Preventative Search and Rescue in Zoar Valley
Perhaps the problems with SAR teams, is that we respond after the event happens. By the time we get the call out, arrive, organize, and venture out - the subject is severely hypothermic and out of lifelines. So what if we worked to prevent these wilderness accidents in the first place? I like to call this activity Preventative Search and Rescue. Yes, our team has started doing outreach, letting people know they should carry the " 10 Essentials " and always file a trip plan. But -could we, as SAR volunteers, be doing more? With over 4,000 acres of rugged terrain, the Zoar Valley Unique Area and MUA (Multiple Use Area) is a treasure of Western New York and a place where one can experience pristine forests. It is the perfect place to recharge from the stresses of the work week and reconnect with your natural self. However, over the years it has also become a favored place to "party." (I'm not sure why I used quotation marks ar...