When It Happens, It's Better to Have Prepared Yourself

Not that there aren't perils aplenty in cold weather, or even in balmy weather, when you're down, somewhere -- and lost. It's just that hot weather can make everything more-critical.

In the first place, your engine has the added stress of the higher temperatures: your oil stays hotter; cabin air is hotter (or you're adding stress to the engine, running the air conditioning); there are higher density altitudes to contend with; and you're more-impatient to get to altitude.

Then, when your mill poops out and you're gliding, you won't glide as far.

Once you've landed, your own survival becomes critical. You know you can live for weeks without food [some of us more than others --ed.]; but you're literally 'toast' without water, sometimes in mere hours. What -- you brought water, in that flimsy gallon jug, and it burst open? Bummer to be you.

Great tips on flying ("Fly high, and within gliding distance of a highway") and on survival in the inhospitable great open spaces, are found in the FAA's archives. H. Dean Chamberlain's article, "Keeping Safe in the Desert," is a particularly good read, especially as you plan that cross-country to the airshow or fly-in.

Chamberlain offers great advice on everything from flying to trip prep. He touches on topics as seemingly unrelated as cell phone coverage and flight plan filing; and as important as first aid and sunstroke.

He took the photos, too (as below); and if you've never been out West (poor dude!), you can get a good idea of just what you may face, if you go down when you don't want to. Remember: it's all about water, and getting found!

Chamberlain's "Ten Commandments" are well worth repeating here:

1. Hold on to a survival attitude. Your most valuable asset in any life-threatening situation is a positive mental attitude. If you aren’t certain you can live, you will die.

2. Stay where you are—Stay calm. If you are driving a vehicle, remain with it. Relocate only to reach safety and water.

3. MOVE ONLY WHEN ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY AND ONLY AT NIGHT. If your position is unendurable, change your location during the cooler night hours. Move only when you know you can get there safely by doing the following:
a. Leave a clear trail with notes and directional signs.
b. On the note, give your name, date, time, direction, and reason you are going.
c. Proceed in a specific direction; change your line of movement only after you have left a sign or marker.
d. Go slowly and carefully—beware of overexertion.

4. CONSERVE YOUR SWEAT, NOT YOUR WATER. Rest by day; work on shelter and signals during cool of evening/morning. DRINK as often as you need water. Rub your body with urine and other liquids to keep cool.

5. PROTECT YOUR BODY. When in the sun and heat remember to:
a. Keep your clothes on. Loosen, but do not remove them.
b. Keep your boots/shoes and headgear on.
c. Relax in deep shade, keeping your eyes protected from glare.
d. If in the open with no shade nearby, use anything available to make shade.

6. MAKE A FUSS WHEN YOU HEAR OR SEE OTHERS NEARBY.
a. Signal by any means at hand. Use a shaving mirror to reflect the sun. Wave a brightly colored item.
b. Make marks in the sand or lay out rocks large enough to be seen from the air: SOS or HELP.
c. Start Fire—smoke in the daytime and flame at night.
d. Get involved in your rescue but conserve your body water.

7. DO NOT EAT ANYTHING.
a. All food is water demanding. Water is drawn out of your system to process, digest, and eliminate what you eat.
b. No salt or salt tabs—they will dehydrate you.

8. KEEP YOUR MOUTH CLOSED. Breathe through your nose to minimize evaporative water loss.

9. THINK LIKE A SEARCHER. Do the things that will make it easier for your rescuers to help you.
a. Leave a clear trail with notes and directional signs.
b. On the note, give your name, day, time, direction, and reason you are going.
c. Have a goal in mind—go in one direction with care. AVOID INJURY.

10. USE YOUR HEAD, NOT YOUR SWEAT; DRINK THE WATER YOU HAVE. Never ration water! Drink what you have as you need it. Discipline is essential to survive.

Excellent advice, and good reading. Click on this link before your next trip!

FMI: Desert Flying