Railbelt Mental Health & Addictions

Wilderness Survival in Alaska

By Miles

 

Introduction:

My qualifications: I spent 25 years of my life mostly alone, out in the Alaskan wilderness. Since I was not raised to this lifestyle and was a city person, I had only the average persons knowledge of how to stay alive. I learned the hard way all the aspects of survival. I got lost, I fell through the ice, had bear encounters, faced starvation, had shelter –keeping warm issues, spiritual, motivation  battles, and faced just about all the various aspects of what it takes to stay alive in the wilds.

            The basics: Experts on survival may have various ideas on the details and specifics. There are however some irrefutable facts to agree on. Survival is defined as ‘having the basic needs necessary to sustain life’. Do all living things know by instinct what it needs to stay live? I used to think so, and now think not. Or maybe more, we may know we are ‘cold’ or ‘hungry’ but by the time our body realizes, it is too late to do much about it, or we lack the knowledge , tools, energy to  come up with the solution. So it is important to understand exactly what is required to survive, be conscious of it, and keep it in mind as we prepare for an adventure in the wilds. We may even need to recognize potential situations that we have become complacent about. For example we may take for granted a car trip that passes through uninhabited country, and not think about what might happen if the car fails us, and suddenly we are on a snowy deserted road in the cold and the dark with no one else around to help us. Or we are in an accident in a car, plane, or boat.  We could  find ourselves in the wilderness on an unplanned visit asking “Now what?”

            If we have thought  ahead of time to have some basic tools, acquired  rudimentary knowledge, we have a much better chance of  survival. Maybe not just ‘survival’ but simply comfortable and safe instead of  needlessly suffering.

            So exactly what are the basics we all need to sustain life? Do we all really know? What is it we carry with us  for tools that will not take up a lot of weight and room? If we had to decide on 1-2 or 3 things to bring,  what would they be? Some folks say “A gun- to defend yourself against the wild creatures waiting to eat us!” I might put a gun as item number 20 down the list and even consider a gun ‘nice to have’ but not necessary. There are better more effective ways to get food or defend yourself that weigh less cost less and are more reliable. Others say “A good bottle of whiskey—to stay warm and have fortitude” ! If anyone came to me to go on a wilderness trip and showed me a bottle of whisky and told me it was a survival tool, I might not even take them with me.

            Some ideas like ‘Matches!’ or a ‘bic lighter’ can be improved upon or  incorrect for some situations. So the basics involve defining exactly what survival is, what it takes to sustain life, and following through with  correct tools that meet those needs. I realize  however there is  no time to teach a lifetime of experience nor present an entire book.

            There are many ways to approach this. Do I offer just a simple list of things to carry in every situation? Would we all know how to use the items on the list? Sometimes understanding the ‘why’ of things is even more important because ‘improvising’ is one big key to survival, as well as our mental attitude. One aspect that kills more people in the wild is attitude! Who would believe it! Someone has matches and ‘forgets’ panics and runs screaming through the woods never to be heard of again. It happens. More then just happens , is common. More then just common. I’d say the single most important tool to have in any emergency, is your head. How can I give that in your kit, teach that to you? All the tools and knowledge in the world might not save us from ourselves. One person may have it all and die, another has little and survives! Oddly, survival can be almost a Zen experience, something spiritual.

            I could look at you and say “I have put in your hands, matches a sleeping bag an ax – warm clothes, you are ready!” Maybe you gulp and stutter with big doe eyes asking “Bbbut wwwwhat abbbbout bbb bbbaa bears?” And I sigh, and don’t want to be with you in the woods. I cannot teach in a short time how to not be afraid. Mosquitoes kill more people then bears.

            Where to begin?             Often when I explain something to others and think it is harder then they realize to understand, then  I try to turn the situation around and put it in their world. For example, I  ask myself what a civilized person would say if a wilderness person came to them with  “Hey can you explain to me  how to survive in your world when I’m in trouble?”  The civilized person might sum it up with “Get a job, manage  your money well, don’t get in debt, learn the laws,  try not to get arrested, be honest, and you’ll do just fine.” The bushman runs off saying “Thanks”, in his loin cloth, carrying  bow and arrow down the street ready to greet civilization with open arms. How much help was the advice,  really?

            I think it is worth telling a short story of my own experience. When I was young, I  read every mountain man book ever written. Seen every outdoor movie ever made. I had lists – kept a diary full of wilderness survival lore.  There were useful tidbits from Readers Digest. Did you know you could cut the neck skin off a snapping turtle and use it for a bow string! Amazing! Or carve a piece of ice into a lens to make a fire using the sun! How could I fail? All the knowledge I needed was kept in a notebook, all organized by subject. When I got to the wilds, the wilderness pilot, when he heard my story,  did not even what to fly me into the wild. His comment to others was “We’ll never see him again!” I was going to walk out in a year. What’s the problem? Books and movies like ‘Lord of the flies’ ‘Deliverances’ ‘Donnor Pass’ etc were somehow entertaining and exciting and what did any of that have to do with me? I realize now the wilderness is another planet. Beyond comprehension till you have ‘done it’. Beyond civilizations wildest imagination. I’m known as a story teller, few believe these words. Yet it is at the bottom of understanding survival.

            My lifetime in the creation of a diary survival book lasted me about a week. It got wet in the rain. It was to heavy to carry.  None of the information helped me. I was at a fish camp on the Yukon River, working for the pilot who flew me in trade for two flights for  me and all my gear. My job was to run his fish camp, put up salmon strips. One aspect was to defend the fish against bears. I bought a 357 magnum. The year was 1973. This handgun was the cutting edge of technology at the time. Police were not allowed to carry them as they are too powerful. The adds spoke of  how this bullet will stop a car, go through an engine block. Wow! The bears do not even have a chance. I can almost feel sorry for them.

