Mountains
MOUNTAINS
Mountain peaks are exposed to high winds and often covered in snow. They provide neither food nor shelter. Climbing rock and negotiating ice and snowfields calls for special skills, which are best learned first-hand in mountaineering schools and practiced under supervision. No inexperienced person should think of trying to tackle real mountaineering territory, except as a learner with a properly organized party. But disaster may leave you on a mountainside or force you to cross a mountain range to get to safety.
If no rescue is likely, the first aim in daylight should be to get down into the valleys where food and shelter are available. At night and in bad visibility this is too dangerous. Some kind of shelter must be found until visibility improves. Dig into the snow if there is no shelter among rocks and no wreckage to provide cover. If below the snow line you must cover yourself to prevent exposure. A plastic bag will make an improvised...
How to Start a Fire
How to Start a Fire Always light your fire from the upwind side. Make sure to lay your tinder, kindling, and fuel so that your fire will burn as long as you need it. Igniters provide the initial heat required to start the tinder burning. Methods for starting a fire fall into two categories: modern methods and primitive methods. Modern Methods – Modern igniters use modern devices—items we normally think of to start a fire. Matches Make sure these matches are waterproof. Also, store them in a waterproof container along with a dependable striker pad. Convex Lens Use this method only on bright, sunny days. The lens can come from binoculars, camera, telescopic sights, or magnifying glasses. Angle the lens to concentrate the sun’s rays on the tinder. Hold the lens over the same spot until the tinder begins to smolder. Gently blow or fan the tinder into flame, and apply it to the fire lay. Metal Match Place a flat, dry leaf under your tinder with a portion exposed....
Cold Weather Survival
Cold Weather Survival It is more difficult for you to satisfy your basic water, food, and shelter needs in a cold environment than in a warm environment. Even if you have the basic requirements, you must also have adequate protective clothing and the will to survive. The will to survive is as important as the basic needs. There have been incidents when trained and well-equipped individuals have not survived cold weather situations because they lacked the will to live. Conversely, this will has sustained individuals less well-trained and equipped. You must not only have enough clothing to protect you from the cold, you must also know how to maximize the warmth you get from it. For example, always keep your head covered. You can lose 40 to 45 percent of body heat from an unprotected head and even more from the unprotected neck, wrist, and ankles. These areas of the body are good radiators of heat and have very little insulating fat. The...
The Science of Cold
The Science of Cold CoolAntarctica.com Humans are essentially tropical animals and are not equipped to deal with even mild cold. That we can live in cold climates is a result of behavioural adaptations such as wearing appropriate clothing and building shelters. Successfully surviving cold requires two simultaneous events. Firstly, generating sufficient body heat by burning appropriate food and secondly, preventing the loss of that heat by suitable clothing and shelter. The lowest temperature that can be endured is a combination of the duration and the extent of the exposure, so it is not easily determined. A naked person will start to feel cold if the surrounding temperature drops below around 25°C (77°F). Physiological responses such as shivering and diverting blood away from the extremities and surface of the skin will then kick in. These physiological responses mean that a reasonably well nourished adult can maintain their core temperature in still air just above freezing point wearing only light clothing. Moving Air Wind is very effective at removing heat....
New North Carolina/Crystal Coast Chapter Chartered
[vc_column_text width="2/3" el_position="first"] New North Carolina/Crystal Coast Chapter Chartered We have a new Sheep Dog Impact Assistance (SDIA) chapter in North Carolina! The Crystal Coast, NC Chapter is official as of June 29th, 2012. SDIA Founder and President, Lance Nutt, and SDIA National Training Director, John Pope, traveled to North Carolina last week to help train and mentor the Crystal Coast team. While visiting the new chapter, Lance and John presented it’s Chapter Commander, Tim Parkhurst, and other members & volunteers with their Chapter Charter. [/vc_column_text] [vc_column_text width="1/3" el_position="last"]
Crystal Coast, NC Chapter Members and Volunteers receiving their Chapter Charter. [/vc_column_text] [vc_column_text width="1/1" el_position="first last"] Tim and his team have done a tremendous job developing members and volunteers, ahead of schedule we might add, in establishing a strong and vital SDIA Chapter on the east coast. The Crystal Coast Chapter has the potential to be one of the strongest SDIA chapters in the US. We look forward to following their progress over the coming weeks, months &...
