Always be able to give directions to your camp

[vgilbert]

Hello All,
As a retired Firefighter / Paramedic I know first hand how frustrating it can be when a caller to 911 cannot give clear directions to their location. 
Tip: Write down direction such as- On XXX road 1/4 mile past intersection YY & RR in ____National Forest at marker XYZ. Lat. 111.111 Long. -123.456 and tape this note to your steering wheel or someplace you will know exactly where it is at a moments notice.
ALWAYS be able to give clear directions to your camp. When first responders have to spend valuable minutes looking for a person in trouble the situation can go down hill in a hurry.

 

[tx2sturgis]

And carry a flare gun.

 

[travelaround]

A flare in the forest?

Somehow that strikes me as not a good idea.

 

[john*thomas]

Good advice especially as one gets older.

 

[PeterPiper]

So basic, so important...yet so neglected.

Excellent advice.

thanks

 

[Sofisintown]

And carry a flare gun.

For night time occurrences, a strobe light could do the trick, instead of a flare
https://www.amazon.com/12V-24V-Flas...ords=amber+light+beacon&qid=1622589753&sr=8-6

 

[bullfrog]

Setting off your car alarm is the signal someone needs help at Caballo Loco. Many older residents keep their key fob close by at night and the sound travels well in the desert residents let their neighbors know if they are not doing well and watch out for each other. I have a small strobe light that runs on two AA batteries that is visible for miles we used when off road racing, guess I'll have to dig it out!

 

[nature lover]

This is why I’ve carried a spot locator for years. I have to trade in my old one because they’re not going to be supporting that technology anymore and I’m doing that next week. But my friends on the Internet can follow my progress wherever I’m at and if I have to hit the help button it gives my friends my coordinates. And if I have to use the SOS their emergency response center has my exact coordinates to give to ambulance or fire rescue or forestry whoever. The SOS button is covered so that you can’t set it off accidentally. With my inability to walk very much it wouldn’t be great to have the directions taped on my steering wheel because if I fell outside it would be hard to get to it. But the spot locator really works well and it’s not really that expensive cost about $150 to buy the unit and then about $15 a month to keep the subscription up. It is a satellite communication device that works even when you’re not in phone range. It comes with a nice wide Velcro strap. I can wear it on my wrist. There are other providers out there to like Garman. I’ve been with spot for a long time but I have been looking at the Garman too. Garman also has, for a little bit more money, the ability to do two-way texting over the satellite. I think that would be a great addition so you could tell friends exactly what type of need you have. That would be good with first responders too as their response to “I fell down the hill and can’t get up” is different than “I’m having a heart attack or I can’t breathe”.

 

[mattvei]

my daughter is a firefighter/EMT with Denver fire and that is one of her biggest complaints - very few know directions N S E W

 

[tx2sturgis]

No no no....dont shoot the flare up in the air...that might be dangerous or something.

Open your propane bottles till the flammable gas is hissing out, then fire the flare into that cloud of drifting propane gas.

Trust me...someone will find you. 

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

I agree that you should always know where you are and be able to pinpoint your location on a map.  But a more precise way is to give your GPS coordinates.  

I have carried and used an inReach for about 5 years.  I use it to nightly tell my family and friends that I am OK and my location (they get a google map with GPS coordinates).  I can also get weather information and can talk with SAR when the emergency beacon is activated.  SAR gets my GPS location from the device, so directions are not garbled by me or miscommunicated.
The advantage is it works when there is no cell signal.  It costs ~$14 a month.

A strobe light reflected off of a mylar emergency blanket will get the attention of any SAR aircraft looking for you.

 

[WanderingRose]

I am one of those people who, if I am in an unfamiliar area, don’t know what time it is and can’t see the sun, have no sense of direction whatsoever.

I discovered the PocketEarth app 6-7 years ago and love it for its fail-proof, real-time tracking of my location without the need for cell signal.

It has other features I like, as well, but that’s the one relevant to this thread.

 

[RoamerRV428]

great post and good advice

strobe light...great idea!
or monster spot light good idea!
car horn, great idea

flare gun....bad idea LOL also they aren't long lasting like a light that can guide longer term or a sound like a horn that carries a distance.

 

[WanderingRose]

I also carry one of those small, high beam, multi-flash flashlights that include the red flashers for emergencies.

 

[RoamerRV428]

very true WR......there are many smaller gadgets that can truly double duty and be ALL WE need, but everyone should make sure they have a high powered one ya know.....so it can be a beacon if needed for others to find us.


also everyone should truly have a 'GOOD and EQUIPPED' first aid kit.....not a box of bandaids and triple antibiotic ointment cream only LOL

 

[maki2]

You can get free GPS coordinate apps for your cellular devices. The emergency services have mapping software that includes things like forest service roads and BLM roads.

 

[nature lover]

The problem with GPS from cellular services is that when you go over the next horizon the cellular service stops and the satellite doesn’t. I got myself twisted around and lost in the Ocala national Forest in April. I didn’t have an emergency and was able to trace my way back out again but having an emergency call button on my wrist that give it give coordinates via satellite to first responders is a comfortable security blanket. I’m no longer the kind of guy who can go extreme exploring. But even the State Forest I mean only 60 miles from our state capital has no cell signal places.

 

[WanderingRose]

That’s why I like the PocketEarth app...regardless where you are, signal or no, the blue dot shows exactly where you are and in real time tracks your movements.

 

[nature lover]

Wondering rose, I just looked at your pocket earth and it looks like a good GPS system but there’s no communication with it or am I missing something. My spot locator has several Messages I can send to friends and of course an SOS to go to the emergency center and to the first responders whether I have phone service or not. Did I miss something? Thank you

 

[WanderingRose]

Here is a link to the app and it’s features...

https://pocketearth.com/press/

I am not aware of a messaging feature or the others you mentioned, tho do see in looking at my app that you can share your current location and share a map screenshot.

What I like about it is that it tracks your location in real time, showing exactly where you are and moving as you walk or drive, whether you have signal or not.

You are never lost and if you make a wrong turn you know it immediately.