SAR COORDINATES

January 2009     

TONTO RIM SEARCH AND RESCUE SQUAD, Inc.

P.O. BOX 357

STRAWBERRY AZ 85544

 A self-supporting, not-for-profit group of volunteer citizens dedicated to improving safety in the Arizona wilderness.

Operating under the authority of the Gila County Sheriff's Office

John Armer; Sheriff

TRSAR Squad meets monthly

General Public Welcome
2nd Thursday @ 7:00 - 9:00 PM
Payson Public Library Meeting Room
328 N. McLane Road - Payson, Arizona

Commander’s Corner

Monthly Mission Summaries: 

12/16/08 – Promontory Butte – Two backpackers parked at Bear Canyon Lake with the plan of hiking from Bear Canyon Lake to See Spring, then along the Highline Trail to the fish hatchery at Tonto Creek, then back up the rim to Knoll Lake, then back to Bear Canyon Lake and their vehicle.  Heavy snow fell in the area during the weekend, and they were reported as missing.  Coconino County hauled their snowcat from Flagstaff through Payson to the Wood Canyon Lake turnoff in order to drive over the snow to Bear Canyon Lake.  In the meantime Coconino County requested that we check the trailheads along their route in Gila County.  There was approximately a foot of snow at each trailhead (See Canyon and fish hatchery).  We snowshoed some distance in each direction of their route at each trailhead, but the heavy snow conditions did not yield any clues.  We developed a plan to more extensively cover all of the Gila County trails next morning if the snowcat team from Coco was not able to find the hikers.  The snowcat team found the hikers at their vehicle at 3:00AM and transported them out.

12/26/08 – East Verde Park – The subject patient went to East Verde park for Christmas dinner.  Heavy rains closed the road at the entrance to East Verde park.  The subject required medications that he did not have with him.  GCSO was contacted.  The plan was to attempt to hike the medications in to East Verde Park by crossing the East Verde river on Hwy 87 and hiking along the west side of the river to East Verde park.  A team made the attempt, but the normally dry creekbed next to Hwy 87 was also running very high.  GCSO contacted DPS Ranger.  Ranger was able to fly up, pick up the medications on one side of the river, and fly them across to the other side.

Year in Review:

We had a very busy year in TRSAR.  38 missions total, along with a number of callouts that were cancelled shortly after the callout.

If you like travel – we traveled:

Mt Ord, Reno Pass, Verde Hot Springs, Fossil Springs (several), Four Peaks, Salome Canyon (several), Box Canyon, Chevelon Canyon, San Carlos Reservation, Young, and many places in between.

If you like nighttime missions – we went at night:

Mt Ord, Fossil Springs(several), Four Peaks, Rodeo Grounds, Salome Canyon, Barnhardt Trail, Shake Tree Trail, Cypress Thicket, See Canyon, Fish Hatchery.

We got them out by rope:

Fossil Springs, Box Canyon, Box Canyon, and Mogollon Rim.

Some of these missions were hot, dusty, very physically taxing.  Some of these were very cold, wet, and miserable.  Many of these were at night, though some of those can be surprisingly beautiful here in our search territory.  We have seen the full moon peaking through between ferocious thunderstorms.  We have seen a gazillion snow diamonds shining back at us from our headlamps.  We have seen stunningly beautiful sunrises from locations we likely never would have gone to on our own.

Through it all, we acted like professionals – due to your dedication to the mission and your continued efforts at maintaining training levels.  We got the job done, with a great sense of humor when appropriate, and with respect when required.

I can’t imagine a greater group of people to work with.  Thank you.

Stay safe and stay prepared.

Bill Pitterle – Commander, #500

Don’t forget; the meetings this month are January 6th for the Board
and January 8th for the General Meeting.

Election Results

By a unanimous vote in the December meeting, the members chose Kathy Baas to be the new Vice-Commander and Ted Lucas to take over the reins of the Treasurer position. They also chose Hal Baas as the new Member-at-Large.

Let’s extend a heartfelt thank you to all these folks and also to those who were willing but did not get voted in. You are Wonderful!

