Evolving the Club Idea

[A2B in a TLC]

Hi Gang,

I'd like to throw out an idea where we might equip ourselves in the future for safer off-roading and improved ability to serve the public.

Thanks mainly to Bill W., several of us who do not already have our Amateur Radio License are about to obtain. THis will vastly improve backroads communications - both for group coordination, navigation, and most importantly, emergencies.

In the Nov/Dec issue of TT, there is an article on the Austin Tx chapter of the Lonestar Cruisers where they as a group took a First Aid course, CPR, etc. I think this is the next area we should tackle as a club.

For us, as we wheel in the woods, the ability to communicate and administer first aid in an emergency is EXTREMELY important. We may save a life, either that of a club member or another traveler of the backroads.

There are a HUGE spin-off benefits if we decide to promote club communications and first aid:

1) The obviously safer off-road environment
2) In this day and age where 4 wheeling is questioned as an environmentally unfriendly activity, the PR spawned from our initiative for safer off-roading could be huge. ESPECIALLY if we are seen to be a group willing to respond to a disaster such as an earthquake or flood/tidal wave. Of course, we would co-ordinate with the local authorities well ahead.

We drive the very best rigs, some will have the ability to communicate via the HAM bands, and some will be trained in first aid. These are assets to the club and to the public.

We can't 4wheel every day. But we can drive around knowing that we can be of service in an emergency for those in need. There is a certain purpose here.

I can't think of a more noble service for our club and in support of our hobby in the back-country.

Comments? Feedback?

Cheers and Happy New Year!

Bruce, A2B

 

[Scalp]

I am in favour of training in First Aid and CPR for sure. And I think it would be great PR for our club. I once saw a guy have a heart attack and turn blue, someone was there to administer CPR but he later died, unfortunately. Some CC members already have First Aid training, I am thinking particularly of Greg Bowie who is trained in rescue and probably CPR already, and I am sure others may have had some training. For the time being however, I am thinking that we should finish this Ham radio business before we undertake another club project. Now that some are working on their Ham exam, we still have to learn how to use our new radios effectively, especially re repeaters. and that takes a while. So, my suggestion, FWIW, is to focus this summer on radio, and shift to First Aid in 2007. Anybody else have some input?
~Bill

 

[Greg_B]

Good idea...might be an idea to adopt what Scalp suggests...

The HAM course is a little way down on my list of things that need to get done in the 1st 1/2 of 2005.

gb

 

[A2B in a TLC]

Hi Gang,

First, Happy New Year. I hope you all had a safe and enjoyable evening.

This morning, my son Elliott and I went up to Clear Creek hot springs. On the way up, I heard on the news that a vehicle had gone off the road on the east Harrison road and that SAR was out with a helicopter looking for the driver. The passenger had stumbled back to the road and flagged down a vehicle for help.

When we got to the site of the accident, just this side of the Siver River logging camp, the road was blocked as the KHSAR and the RCMP were getting ready for an extraction. The driver had been found dead. Both had been thrown from the Suzuki Samarai when it went over an steep embankment. SAR asked if I would like to help out on the ropes. I did not in the end.

When we finally passed the scene, we stopped another truck to advise of the road block. The fellows in the truck were very nice. They had been camping at Clear Creek the previos night. We mentioned the details of the accident and that the vehicle was a Samarai. Their mouths dropped. The two in the accident had been at Clear Creek the night before partying. They asked us to let others still at Clear Creek know what happened.

We arrived at Clear Creek and explained what had happened. It turns out that the guys in the Suzi had been drinking heavily the night before. We were told that they simply should not have tried to drive out last night, which they did. They drove out late at night, drunk. And they had a 12 gauge that they were shooting off as they partied. They missed a curve and that was it. A tragedy for sure. Unfortunately one that couild have been prevented.

THis brings me back to the radio/first aid topic.

I agree with Bill. One thing at a time. But we should plan ahead. That is not the first time I have been "involved" on that road. 5 years ago we picked up a dirt biker who had gone off the road down a 50 ft cliff. He was bloodied and didn't really know where he was.

The Harrison Lake area has several repeaters, RCMP and SAR. With a radio, precious hours can be saved if police/ambulance contact can be made at the scene.

BTW, I was REALLY upset with the poor state the hot springs had been left in. Broken beer bottles near the tubs (nice), someone had used soap in the hot tubs, garbage everywhere. Bill suggests, and I agree, that we go for a clean up one weekend. And advise the authorities for PR purposes.

A humorous note: the RCMP constable - a really nice guy - started asking my 15 year old son if he had his driver license. No. "Well, this is a logging road and you must have a drivers license." I said "But I have a drivers license." He said "Yes, but he's driving." "No, I am driving." He turned red and started laughing. JDM.

Cheers,

Bruce
A2B

 

[Scalp]

Thanks for your report, Bruce. If we are going to plan a Clear Creek trip for the club this month, why don't we take garbage cans and bags with us and do a bit of a clean-up there? We can let the authorities know we did it and the PR will be good for the Club and for wheelers in general. We can discuss it at the Jan 12 meeting.
~Bill

 

[Enigma]

I like the idea Bruce. A few years back I did sort of volunteer the club up for such emergencies when I had filled out some card that had been mailed out regarding province wide disaster planning. I never did hear anything back about it tho. I believe I did mention this back then on our topica system.
As for the CPR etc..yes, another good idea. My certificate has since expired but I should renew and train again as I am 'the safety dude' in my office. I was 'voted' in for that based on all my safety experience ( ie, I've had the most accidents therefore the most experience).
I shall warn you all now that you better carry your own little plastic mouthguard before I even think about giving you mouth to mouth!;p

 

[A2B in a TLC]

>>>

I shall warn you all now that you better carry your own little plastic mouthguard before I even think about giving you mouth to mouth

<<<

Hi Jeff,

You mean, OF COURSE, unless the injured person has appeared in the Rigid Tool Calendar......

Take care,

Bruce

 

[bj70_guy]

Oh jeez, I just figured out your screen name- all this time I thought your truck had a 2B in it.

 

[A2B in a TLC]

Sorry Norm. I see what you mean.

I decided on my MUD user name for a couple of reasons. Firstly, she is my daily driver - A to B, home to work, home to supermarket, etc. And secondly, the vision of the superior off-roading ability of a TLC (mine is stock) - that you can go A to B without having to "go around".

I hope you had a great New Year!

Back to the topic at hand... like Jeff, I'm going to try to take a First Aid course thru my company. My amateur radio basic license should be good to go in a few weeks.

One more annecdote from my trip yesterday: As my son and I waited for the RCMP and SAR to clear the road for traffic, a late model Land Rover Disco came driving up. The lady driver was european, the gentleman passenger was from Africa. Very nice people. The first thing she said when we met: "Look, that's your favourite truck, a Land Cruiser." The Disco was his. He then explained that Cruisers are "taking over the world, everywhere in Africa" and that he had actually wanted to buy one but ended up with the Land Rover." "They only use Land Cruisers in safaris", she said.

As I said, very nice people.

Sincerely,

B