Download and read it here.
Friday, February 28, 2014
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
GPS: Free, 8-page, pocket-sized guide for Garmin GPSmap 60CS & 60CSx
Source: Adapted from material provided by the US National Wildfire Coordinating Group's (NWCG's) Geospatial Subcommittee (GSC)
Monday, February 24, 2014
Rope Rescue: How to rig the Munter-hitch belay, by Tom Briggs, author of the "Vertical Academy"
Source: This article was Adapted from Vertical Academy, by Tom Briggs, Copyright © 2013. All Rights Reserved. Excerpted with expressed written permission.
To purchase your copy of this book, point your Internet browser here.
Tom Briggs is a fire service veteran of over 33 years and author of Vertical Academy, a vocational rope rescue textbook.
Before retiring as a Captain in 2008, he was assigned to the Special Operations Division at Metro Fire Sacramento, California as the Rescue Services Manager.
He was also a Rescue Team Leader for FEMA Urban Search and Rescue Taskforce 7.
An instructor for the State of California and Rescue 3 International, Tom coordinated and taught many training courses specializing in the rope, trench, confined space, and water rescue disciplines to scores of agencies, often alongside many well-known rescue training luminaries.
The National Association of Search and Rescue (NASAR) recognized Tom’s training contributions in 1996 with the Higgins Langley Award.
Sunday, February 23, 2014
Helicopter safety, by Rob Thomas, author of the new book "Helicopters as a Rescue Tool," as excerpted in "Park Ranger Magazine"
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This article is brought to you through the generosity of our friends at Park Ranger Magazine. Published by TR Media Ltd., in Waterlooville, England (UK), Park Ranger is the magazine for operators worldwide involved in:
- wilderness EMS
- wilderness SAR
- wildfire
- heli-ops
- and law enforcement
To learn more about this magazine, or subscribe, point you Internet browser here.
Saturday, February 22, 2014
Friday, February 21, 2014
Thursday, February 20, 2014
Knot tying—The Figure-9 and Figure-10 knots, by Schalk van der Merwe, "Technical Rescue Magazine"
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
K-9s: Introduction to Scent Theory “Pheromone” Communications, by Charles E. (Chuck) Melvin, North American Search Dog Network (NASDN) Gazette
Neither category of stimuli is well understood and hence is often controversial.
Controversy notwithstanding, the basic understanding of what scent might be and how the dog might process it would seem to be baseline required knowledge for all search and rescue canine handlers interested in finding the lost subject most efficiently.
Because both topics are occasionally called into play within a court of law, both need to be understood and articulated professionally.
Basic scent theories currently proposed are the raft theory and the chemical theory. Both theories have newer supporting research.
As is often the case, the truth is likely composed of elements of both...Read article here.
Basic scent theories currently proposed are the raft theory and the chemical theory. Both theories have newer supporting research.
As is often the case, the truth is likely composed of elements of both...Read article here.
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
Survival gear: The Compass-LED-Firestarter survival bracelet accessory unit is coming soon from Columbia River Knife & Tool (CRKT)
Weighing only one ounce and measuring 1.95 inches in length, this glass-filled nylon unit will fit onto paracord bracelets and some other wristbands.
CRKT on their forthcoming Compass-LED-Firestarter survival braclet accessory unit...
Because you never know when your adventure might get crazy.
Being prepared is a lifestyle. It takes careful training of both mind and hands to make your environment work to your advantage. And that's where these paracord bracelet accessories, designed by Tom Stokes, help you mold your situation to give you every chance of survival.
The compass, LED and fire starter combo is the premier accessory in the line. It features all the essentials and it fits perfectly on the CRKT Para-Saw™ Bracelet . It's made from a durable injection molded, glass filled nylon that will stand up to rough weather and intense adventures.
- The magnesium fire rod is 1.125 inches (28.575mm) long and detaches from the main housing to set your tinder ablaze.
- The LED light has an included LR41 battery that's ready for use and replaceable.
- The compass will help you get your bearings and make your way to safety.
To attach to a paracord bracelet, simply unscrew the disc-lock on the underside of the accessory, slide it over the bracelet, then reattach the disc-lock to keep the accessory from sliding.
The accessory is designed to fit snugly on a "Solomon Bar" weave bracelet made from 550 paracord and may fit other similarly sized paracord survival bracelets as well. The opening of the accessory is .9 inches (22.86 mm) wide and .43 inches (11.43 mm) tall.
The Survival Bracelet Accessory helps you get home from your latest adventure so you're still around for your next adventure.
Also available in a Compass and Fire Starter Version , and a Compass and LED Version.
Learn more about this product (No. 9703) here.
