Everglades Exploration Network

Here's a question for any avid outdoors man. Whats in YOUR First Aid kit? Is it a store bought? a home made? a combination of both? What would you not be caught dead (no pun intended) without in the wilderness? And I'm not talking STRICTLY first aid but what is in your "Survival kit?"

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Huh I'd never thought of the "will not pick up your gear"(obviously the boat, but not even your pack, if your hiking?) Also Bass Pro sells one in addition to SPOT i think it starts with an A, like ARC or something like that its clear with a bright lime green edge, supposedly better then SPOT and has a pay once every like 4+ years membership on it, know anything about it? Its 2x the price of the SPOT.

Thinking about Kim's number 4 I am curious about the sawyer extractor being used on Fire ant bites(it says it works on all forms of stings bites etc, it even lists mosquitos), fire ants don't use a nurotoxin or a necrotic venom so I'm curious if the extractor would work to pull their small amount of rather annoying venom that creates that painful and itchy white head. I mean minor use for the extra 6oz in my hiking pack since I generally don't fall into fire ant piles and I'm not allergic to then so even sustaining 100 bites It's not life threatening to me, but still a curious use.

The wonderful thing about the Everglades is the variety of ecosystems!  What works in Big Cypress might have no pertinence at Picnic Key!

Hell what works in one part of big cypress wont work farther in or closer to civilization, the ecosystems are really diverse there too. Walk south from US41 along the Florida trail about 3.5miles, marl prairie marl prairie cypress dome marl prairie..... Hard wood Hammock.... literally within 10 ft of the entrance to the hardwoods the temp drops 10-15 degrees (VERY much appreciated when the prairies are running 85-90degrees)

OFFTOPIC(from survial kit :) )Were gonna be playing with some dry run scenarios in the next few months cause we also have to figure out the packing situation since the dec trip will be both my and my buddy's first 4 day kayak trip. For Dec do you think 1.5gal per day to include cooking, "washing"(no im not talking about taking showers), drinking etc is over kill?

Im sure you can be rescued in the WW but like I said, dont count on anyone rescuing you deep inside the Loop Unit.  The rangers have ATC's and if you can make it to a trail your chances are much better.  But inside the Loop Unit even the rangers cannot and will not use motorized vehicles and you can expect that a helicopter will not be sent up until the next morning.You will most likely need someone on the outside pushing that you are in trouble but it may take 24 hours.

 

Now the WW and how the Coast Guard operates is probaby different.

 

I work the wildlife check stations and many people would ask me who do I call if Im in trouble? I said you can call but it doesnt mean anyone will come until the next day it depends. I believe in the evening you will not even get anyone to pick up the phone.

Im not complaining. The rangers are all great people and always willing to help but the area is huge and access is limited and you cant expect them to run out to every call for help. Some people have the nerve to call the rangers when they are simply stuck in the mud and want to be pulled out..

 

If you are lost, I can guarantee you will be spending the night alone.

 

Those hammocks may be cooler but they can be a mosquito nightmare.

I don't know the exact specifics of it but from what I do know a PLB is essentially a personal ePerb like you have on a ship. It is an emergency situation signal, not designed for stuck in the mud as much as, "IM DYING." As far as I know they are designed to signal a medivac from your GPS location.

And yes the mosquitos in the hammocks are nasty generally, when I stop in there for a snack or lunch as I have in the past I normally just get up my thermocell and it takes care of the problem for the time being, obviously if you have an extended stay in one of those hammocks you are going to need some netting because 1 thermocell butane cartridge lasts 12 hrs (and the blue repellant mats the thermocell burns last 4hrs each but they are super light u can have 1000 of em if you wanted) so you can keep it on for extended times but you will run out eventually

I am not familiar with a PLB. I guess Im old school. Are there ever any false alerts? Couldnt you just call 911 and give the coordinates? Does a PLB work in places where there is no celphone reception?

 

I just cant imagine a group of rangers tromping into the swamp at short notice. Especially at night. Maybe they could send up the helicopter in short time but you would have to make your way to an open area, The helicopter rescue will cost you Im sure its expensive and you need to check your insurance policy.

 

Maybe it will work, I dont know. I guess your chances are better than trying to call Oasis. The last time I tried, they only answer the phone during working hours.

 

A friend of mine didnt return after a short morning hunt in the Loop Unit. He left at 5 AM but we knew he had to be in trouble when he didnt return by noon. We could hear his gunshots in his attempt to request help. We exchanged shots and searched all night but to no avail.  His return shots were miles away. We requested help but they said we had to wait 24 hours. By noon of the next day, they were thinking about sending the helicopter up when he walked out to the road. He was simply lost all day and all night and in good spirits.

 

The point is we were told we had to wait 24hours. Maybe its different now and maybe they would respond quicker to the PLB.

