009: EPICC Review Week 3: Survival
Topics SHARED IN THIS EPISODE
Tip 1 - Human Factors in Survival - Have a survival mindset
Tip 2 - The key to survival is to S.T.O.P.
Tip 3 - Everything depends on the Rule of 3.
Tip 4 - Set Priorities
Sur-viv-val - the state or fact of continuing to live or exist, typically in spite of an accident, ordeal, or difficult circumstances
Unexpected changes in weather
Mechanical Failure
Damage to Aircraft
Pilot Medical Emergency
The Psychology of Survival
(The Human Factor)
The Survival Mindset
The Will To Survive
Having a “I Will Survive” attitude can make all the difference
Preparing both mentally and physically
Survival
The Key to survival is to S.T.O.P.
STOP
Ensure Safety of Crew
Treat Immediate Injuries
Stop and Find Calm (Panic Kills)
Assess Situation, Scene, and Resources
Collect what you can from aircraft
Survival Kit, ELT, SAT Phone, Medical Supplies, Debris, Fuel (oil)
Don’t go back to burning aircraft
What do you have on you?
Think
What’s your situation?
Where are you?
What time of year is it?
What time of day it is?
Are you expecting inclement weather?
How likely is a quick rescue?
Were you able to get out a Mayday call?
Is the ELT working?
Are you in a heavily trafficked area?
Does your program use flight tracker?
Were you responding with other aircrafts?
Is anyone hurt?
Do you need to move to a safer location?
Observe
What type of environment are you in?
Mountains vs. Plains vs. Urban
What equipment do you have?
ELT
Sat Phone
Survival Gear
Cell Phones
What natural resources can you use?
Rock outcroppings
Trees
Will you need to dig?
Are you safe?
Deadfall
Avalanche slide path
Cliffs
Rock Falls
Mud Slides
Flood Plain
Plan
Develop a Survival Plan
Start with the Rule of 3’s
Keeping Busy on Constructive Actions (DON’T WASTE ENERGY)
Prevents Panic and Improves Moral
Most situations resulting in fatalities are survivable
Most deaths are the result of panic
The priorities for survival should be based on Rule of 3’s.
Rules of 3’s
3 Minutes without air
3 Hours without shelter
3 Days without water
3 Weeks without food
The 2 Things That Kill Most People in a Survival Situation are Exposure and Dehydration
Setting Priorities
Shelter
Number 1 Priority
(3 hours without shelter in bad weather)
Protects from Heat and Cold
Fire
Included in building shelter
Provides warmth
Serves as a signal
Helps provide emotional support
Water
Number 2 Priority
(3 days without water)
Prevent dehydration
Stay well hydrated before your shift.
Gives you a “buffer”
Carry water with you on flights
Signaling
Ground-to-Air Signals
Smoke
Fire
Flags
Flares
Mirror
Cell Phone
ELT
Food
Carry a couple of energy bars in your survival bag.
If water is scarce, don’t eat.
Digestion uses water and will accelerate dehydration.
Additional Resources
2015 - Derek Boehm, Flight Paramedic speaks about surviving crash in Arizona Wilderness - https://www.azfamily.com/news/air-ambulance-crash-survivor-tells-harrowing-story-of-survival/article_eee61be6-e431-11e8-8df3-a7515942c15a.html
https://www.outdoorlife.com/photos/gallery/2014/09/11-ways-signal-help
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I hope you enjoy this episode! Until next time remember...
"Education is good, but excellence through collaboration is much better!"
Stay Safe, and Live Well!
Sean
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