Source: Soldier Systems—An Industry Daily
Monday, February 17, 2014
Rope Rescue: How to lighten your wilderness litter loads, by Andy Maguire, "Park Ranger Magazine"
Published by TR Media Ltd., in Waterlooville, England (UK), Park Ranger is the magazine for operators worldwide involved in:
- wilderness EMS
- wilderness SAR
- wildfire
- heli-ops
- and law enforcement
To learn more about this magazine, or subscribe, point you Internet browser here.
Sunday, February 16, 2014
Saturday, February 15, 2014
How to make a map protractor and UTM roamer scale easier and faster to use while underway in the bush
Source: This article was adapted from The Ranger Digest, Handbooks 1 thru 9, by US Army Ranger Rick F. Tscherne. Copyright © 1988-2012. All Rights Reserved. Excerpted With Expressed Written Permission. Order this e-book series at www.KoboBooks.com.
Rick F. Tscherne served twenty-one years (1972-93) in the United States Army in various demanding leadership positions including Airborne-Infantry/Anti-Tank Squad Leader, Airborne-Ranger Platoon Sergeant, Drill Instructor, Cold Weather Instructor, Small Arms Repairman, Battalion S-3 Assistant Operation Sergeant, and US Army Headquarters G-3 War Plans Division Operation Sergeant.
Rick has attended and graduated from schools such as the US Army Infantry, Airborne, Ranger, Jumpmaster, Drill Instructor, Combat Intel, Small Arms Repair schools, and the Advance Non-Commission Officer Training Program. His foreign training includes German Army Weapons Qualification Course, Italian Airborne school, French Commando school, and Belgian Para-Commando school.
- 1974-1976: 1st/509th Airborne Recon Platoon Team Leader (Sgt/E-5)
- 1976-1978: A-4-3 Fort Dix (N.J.) Drill Instructor (Ssg/E-6)
- 1978-1980: 1st /75th Ranger Bn. Weapon Section Leader/PSG (Ssg/E-6)
- 1980-1981: 1st /31st Mech/Inf (ROK) Assistant Platoon Sergeant (Ssg/E-6)
- 1981-1985: 1st /509th/325th Airborne BCT—Infantry Platoon Sergeant (Sfc/E-7)
- 1985-1987: 3rd /325th Airborne S-3 Assistant Training/Operation Sergeant (Sfc/E-7)
- 1987-1992: USASETAF Headquarters G-3 War Plans Div. Operation NCO (Sfc/E-7)
His US Army awards and commendations include: US Army Ranger Tab, Master Parachutist Wings, Drill Instructor Badge, Expert Rifleman Badge, Jungle Expert Patch, Army Commendation, 5 Army Achievement awards, 3 Meritorious Service Medals, 4 Overseas Service Ribbons, etc. He qualified as an expert with weapons such as the M16A1, M203 Grenade Launcher, and M60 MG.
Since retiring from the US Army, Rick served as an Advisor/Trainer to the Bosnia & Herzegovina Army (1996-97) under the US State Department "Train & Equip Program." Always willing to share his personal experiences, tips, tricks and ideas in how to survive & thrive in the outdoors with others, he's published nine volumes of the Ranger Digest, developed a series of Special Ops Survival (SOS) Kits, and regularly instructs military and outdoors enthusiasts in wilderness survival.
Friday, February 14, 2014
Man-Tracking—How to use light to your advantage, by David Scott-Donelan
The main reason we are able to see tracks is because light from the sun casts a shadow in the imprint of the sole pattern on the ground. It follows then that footwear with a deeply cut sole pattern will cause deep imprints on soft ground and therefore cast more distinct shadows, and shallow sole patterns will create less distinct shadows.
It also follows that the lower the sun angle relative to the footprint, the more distinct and obvious the shadow will be. As the sun rises to its peak, the shadow in the print will become less distinct until at midday, with the sun directly overhead, it disappears completely. With the passing of the day, the sun, moving down to the horizon in the west, will cause the shadow effect to reappear, making the print visible again, as illustrated.
With this in mind, the optimal time for tracking is from early to mid-morning and mid-afternoon to early evening. The worst time is from shortly before to shortly after noon. As combat trackers we must never let this influence the follow-up, which must go on nonstop irrespective of the time of day, until contact with the quarry is made. Tracking is a little more difficult during the midday period, but if the tracker sticks to the basic principles progress will be made. Bear in mind that your quarry may want to stop and rest during the heat of midday, giving the tracker the opportunity to cut down the time/distance gap.
The tracker must learn to take advantage of the sun's angle and look for the spoor from a position where the prints are between him and the sun. This way the shadow effect is maximized and the prints are easier to see. To illustrate this, place a line of prints on clear, soft ground and walk around them in a circle. You will see that at certain angles the shadow effect is greater and the prints seem to stand out. If you look up you will see that the prints will be directly between you and the sun. By tracking from this angle, even if you have to look back over your shoulder, your progress will be better and faster.
