The Vent and Rant Thread

[desertgrandma]

[QUOTE=kindlekitten;2217559]I'm glad you are finding your grounding, just do me a favor... as a long time search and rescue volunteer, please always tell someone where you are going [/QUOTE

Originally Posted by ProfCrash

A note on the dash board can let thieves know how much time they have to rob your car. Calling some one and letting them know where you are hiking, when you are planning on leaving, and when you plan to return gives SAR information they need.

My younger brother got lucky. He was hiking with a friend and went off trail. The cliff gave way. He slid a longbway and free fell 30 feet. His friend had stayed on the trail and ran to get help. My aunt watched the rescue on TV. He was in the hospital for a week. It took over a year for him to fully heal.

If you can't go with someone make sure you Have someone ready to call if you are late getting back. The sooner people go looking for you the better off you are. You cannot guarantee that security will look at your dashboard for info.

But see guys, thats the whole point. I've got to do somethings by myself, without a 'safety net", or having to check in with anyone. Seems like for my whole life, I've been a wife, then mother, then grandmother, volunteer....caretaker....and I wouldn't change a moment.

But now its time to find out who Donna is. I have no clue right now.

I carry my phone, of course, make sure its fully charged, have ordered a daypack, will stock it with first aid crap, poncho, and all the goodies you are supposed to need in case of emergency.

Unlike some tourists, (and natives) I have common sense, am familiar with flash flood gullys, stay tuned to the weather, (altho that can change quickly here) and know to walk slowly and carefully.

I don't plan to go off the trails........at least not yet. Shoot, I can still get lost going to school. So I pay attention to whats around me.

There are lots of those big cell phone towers on top of the White Tanks, so connection isn't a problem..........usually.

Not looking to get bit by a snake, or break a leg and will be careful and take precautions..........but if it happens, at least it will have happened because I'm doing something!

Still at school everyday, all day, and thats a good thing too.

Love all you guys.

PS..........well, I guess I could text the daughter and let her know where I am once I get there..........

[badgoodDeb]

Just text her the geo coordinates, and unless she looks it up, she won't actually know where you are. But it would still help a search team, should the need arise!

I don't know anything about it, actually. I'm single too, and probably could get lost on the highway on my cross country trips to visit family. So we'll ask those who know more about it, whether the above is any good, as advice goes!

[Stitchawl]

DG, I appreciate your desire to 'do it yourself.' But just for those rare times when mishaps occur, (and perhaps cell phone coverage isn't the best,) please carry a loud 'referee's' whistle that you can find in any sporting goods store. Damn things are LOUD!!! Should something happen, you can only shout for about two or three minutes before your throat gives out and you can only whisper. But you can blow a whistle for several days... It's just plain foolish to be down with a broken ankle 20 yards off the trail, hear the search party walking past, and NOT be able to let them know you're there. And you don't have to give up your independence by carrying one.

BTW... the International Distress signal with a whistle is THREE blasts followed by one minute pause, then another THREE blasts. Repeat until you get a response.

Stitchawl

[wyndslash]

i never knew that before :O

[Stitchawl]

... let me amend that to; unless you are a military Drill Sargent or the mother of a teenager. That gives you a few extra minutes.

There are actually louder whistle available, such as The Storm Whistle, but those are not as easy to find. I keep one of these attached to my scuba vest in case we drift too far from the dive boat to be seen for pick-up. The muli-toned blast of the Fox Ref's whistle is loud enough for all practical purposes and can be found everywhere.

Stitchawl

[PeterT]

Actually, the Storm appears to be sold on Amazon; check out http://www.stormwhistles.com/onlinestoreindex.html which in turn links to Amazon.

[Stitchawl]

Originally Posted by PeterT

Actually, the Storm appears to be sold on Amazon; check out http://www.stormwhistles.com/onlinestoreindex.html which in turn links to Amazon.

That's the one. It's the loudest whistle on the market today. They make two different models; the Storm and the Windstorm. The Storm puts out almost 120db and the Windstorm 106db. We have Storms clipped to our BCDs. It's touted to even work underwater, so we tried it at 30m down. You can certainly hear it!!

But... it take a LOT of breath to blast out the full sound of the Storm. The Fox Referee Whistle is not quite as loud (I think it's 98db) but it's a lot easier to blow for long periods of time.

For less than $7.00 for the Storm, or $4 for the Fox, it's the cheapest and best insurance you can carry... in the woods, late night city streets, or anyplace you need to be heard!


Stitchawl

[Billi]

Originally Posted by desertgrandma

But see guys, thats the whole point. I've got to do somethings by myself, without a 'safety net", or having to check in with anyone. Seems like for my whole life, I've been a wife, then mother, then grandmother, volunteer....caretaker....and I wouldn't change a moment.

But now its time to find out who Donna is. I have no clue right now.

Just do it! It's a great idea, and mishaps can happen everywhere. I wish you a great time finding this out.

[nohmi2]

[QUOTE=desertgrandma;2217850]

Originally Posted by kindlekitten

I'm glad you are finding your grounding, just do me a favor... as a long time search and rescue volunteer, please always tell someone where you are going [/QUOTE

Terrific advice.