            I meet my first bear. I hope he does not run before I can blast him! I run at the bear with 357 in hand. The bear sees me, sits down,  yawns, as if amused. I did not expect this, so am thrown off my stride and I falter. My concern as I pick up the gun to fire, is if I can handle all the blood and guts I am about to see. You know, intestines hanging for the tree limbs, gurgling noises of blood flowing out of a huge living thing. The whoosh of air as the spirit leaves.  Can I handle  guilt? Will God forgive me for killing a poor innocent creature? But the bear is not acting his part correct. There is no “Please don’t  kill me!” in his attitude. OK then lets do this deed!  I close my eyes and squeeze the trigger from 30 ft away. Blam! The noise deafens  me, it is the first time I ever fired the gun. The smoke gags me. I open my eyes, brace myself for the horror of the deed I have done. The bear is amused. I missed. He stands up as if to walk towards me. I wet my pants, try to shoot again, but think the gun is broken because the trigger does not pull. I ‘forget’ I have to pull the hammer back again. I think the gun is broken because it sounded so loud, it must have broke. I decide I will hit the bear in the face with the gun and brace myself. The bear is bored and wanders off. I am left standing in a puddle of all my emotions. Not even a tiny bit of what I expected or what I could have prepared myself for. 

            Would any sort of list, pamphlet on survival helped me? No. So here I am before you, how many years later? It is hard looking at a group to know ahead of time, as a officer who has been to war, looking at recruits, wondering who might hold up in battle. Who will yell “Charge!” and be a hero and survive when bullets fly, and who will cover their ears, cry for their mother.

            So I sigh. I know how to make leather a dozen ways, know many ways to hunt for food, build shelters, start fires. I know about nutrition what to eat what is poison and if I passed all that on to you, would it help? If you remembered? Probably in a minor situation for sure,  lost for a few hours with nothing traumatic. But yes I’m sure some knowledge is better then none! Yes I have seen homesteaders with hundreds of pounds of goods die in the wilds needlessly. Seen others go out with an ax and matches and do just fine for months on end. Hmmmm  I do not consider myself an expert at these skills. I’d say more important is to know ‘something’ about thousands of subjects. Such as not being a master chef, but knowing how to fix an edible meal. Not being a expert marksman, but knowing where there safety is and how to load the gun.

 Your survival kit and snippets of useful knowledge

Any kit involves knowing what it is you wish to accomplish. ‘Food Fire Shelter’ is what I said to myself as I took off for a long stretch in the wild. Those 3 words are the most important 3 words.  Do you have something to eat? Do you have a way to stay warm? Do you have a way to get out of the elements? If we write on a piece of paper to set in any box ‘Food Fire Shelter’ we can be reminded when we glace at our gear if we have these covered. There are a few other words to add maybe ‘communication, transportation, and trauma. But lets begin with the ‘basic 3’ A basic kit and list will come later. Now lets review the why and how.

 Food           Without food and water ( and I don’t mention water much because in the interior of Alaska where I am there is water in every direction) we will not survive long. It is true we can live days without food. Only in theory. In an emergency when we are under physical and mental stress the body consumes many calories and needs vitamins to perform. Missing a single meal has a noticeable effect, and after even a single day  without food we can feel ‘done in’ The wrong foods can be worse then no food, even if it only gives us the runs, makes us a little quezzy or out of sorts. It can take days to adjust to a new diet. If all we do is sit or stay our needs are much less but if we have to walk out – sleep under the trees, we need good food.  

            If we have good transportation we can carry a thermos of drink, a cooler with fresh foods. Like if we are on a boat in a car on a plane, and are not cramped for weight or space. Especially if the trip is the planned and we are camping.  But an actual small survival kit we might have all the time and forget about takes a lot of consideration. It has to be compact, light, not costly, and indestructible. 

            Dry goods. Balanced meals, matches to cook it, something to add to water for a drink. The ‘basic meal’ can be rice or noodles. Additives can be dry vegetables and spices.  Dry ‘Soups’ work well as we need lots of liquid anyway and liquids cook best in the wild with uncontrolled heat. It’s harder to ruin the cook pot. I like to pack extra spices because the plan would be to add to the food list from the land like catch a fish and it’s nice to have some pepper garlic etc. I call these items ‘necessary’ because wild game might be cooked in yulky tasting water, or be gamey and spices helps take that away. If food tastes ok it effects out whole mood.  I like to pack  enough for 5 days. We can do a whole lot in 5 days, like walk over 100 miles, build a shelter, locate a source of food. 

            Means  to acquire food. Possibly a gun if you have room. A 22 or shotgun seem most useful in a survival situation. There is a military survival rifle made, a over under signal shot 22 hornet and 410 shotgun that folds in half and is light. Spare bullets fit in the stock.  It will kill anything from a squirrel to a grizzly bear in an emergency. There are advantages and disadvantages to all choices. A 12 gauge is great but heavy and the bullets weigh a lot. But if you are terrified of bears you will feel better with a 12 gauge.    A 22 is lighter and we can carry more amo and will kill about anything if we know how. hunt.

            A snare I sew a snare in the hem of my survival jacket or shirts. If I fall out of a boat or am suddenly stranded,  a snare is very handy. A gun requires you actually expend energy. A snare  works for you as you sleep, do chores, deal with other aspects of your survival. It is worth learning the basics of how to set a snare. It is better to buy a snare then make one if you are not experienced. In general find a game trail. Determine what kind of animal runs this trail or at least estimate it’s size. Guess as best as you can how high the animals head is above the ground as the animal walks. Tie one end of the snare to a tree along the trail, set the loop of the snare ‘head high’ and hold the loop in place with grass or small twigs. A stepping stick can be useful to force the animal to lift his foot and head as he steps over and focuses on the trail obstruction and not see the loop. Or a stick for the animal to duck under that guides the head into the loop.