January 2008 Training & Events Schedule

17-Jan. (Sat)   Rope Training – Time: 0900 – Place: TBA– Roger Miotto and rope instructors in charge

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Planned Training Sessions ( Coming this Year)

14-Feb (Sat)   Tracking Classroom (for certification) – Time: 0900 – Place: Squad Bldg. – Les Hulse in charge

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14-Mar (Sat)   Tracking Practice – Time: TBA – Place: TBA – Les Hulse in charge

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11-Apr (Sat)   Tracking Certification – Time: TBA – Place: TBA – Les Hulse in charge

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Planned          Navigation Training – Compass and GPS

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April (Sat-Sun)  SAR Academy – This is a mandatory classes for the ones who haven’t taken it – any member can also take it again – Place: Squad building – Time: 0800-1600

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Planned               Mock Mission

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Planned               ATV over night ride   120 miles

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Planned               ATV  Ride/GPS Training

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Requested Training Sessions

If you would like to volunteer to run a training session, or if you have a training session request contact Any Board Member or Don Johnson 

Italics = Sign-up required to attend this training                                          

* See following notes:

P       To reserve use of squad ATV, contact Don Johnson at 928-474-5335

 Jacket, gloves, boots, helmet, and eye protection required to operate Squad ATV

Squad Web Site:  www.trsar.org

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Business Cards for Active Members

All active members are permitted to have business cards with your SAR info on them. If you do not have them yet, or if you have used up the ones you had, contact Mike Taylor to place your order. They are nice to have when you are doing any Squad activities, and the best part is they are free. A common use for them is to hand out to family members of the search/rescue subject.

Email miket@trsar.org or call 978-8009.

Don’t forget; the meetings this month are January 6th for the Board and January 8th for the General Meeting.

Computer Tips, Techniques, Rants, Raves, and Netiquette

Submitted by Les Hulse

This month we are going to take a brief look at information exchange when we use the Internet.

 Whenever we are using our PCs and we go to the Internet to retrieve information, check our favorite sites, order something, or just do general browsing, we set up communication links between our PCs and the outside world. These communication links are 2-way streets – we have to supply information about our PC to get information in return. There are 4 basic items of information about your PC that web sites can determine. So - - - just what information do we supply when we use the Internet?

 1 – Whenever you start using the Internet, each site you visit can see your IP (Internet Protocol) address (example: 216.239.51.99). This is a numeric designation that allows computers to connect with each other on the Internet. The IP address of your personal PC is assigned by your Internet Service Provider (ISP) -- examples are MSN, Earthlink, Qwest, etc. Web sites do not see who you are (your name) using this designation, but it does let them identify your ISP and also the area of the country where you live. Now you know how some of the ads you see are region specific.

 As an aside, the IP address is one of the things that law enforcement agencies use when they are tracking a suspect’s browsing or Email history. They can get your name from your ISP via the court order process.

 If you want to keep your information a little more private, you can use a program that masks your real IP address. The trade-off will be that all Internet and E-mail speed will be slower. If you are interested in this, take a look at Anonymizer ($30), Ghostsurf ($30), and Privoxy (free).

 2 – Web sites can sometimes get information from cookies. A cookie is a small file (created on your PC by a web site) that helps a site save selected information between your visits. One use for a cookie is to save your username and password for one of your favorite sites so that you do not have to log in every time you go to the site. This can be very useful if you go back and forth to the web site, but it also makes things a little risky as well.  In some cases, a cookie might allow a Web site to see the path you follow while you're logged in.

 If you are going to order something from a web site, the item information can be saved in a cookie on your PC. This is where your “shopping cart” information goes. Some sites will store this information on their own site instead of using a cookie on your PC (Amazon, for example).

 While cookies created during an Internet session are not too dangerous, I personally do not save any cookies between browsing sessions. I make sure that any cookies that are created are deleted when I exit from the Internet. This also means that I have to log in to any sites each time I start an Internet session. If you also want to delete cookies at the end of your session, you can use the “Tools – Options” settings from your browser menu to make changes to cookie handling.

