Travel Skills: Foot Travel for

1
Chapter 12

• Travel Skills Foot Travel for
• SAR Personnel

2
Objectives

• Describe traveling skills used in varying
  environments during SAR operations.
• Describe the preparation and conditioning needed
  to perform while wearing a SAR ready pack.
• Describe the general use of an ice axe.
• Describe a method for safety crossing a stream or
  river on foot.
• Describe the rest step in mountaineering.

3
Types of Foot Travel

• Foot travel may be required in one of two forms
  during a SAR incident
• Non-technical Walking, searching, getting the
  search area
• Technical Climbing, accessing a search area,
  examining a high-risk area, technical rescue

4
Recreation

• Can involve non-technical and technical terrain
• The traveler has total control of destination.
• A distinct advantage in relation to safety.
• Technique still plays a large part of travel.

5
Urgent or Emergency Situations

• Walking/running may be the only way out of a
  dangerous situation.
• Motivation comes from survival senses and is
  rarely related to travel skills and knowledge.

6
Walking (1 of 3)

• Conditioning is an important component of SAR.
• Walking is the primary mode of transportation.
• Conditioning should include nutrition and
  hydration.
• Condition will make the difference between
  effectiveness or futility.

7
Walking (2 of 3)

• To prepare for travel in SAR work you need five
  things
• 1. Fitness
• 2. Energy
• 3. Water
• 4. Rest
• 5. Technique

8
Walking (3 of 3)

• Good rest and nutrition substantially improve
  performance.
• Maximum performance in SAR is only one benefit of
  proper nutrition, rest, and exercise.
• Wear layers of clothing to prepare for the
  elements.
• Once you receive your mission, properly prepare,
  try to familiarize yourself with the areas.

9
Preparation (1 of 3)

• Determine the best type of travel (e.g.,
  snowshoe, ski, hike, climb)
• Plan the best route.
• Maps and experienced individuals are valuable
  tools.
• Plan your travel, know the route, and follow your
  plans.

Photo courtesy of Over the Edge, Inc.
10
Preparation (2 of 3)

• A SAR incident could occur at any time, so you
  should be prepared at all times.
• Maintain a level of physical conditioning.
• Eat proper foods in appropriate amounts and get
  plenty of rest.
• Maintain hydration by drinking plenty of water
  before and during a mission.

11
Preparation (3 of 3)

• Be properly clothed for the type of travel
  anticipated.
• Pack and carry the appropriate equipment for the
  type of travel anticipated.
• Before traveling in a SAR mission, plan your
  travels and know your route.

12
Technique

• Land travel techniques are based largely on
  experience.
• Experience can be partially replaced by practices
  learned through instruction and observation.
• Without proper techniques, the best conditioned
  person could easily reach their limits while
  traveling.
• There is a correlation between conditioning,
  skills, and effectiveness.

13
A curved route may be easier than a straight path.
14
Route Finding

• Traveling by altimeter can be a valuable skill.
• Game trails, roads, and manmade trails allow
  quicker walking and less overall travel time.
• Taking a longer but quicker and easier route
• Factor terrain, weather, and vegetation into the
  decision.

15
Pace

• Pace and rest play a big part in traveling
  efficiency.
• Maintain a realistic pace.
• Keep body temperature stable by reducing the
  practice of quick starts and lengthy rests.
• A realistic pace is essential in high altitude to
  avoid hypoxia.
• Any group pace is governed by the pace of the
  slowest group member.

16
Rhythmic Breathing

• Will reduce headaches, nausea, lack of appetite,
  and irritability
• Simply a consistent breathing cycle to a set
  pace.
• Maintaining regular breathing and pace ratio
  allows for a more relaxed walking.
• Takes the mind off of the drudgery of monotonous
  travel.

17
Rest

• Fatigue in the SAR environment is dangerous.
• Fatigue increases the chance of accident, injury,
  and poor judgment.
• Everyone needs rest, but do not force it.
• A rest of 10 minutes per hour on easy terrain is
  usually acceptable.

18
Rest Step (1 of 2)

• Used when terrain is difficult and great energy
  is required to take each step.
• Adopted from mountaineering
• A technique of taking small steps, locking each
  knee, and synchronizing the breathing, to allow
  for a respite before taking the nest small step.

19
Rest Step (2 of 2)

• Technique is slow.
• May be the only way to travel over difficult
  terrain, especially at high altitudes.

20
Other Considerations

• Novice travelers make the mistake of walking too
  fast.
• Walking too fast decreases the POD and reduces
  energy stores.
• Pace should be determined by the slowest
  traveler.
• Spacing between searchers is important The
  rougher the terrain, the closer the searchers.

21
Walking Downhill

• Less fatiguing than walking uphill
• Toes jam into the front of shoes.
• Knees are jarred.
• Entire body begins to ache from dropping the
  weight of the body onto locked knee and leg at
  each step.

Photo courtesy of Over the Edge, Inc.
22
Walking Sticks

• Useful for support during travel
• Can be substituted for everything from a tent
  pole to a weapon.

23
Ice Axe

• Primary use in mountaineering conditions
• Usually used at high elevations when ice and snow
  conditions are coupled with severe terrain

24
Use of an Ice Axe

• Carry axe on any slope where a slip may lead to a
  quick descent.
• Place one hand on the head of the axe with the
  thumb under the adze and finger over the pick.
• Place other hand on the shaft next to the spike.