            Snare as defense. I build a shelter of branches to sleep in  maybe use a tarp to cover it or even use a tent. In ‘trapping’ terms this might be called a cubby set, with me as bait. I climb in my shelter and set the snare at the entrance. If a bear or large animal tries to come in the opening- which is the easiest most logical way to come in- the animal gets his head in a snare before it reaches me. Snares are cheap light not complicated

 

A knife I consider the most useful tool of all tools to have is a knife. Without a knife we can’t get the skin off any animal we kill. A knife can carve tools – make a trigger for a deadfall that gets us food, make tent poles, even carve sewing needles and make thread. A very knowledgeable person can survive with only a knife. A knife can be a means to make a fire (scrape on a rock to make a spark- or carve a stick and socket to spin). provide the shelter and get food and defend ourselves.

 

Water I have never purified water and never got sick. In an emergency it is probably ok to drink about any water found in the wild, figuring you can deal with any sickens you might acquire after you get back to civilization. There is nothing I know of you can get in Alaska water that will kill you. ‘Beaver fever’ is the worse- and it’s treatable.  However there is wisdom in not getting dysentery etc. Iodine or a water purifying tablet or simple filter does not take up much room. Keep it maybe in the first aid kit but only if you have the room for a larger size survival kit.  

Means to fix the food We need a bowl a pan a cup a fork a knife a spoon. A simple boy scout type or military camp mess kit that all fits together works. I fill the voids in the kit with matches, a snare, spices. But anything, some first aid, some bullets etc works to fill the space. Setting a bowl on a camp fire sounds good, but 9 out of 10 times I have it fall over just as the food is done as the log burns. It is ‘handy’ to carry a small steno stove, or a wire rack or some way to ensure the pot is stable as food cooks and even a way to adjust the heat. The survival kit should accommodate our needs space we can afford and weight we are wiling to carry.

                        Fire

Matches. Need to be dry – use a zip bag or a plastic match holder sold in sport stores or military surplus. I have 3-4 or more places to keep matches. In my tool box, my pocket, my tent bag, my mess kit. Keep in mind it is not easy to get a fire going in the wild, even with matches if there is limited fuel to burn. Due to this I carry ‘helpers’ Matches all over the place because I never know for sure what I will be able to grab as I dive out of the boat car plane.

Fire helpers sterno, rubber from an inner tube, grease, oil, can be brought.  Keep in mind we can use birch bark in the wild, but also under a spruce tree might be dry needles or algae growing on the branches. Helpers can be items we have with us like anything plastic or gas -oil – synthetic fabrics. Fire is so important whole books can be written just on all the ways to get a fire going. Two ways come to mind that might be useful. A running engine has a spark plug. Remove the plug- leave hooked to the system and turn the engine over to get a spark to ignite kindling- a rag in your hand – tip dipped in gas.  Even if an engine will not start, it may have spark.  A  a chain saw or snow machine can supply suck a spark. Hand crank it. Plan #2. A bullet has gun powder in it. Pull out the projectile and dump the powder out to start a fire. Or remover the projectile put a rag in the end, load it in the gun and fire it at some kindling. A burning piece of rag comes out the end of the gun.

Lighters – Keep in mind they may not work in extreme cold – the fuel does not flow- propane butane are not a gas at about 30 below 0 . We can hold the lighter  against our body a while, but if we are also cold we may not have much heat to give up, and it takes time we may not have. I stopped carrying one- to many times it did not work.   

            build a basic Fire  Most of us know how to build fire so I will not review this here. There are ways to keep a fire if you get one going and no easy way to make it again if  it goes out. Save some ashes from the fire in a container. It can be  a soda can, boot, box of any kind. Put a hot coal from the existing fire in the box covered in ashes. Now you can carry this many hours. This is how ancient people carried fire- in a leather pouch.  Check on it now and then,  blow in it, add kindling to revive it now and then. In theory it can last weeks. Again, I gear my survival kits around the concept of 5 days. If I can’t get out or  get help within 5 days we are looking at a lifestyle not a rescue.

 Shelter

Keeping warm and getting sleep is critical for survival. Some people who have never been deprived of food or stressed out mentally and physically do not realize this.  If we can’t sleep we are good for one day and the next day our energy is cut in half at least and the 3^rd day we are useless. If we rest we can be good ‘forever’. Hypothermia is a term we hear. Our body temperature drops and we can not recover it. Sleeping warm and well is a prevention.

 

Winter Two shelters work fast and easiest A snow cave, or  a brush shelter.

Often we can find a natural ‘cave’ in the snow. Look under creek banks and big fallen trees. If we have a back wall and a overhang we only need the front and sides enclosed. With a tarp or brush.  A tarp is great. A tarp belongs in any emergency kit. A simple blue tarp is fine with grommet holes to tie it in place.  A simple ‘A’  tent with string and two trees can be made. A dirt back and roof reflects more heat. Snow can be banked on the tarp.

            Or use the tarp to make a T pee or A tent, brace with branches and cover with snow. Or toss the tarp cover a bush cover with snow and dig out as much of the bush – brush to let you get in. (once snow is in place it starts to set up and might support itself somewhat when brush inside is removed)

            No tarp? Make a pile of snow and hollow out. Try to find an existing mound of snow. Go under a big spruce  tree and hollow out the branches, use them around the tree to bank snow up. If wind packed snow make snow blocks. If you have a sled, make the sled the shelter or the car plane boat. I used to run a trapline for years sleeping only in my sled even at 60 below. I used the sled tarp over the rails as a tent. I once made a temporary winter shelter  by cutting out the side of an old beaver house and climbing in.