 In past columns, I have commented that each PC should be running a firewall, up-to-date anti-virus, and anti-spyware software. Here are the reasons why.

 3 – Web sites can also see any network ports on your PC. Each PC has a variety of numbered communication paths, and each path is assigned a number. Web sites usually use port number 80 for normal communications. If you download a file, a different port number will be used to do the download work while you continue browsing. Some web sites can see what ports are currently open and also determine which programs you are using while you're on the Internet. This can possibly create some security holes on your PC. If you are running a good firewall on your PC, it will close down any of the communication ports you do not need.

 4 – Web sites are also able to determine which operating system you are using (Windows, Macintosh, Linux, etc.), which version of the system (XP or Vista on Windows for example), and which browser you are using (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Opera, etc.). Good web sites can use this information for improving their web site design, but malicious sites can use the same information to launch some kind of attack on your PC (think spyware, virus, etc.). If you keep your anti-virus program up to date and scan your PC for spyware on a regular basis, you will minimize or prevent any malicious attacks.

 So now you have a pretty good idea of what kind of information about your PC is available to web sites.

You may be comfortable or uncomfortable about knowing this, but knowledge gives you power. Keep your firewall on, your anti-virus up to date, and perform regularly scheduled spyware scans and you will be safe as possible. Deleting cookies after each session will be a hassle if you have many sites that require usernames and passwords, but your safety factor will increase.

Stay safe out there!

Question: Do any of you find this section useful?

 We can rant and rave about many topics, but do not know if it is appreciated. Also, we will most likely choose topics that “tick us off” and ignore the ones that you may be interested in. We can give you our opinion on just about anything (opinions are cheap).

 So let us know if this section is useful, and if you would like us to tear into some topic, just tell us.

 Send any comments and/or suggestions to the editor; Mike – address at bottom of newsletter.

Website

Tonto Rim SAR Members can now have your very own email address through our site. Just contact our Webmaster at jack@jackswebs.com  to arrange for it, no cost to you or us.

Other SAR Related News

Merced Sun-Star

Saturday, Dec. 27, 2008

Volunteers who make all the difference

By DEBBIE CROFT

Sun-Star Correspondent

Merced Sun-Star MARIPOSA –

 On a gorgeous autumn weekend, when many folks would be enjoying the great outdoors, what possible reason would someone have for sitting inside a classroom, listening to lectures and watching dry DVD presentations? For Mariposa's Search and Rescue volunteers, it's more than the thrill of the search -- it's dedication.

 Bob Craig had risen early to drive from his home in Merced and arrive in Mariposa to teach the morning's first session. With the team for eight years, Craig is an avid back-country hiker, climber and skier. "I tried serving with other organizations, but SAR is more in line with my interests."

 On this particular weekend, the training sessions focused on winter skills and safety. No season is typical, as Search and Rescue attempts are often affected by the weather and the diversity in terrain. "We get called out a few times each winter -- typically to look for lost hikers," Craig explained.

 "Every time we're called, there are unique aspects to the search," said Tim Rumfelt, a deputy with the Mariposa Sheriff's Department. He's been with SAR since 1996, and has been the SAR coordinator for six years. "In our county, there's dive rescue, swift water, ground and rope rescue. Everybody starts out in the academy, learning the basics; then they choose an area to specialize in." There are usually three overnight trainings a year, when team members go out "into the field"; there they use the rescue equipment to refine the skills they've learned in the classroom.

 "I love what I do. This is the best assignment I've had," Rumfelt said.

 Do the same dangers lost individuals find themselves facing, also pose a threat to SAR team members? Craig responded, "That's always a concern for SAR workers. There are safety issues, storm conditions, fog and cold, things like that. We don't go out in blizzards, of course." But, as he explained to the class, there are many things to take into consideration while out in the elements.

 "One winter a guy died by falling into a fumarole (a vapor hole in or near a volcano) that was surrounded by snow. Another guy who went over to help him, also fell in," Craig said.

