When you are given an assignment by Incident Command staff, it becomes your job to complete that assignment to the best of your ability, within the bounds of what is safe for you and your team. By all means offer any additional information to the command staff that might help them better formulate their strategy, or protect future teams from hazards in the field. If you encounter conditions that prevent you from completing your assignment safely, communicate this to base camp and request further instructions. The command staff will be grateful to hear any information that will help them execute the mission in a safe and effective manner. In the worst case, if you are still instructed to do something that you feel is not safe you should respectfully decline, return to base camp, and offer to take a different assignment or sign out of the mission. Never, under any circumstances, deliberately disobey instructions from Incident Command staff. The IC is in charge, and assuming that you know what should be done better than the IC undermines the entire premise of how SAR is conducted in New Mexico. Become a Field Coordinator if you want to be in charge. I don’t want to be a heavy, but to make sure CSAR’s position on this is perfectly clear: any "freelancing" will be investigated by a panel of our peers, and result in swift and absolute action in the form of removal from the team.

On the topic of medical issues, we may sometimes be uncomfortable with how a located subject is treated by medical responders on a mission. If a medical provider on scene chooses a course of action that you feel is not in the subject’s best interests, you have the right to communicate your concerns. The preferred approach is to mention your concerns directly to the medical provider first, in as private and non-confrontational a manner as possible. If they maintain that their chosen course of action is appropriate, DON’T ARGUE - an evacuation is neither the time nor place for an argument. The Incident Commander is ultimately responsible for the subject, and the IC will rely on the medical provider on scene to act in the subject’s best interests. You may communicate your concerns privately to the IC as soon as you are able, via cellular phone or in person after you return to base, if you wish.

I am very proud of how our members handle themselves in the face of difficult situations. Given many options on how to behave, our members consistently conduct themselves in an appropriate and professional manner, per CSAR’s culture. I congratulate each of you for reinforcing our reputation for professionalism. Your conduct shows that we are a team in the purest sense of the word, rather than a group of individuals with a common organizational name. Our training has prepared us well to be effective search and rescue volunteers. Keep up the great work!

Boots and Blisters

by Larry Mervine

It was a hot Sunday afternoon. We met in Los Lunas at McDonalds and then drove to the base camp. Don Gibson, acting has Incident Command (IC), briefed us on the lost subject. We were given search areas with maps. After an hour of searching the search was 10-22 (canceled), but team three reported one of the searchers was bitten by a snake (a surprise planned by the training officer). Three teams had to return to base camp to retrieve the litter and gear, then transport the gear to the subject. The subject was professionally evacuated out. Why did we litter a snakebite victim? Below is some information about snakebites taken from Commonsense Outdoor Medicine and Emergency Companion by Newell D. Breyfogle.

Snakebites

• Children, the elderly and individuals with hypertension are most vulnerable.
  
• Most reported snakebites occur on hands, arms and legs.
  
• To avoid a snakebite, stay on the trails, use a stick to beat the ground, place your hands carefully while climbing (especially in crevices and holes), and maintain alertness around streams and areas of poor visibility.
  
• Snakes are most noticeable between 9 am and 9 pm, but are most active between 3 pm and 6 pm.
  
• Snakes prefer temperatures between 60°F and 90°F. They cannot not tolerate temperatures over 110°F. Although considered fairly inactive when cold, snakes may strike in temperatures below 40°F.
  

• People usually know when they have been bitten, but sometimes a snake is hidden in a crack or under a rock, and the person crashing through brush does not hear the warning buzz and may not realize the source of the sudden pain.
• There will be distinct fang marks, usually two.

• Subject will feel immediate sharp burning pain.
• Swelling at the site will occur within 5 to 10 minutes, spreading rapidly.
• Subject will feel numbness and tingling of the lips, face, and scalp 30 to 60 minutes after the bite.
• From 30 to 90 minutes after the bite, the subject may experience twitching of the mouth and eye muscles and a rubbery or metallic taste in the mouth.
• After about an hour there may be weakness, sweating, vomiting and fainting.
• In about 2 or 3 hours there will be bruising at the site and later, large blood blisters.
• In serious bites, the subject will have breathing difficulties and may collapse after 6 to 12 hours.

• Calm and reassure the subject to slow circulation and reduce shock.
• Place subject at rest and keep him from moving to slow the spread of the venom.
• Wash the bite area gently with soap and water.
• Splint the limb to prevent movement, but watch the advance of swelling.
• Keep the limb level with the heart.
• Transport urgently to medical aid, by air medevac if possible.

What NOT to do:

• Do not give alcohol.
• Do not cut the fang marks.
• Do not try to suck out venom.
• Do not apply a tourniquet.
• Do not apply cold to the site.