Carhearts Or large ‘suit’ of some kind is useful. Like a mechanic suit. It needs to be ‘way to big’ Put it on and stuff moss, dry grass, or spruce branches  down the legs  for insulation. Newspaper car seat foam all works. If done right you can sleep out in the snow without a shelter.

At home or camp – Keep survivals gear in a cache garage or hang in a tree in a barrel. If there is a fire there is emergency gear to grab. It can be a similar kit that goes in the car boat or plane. 

            If you got wet like the emergency is- you fell through the ice. The single best advice is to roll in the snow right off so it absorbs the water. If you are not wet to the skin an ice barrier can form in extreme cold giving wind protection.  A change of clothes is always handy if there is room in a survival box.

 

Summer Protecting yourself from  rain and bugs are critical factors in summer. A small roll of mosquito netting and or some bug dope- pic coils etc is handy and even necessary. Again if we can’t sleep we cant survive. We loose to much energy. With netting you can use brush for a shelter a blue tarp - or turn over the boat or canoe. Twine belongs in any kit any time.

Finding an existing shelter

            Remember on a river or creek civilization can most often be found downstream. Going down means deeper water and reaching the larger water body that civilization travels. Cabins- fish camps- are likely to be along streams lakes that look good for hunting. Look for water bodies a float plane might be able to land on, thus a camp someone flies  into. A straight stretch of water 500 ft or more long. Low trees at each end. Ask yourself if you wanted to build a cabin where would you choose? High ground, dry, out of the wind, good view etc. This can save a lot of useless searching. But keep in mind walking traveling consumes a lot of energy. Often, even ‘usually’ staying with the car plane machine  etc is ‘best’ in terns of being found and saving your  own energy. Only travel in emergencies if you must, are healthy, have food,  and understand or have some idea where to go. Like to a road or known shelter.

 

Aside from  ‘Food Fire Shelter ‘ the top 3 next in order is communication, and first aid.

First Aid Communication and Transportation

First aid belongs in every survival kit. I did not list this ‘first’ because if you have food fire shelter these are   # 1 for health. Most health emergencies are physical trauma. Stopping blood flow. Anything can be a tourniquet or patch over a wound. My view is, if you survive at all and are still alive in 3-4 hours, probably you can maker it 1-3 days – time to be rescued usually. Infection etc takes days to set in usually, and can be dealt with later. First aid however is sure nice and can be important. I carry antiseptic, band aids, tweezers, aspirin pain pills. Clove oil for tooth issues, stomach medicine in case you eat stuff you are not used to, tooth brush, soap. Sewing needle dental floss. Iodine for water and cuts. Tape and twine. A basic knowledge of where arteries  are, the pressure points, and how to set broken bones could be useful. A leg arm splint brace can be made of a hollow birch tree seen often in the interior of Alaska (the tree rots out leaving a hollow tube of bark) Use sphagnum moss inside (supposedly this moss has penicillin in it)

Communication Partly involves letting others how where you are going and when expected back.  A flight plan as pilots call it- but same for boat,  snow machine car or walk trip. In this way in an emergency you can sit tight and know someone will come looking.

A map a compass a GPS, are good. But a way to make a signal fire or flare,  trail flagging,  signal mirror gun are good. Cell phone, CB ham radio satellite  phone are good.

            Remember ‘3’ of anything is a distress signal, 3 gun shots 3 fires. I once used 3 blankets laid out in the snow in a 3 sides triangle stamped out.  I could not keep 3 fires going. Anything that makes an ‘anomaly’ as I call it, as seen from the air. Something out of place causing someone to look again. Cut a lot of trees down, start a forest fire, make a pile of snow. Hang your underwear off a stick  and hang it off the river bank. Anything that makes someone going by stop.

            Remember this. Plenty of people in trouble waved at planes going over. The pilot smiled and tipped his wings back and kept on going. If you expect to survive,  create some signal that is clear, beyond a wave. If a plane flies  over, lay on the ground and look sick if spotted, wave a  cloth. I once just waved at a friend on the river and he  may have seen me, but kept going. My boat was broke down and I had to walk 30 miles. I wondered why my friend didn’t  stop. We know we are in trouble,  but make sure those who see you know too.

Transportation If we are in trouble, often we need to move and  travel to help. Sometimes this means a secondary form of transportation- such as a spare engine for our boat, a paddle, or snowshoes for walking.  This category includes keeping the transportation working, basic tool kit for engines,  rubber  boots,  a back pack,  snowshoes etc for walking. Map- GPS maybe. Simply ask if you have transportation secure? If the main one goes out have I got a plan?

 The list Think food fire shelter transportation communication . How items are to  be used is  mentioned in article separate above.  Winter for 5 days survival

Basics knife, first aid kit, twine, spare dry clothes in plastic bag, tarp, sleep bag, matches- with fire starter ,  flashlight, dry foods. Mess kit for  food meals, flares or way to make a signal, snares.    

            If it applies sunglasses, snowshoes, folding snow shovel, boot mitt liners, work gloves, cell phone. Maybe small tent. Sleep pad is handy. Extra big cover alls.  Transportation tools for car boat plane etc. with simple manual  on the subject, saw (like a folding bow saw). The entire kit should fit into something easy to grab – weatherproof, that can be carried- like a duffle bag or day pack – or back pack. A gun is less necessary in winter –black  bears are hibernating- grizzlies not so common to see in winter-  less game around to count on usually.

Summer for 5 days survival

Basics Similar to winter … knife first aid kit twine plastic bags, tarp sleep bag matches and fire starter dry foods with mess kit, cell phone, small tent, transportation tools, flares or way to make a signal.   Different from the winter kit  would be mosquito net- bug dope, food can be caned or meals ready to eat (that might freeze in winter so not in the winter kit), fish hooks and line.   Survival rifle  or pistol.

