Winter Survival Skills Training and Exercise
Sponsored by: Priest Lake Search & Rescue
Instruction Provided by: Fairchild’s 336th Training Group SERE Instructors and 36th RQF Helicopter
WTX-10
Saturday & Sunday - 30, 31 JAN 2010
This training was last offered in JAN 2007 when 56 students participated using snowmobiles and a snow cat to gain access to the training venue. WTX-10 will be conducted at Indian Creek State Park at Priest Lake, and it is accessible by regular highway vehicles (snowmobiles are not required). Consequently, we are limiting enrollment to the first 100 students. There is no fee to participate in this training.
PLSAR met with representatives of the USAF 336th Training Group (SERE) and 36th Rescue Flight on 29 OCT 09 and confirmed their support for WTX-10. In addition to providing a minimum of 10 SERE (Survival) Instructors, they offered to provide up to five helicopter sorties, including at least one night mission, depending on the weather. We are finalizing the actual training syllabus with Fairchild and should have it available in late NOV. Training will begin with a review of winter survival basics, including proper clothing and equipment selection; then move into two days of intensive field training. Field Training will encompass many winter survival topics, including: Signaling, Shelters, Fire Building, Helo Vectoring and your responsibilities associated with setting up remote heliports (LZ), as well as using the penetrator and hoist system to extract injured patients into the hovering helo. Weather permitting, at least one of these exercises will be conducted at night.
The following general information is provide to assist you in planning to attend this course. In addition, I have attached the PLSAR recommended 72 hour SAR Ready Pack. You will need some (but not all) of this equipment in you day pack during this training. Be sure you have a good headlamp and/or flashlight with extra batteries, as well as layered warm winter clothing, including waterproof exterior garments. You will also need a strong fixed blade knife (6”) and sufficient drinking water in your day pack both days. You will need to furnish your own food (except dinner SAT) and shelter (tent or snow cave) for this training. All students are expected to spend SAT night in the field as part of this training. A quality sleeping bag and ground pad good to at least Zero degrees are highly recommended. PLSAR will be hosting a catered hot dinner for all participants on SAT night. PLSAR will also maintain a large covered warming fire in the training venue on both days of training.
NOTE: Contact Mike for a copy of PLSAR's 72 hr. Pack. Click here for BCSAR's.
GENERAL INFORMATION
IN-BRIEF & CLASSROOM TRAINING – Meet at the Indian Creek Camp Ground Amphitheater at 0800 SAT 30 JAN 2010 (Dress warm)
FIELD TRAINING - Indian Creek Camp Grounds will follow In-Briefing
ICS procedures and organization structure will be utilized for this training. Because of the large number of students requesting to participate in this year’s training program,, we must maintain accountability of everyone. Accountability requirements mandate that all participants Sign-In and Sign-Out. Everyone must Sign-in and Sign-out with our training coordinator. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
Because of the number of participants and in an effort to accommodate as many as possible, it is necessary for all participants to arrive on time at the training area. After registration (sign-in), please go directly to the amphitheatre. Leave any overnight equipment in your auto until we finish training SAT PM. Camp set-up will be at 1700-1830 SAT. Dress warm in layers and bring your snack food in your day pack to training on Saturday and Sunday. The 36 RQF plans to participate in Vectoring, Hoisting, and Hot Loading, weather permitting.
This training will be conducted in a cold, and possibly wet, winter snow environment. You will need to be prepared physically, mentally, and with proper food, clothing and equipment to survive in this environment for two days.
Meals
You will need to provide your own food for all meals, except Dinner on Saturday, which is being provided by PLSAR. If you have any allergies or other concerns, you may want to provide this meal as well. While you can “get by” on cold dry snacks, hot warm meals (MRE or Freeze Dry) sure help out, especially in the evening. You will have limited time in the morning and will need easy snack food during the day. We will not stop for lunch, so bring some snack food in your day pack.
Clothing
You will need to dress in proper layering for severe, wet, winter weather. Begin with polypro, silk, wool or other wicking material as your base layer. Do NOT wear any cotton garments, especially underwear, socks or jeans. Your second layer should be warm clothing such as a wool or fleece pants, shirt, or sweater. You may wish to bring an additional heavy sweater or vest to layer beneath your outer garments which must provide protection against the elements of wind, cold, rain or wet snow. If your outer garments are not waterproof, bring your rain gear too. Be sure to bring a warm (wool/fleece) hat and warm waterproof gloves/mittens (2-pair). Your boots should be rated to -40 F or colder and you should have two full sets of wool and poly socks.
Equipment
· Attitude – A positive mental attitude is necessary to survive.
· Firearms – This is a training. Absolutely no firearms are permitted, except for authorized law enforcement officers.
· Sleeping Bag – You will need a warm bag, good to at least Zero, with a good ground pad (Thermorest or similar).
· Snowshoes - These are not necessary. All training will be done in the camp grounds. You are welcome to bring them.
· Stoves - Small personal cook stove are needed to heat water for hot meals and drinks. Several persons can share one stove with a little extra fuel.
· Tent – Your tent should be rated for snow conditions and able to withstand wind gust to 50 MPH. Snow anchors are recommended. Try to share one medium tent with others in your group if possible, to reduce the number of tents required.
Goal
The overall Goal of Winter Training Exercise WTX-10 is to assess your ability to survive in the winter environment and teach you the necessary skills to accomplish that for you and your patient.
If you need additional information or have any questions, please email or call Bill Olmo (in CC Block Above) or me.
Mike
Mike A. Nielsen
208-443-6603 Hm/Ofc
208-946-7664 Cell
OR
Ron Korn