After being missing for two days, on Jan. 16, 2012 a 66 year old experienced hiker was found alive on Mt. Rainier. How did he succeed when so many fail to survive? What are the Disaster Survival Skills for winter survival? Here are some tips to keep you alive.

Always let someone one where you went, and for how long, and your intended your intended route and your expected return. If you think that is silly or over kill; just check out the movie “127 Hours”. I have been involved in many searches, and the best chance of rescuers finding you quickly is knowing where you were going when you got lost.

Whether a day hike or an extended trip, pack for the unexpected. The items you should carry in a day pack can be debated, but the more items you carry, the more prepared you will be for an unexpected circumstance. Remember, the rules of 3. You can only go 3 hours without heat. 3 days without water and 3 weeks without food. So pack accordingly. Warmth -Thermal Blanket, Matches, Water- Water Bottle w/filter and Food. These items will improve your chances of survival, and increase your level of comfort. Of course in addition at a minimum, light weight items like a mirror, compass, first aid supplies, important medicine, and backup batteries are always a good idea. Additional items (the list is endless) like clothing, rain gear, flashlight, light stick,water, personal locator device, and a tube tent might also make sense, based on the level of isolation or difficulty of access, if you should become stranded.

If you find yourself sliding down an icy mountain slope, there are things that you can do to reduce your risk of injury, or at least have survivable injuries. You should attempt to get your feet going first. While you may still get injured, at least it won’t be your head. High speed head injuries, with or without a helmet are often fatal. If you carry an ice axe (and you should if slopes are steep and ice is likely), you can then roll onto your stomach and press hard into the snow with the axe into the ice to slow your speed of decent. This will greatly reduce your risk of injury and may provide you a way to go back up if that is your best option.

After the fall, Mr. Yong Chun Kim was able to radio to the group that he had survived the descent and would be hiking around to meet them at the starting area. Communications are very effective in improving your chance of survival and help rescuers locate you. In this day of cell phones, we are almost never out of contact, but remember that cellular service is very unreliable on most mountains, and another type of radio can be very valuable. If you have a radio, you will be able to better advise of your circumstances, condition, and intention. You can advise rescuers what may be needed to help bring you out. After Mr. Kim was unable to rejoin his party, rescuers were able to anticipate his route, to reduce the area that needed to be searched during terrible winter conditions.

The field of Search and Rescue – also referred to as “SAR”–includes a variety disciplines, such as wilderness search, mountain rescue, technical (or rock) rescue, and swiftwater and dive SAR. Members also participate in body recoveries and evidence searches, and some specialize in K-9 (with dogs) and mounted SAR (with horses).

Most team members are volunteers, with training usually provided by the individual units, each with their own prerequisites for membership. Some teams have few requirements, such as a lower age limit and level of fitness, while others may require additional skills, like specific medical training, in order to apply.Paid positions can be found in the field of Search and Rescue, including jobs with the Coast Guard, the National Park Service, law enforcement agencies, and helicopter rescue units.

Search and Rescue has many benefits. Certainly one of those benefits is the feeling of satisfaction that comes from helping others. Team membership also affords opportunities to learn and practice many different kinds of skills, including various types of navigation, man-tracking, rock rescue, and snow equipment operation for example. There are also local, regional, and national conferences, where you can take workshops and meet SAR members from all over the country. This is a perfect endeavor for those who enjoy spontaneous adventure and like working and training as part of a team.

Besides participating on missions, volunteers can help maintain equipment and vehicles and assist with other non-mission projects. Driving to and from missions and driving containment during searches are other important roles. This means there are vital functions for those team members who may be unable to hike and perform the more physically demanding tasks.