 

Has anyone here ever used it? 

Its not a cell phone, and its not a call to the rangers its a call to the coast guard and/or other search and rescue services depending on the location. As I said its not something you just pop off like because you want a ranger to keep u company on a mudding adventure.

Quick PLB facts: (I dono which model this is exactly cause there are a few different companies. I know there are a few that do have subscriptions yearly and are cheaper)

* Works in concert with the COSPAS-SARSAT System. Dedicated global satellite SAR system * Serious Life Saving Equipment. Designed to work when all else has failed. Approved to International Standards for life saving equipment. * SAR agencies: NOAA, USCG, US Air Force and NASAR (National Association of Search & Rescue) * Emergency signals received by two satellite groups: GEOSAR (stationary/provides immediate alert) LEOSAR (provides location/orbits every 100 minutes) * User Fee: NONE (tax payer supported system) * NO annual subscription fee * Three redundant methods of pinpointing location: 406 MHz/Satellite Triangulation, GPS transmission and 121.5 MHz homing frequency * Alert notification 50 seconds with GPS; one hour without GPS * Lithium batteries with 11-year shelf life * Antennas: 1 for GPS and 1 for distress message * Cost: US$499-$$699 (one time cost/no annual subscription or special user fees)

I hear you but maybe you didnt understand my questions or maybe I wasnt very clear. 

 

 1- Does a PLB work in places where there is no celphone reception?

 

2-  Why do you need a PLB when you could just call 911 on your celphone?  Couldnt you just call 911 and give the coordinates?

 

3-  Has anyone ever used it?

 

 

Heres is a new question: 

 

4- Who reponds inside the Loop?  Is it the Coast Guard or the Park Rangers or someone else?  

 

 

I can only give my opinion from past experience. You can take it or leave it.

 

1- Does a PLB work in places where there is no celphone reception?

* Works in concert with the COSPAS-SARSAT System. Dedicated global satellite SAR system *

* Emergency signals received by two satellite groups: GEOSAR (stationary/provides immediate alert) LEOSAR (provides location/orbits every 100 minutes) *

Those are satallite systems, NOT a cell phone tower. So yes it works where there is no reception.

2-  Why do you need a PLB when you could just call 911 on your celphone?  Couldnt you just call 911 and give the coordinates?

Designed to work when all else has failed. Approved to International Standards for life saving equipment. * SAR agencies: NOAA, USCG, US Air Force and NASAR (National Association of Search & Rescue) *

* Three redundant methods of pinpointing location: 406 MHz/Satellite Triangulation, GPS transmission and 121.5 MHz homing frequency *

Also depending on exactly where you are when you need help you may not have access to cell towers, AT&T does not get service through most of the southern FL trail between 41 and loop road, and text message was the best I got stably.

When was the last time you called right to NOAA, or Search and Rescue directly? (not 911, the ppl dealing with domestic disputes and kittens stuck in trees(I am in no way demeaning 911 and the services and help they provide, Im just exemplifying they have things they deal with in civilization and would need to transfer you to a more suitable assistance) along with your call)

 OK thanks. Like I said Im not familiar with the system. I always call the BCNP dispatch,  FWC or Miccosukis when I have a situation which is rare. The NOAA will come inside the Loop?  Ill have to check into it.

Keep in mind Michael most of my years I spent exploring the swamp, we didnt even have celphones or GPS so I learned to take care of myself.  Things are changing. .

 

Ill check into it thanks because I need to learn but I doubt ill use it myself. Im not really that worried. 

As I said I believe it depends on exactly what and where you are and what the situation is at hand. A medivac chopper can easily get into the center of the state its only 60 miles from the coast, that nothing for a coast guard trauma hawk, but yeah the system is designed to evac people as immediately as possible in a life or death situations, snake bite, capsized and lost kayak etc. I believe Kim mentioned something much earlier about 2hr evac outta somewhere in Antarctica.

 

I have a long list of phone numbers at the check station where I work and Ill take a closer look at it next season.   I cant ever remember having to call for help for myself.   To tell you the truth, I rarely carry my celphone.  It doesnt get reception everywhere. I am kinda getting spoiled with my GPS lol. 

 

I remember another time my friend was lost hunting. He simply climbed up in a tall treestand to sleep. A rescue party came looking for him but he didnt want any help and wouldnt come down.  They sent him a huge bill.

 

Next time someone asks me who do they call for help Ill simply tell them to buy a PLB. (wink)

I don't know the wilderness without a GPS :( lol as sad as that is. I mean I CAN find my way around with a compass and map but yeah. I always have my phone with me but after my first day out on Fl Trail I quickly realized just to leave it in my bag as an emergency but not a reliable one.

How long was ur friend lost if they already sent out a party for him?

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