So, I can’t seem to get away from the recent news that hunters may be at some kind of increased risk of heart attack. You can read this version on Yahoo news.
First of all, I say, “bunk!”
To begin with, what the heck kind of study only looks at 25 subjects? And of those, almost all of them had heart problems or high risk factors going in!
I mean, I understand that any time you’re doing something that elevates your heart rate, you’re at an increased risk of heart attack…especially if you already have heart problems or conditions that can cause them. Big “duh” to that. But I don’t understand why the report decided to focus on hunters, besides the obvious fact that hunting seasons are about to open across the country.
Anyway, without getting into any agenda the folks at Reuter Health (part of the Reuter news network) may have toward hunting, let’s just go with it for what it is. Let’s pretend that the majority of hunters are dense enough not to understand that, “hey, if I smoke cigarettes, weigh a lot more than I ought to, and live a generally sedentary lifestyle, then getting out there once a year and busting my hump might raise my heart rate to a dangerous level.”
So now you’ve read the article and you know. You’ve been informed (warned?). What are you going to do about it?
The fact is, hunting is a potentially dangerous undertaking. It involves getting out into nature, often in rugged terrain. It involves dangerous weapons…whether archery or firearms… not to mention skinning knives, which, in my experience, are responsible for more hunting related injuries than anything else. Accidents happen, often due to negligence but sometimes just due to pure luck.
Like many hunters, I spend a lot of my time in the field alone. I don’t like to be near the roads, because that’s where the majority of other hunters are, so I am not only alone, I’m usually in a remote place that’s generally considered inaccessible. I climb cliffs, slide down scree slopes, and cross frigid creeks and streams.
If something happens to me, I’m in trouble. I’ve had some close calls, too. I am very aware of the risk, but for most of my life that’s a risk I’ve been willing to accept. As I’ve matured, and I have people who depend on me, I’ve needed to mitigate that kind of thing, though.
There are the obvious and well-known strategies. Always leave a hunt plan with someone responsible (e.g. a spouse, parent, or close friend). That should let them know where you’ll be, at least in general. It should also let them know when you expect to return. If you can, include the contact information for the county law enforcement or other emergency personnel. This can save someone the time of trying to look all of this up.
You can also pack certain emergency supplies, which, in addition to a first aid kit, should always include some sort of signalling devices. A small, signal mirror is a tiny little thing that fits in any fanny pack, or even the pocket of your hunting pants. There are also several really great strobe lights you can use for nighttime signalling. I used to carry signal flares, but in California that’s a good way to set the countryside on fire and barbecue yourself in the process.
Radios can be helpful, although most of the handheld radios operate on line-of-sight, which has very limited ability in steep, rugged country. The same goes for a cell-phone. Satellite phones are an option, but they can be very expensive. For an extended stay in the wilderness, however, it’s not a bad idea to rent a satellite phone for emergency use.
A few years ago, my girlfriend gave me a gift that really showed how much she loved me… a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB). This is a device that sends out an emergency signal to the satellites which is then bounced back to military and civilian monitoring stations within seconds of transmission. The signal provides a relative location (within about three miles) to help the responders determine who to send to the rescue (e.g. Forest service, local law enforcement, Coast Guard, etc.), and generally where to send them. A secondary signal sends up a homing beacon that can guide the rescuers right to your location. It’s pretty impressive technology…not new, but impressive.
The unit I have slips right into my fanny pack. It weighs about a pound, and is barely noticeable. Since then, the PLBs have become smaller and smaller.
Just a note, though. There’s another kind of unit being marketed as a PLB. However, these units transmit a radio signal only, and are subject to the same range and terrain limitations as any other hand-held radio. If you’re shopping, read the fine print.
The PLB won’t mend your broken leg, extract rattlesnake venom, or pull that broadhead out of your thigh. It won’t stop a bleeding artery, or carry you back up that cliff you just fell off of. But it will bring help, faster and more directly than any other means. These things aren’t cheap, but if you spend any amount of time out in the wilderness, it’s a very wise investment.
Luca Brasi
A nice different spin on the heart article and let me say I loved it. Everything you said is sooo true!
On another note I was fishing just tonight in a new location and almost got myself into trouble without even trying. New location, deep water, and got dark a lot faster than I could have ever expected. All went well, but one bad move and things could have been different, especially if I was alone!
A good post that everyone should take into consideration the next time they venture out no matter what health condition you are in.