 The kit can be smaller or larger depending on room money space weight. As small as a knife and matches, to all the comforts of home. But some basics that are nice if room– a thermos of water of hot cold drink, sleep pad, map and compass, camp fuel stove, survival gun, toilet paper and towels, soap. Water purification tablets, pup tent, book to read or deck of cards. Sometimes just passing time waiting is a mental strain and a diversion can stop us from panic. I have often been stranded in the trapline stuck  in a simple shelter  or the dog sled and having a book to read is almost necessary.    

Nenana Wellness CoalitionMINUTES 

July 28, 2009

 The Nenana Wellness Coalition is an alliance of representatives from various organizations, government agencies, community groups and individuals that meets weekly to discuss, evaluate, coordinate, consolidate, celebrate and help implement plans for improving the wellness and quality of life in Nenana Alaska. 

There were 21 in attendance today, including: Gloria Johnson, Rebecca, Bill, Ethan and Aerin Troxel. Adam White, Beverly Joseph, Wes and Mary Alexander, Jackie Suckling, Felicia Musick, Virginia Young, Andrea & Walter Tommy, David Poppe, Kat McElroy, Miles & Irene Martin, Merrily Verhagen, Bonnie Reed, and Tim Horn. We enjoyed a mixed greens salad, sautéed prawns with mango and red peppers, fresh broccoli and cauliflower, sliced cheese and Ritz crackers, raw milk and home-made oatmeal raisin cookies for lunch.

 

WELCOME: By this week’s chairperson, Tim Horn, followed by the

READING OF MISSION STATEMENT.

 

PRAYER: Was lead by Bonnie Reed, followed by the PLEDGE OF ALLEGIENCE.

 

PRESENTATION OF AGENDA AND CALL FOR MODIFICATIONS. There was one change to the agenda.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes have been posted by Kat to the WIN link at www.railbelt.com and will be emailed to the WIN e-list.

 

INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS: No new guests this week.

           

 

SPEAKERS/TOPICS:

Operation Overhaul: The awards ceremony (and Freecycle) is scheduled to begin at 3 P.M. this Saturday, August 1^st, at the RV Park. There will be bar-b-que hot dogs and hamburgers and a pot luck. We were reminded that the Mason’s will be holding a memorial service at the Meda Lord Senior Housing Center that morning at 11 A.M. 

Wilderness Survival: Miles Martin brought a large bag of items that can be helpful if you find yourself in a wilderness survival situation. He began his presentation by telling us that the greatest survival tool anyone has is his or her own head. “There are so many situations that could become a challenge,” he said, “You can’t plan for every contingency, but if you develop the proper mind-set you can deal with any adverse circumstance.” He advised people to think, “Food, fire, shelter,” and “To always be aware.” He cited specific examples of how keeping those three things in mind (food, fire, shelter) has always helped him in dicey situations. “If you can eat, stay warm and sleep safely, you are going to be much better able to deal with all the other adverse circumstances that arise.” He said that he always takes a survival kit with supplies for at least five days, which would provide time to either build shelter and hunker down or start walking (to rescue oneself). “After five days,” he said, “It isn’t a survival situation any more, it becomes a life style.”

Food items he suggested to take include: rice, noodles, ramen, soup mixes. You can’t have canned foods in the winter due to weight and extreme temperatures, so he suggested dehydrated foods which are light, pack well, and don’t damage due to freezing. With these basics plus add-ins foraged and gathered, you can supply yourself with enough calories to get along. Plus, a hot meal benefits your mental state.

Everything should fit into one sturdy bag with handles to make it easier to pack or carry; he suggested a canvas duffle bag or back-pack. Items one might want to include: first aid kit, maps, GPS, matches (waterproof), spices, bug dope, a mess kit, string, a compass, a folding saw, books or a deck of cards, flares, a flash light (and batteries), mosquito net, tarps, a sleeping bag. Some of these items are for sheer survival and others are for comfort and to keep your mind occupied. He suggested labeling all items in containers so you won’t have to shuffle through every thing to find any particular item. He said a small camp stove r collapsible campfire stand is a good thing to have. He re-iterated that survival is a mind-set. “You don’t have to be an expert at any particular thing but you need to know a little bit about a thousand things.” He said, and, “Survival is a way of thinking, of looking at things, of always being aware: Which way is North from here? Where is the river? Where’s the road? Be oriented, it doesn’t take long for something to go wrong.” He demonstrated some of the items from his Go Bag.

He said that in his estimation snares are better than a gun, lighter, for packing, and you can set a snare and go take care of other things, then come back to see what you caught, whereas if you only have a gun for getting food, you have to pack it and go hunt food down. He said a small gun is better than a heavy gun, and suggested that you can use gun powder for fire starter if things get wet. He also mentioned that you can use a spark plug from your chain saw or snow-go to start a fire. He said that d4ehydration can easily become a problem. His advice was to drink the water. There’s isn’t anything in any water in Alaska that can actually kill you, he contends, whereas becoming dehydrated puts you at maximum risk. For shelter, you can use a tarp, or a light tent, or use the overhang of an embankment. He said he once cut the back out of a beaver lodge and used that for temporary shelter. Miles also suggested to travel upstream from your camp so that if the boat engine conks out you can float back to your camp. Miles closed his remarks with a quote: A man with a knife is the master of a thousand tasks.

Discussion ensued regarding the information Miles shared with us. People exchanged anecdotes about various wilderness survival situations they have witnessed or experienced. David said that there is a communication device for GPS’s now that allows one to text message which could be helpful. Miles agreed that communication and transportation become vital secondary issues in survival settings. As a general rule, it is better to sit tight as people will be looking for you. On the other hand, sometimes one needs to be prepared to rescue themselves.