*** Cibola is not a medical team. If a snakebite is reported or happens notify base camp. Apply treatment if so directed by a medical person.

Overview

Ground search modes can basically be divided into two types - hasty team searches and area searches.

One important concept in searching is the POD (Probability of Detection), defined as the probability that the subject was noticed if he was in the search area. `Responsive' POD is that for which the person is able to respond if he notices the SAR team. `Unresponsive' POD is that where the SAR team would find the subject but he could not respond to them (dead, unconscious, fatigued). Responsive POD's are generally high because our attraction techniques would alert the subject to our presence. Unresponsive POD's vary by the type of search mode we are using.

The primary duty of a hasty team is to rapidly cover their assigned area, which is often a trail or other well-traveled area. Their unresponsive POD is usually high in the immediate vicinity of their trek, but much less a short distance from it. The unresponsive POD of other modes tends to be very high throughout their assigned area. Studies show that hasty teams are the ones who most often find the subject.

In any mode, the team is looking for clues as well as the subject. Clues might include footprints, clothing, fire remains, and other things which may be associated with the subject. It is important that the teams recognize the likelihood that a clue is relevant to the search. If the clue is obviously too old, or not related to the subject (e.g., a cigarette butt and a non-smoking subject), the team should not waste radio time on it. If there is any possibility that it might be related to the subject, the team should mark it and describe it to the Incident Command staff. Experience is often the best teacher in this respect.

`Attraction' is a standard approach that should be used during most any mode of searching. Methods of attraction include blowing whistles, calling the subject's name, using flashlights, etc. Caution in residential or camping areas should be used so as not to awaken someone who would take offense to the noise.

Hasty techniques generally involve searching on routes where a person most likely would travel, such as trails, canyons, arroyos, ridgetops, etc. A hasty team is not performing their search correctly if they stop to look behind every bush, divert long distances off their assigned route, etc. The expectation for unresponsive POD in the hasty mode is high on the route, but low in the surrounding area. The desire for speed is high, with 2 mph being a common expectation. Provided that speed can be kept up, it is OK for a hasty team to spread out parallel to the designated route, instead of all walking in each other's footprints.

If the hasty mode is not being used, the search basically becomes an `area search' of one type or another. The searchers may be in small groups or a large line, but the underlying idea is to spread out a certain distance and search an area. The expectation for unresponsive POD in this mode is high, and the expectation for speed is low. Many times, the directive is to cover at a 65% or better unresponsive POD, thus potentially eliminating that area from further searches. An area search team is performing poorly if they rush through the area and return with a low unresponsive POD. This applies even at night - it just takes more time.

If it is a large line search, there will be leaders who coordinate the line's advancement. But even in a small group, the advancement needs to be controlled and methodical so that the area is thoroughly covered. If one person speeds ahead of the group, the area may not be covered to the assigned standard. In this mode, the searchers should strive to investigate every bush, rock formation, downed tree, etc. Often GPS coordinates are used to delimit the area, but it is better if geographical features are the boundaries - the search team can recognize them more easily.

Tracking is a sub-technique of either the hasty team or the area search mode. Tracking footstep-by-footstep is inherently a slow process, so is somewhat improper in a hasty mode. However, this can be mitigated by using the leapfrogging method of tracking. In this case, some members of the hasty team move ahead parallel to the direction of travel, attempting to `cut sign'. Other team members continue the footprint-by-footprint trailing, but re-deploy if tracks are found further ahead. If tracks are found while in an area search mode, it is proper for some (or all, if the tracks are positively identified as belonging to the subject) members of that team to begin tracking and leapfrogging. Of course, any change in strategy should be approved by Incident Management.

Finally, in any search mode, the members of a team should try to remain in either voice or visual contact. If the assignment causes them to split around obstacles, they should plan to rejoin each other beyond the obstacle. Failure to remain in contact can significantly lower the POD, and also waste time (and radio batteries) while the team tries to find its members.

Self-Quiz on Ground Search Techniques

1. What are the two basic modes of ground search techniques?
2. Under what circumstances might one choose not to use `attraction' techniques?
3. What are the characteristics of unresponsive POD's that are generally expected of a hasty team?
4. What sort of unresponsive POD is expected of a team doing an area search?
5. What is an example of an improper technique for a hasty team?
6. What is one consequence of a person rushing ahead of his teammates during a line search?
7. What is an example of an improper technique for an area search team?
8. What is the chief drawback of footprint-by-footprint tracking?
9. What should happen if a line search detects tracks that are positively identified as the subject's?
10. How often should team members re-establish contact (visual or voice) with each other?