As has already been stressed, operational trackers must keep the follow-up momentum going in an aggressive way whatever the light conditions. Very often there will be no sunlight at all, or the trail will pass through shaded areas, making the tracks difficult to see. Tracking is still possible in these conditions, and with practice you will overcome these temporary handicaps.
If pursuing armed and dangerous fugitives, under no circumstances should tactical trackers operate at night. Search-and-rescue tracking, however, can be carried out in the dark using flashlights, lanterns, or car headlights as a substitute for the sun.
 |
| The time shadow effect. Note that the shadow effect is more prominent in the early morning when the sun's angle is low. As the sun moves higher in the sky toward the midday, the shadow diminishes until it can no longer be seen. As the sun drops toward the horizon throughout the afternoon, the shadow reappears. Therefore, the optimal times for tracking are early to mid-morning and late afternoon. |
It also follows that the lower the sun angle relative to the footprint, the more distinct and obvious the shadow will be. As the sun rises to its peak, the shadow in the print will become less distinct until at midday, with the sun directly overhead, it disappears completely. With the passing of the day, the sun, moving down to the horizon in the west, will cause the shadow effect to reappear, making the print visible again, as illustrated.
 |
| The cross-section of a plain, un-patterned sole. Due to a lack of sharp edges, this sole does not cast any shadows. |
With this in mind, the optimal time for tracking is from early to mid-morning and mid-afternoon to early evening. The worst time is from shortly before to shortly after noon. As combat trackers we must never let this influence the follow-up, which must go on nonstop irrespective of the time of day, until contact with the quarry is made. Tracking is a little more difficult during the midday period, but if the tracker sticks to the basic principles progress will be made. Bear in mind that your quarry may want to stop and rest during the heat of midday, giving the tracker the opportunity to cut down the time/distance gap.
The tracker must learn to take advantage of the sun's angle and look for the spoor from a position where the prints are between him and the sun. This way the shadow effect is maximized and the prints are easier to see. To illustrate this, place a line of prints on clear, soft ground and walk around them in a circle. You will see that at certain angles the shadow effect is greater and the prints seem to stand out. If you look up you will see that the prints will be directly between you and the sun. By tracking from this angle, even if you have to look back over your shoulder, your progress will be better and faster.
As has already been stressed, operational trackers must keep the follow-up momentum going in an aggressive way whatever the light conditions. Very often there will be no sunlight at all, or the trail will pass through shaded areas, making the tracks difficult to see. Tracking is still possible in these conditions, and with practice you will overcome these temporary handicaps.
If pursuing armed and dangerous fugitives, under no circumstances should tactical trackers operate at night. Search-and-rescue tracking, however, can be carried out in the dark using flashlights, lanterns, or car headlights as a substitute for the sun.
Source: This article was adapted from Tactical Tracking Operations: The Essential Guide for Military and Police Trackers, by David Scott-Donelan, founder of the Scott Donelan Tracking School (TSDTS). Copyright © 1998. All Rights Reserved. Excerpted with Expressed Written Permission. To order your copy of this manual, point your Internet browser here.
David Scott-Donelan is a Rhodesian Special Air Service (SAS) veteran with nearly 30 years of active, counter-insurgency, war-zone service in Rhodesia, South Africa, Mozambique, and South-West Africa/Namibia. His service included an assignment with the famed Selous Scouts, commanding a remote Bush Warfare & Tracking School.
In 1994, he founded the Tactical Tracking Operations School (TTOS) in Arizona, which remained an internationally-recognized tracking venue while under his stewardship.
In 2010, Scott-Donelan founded The Scott Donelan Tracking School (TSDTS), offering a wide variety of variety of professional man-tracking courses including three levels of combat tracking for military personnel; tactical tracking for law enforcement personnel; non-hostile man-tracking for search-and-rescue personnel; and basic tracking for civilians.
Like his other business ventures—including heading up the US Army Combat Tracking School at southern Arizona's Fort Huachuca for several years; and developing the US Marine Corps Combat Hunter Project, which consisted of training US Marines in Day and Night Observation, Combat Profiling (now called Human Terrain Analysis) and Combat Tracking—TSDTS quickly became an internationally-recognized visual-tracking venue for elite military and law enforcement units including US Army Special Forces (SF), Marine (USMC) Force Reconnaissance, Navy SEALS, USAF EST, and police SWAT, SOT and SRTs.
TSDTS-trained trackers have successfully tracked down insurgents, criminals, and fugitives; collected evidence/intelligence crucial to the apprehension and prosecution of criminals; detected IEDs (counter); captured and killed enemy combatants; and reclaimed weapons caches in operational theaters around the globe.To learn more about TSDTS, or schedule training, click here.
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