    

WELLNESS THOUGHT:  “It is one of the most beautiful compensations of life,
that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself. ”
                                                                                                Ralph Waldo Emerson

  

UPDATES/ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Andrea announced that Carol Gallo’s family doesn’t[‘t want to do a service yet. Andrea will be doing a tea. Son Michael is here till the end of the week. Carol’s office has been closed out. The estate is in probate. All 4-G projects, including Four Mile, are on hold. Carol donated her body to science. There will probably be some manner of remembrance ceremony similar to that Carol recently held for Frank Gallo come Springtime. Andrea says she wants to continue drafting work and is thinking about hanging out her shingle.

Merrily announced that on Sunday, August 2, at the Conference Center next door to Kristi’s, the Verhagen’s will have a Munch and Mingle. The community calendar has been down for a month but it is back up now.

Beverley announced that Mr. Pake of the National Federation for the Blind in Fairbanks will make himself available October 6^th to present on Assistive Technology for the blind at our WIN meeting.

Adam said that Evergreen Aviation has been looking for an opportunity to demonstrate what their 747 tanker/bomber’s can do in regards to fire fighting efforts. He says that people should be aware that there might be low-flying 747’s over our community and do not panic. He also noted that we experienced a 3.8 earthquake at 4:15 A.M.

   

OPEN FLOOR FOR COMMENTS/QUESTIONS/DISCUSSION: None

 

 

ADJOURNMENT: None

Nenana Wellness Coalition

MINUTES

July 21, 2009The Nenana Wellness Coalition is an alliance of representatives from various organizations, government agencies, community groups and individuals that meets weekly to discuss, evaluate, coordinate, consolidate, celebrate and help implement plans for improving the wellness and quality of life in Nenana Alaska. 

There were a total of 14 participants today, including: Kat McElroy, David Poppe, Bonnie Reed, Bill & Rebecca Troxel, Virginia Young, Beverley Joseph, Miles Martin, Mary & Wes Alexander, Cornelius Benedict, Jr., Jeannie Bennett, Gloria Johnson and Audrey Roth. We had tamale pie, mixed green salad, sliced apples with Ritz crackers and home-made chocolate chip cookies for lunch.

 

WELCOME followed by the READING OF MISSION STATEMENT: By this week’s chairperson, Rebecca Troxel.

 

PRAYER: was lead by Jeannie Bennett, followed by the recitation of the PLEDGE OF ALLEGIENCE.

 

PRESENTATION OF AGENDA AND CALL FOR MODIFICATIONS: No modifications.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Bonnie Reed took minutes last week. Tim Horn e-mailed them to Kat McElroy who will post them on the WIN link at www.railbelt.com and send them to everyone on the WIN e-list.

 

INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS: No guests.

           

SPEAKERS/TOPICS

 

Dancing In The Streets: Kat McElroy reports that Railbelt has chosen Friday, September 11, for the fifth annual Dancing In The Streets celebration of National Recovery Month. More information can be found regarding this at their web site http://www.recoverymonth.gov/

(From the web site)

Recovery Month is an annual observance that takes place during the month of September. The Recovery Month observance highlights the societal benefits of substance abuse treatment, lauds the contributions of treatment providers and promotes the message that recovery from substance abuse in all its forms is possible. The observance also encourages citizens to take action to help expand and improve the availability of effective substance abuse treatment for those in need. Each year a new theme, or emphasis, is selected for the observance.Recovery Month provides a platform to celebrate people in recovery and those who serve them. Each September, thousands of treatment programs around the country celebrate their successes and share them with their neighbors, friends, and colleagues in an effort to educate the public about treatment, how it works, for whom, and why. Substance abuse treatment providers have made significant accomplishments, having transformed the lives of untold thousands of Americans. These successes often go unnoticed by the broader population; therefore, Recovery Month provides a vehicle to celebrate these successes.Recovery Month also serves to educate the public on substance abuse as a national health crisis, that addiction is a treatable disease, and that recovery is possible. Recovery Month highlights the benefits of treatment for not only the affected individual, but for their family, friends, workplace, and society as a whole. Educating the public reduces the stigma associated with addiction and treatment. Accurate knowledge of the disease helps people to understand the importance of supporting treatment programs, those who work within the treatment field, and those in need of treatment 

Our event consists of a parade, a community dinner, and a dance with live music. Maryellen Robinson will in charge of the parade. She is already coordinating with various entities at the school to organize student participation including our Tae Kwan Doh teams and the music department. Anyone wishing to assist in this should contact Maryellen. Laura will be organizing the dinner. We hope that the Student Living Center will agree to prepare the foods. Staff from Akeela House in Anchorage has contacted Railbelt and are obtaining sponsorship to bring clients to participate as usual in this event. We hope other treatment providers from the Fairbanks area will also join us. We are looking for volunteers  interested in helping and suggestions for speakers.

 Envisioning Wellness  Tim Horn informed Kat that we have no confirmed EW speaker for July. Miles volunteered to do his presentation on Survival next week, July 28. Ester has the flyer from when he presented on this topic earlier. Rebecca will get the electronic copy from Ester. Miles will hang the flyers around town. We have three presenters for August but none for September. We shall continue meeting at the Meda Lord Center until school resumes August 18^th. 

Operation Overhaul: Jeannie Bennett reports that junker vehicles will be picked up tomorrow, Wednesday, rather than Friday, per her conversation with Jason at the city office. J.R. continues making numerous runs to the transfer site in Fairbanks, hauling away trash. The Lion’s Club donated 300 dollars to help defray expenses. The landfill charges 92 dollars a ton for disposal of large items, which is why they have been maximizing use of the transfer sites. No one knows when the proposed Nenana transfer site might come online. August 1^st is still the proposed date for the next Freecycle and the awards pot luck. Jeannie encourages everyone to nominate a yard for one of the award categories.

