Chapter 12 Travel Skills: Foot Travel for SAR Personnel
Objectives Describe traveling skills used in varying environments during SAR operations. Describe the preparation and conditioning needed to perform while wearing a SAR ready pack. Describe the general use of an ice axe. Describe a method for safety crossing a stream or river on foot. Describe the rest step in mountaineering.
Types of Foot Travel Foot travel may be required in one of two forms during a SAR incident: Non-technical: Walking, searching, getting the search area Technical: Climbing, accessing a search area, examining a high-risk area, technical rescue
Recreation Can involve non-technical and technical terrain The traveler has total control of destination. A distinct advantage in relation to safety. Technique still plays a large part of travel.
Urgent or Emergency Situations Walking/running may be the only way out of a dangerous situation. Motivation comes from survival senses and is rarely related to travel skills and knowledge.
Walking (1 of 3) Conditioning is an important component of SAR. Walking is the primary mode of transportation. Conditioning should include nutrition and hydration. Condition will make the difference between effectiveness or futility.
Walking (2 of 3) To prepare for travel in SAR work you need five things: 1. Fitness 2. Energy 3. Water 4. Rest 5. Technique
Walking (3 of 3) Good rest and nutrition substantially improve performance. Maximum performance in SAR is only one benefit of proper nutrition, rest, and exercise. Wear layers of clothing to prepare for the elements. Once you receive your mission, properly prepare, try to familiarize yourself with the areas.
Preparation (1 of 3) Determine the best type of travel (e.g., snowshoe, ski, hike, climb) Plan the best route. Maps and experienced individuals are valuable tools. Plan your travel, know the route, and follow your plans. Photo courtesy of Over the Edge, Inc.
Preparation (2 of 3) A SAR incident could occur at any time, so you should be prepared at all times. Maintain a level of physical conditioning. Eat proper foods in appropriate amounts and get plenty of rest. Maintain hydration by drinking plenty of water before and during a mission.
Preparation (3 of 3) Be properly clothed for the type of travel anticipated. Pack and carry the appropriate equipment for the type of travel anticipated. Before traveling in a SAR mission, plan your travels and know your route.
Technique Land travel techniques are based largely on experience. Experience can be partially replaced by practices learned through instruction and observation. Without proper techniques, the best conditioned person could easily reach their limits while traveling. There is a correlation between conditioning, skills, and effectiveness.
A curved route may be easier than a straight path.
Route Finding Traveling by altimeter can be a valuable skill. Game trails, roads, and manmade trails allow quicker walking and less overall travel time. Taking a longer but quicker and easier route: Factor terrain, weather, and vegetation into the decision.
Pace Pace and rest play a big part in traveling efficiency. Maintain a realistic pace. Keep body temperature stable by reducing the practice of quick starts and lengthy rests. A realistic pace is essential in high altitude to avoid hypoxia. Any group pace is governed by the pace of the slowest group member.
Rhythmic Breathing Will reduce headaches, nausea, lack of appetite, and irritability Simply a consistent breathing cycle to a set pace. Maintaining regular breathing and pace ratio allows for a more relaxed walking. Takes the mind off of the drudgery of monotonous travel.
Rest Fatigue in the SAR environment is dangerous. Fatigue increases the chance of accident, injury, and poor judgment. Everyone needs rest, but do not force it. A rest of 10 minutes per hour on easy terrain is usually acceptable.
Rest Step (1 of 2) Used when terrain is difficult and great energy is required to take each step. Adopted from mountaineering A technique of taking small steps, locking each knee, and synchronizing the breathing, to allow for a respite before taking the nest small step.
Technique is slow. May be the only way to travel over difficult terrain, especially at high altitudes. Rest Step (2 of 2)
Other Considerations Novice travelers make the mistake of walking too fast. Walking too fast decreases the POD and reduces energy stores. Pace should be determined by the slowest traveler. Spacing between searchers is important: The rougher the terrain, the closer the searchers.
Walking Downhill Less fatiguing than walking uphill Toes jam into the front of shoes. Knees are jarred. Entire body begins to ache from dropping the weight of the body onto locked knee and leg at each step. Photo courtesy of Over the Edge, Inc.
Walking Sticks Useful for support during travel Can be substituted for everything from a tent pole to a weapon.
Primary use in mountaineering conditions Ice Axe Usually used at high elevations when ice and snow conditions are coupled with severe terrain
Use of an Ice Axe Carry axe on any slope where a slip may lead to a quick descent. Place one hand on the head of the axe with the thumb under the adze and finger over the pick. Place other hand on the shaft next to the spike.