SDIA M.A.T. Kids Program Officially Launched
[vc_column_text width="2/3" el_position="first"] SDIA M.A.T. Kids Program Officially Launched Part of SDIA’s continued “Helping is Healing” program is our new MAT Kids Program. As many of our nations veterans return home from overseas, they are unsure as to what the future holds for them as they leave the military. The majority of these men and women are highly trained and motivated leaders. They often will accept the role of a leader and will be successful at it if given the chance. Surveys have shown that 80% of veterans want to continue to serve after taking off their uniform. As can be expected, many veterans continue serving their country in a law enforcement or fire rescue capacity. All too often, veterans returning home from deployments miss that sense of purpose, self-worth, and esprit-de-corps that came with being assigned to a military unit. SDIA can assist in filling that void for many veterans. One way we can do this is through one of our newer programs...
Memorial Day Weekend 2012 – Flag Planting and Pack Run
[vc_column_text width="2/3" el_position="first"] Memorial Day Weekend 2012 - Flag Planting and Pack Run This was a busy weekend for us! We held our first Flag Planting on Saturday at the National Cemetery in Fayetteville, AR. More than 40 Sheep Dog members and supporters helped plant American flags on the grave markers of more than 4,000 service men and women buried at the cemetery. What a wonderful way to remember the true meaning and importance of Memorial Day. We look forward to making it a tradition every year, here, and at our other chapters across the country. On Monday, Memorial Day, we held our first ever Pack Run. A charity 5K run and 1 mile fun walk to raise funds and support for our search and rescue dogs, Z and Argos. The Pack Run was a great success! We had more than 120 participants, and for a first year run that is a good number. Next year we hope to more than double it! For...
Flag Planting on May 26th
[vc_column_text width="2/3" el_position="first"] Flag Planting on May 26th For those of you that might be interested in helping, the Northwest Arkansas Sheep Dog IA Chapter is going to be busy planting flags at the National Cemetery in Fayetteville, AR on May 26th. Chapter members and volunteers are meeting at the entrance to the National Cemetery at 0845 on the morning of the 26th. Please let us know if you are interested in participating, and be sure and invite your friends and family. If you are not close to the NWArk Chapter, we encourage you to attend other Flag Planting events at National Cemeteries across the nation. Afterwards, we are headed to Memorial Park in Bentonville, AR to participate in a Wounded Warrior Project fundraising event. There will be family activities, food and music for everyone. We hope to see your there. Please take time to remember this weekend for what it truly is, a time to reflect and appreciate the sacrifices made by so...
Memorial Day Pack Run 2012
Memorial Day Pack Run 2012 On May 28th we are hosting a Memorial Day 5K Run & 1 Mile fun walk to raise funds for our Search & Rescue dog program. You can run/walk with or without your dog. Come out with the whole family and enjoy a great start to the day remembering the brave men and women who have given their lives in sacrifice to our nation. There will be door prizes and entertainment for the entire family, and the opportunity to meet our SAR dogs! Below you will find basic information for the event. You can signup at 2012PackRun.eventbrite.com Thank you for your continued support. Memorial Day Pack Run 2012 – 5K Charity Run & 1 Mile Fun Walk Benefiting – Sheep Dog Impact Assistance and their Search & Rescue (SAR) Dog Training Program Event: Memorial Day Pack Run 2012/5K Charity Run & 1-Mile Fun Walk at the Center for Nonprofits @ St Mary’s in the heart of Rogers, AR. Date...
Warrior Dash Honoring Cyle Harris
Warrior Dash Honoring Cyle Harris Many of our members had a great day last Saturday at the Warrior Dash in Amity, AR! We dedicated the run to Cyle Harris, a former soldier and fireman diagnosed with ALS. The Sheep Dog IA flag we carried during the run is inscribed with Cyles service record. A great event for honoring Cyle, and for some Sheep Dog comraderiee. Semper Fi brother! — in Amity, AR. Cyle Harris is a disabled veteran and a Sheep Dog, and like many Sheep Dogs, he has sacrificed much for his country and community over the years. In October of 2008, Cyle was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. During his 39 years, Cyle has served his country in politically unstable regions and witnessed life-threatening scenarios as an emergency medical technician and fireman with the Sherwood, Arkansas Fire Department. Yet his fight against ALS is probably his most daunting. ALS affects a persons ability...