 WELLNESS THOUGHT: Walk the Spiritual Path with practical feet. Phil Lane Jr.

UPDATES/ANNOUNCEMENTS.

Bonnie announced a community meeting tonight beginning at 5:30 P.M., sponsored by Doyon and the Ramparts Project people to get an update on the natural gas drilling project. Bar-b-que hamburgers and hot dogs etc will be served. She also said that she went to the city council meeting at the announced time, 7 P.M. but when she got there they were just winding the meeting up. The time had been changed to 5:30 at the last minute. Lastly, she said that a memorial service for Charles Monroe  will be held August 8 at the Senior Center, 1-5 P.M. It will be a pot luck.

Carl said they are demobilizing the fire incident command center from the Nenana Student Living Center. They are down-grading  it from a Type One to a Type Three response and fire response teams will be deployed from the camp at the air strip.

Gloria announced that the foundation for the new court house building will be poured in the next couple of weeks, with a projected completion Date for the construction of January, 2010. They hope to be able to move into the new facility in February or March.

Virginia said that she and others will be traveling to a BLM campground called Brushkana on the Denali Highway for a berry picking weekend, Thursday thru Sunday. It is about 30 miles east of Cantwell on the Denali Hwy.

Jeannie said she is interviewing for a cook’s helper position at the school.

J.R. said he is feeling tired, just “burnt out.”

Beverley said she has been talking to Bill Packee in Fairbanks, with the National Federation for the Blind. They are having a conference in Anchorage in October.

David said people are  making hay while the sun shines.

Kat reported that Railbelt has been notified that all of the grants the applied for hjve been awarded. Hurrah!

Mary announced that Jack Coghill and the Masons are organizing a  memorial service for Bud Krause, August 1^st, 11 A.M. at the Meda Lord Center.

Rebecca wants an update on the borough formation. There is supposed to be a meeting about this some time soon at the Tribal Hall. It was suggested that she ask Robin Campbell at Nenana Native Council. Saturday, July 25, there will be a rummage sale at the Civic Center, for the Josh Mayrand Memorial Scholarship Fund.

 OPEN FLOOR FOR COMMENTS /QUESTIONS/DISCUSSION: None                                                                      

ADJOURNMENT : 1:20 P.M.

Minutes of the July 14, 2009 Wellness In Nenana Meeting

 

Attending the July 14, 2009 Wellness in Nenana meeting were Walter and Andrea Tommy, Beverly Joseph, Tom and Theresa Titus, Audrey Roth, Tim Horn, Jeannie Bennett, Mary and Wes Alexander, Miles Martin, Paul and Joe Verhagen and Bonnie Reed.

Tim Horn chaired the meeting and read the Mission Statement. Tom Titus led us in prayer followed by the pledge of allegiance. Bonnie Reed agreed to do the Minutes.

 

Project Overhaul: Jeannie Bennett reported that $300.00 had been received from the Lions Club, this will be used partially to pay for gas and landfill fees to get large items out of yards to the landfill.  August 1^st will be the barbecue at the RV Park and the different awards will be given out at this event.  There was a discussion of ways to pick the cleanest, neatest and most improved yards for the awards.  Friday, July 24^th is the day set for picking up junk cars.  Any elders or disabled people needing help in cleaning up their yards should contact Jeannie Bennett as well as those who can help in cleaning  up yards.  A suggestion was made that Jeannie contact Lausens to have a table at the August 1^st Freecycle to provide information on their trash collection service.

 

Sober Housing: Joe Verhagen explained what was being done to get the sober house a reality.  As soon as it has been approved, he will need to line up volunteers to help build it.  He will need to find volunteers to do 100 hours of service to construct the shell.

 

Sober camp: Walter and Andrea Tommy are still waiting for word from Robert Charlie.  The land is still swampy.  They both helped cook for the PowWow.

 

Statistics: Carol Gallo has passed away and she willed her body to science so it will be a while before her ashes are returned.  More information will be available when her son/s arrive.

            Charles Monroe is in the hospital and not expected to live.

             Jan Campbell. mother to Robin and Denise Campbell and Rhonda Coghill, had another stroke and is in the hospital.

            Art Schmuck’s memorial service will be in the form of a potluck memorial at the Senior Center on Friday, July 17^th, during the lunch hour.  Everyone is welcome to come and bring a dish to share.  This would have been Art’s 90^th birthday..

            John Gonzales passed away this morning, July 14^th.    

Envisioning Wellness: Magistrate Brian Fisher could not come in July but will be here on August 4^th.  Tara, who will be doing a Weed Walk or Finding Herbal Remedies in Your Back Yard, will be here either July 21 or 28.  Tim will check with her.  We will do the walk around outside the Meda Lord Housing.   Public Nurse, Felicia Musick will be here on August 25 for Preparing for a Disaster Drill.  Miles Martin will do one on October 27^th regarding Emergency preparedness or Survival Skills.

 

Updates: There has been no word about when we can visit Chena Hot Springs Resort. There are several projects being done at the school. There is no further information about mapping of the Cemetery. Beverly Joseph attended the Federation of the Blind in Detroit.  She would like us to invite Bill Packee, who is the Fairbanks President of the National Federation of the Blind, to come and speak and we should invite those who are sight impaired to attend. What to do when someone is being abused and how to assist was discussed and whoever is abused should be encouraged to notify the troopers and they would be able to arrange for a safe place for them to stay for up to three days. We were invited to attend a potluck lunch at St. Mark’s Parish Hall on Sunday, July 19^th after church.  This is to welcome those who have come to conduct the Vacation Bible School the following week.

 

Meeting was adjourned after 2 p.m.