David Mahoney and Sarah Leedale are ready for an orientation and may have it completed by the time the August newsletter is published, so please welcome them on board when you see them.

Now on a sad note, Reed Burnett and Bill Winter have resigned from the team. Both have stated that other commitments have caused them to reevaluate their priorities and sadly CSAR was on the low end of the list. Reed and Bill have told me that when things settle down in other areas of their lives they would like to come back.

Coming Attractions

by Chuck Girven

• The next Member Spotlight will be on Ken Johnston. Anyone interested in doing a spotlight should either submit one via the web or send email or a fax to one of the editors.

In the morning we will be attending the East Mountain Rendezvous where we will give a demonstration in the morning. For those not able to leave at 1400 or want to leave earlier, the directions are as follows: Take I-25 North to the Bernalillo exit (highway 44). Go West on Highway 44 to San Ysidro. At San Ysidro go North toward the Jemez Pueblo. Just past Jemez Springs (about 3 miles) there is an intersection to the left with a sign to Fenton Lake (Jct 126). Follow that road to the lake (close to the lake the road turns to dirt). Go about 7 miles past the lake and look for the trail tape. We will be monitoring 800 MHz and the team frequency 155.265. If you have any questions please feel free to give either Mickey or Mary a call. We hope to see ya there!

Member Spotlight: Mickey Jojola

I was born in Farmington, NM in 1964. In a way you might say that I am a native of New Mexico. I actually grew up in Denver, Colorado where my parents worked. I spent my summers down on the Isleta reservation with my grandparents. See I am a NM "native". During those summers here, I spent my time fishing and camping with my grandparents. My father taught me to love the outdoors. With many fishing and hunting trips I was able to gain an appreciation for the outdoors, especially the mountains.

After I graduated from high school, I spent a year working odd jobs and generally bumming around (as I was way too smart for college). When I realized that I wasn't going anywhere, I decided to go back to school. I attended Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, Colorado. At this time I was married and shortly after my first year I was blessed(?) with my daughter Tiffany. After obtaining my degree in Soil Science, my family and I moved to the panhandle of Oklahoma so I could attend school for my BS. I really missed the mountains and hiking of home but at the time my education came first. Shortly after graduating from Panhandle State University, I got divorced (sort of a graduation present). I won custody of Tiffany and we moved to Stillwater, OK to get my MS in Soil Chemistry/Fertility. School was very hectic, raising Tiffany, studying, and doing research. While living in Stillwater I became very interested in dog training. A good friend whom I met while employed at OSU introduced me to obedience training. Her husband was a police officer who trained streed dogs. Actually he is the one who got me interested in tracking and trailing dogs. I was able to work with him training both bomb and drug dogs for various police departments. After training my first dog, a black and tan German shephard named Thudashun, I became interested in search and rescue. Oklahoma didn't really have a SAR team but I was determined to someday join one. With all of that going something was missing. During my breaks form work (I ran a research lab) and school, I found myself wandering back to NM and its beauty. Once I graduated, I decided to look for work here. It seemed an eternity but I finaly landed a job and moved to Albuquerque in December of '94.

By February '95 I was introduced to Cibola SAR. I felt welcome from the begining. It was like a big family, well sort of. Anyway I found my haven. I was hooked from the begining and still am. I am currently training my partner and buddy Jake (the SAR dog) for wilderness air sent search. I hope to have him in the field this summer. I am also k-9 training officer for the Cibola k-9 resource. My big goal in the future is to have an effective k-9 presence on the team. It may be a long haul but I think that it will be worth it. SAR and Cibola are a big part of who I am today. I appreciate all who are involved in search and rescue and look forward to working with everyone in the future. See 'ya in the field.

Web News          by Mary Girven

As many of you know, Southwest Cyberport recently donated space on their web server to CSAR. Since their Unix platform and configuration more closely matches that of the development site at Sandia (and my experience), much less effort is necessary to develop and maintain this site than the website donated to us almost a year ago by Albuquerque ROS which runs on a Windows NT machine. I'd like to thank all three companies for their generous donations and excellent support. Because of ABQ-ROS, CSAR has had an early presence on the World Wide Web; Sandia's donation of a development server made it possible to develop advanced tools and features such as user authentication and the web-based newsletter; and SWCP will make it possible to move forward with a system several of us have access to and experience with (so development and maintenance responsibilities can be shared rather than dependent on one person).

I'd like to thank Tom Russo for doing the lion's share of the work modifying the CSAR website for our new host while I've been recovering from another wrist surgery. There's still some work to do before we officially switch over, but any of you who are interested in previewing it may do so by connecting to http://www.swcp.com/csar. CSAR members should activate their password-protected account in order to be able to access the Members Only section. Click on the Guestbook link from the Home Page, state that you're a Member (vs. a Guest), enter the TEAM password (same as on the Sandia website -- ask Mike, Tom, Chuck, or me and we'll tell you if you've forgotten), then enter your name, a username you'd like to login with, and a private password (it's not all that private so don't use one you use elsewhere). If you're not a CSAR member, please sign the Guestbook (as a Guest) so we know who you are and how to contact you.