25
Arresting a Fall

• If you slip, immediately grip the shaft with your
  free hand and go into arrest position.
• The faster you brake, the better your chances of
  stopping.

26
Using an Ice Axe

• Do not try to lift your body off the ice while
  pressing the pick into the ground.
• Keep the axe close to the chest and keep your
  face down.
• The ice and snow at that level is uncomfortable,
  but lifting the body can decrease control.
• Do not press the spike end into the ice to
  attempt an arrest.

27
Using an Ice Axe

• Keep the axe below the shoulders.
• If you fall onto your back with feet downhill,
  grasp the axe properly and turn toward the hand
  that holds the pick end of the axe.
• Assume the prone, feet downhill, arrest position.

Photo courtesy of Ventura County Sheriff Dept. -
SAR
28
General Wilderness Travel

• Requires constant awareness
• Two important rules
• 1. Keep your weight directly over your feet.
• 2. Keep the soles of your boots flat on the
  ground to improve traction.
• Can be accomplished by taking small steps at a
  slow, steady pace
• Avoid an angle of decent that is too steep.

29
Trails (1 of 2)

• Can vary from small highways to virtually
  invisible, rarely traveled paths
• Animals may be responsible for creating trails.
• Manmade trails usually have markings, but may be
  lost or unreadable.
• Use trails of least resistance.

30
Trails (2 of 2)

• Likely spots for clues
• Traveling on trails is easy and deserves little
  time dedicated to technique.
• Guidelines are helpful
• Give space to team members.
• Loosen shoe laces.
• Rest off trail to other may pass.
• Keep your eyes open for clues.

31
Brush

• Get through it quickly or travel around it.
• Found in gullies and drainages where water and
  rich soil are prevalent.
• Can be small trees, shrubs, or vines
• Downhill brush can be dangerous because a foot
  may slip, catch the vegetation, and cause a fall.
• Thorns may be present
• If you cant get through brush, consider
  searching for the subject there.

32
Grassy Slopes

• Watch your footing.
• In ascending, use indentation protrusions for
  traction.
• Step on the upper side of protrusions.
• Descending, traverse the slope.
• Be especially careful if grass is wet.
• Look for signs of travel
• Grassy areas tend to easily show signs of travel.

33
Scree and Talus Slopes

• Consist of small rocks and gravel that have
  collected below rock ridges and cliffs
• Each step must be picked carefully.
• Done by kicking in with the toe of the upper foot
  so a step is formed in the scree

34
Wet Crossings

• Take time to examine the possibilities before
  deciding to jump in.
• Cross at a 45 degree angle downstream.
• Never attempt to ford a stream directly above, or
  close to, a deep or rapid waterfall.
• Avoid rocky places, since a fall may cause
  serious injury.

35
Wet Crossings

• Before entering the water, have a plan of action
  for making the crossing.
• Use a rope assisted, pole assisted, or team to
  cross the stream.
• Unfasten the waist strap and remove one shoulder
  strap.

36
Wet Crossings

• Examine the route carefully before crossing.
• The speed and force of water is easy to
  underestimate.
• Never tie a rope around the crosser.

Photo courtesy of Rescue 3
37
Wet Crossings

• In fast-moving water
• Place your feet downstream.
• Lie on your back.
• Ditch your pack.
• Use your hands to paddle toward shore.
• DO NOT ATTEMPT TO STAND until reaching shallow
  water.

38
Desert Travel (1 of 2)

• Before traveling in the desert, weight the
  decision to travel against
• Environmental factors of terrain and climate
• Condition of the SAR personnel
• Hazards
• Amount of water (and food) required
• The time of day for traveling depends on two
  factors
• Temperature
• Type of terrain

39
Desert Travel (2 of 2)

• A compass is a valuable piece of equipment.
• Without a compass, you must use landmarks and
  this can lead to difficulties.
• Mirages cause considerable trouble.
• Distances are deceptive.
• Persistent wind
• Has no cooling effect
• Carries particles that get into eyes, ears, nose,
  and mouth

40
Desert Types

• There are three types of deserts
• Mountain
• Rocky plateau
• Sandy/dune

41
Jungle Environments

• The easiest routes of travel are rivers, trails,
  and ridgelines.
• Hazards may be associated with these routes.
• Good planning is necessary.

42
Quicksand

• The density of this sand-water solution will
  support a persons body weight Do not panic!
• Use spread eagle position to disperse the body
  weight to keep from sinking.
• Use a swimming motion to gain solid ground.

43
Snow

• Greatest hazard in snow and ice areas is intense
  cold and high winds.
• Can lead to loss of dexterity and coordination
• Judging distance can be difficult due to the lack
  of landmarks and the clear, cold air.
• Image distortion is a common phenomena.

44
White-Out Conditions

• A complete snow cover and wind-driven snow or
  humidity
• Causes uniform light to be reflected from both
  the ground and the sky
• Result is little or no depth perception and
  everything appears white.

45
Snow Travel

• Common problems
• Depth perception
• Footing in steep terrain
• White-out conditions in wind
• Crevasses on glacial snow
• Varying conditions throughout the day
• Extra equipment
• Energy expenditure in deep snow condition