 

Nenana Wellness CoalitionMINUTES

July 7, 2009

The Nenana Wellness Coalition is an alliance of representatives from various organizations, government agencies, community groups and individuals that meets weekly to discuss, evaluate, coordinate, consolidate, celebrate and help implement plans for improving the wellness and quality of life in Nenana Alaska.There were 13 in attendance at today’s meeting, including:  David Poppe, Kat McElroy, Cornelius (JR) Benedict, Walter & Andrea Tommy, Bonnie Reed, Jeannie Bennett, Tara, Tim Horn, Wes & Mary Alexander, and Laura Vance. Gloria Johnson brought two flats of kohlrabi plants to share but was unable to stay. We had fresh watermelon, salmon soup, mixed green salad, baby bagels, Ritz crackers with sliced cheese and raisins and nuts for lunch.

WELCOME followed by the READING OF MISSION STATEMENT: By this week’s chairperson, Tim Horn.

PRAYER was lead by J.R. Benedict followed by the PLEDGE OF ALLEGIENCE.

PRESENTATION OF AGENDA AND CALL FOR MODIFICATIONS: There was one modification to the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes were posted on the WIN link at www.railbelt.com and submitted electronically to the WIN e-list. Anyone wishing to be added to that list should contact Kat. There were two suggestions for minor corrections which Kat will implement. INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS: No new guests this date.            SPEAKERS/TOPICS Sober Housing: We continue trimming out the trees and clearing the brush from the building site. Kat will contact Charlie Stevens when they are ready to do the dirt work. David and J.R. need to meet with Joe Verhagen to hammer out the details for the building plan. We have about three thousand dollars that has been donated for building materials. Some AA visitors from Fairbanks were very impressed and one volunteered to come down to Nenana to help us. They wondered could they do something similar in their communities. Envisioning Wellness: Tim Horn has e-mailed Brian Fisher at the District Court House but has not heard back from him yet. He had indicated he would like suggestions for topics. Kat asks if he could share with us any ideas about Wellness Courts. Specifically, she would like to know about ways that the court and the community could co-ordinate so that people needing to perform community service hours could do so locally as under the current system Fairbanks is the recipient of those community service hours as offenders typically perform CS during their incarceration. J. R. agrees that he would like to help organize community service workers on projects like the trash hauling he has been doing for Project Overhaul. Tim will try to see Brian in person at the courthouse to get a photo for our flyers and a title for his presentation. Felicia Musick will be presenting in August but we do not have a presenter for September. Tara suggested asking her friend Matt to come speak to us about Perma-culture. Another suggestion was to ask someone from Calypso Farm. Tim asked Tara if she would be willing to do a presentation on herbal medicines. A tentative title suggested was Weed Walk: Herbal Remedies in Your Backyard. This was tentatively scheduled for Aug11th and would be conducted at Kat’s place as she has plenty of weeds behind her house. We should be prepared to bring other suggested other topics to generate a list of other possible presenters. Wes suggested we ask Jackie Sunnyboy to come and talk to us about the new Food Coop being organized in Fairbanks.Project Overhaul: Jeannie Bennett says that J.R. has been a great help, making multiple trips daily to the transfer station in Fairbanks, hauling out trash. He could use more physical help. Money is also an issue. J.R. estimates it costs about ten dollars per round trip and his funds are limited. Jeannie reports that people are cleaning up their yards. She has been helping various community members by weed-whacking. Jason has approved of use of a space over by the pavilion for piling up brush which we can burn off come winter. Kat thinks we should plan a big party for early winter for a bon fire. Friday, July 24^th is the date for hauling away vehicles. The Crowley shipping yard will be used as the staging area. There will be assistance to drain fluids and ready the vehicles for recycling. The BBQ/Awards Ceremony is scheduled for August 1^st, at the RV Park. There are forms at the PO and Coghill’s Store for people to nominate anyone for Most Improved, Most Attractive or Cleanest/Neatest awards. Venue for WIN: Tim says that we are approved to begin meeting again at the Lynx Den at Nenana Student Living Center beginning August 4^th. WIN will be at Kat’s the next week, August 11^th, for Tara’s Weed Walk, then return to NSLC August 18.WELLNESS THOUGHT: Nenana is a good place. Mary Demientieff UPDATES/ANNOUNCEMENTS.Walter and Andrea have been invited to cook at the Midnight Sun Pow Wow next weekend up in Fairbanks, which will be held Friday, Saturday and Sunday in the field out behind the Carlson Center. Go to http://www.midnightsunpowwow.net/ for more information and http://www.midnightsunpowwow.net/schedule.html for the schedule. Mary and Wes will be out on the river tomorrow; Wes will pick up 40 Upward Bound students from Effie Kokrine School at Howard Luke’s Gaalee’ya Spirit Camp, and bring them down river for a day outing to the Alexander’s fish camp. They have a wheel in the water and will teach the students about subsistence fishing. Mary feels our community should make a bigger effort to get activities such as this organized for our youth. She hopes to be able to do this via her position on the school board. J.R. has been enjoying doing trash hauling. He wants to get connected up to some Elders, to help them. He feels this old tradition is being lost and neglected. It was suggested he be introduced to Moses Paul as well as Robin Campbell who might be able to provide other suggestions. Kat provided flyers from an email she received regarding Lead On! which is a chance for youth leaders (ages 13-18) and community partners from across Alaska to come together and develop leadership skills to promote peace and equality in their own communities. Per discussion she will forward to WIN at large and specifically to Eric, Joe and Darrin at the school.David said their urban farm is doing well. The chickens eat constantly and are growing; we’ve got lots of milk. Made ice cream last night. Tim said the school auditors are here this week and that Cyberlynx staff will be having a big pow wow here July 23^rd.. OPEN FLOOR FOR COMMENTS /QUESTIONS/DISCUSSION: None                                                                       ADJOURNMENT: 2:10 P.M.