 "For those going into the back country to ski or hike or whatever, you should always check with the Ranger's Station or get a permit, so others know where you're going. In the event of an avalanche, your time of survival is extremely limited under the snow," Craig said. "After 30 minutes buried, chances of survival drop sharply -- not only because of suffocation, but also from trauma, as the body hits against rocks and trees while tumbling down. And never go alone. Some of our best 'customers' are solo travelers."

 Three pieces of equipment everyone should take with them are a beacon, a shovel (one designed to come apart for carrying in a pack), and a transceiver. Craig explained, "This transceiver can send and receive signals, and should always be worn close to the body -- strapped to hang around the neck or placed in a zippered pocket -- not in a back pack that could fall off. It doesn't make any sense for a guy to spend $10,000 to $15,000 dollars on a snow mobile, and not spend a few hundred dollars for safety gear."

 Avalanches are the cause of over 100 deaths each winter, usually in January and February when the snow hasn't had time to become compacted.

 "An avalanche can be comprised of loose snow on the side of a mountain or on the top of a roof. Or it could be a slab of ice and snow as small as this room or as large as a football field, carrying with it 5 to 50 tons of snow per square mile," Craig continued. "It's extremely helpful for SAR workers to know where the person was last seen when the avalanche occurred; it narrows the searching field."

 Other instructors that morning were Miles Menetrey and David Thorpe, whom his friends call, "Thor-pe-do." Miles is the swift-water team leader, and has been with SAR since 2001. "I'm a general contractor by trade," Menetrey said. "I used to live in the Merced River canyon, so I'd see the teams at work; when I realized the need, I got involved and was swept away with it. It's very rewarding, and the camaraderie is great."

 Thorpe joined SAR in 1995, and earned his nickname by being the dive team leader. Born and raised in Mariposa, this is his way of serving his community. "It helps me do the right thing," he said.

 Ella-Rose Thorpe is David's 15-year-old daughter. She's been with SAR for close to two years. Did her dad twist her arm or did she want to join? "A little of both," she said, laughing. She and Warren Anderson found a 3-year-old boy who had wandered away from his home recently.

 Anderson went on a home school field trip where a presentation about SAR was made. "That's when I got interested. It's fun, and it gives me experience I can use later in public safety."

 Several other blurry-eyed young people also forfeited sleeping on a Saturday morning to sit in the classroom. Caleb Vogel, a 15-year-old team member, was enjoying the free coffee and doughnuts. "He's just here for the food," his dad joked. Eric Vogel and his wife, Kelly, have been with the team for close to 15 years. The Vogels' three older sons have also worked with SAR. "Many of our teens go into the military or law enforcement as adults," Eric said. "I knew Tim (Rumfelt) when he was 14 or 15, and now he's our coordinator."

 Growing up on a ranch, and loving horses the way she does, Kelly has turned her efforts more to the Sheriff's Posse, and is now a sergeant. "We provide security patrol at the fair, or do ground patrol at events in town. The posse doesn't always get called out on a search. When a longer search is needed or the situation is more life-threatening we'll go out." She's proud of her boys and their involvement with SAR. "The kids who serve have an advantage later, by taking with them the skills and expertise they learned with the team," she said.

 Generally, Search and Rescue volunteers are regular folks who have discovered a way to turn their love of the outdoors into a means of helping others. For anyone who's been lost in the back woods or at the bottom of a cliff, that's exactly where they're needed -- and appreciated.

Glowing MP3 Player Helps Rescuers Reach Missing Skiers

Saturday , December 27, 2008

SAVOGNIN, Switzerland  — 

Swiss rescue officials say they have found two missing skiers after spotting the light from their MP3 music player.

The Swiss air rescue association Rega says it received a distress call from the French tourists late Friday but the skiers' phone battery went dead before they could be reached.

Rega spokesman Gery Baumann says the two men were eventually found after midnight in steep, wooded terrain by a helicopter crew that spotted the light from their digital music player.

Baumann said Saturday that the two 22-year-olds suffered only mild hypothermia despite enduring temperatures as low as 5 degrees Fahrenheit.