If you slip, immediately grip the shaft with your free hand and go into arrest position. The faster you brake, the better your chances of stopping. Arresting a Fall
Using an Ice Axe Do not try to lift your body off the ice while pressing the pick into the ground. Keep the axe close to the chest and keep your face down. The ice and snow at that level is uncomfortable, but lifting the body can decrease control. Do not press the spike end into the ice to attempt an arrest.
Using an Ice Axe Keep the axe below the shoulders. If you fall onto your back with feet downhill, grasp the axe properly and turn toward the hand that holds the pick end of the axe. Assume the prone, feet downhill, arrest position. Photo courtesy of Ventura County Sheriff Dept. - SAR
General Wilderness Travel Requires constant awareness Two important rules: 1. Keep your weight directly over your feet. 2. Keep the soles of your boots flat on the ground to improve traction. Can be accomplished by taking small steps at a slow, steady pace Avoid an angle of decent that is too steep.
Trails (1 of 2) Can vary from small highways to virtually invisible, rarely traveled paths Animals may be responsible for creating trails. Manmade trails usually have markings, but may be lost or unreadable. Use trails of least resistance.
Trails (2 of 2) Likely spots for clues Traveling on trails is easy and deserves little time dedicated to technique. Guidelines are helpful: Give space to team members. Loosen shoe laces. Rest off trail to other may pass. Keep your eyes open for clues.
Brush Get through it quickly or travel around it. Found in gullies and drainages where water and rich soil are prevalent. Can be small trees, shrubs, or vines Downhill brush can be dangerous because a foot may slip, catch the vegetation, and cause a fall. Thorns may be present If you can t get through brush, consider searching for the subject there.
Watch your footing. Grassy Slopes In ascending, use indentation protrusions for traction. Step on the upper side of protrusions. Descending, traverse the slope. Be especially careful if grass is wet. Look for signs of travel Grassy areas tend to easily show signs of travel.
Scree and Talus Slopes Consist of small rocks and gravel that have collected below rock ridges and cliffs Each step must be picked carefully. Done by kicking in with the toe of the upper foot so a step is formed in the scree
Wet Crossings Take time to examine the possibilities before deciding to jump in. Cross at a 45 degree angle downstream. Never attempt to ford a stream directly above, or close to, a deep or rapid waterfall. Avoid rocky places, since a fall may cause serious injury.
Wet Crossings Before entering the water, have a plan of action for making the crossing. Use a rope assisted, pole assisted, or team to cross the stream. Unfasten the waist strap and remove one shoulder strap.
Wet Crossings Examine the route carefully before crossing. The speed and force of water is easy to underestimate. Never tie a rope around the crosser. Photo courtesy of Rescue 3
In fast-moving water: Wet Crossings Place your feet downstream. Lie on your back. Ditch your pack. Use your hands to paddle toward shore. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO STAND until reaching shallow water.
Desert Travel (1 of 2) Before traveling in the desert, weight the decision to travel against: Environmental factors of terrain and climate Condition of the SAR personnel Hazards Amount of water (and food) required The time of day for traveling depends on two factors: Temperature Type of terrain
Desert Travel (2 of 2) A compass is a valuable piece of equipment. Without a compass, you must use landmarks and this can lead to difficulties. Mirages cause considerable trouble. Distances are deceptive. Persistent wind Has no cooling effect Carries particles that get into eyes, ears, nose, and mouth
There are three types of deserts: Mountain Rocky plateau Sandy/dune Desert Types
Jungle Environments The easiest routes of travel are rivers, trails, and ridgelines. Hazards may be associated with these routes. Good planning is necessary.
Quicksand The density of this sand-water solution will support a person s body weight: Do not panic! Use spread eagle position to disperse the body weight to keep from sinking. Use a swimming motion to gain solid ground.
Snow Greatest hazard in snow and ice areas is intense cold and high winds. Can lead to loss of dexterity and coordination Judging distance can be difficult due to the lack of landmarks and the clear, cold air. Image distortion is a common phenomena.
White-Out Conditions A complete snow cover and wind-driven snow or humidity Causes uniform light to be reflected from both the ground and the sky Result is little or no depth perception and everything appears white.
Snow Travel Common problems: Depth perception Footing in steep terrain White-out conditions in wind Crevasses on glacial snow Varying conditions throughout the day Extra equipment Energy expenditure in deep snow condition