Our 2017/2018 training schedule for Snowcat and Winter Survival courses is now available - Check it out here! We have classes in CO, CA and UT with more potentially being added! If you have a new snowcat or new operators and need training to comply with OSHA regulations, check...
A blizzard warning has been issued for part of the Sierra in Northeast California. Pineapple Express to deliver Strongest storm in 5 years The National Weather Service issued the warning Tuesday afternoon in advance of the potentially extremely hazardous conditions in higher elevations. The warning is in effect Wednesday...
This is the final post in our continuing series on Fire Starting. Fires and Fuels There’s more to making a wilderness fire than you might think, especially in adverse weather or at night. It’s not going to be easy like starting one at a summer campsite or...
You may have seen the snow in Buffalo NY this past week, up to what appears to be 8' in some places! The latest report today indicates 8 snow related deaths, 5 of them from heart attacks. Every year as a paramedic in Denver the first heavy snow of the year would bring the early morning calls for heart attack victims, sometimes 3-4 within the city itself. These were typically males in late forties through early 60's who were in reasonable physical condition. Needless to say none of them expected that the exertion of shoveling snow would be enough to trigger a heart attack! Last year we redesigned our Personal Survival Kit to be much smaller, allowing for easier use and flexibility in carrying in different vehicles, including Snowcats, Snowmobiles, ATV’s, UTV’s, pickup trucks etc. Modern technology has provided the ability to maintain a high level of survival integrity with...
After Part I and Part II in my series on Winter Survival: Fire Starting, the questions is now what? Well, let me tell you! Accelerators Accelerators are natural and manmade substances that enhance or accelerate the burning of natural fuels. They can range from dry grass and...
There are numerous experts who we have all heard warn us about the dangers of climate change, global warming, greenhouse gases and doom and gloom associated with it. We don't often hear from the other side, but I did read an article recently that caught...
Back a week or so ago, I read a piece on Inside Towers that struck a nerve. You may have seen it here, entitled Get the Most Out of Safety Training. The focus was what to do to prepare for safety training, in order to...
We have Ignition! To continue from my post last week, (Read Part I here.) in the 44 years I’ve been associated with survival training and instructing, I have tested and used dozens of ignitors. Within the low tech category, none have surpassed one particular brand of...
Pre-Season Safety Checklist - The Final Four! Check all seat belts Seatbelts should be long enough for every passenger. Be sure to check the seatbelt latches and make sure they work reliably. Look over each seatbelt for tears and other damage to the fabric. Replace seatbelts as...