, communications, and such). The summer school is usually alittle more enjoyable temerature wise then the winter school >:D
Passing along the word would be great, we always welcome out of area cadets and seniors and try to make the process as painless as possible to attend. Within the wing the commander has authorized the LIGSAR activity patch for wear on the uniform. and most students complete all required tasks to make the next rating in ground team by the time the graduate.
Sir,
What will the requirements for the field medic course be? Having attended the expert academy would I be eligible?