Bronze Boot

presented to Marnie Boren on March 13, 1997

Marnie Boren received the Bronze Boot last March for her participation in the Mt. Taylor Quad on February 15th. The team volunteered to help with the race, but Marnie competed in it. Unfortunately, I (Mary) misplaced the photo that was taken at the March business meeting. Well, I cleaned my desk and found the photo (I knew it was there somewhere), so here it is.

Sorry, Marnie, that it's so late!

There have been no nominations this month.

Feature Article #1: Pathogens in SAR, continued

by Mickey Jojola

Last month I discussed the possible consequences of contracting various pathogens relevant to the SAR community. I would like to take the opportunity this time to discuss prevention and treatment of said pathogens if exposed. Unfortunately there are some nasties out there that don't have a "cure". In general the likelihood of contracting these diseases is rare, but the possibility does exist. Care must be taken at ALL times when anyone is being treated for injuries which involve open wounds or other bodily fluids.

• Giardia: If diagnosed early the treatment is relatively simple. Large quantity of antibiotics. Generally, three different antibiotics are employed at the same time. These kill most all of the flora (bacteria), good and bad, in the gut lining. It is then recommended that you take a bacterial supplement (beneficial bacteria) to replace what was destroyed by the treatment.
• Cryptospridiosis: This is one of those little nasties that doesn't have a treatment. In general, if the infected person is healthy, the disease will pass on its own. While the subject may feel uncomfortable for a while, the body's immune system will take care of it. Drinking plenty of fluids or an oral rehydration therapy mix will help. It has been reported that the use of anti-diarrheal medication provides some relief. An infected person should take precautions to insure that the disease is not transferred to other people. This is done by washing hands, not sharing food or drink, and avoiding public bathing areas (swimming pools included). Prevention is the best medicine. Avoid contaminated water sources and wash after handling injured persons.
• Hantavirus: The best way to treat this monster is to try and stay away from situations, which would cause the disease. The key is to stay away from areas (caves and rodent nests) which may have rodent urine, saliva, or droppings. At this time there is no known cure for Hantavirus. The sooner after infection the better your chance of recovery. This disease can result in death even if treatment is sought.
• Lyme Disease: An Insect repellent employed in areas where there is an infestation of ticks is the best preventative measure. Antibiotics are used to treat Lyme disease. Unfortunately Lyme disease is difficult to diagnose. Always check for ticks after returning from the field.
• And last but not least is the Plague: Generally the plague is not a threat to humans any more. There are still cases of the plague being reported every summer but when treated promptly there are rarely any complications. To prevent exposure to this disease it is best to stay away from rodents, especially dead flea infested ones. Once the rodents die the fleas will look for a new host, which can be humans if they pick up the animal, but more commonly dogs. Any K-9 handler, or pet owner, should dust or otherwise treat their animals for any sign of fleas. Preventative measures, such as flea collars or sprays, are best.

See http://www.utexas.edu/depts/grg/gcrafts/notes/coordsys/coordsys.html for much more on map coordinate systems.

Classified Ads

(40 words maximum, no services)

FOR SALE: Pair of Outdoor Research Gore-tex "Crocodile" Gaiters in size small--worn once. They are not the right size for me. $40.00 or OBO, contact Tom Russo at 823-4554 if you're interested.

FOR SALE: Motorola HT220 two channel hand held radio with charger and two batteries. Already has CSAR and NM STATE SAR crystals installed. Doesn't need HAM license to operate. $150.00 - Contact Chuck Girven at 899-8573 if interested.

Special Notes

We will be performing a pager test to determine the viability of our pager system. This test will take place starting Friday, August 15th through Wednesday, August 20th. We will skip Sunday. Please fill out the forms as accurately as possible. We will be using this information to determine the accuracy of the paging system. -- submitted by Mickey Jojola

There will be an Equipment Committee meeting on Wednesday August 20th at St. Chads Church. The meeting will start at 6:30 and will run to 8:00 pm. If you have any questions or suggestions please plan to attend. -- submitted by Chuck Girven

Special thanks to Don Gibson and ACCUTRAK, Inc. for donating time and material to help make our new PSAR display stand.

Disclaimer

the Editors

The information in this newsletter was gathered from many sources and presents facts as we believe them to be true. This newsletter is not meant to be an official document, but a means to disseminate team information.