There have also been significant changes at the state level, although these have been somewhat less visible to us. The Incident Command System (ICS) has become THE protocol for managing SAR missions, and Rick Goodman, the state SAR resource officer, has made it clear that ICS is the only acceptable way to run a SAR mission. We need to do our part by observing proper procedures when communicating on the radio, and completing our field assignments as given to us by ICS staff, or negotiating with them if we feel there is a reason to alter the assignment.

A lack of field coordinators and significant numbers of SAR resources in district six (west of Albuquerque) will result in more calls for Cibola to respond in this area, far from our "home turf." As our reputation for fielding large numbers of highly trained searchers spreads, I expect that we will get more calls to help with large missions far from Albuquerque, when local resources have been depleted.

Continued change is in store at both levels. We have mentioned the concept of state certification of SAR personnel at previous business meetings. It appears that this concept is rapidly becoming a reality. Procedures are being developed to certify SAR volunteers in basic skills, such as map and compass, search techniques, radio usage, etc. Cibola SAR is in good shape, thanks to our training officer. We have been training in exactly the skills we will need individually to fulfill the certification requirements.

Kudos to Reed for having such a great choice of friends and colleagues, and again our deepest thanks to Diane for her thoughtful gift. I am sure that the budget and equipment committees will have many future discussions over how we can best put this to use.

NMESC

State SAR

Forest Service

V. Temperature Ranges

1. Mild: 95°F to 92°F -- Shivering, muscle tone increase.
   1. As shivering ceases the body can no longer keep up and core temperature falls rapidly.
   2. Body heat loss factors multiply. Hypothermia is possible in 50 to 60° weather.
2. Moderate: 92° to 86°F.
   Shivering stops--major emergency is imminent.
   Apathy, lethargy, dysarthria, ataxia, maladaptive behavior, arrhythmias, unconsciousness.
3. Severe: 86° to 82°F.
   Stupor, coma, absent reflexes, pupils fixed and dilated (cerebral ischemia), respiratory arrest.

VI. Differential Diagnosis

• Altitude illness.
• Exhaustion.
• Dehydration.
• Fright, loss of will.
• Carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Alcohol and drugs.

VII. Treatment

1. Rapid assessment--ABC's
   Conscious--warming by any means while proceeding with evacuation.
   Unconscious--check for pulse.
   Pulse--rapid transport, warm by any means.
   No pulse--CPR takes priority. External warming.
2. Prevent further heat loss.
   1. Stop heat loss.
      1. Conduction--insulate from ground.
      2. Convection--shield from wind.
      3. Radiation--cover all exposed areas.
      4. Evaporation--dry clothing.
   2. Increased heat production.
      1. Increased activity, oxygen use.
      2. Water and fuel--hot chocolate, oral intake only if consciousness permits.
      3. Oxygen at high altitude.
   3. External heat if field evacuation is not imminent.
      1. Chemical heat tabs to armpits, groin, and neck.
      2. Hot water bottles.
      3. Warm fluids orally.
      4. Body to body contact.
      5. Heated tent.
      6. Fire.
   4. Replace fluids.
      1. Oral.
      2. Warm IV - debatable.
3. CPR--problems:
   1. Cold, stiff heart and thorax.
   2. Poor blood flow, increased resistance.
   3. Difficult to return to normal rhythm.
   4. Continue CPR until warm.
   5. Environmental/transportation challenges.