But see guys, thats the whole point. I've got to do somethings by myself, without a 'safety net", or having to check in with anyone. Seems like for my whole life, I've been a wife, then mother, then grandmother, volunteer....caretaker....and I wouldn't change a moment.

I would say that that is a wonderful record.
But now its time to find out who Donna is. I have no clue right now.

.Just do not put yourself in danger trying to find yourself. Also personally, I feel that your daughter has to have an idea in which general direction you are heading



I carry my phone, of course, make sure its fully charged, have ordered a daypack, will stock it with first aid crap, poncho, and all the goodies you are supposed to need in case of emergency.

Unlike some tourists, (and natives) I have common sense, am familiar with flash flood gullys, stay tuned to the weather, (altho that can change quickly here) and know to walk slowly and carefully.

I don't plan to go off the trails........at least not yet. Shoot, I can still get lost going to school. So I pay attention to whats around me.

There are lots of those big cell phone towers on top of the White Tanks, so connection isn't a problem..........usually.

Not looking to get bit by a snake, ( Oh, good) or break a leg (even better) and will be careful and take precautions..........but if it happens, at least it will have happened because I'm doing something!

Ever thought about a new Aston Martin convertible, and a toy-boy?
Still at school everyday, all day, and thats a good thing too. the grieving

Love all you guys.

PS..........well, I guess I could text the daughter and let her know where I am once I get there..........

I read all of the above in horror, and a large degree of admiration. I have been there and done the grieving: all stages of it. It's a s**tty process whilst you are pulling all of the pieces of YOU together again.

Donna, take all precautions Lovey, and let us have you back in one piece again.

Cheers.

[Freeshadow]

Originally Posted by Stitchawl

BTW... the International Distress signal with a whistle is THREE blasts followed by one minute pause, then another THREE blasts. Repeat until you get a response.

Stitchawl

Oh, I thought one's expected to whistle SOS. Everyday there's something new to learn.

[Stitchawl]

Originally Posted by Freeshadow

Oh, I thought one's expected to whistle SOS. Everyday there's something new to learn.

I'm sure that would work too, but groups of three (three whistles, three firearm shots, three horn honks, three fires in a triangle, three piles of stones, etc.,) is the International signal and easier to use.


Stitchawl

[desertgrandma]

Originally Posted by Stitchawl

DG, I appreciate your desire to 'do it yourself.' But just for those rare times when mishaps occur, (and perhaps cell phone coverage isn't the best,) please carry a loud 'referee's' whistle that you can find in any sporting goods store. Damn things are LOUD!!! Should something happen, you can only shout for about two or three minutes before your throat gives out and you can only whisper. But you can blow a whistle for several days... It's just plain foolish to be down with a broken ankle 20 yards off the trail, hear the search party walking past, and NOT be able to let them know you're there. And you don't have to give up your independence by carrying one.

BTW... the International Distress signal with a whistle is THREE blasts followed by one minute pause, then another THREE blasts. Repeat until you get a response.

Stitchawl

You are awesome. Great idea and I did not know that!!

Originally Posted by PeterT

Actually, the Storm appears to be sold on Amazon; check out http://www.stormwhistles.com/onlinestoreindex.html which in turn links to Amazon.

Thanks for this.......have ordered..........with a lanyard! (in dayglo orange yet!)
[QUOTE=nohmi2;2218238]

Originally Posted by desertgrandma

I read all of the above in horror, and a large degree of admiration. I have been there and done the grieving: all stages of it. It's a s**tty process whilst you are pulling all of the pieces of YOU together again.

Donna, take all precautions Lovey, and let us have you back in one piece again.

Cheers.

Why "horror", nohmi?

Originally Posted by Stitchawl

I'm sure that would work too, but groups of three (three whistles, three firearm shots, three horn honks, three fires in a triangle, three piles of stones, etc.,) is the International signal and easier to use.


Stitchawl

Did not know that either!

Okay.....lets understand one thing. I"m not off to un explored areas of the Amazon. My trips will be day trips only. On marked paths. Supposing I can read the marked paths.

I am doing research with the regional parks people to learn what I can.

All of your advice, however, is being taken to heart, I've ordered the whistle, memorized the distress signal, and have been a cops wife for 23 years so I am aware of my surroundings at all times whilst out. I have a lovely BenchMade knife, another form of protection, and lately I've been thinking of a taser.

Mountain Lions have been sighted, and while I"ve no desire to hurt any animal, or human, but if its me or them it will be them. Provided I keep my pitiful wits about me.

At least with a taser they'll go down long enough for me to run...............even weighed down with all my 'survival equipment!

Good think I've lost 20 lbs........

[wyndslash]

http://www.androidauthority.com/appl...ebsite-113954/

They're after grocery stores now...

[WT Sharpe]

The Storm whistles are only $5.99 at Amazon. I was going to buy one for my wife to keep on her keychain, but she "doesn't need one." And I know if I bought her one anyway, she wouldn't carry it.

[WT Sharpe]

I just bought one anyway. Maybe after the need arises, she won't be so reluctant to wear it next time. Prime free shipping, BTW.