OMNA International Newsletter

Autumn Edition 2014

In This Issue
Emergency Shelter
Gettysburg Photo
Recent Ops
Little Bighorn Photo
Future Ops - 2015
Featured Field Craft Tip!
Emergency Shelter

Jan Baalsrud
Norwegian Commando

As Craig used to say frequently, the Norwegians don't have "cold weather training" ... they have WINTER!

Winter is coming!  Be prepared for any emergency as you travel the backcountry. 

One way to get yourself ready is to read We Die Alone which describes what we believe is one of the most operationally challenging mountain rescues in history. 

Should you find yourself in a desperate situation this winter, please remember that preserving your core body temperature is more critical than most anything else.  That means getting out of the wind and insulating yourself from the ground.  Finding or making shelter from wind and water is a top priority.  This is much more difficult if you are injured, so prepare yourself mentally and equip yourself so that you can find and make rudimentary shelter even if suffering from injury.  Once hypothermia sets in, you will find it very difficult to recover as you quickly lose dexterity and mental acuity.  So find and improve shelter BEFORE you start losing core body temperature!

We recommend making and carrying an emergency day pack with you in a throughout the winter -- whether in the backcountry or in an office.  Jan Baalsrud would have been happy to have the following waterproofed gear with him:

3 Large heavy trash bags

Thick wool socks matched to emergency footwear to provide mobility or use as mittens.

Bandanas (dozens of uses)

Whistle for signaling if trapped in rubble

Flashlight and spare batteries (op-check batteries every quarter)

Solar battery pack and cable for cell phone

Bottle of water

Salty sweet snacks (trail mix)

Paper map of area (do not plan on having data access on your cell phone)

Hat, scarf, or head-over (plan for winter rains)

Pocket or sheath knife and other small tool

Rope (50 foot skein of � inch braided nylon line)

Lighter and tinderbox for fire starting

Trowel for digging

 

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Thank you for your interest in OMNA International.  Our seasonal newsletter provides an update on our latest adventures in leadership development and other related efforts.  We'll also provide some ideas on a variety of topics which we hope you find useful as you lead those entrusted to your care.  Semper Fidelis!                      OMNA International

 

Recent Operations:  Here are some of the adventures we completed since our last newsletter:
  • Battle of Shiloh staff ride for USFWS in September
  • Little Bighorn Staff Ride for USFS Black Hills in October
  • Gettysburg Staff Ride for USFS SW in October
  • Overland Staff Ride for USNA LEAD in October
  • L-580 Gettysburg Staff Ride in November
Future Operations:  Here's what's already scheduled for 2015 ...contact us to reserve your dates now for other staff rides, field skills packages, or speaking engagements!
  • Shiloh Feb 23-27 2015  USFWS
  • Valley March 15-21 2015 USNA
  • Gettysburg May 4-8 2015 USFS/FDNY/SDFD/NCR-IMT
  • South Canyon May 19-21 USFS
  • Shiloh Sept 14-18 2015 USFWS
  • Overland Oct 17-18 USNA
  • Gettysburg Nov 2-6 2015 USFS/USFWS/FDNY/
  • Fredericksburg-Chancellorsville Week of Nov 16 USFS

About OMNA International

 

OMNA International provides support services for leaders with vision and good moral character.  If you are such a leader, or would like to become one, we invite you to explore our website to learn what we can offer your organization.  We are retired U.S. Marines, Firefighters, and Law Enforcement Officers with a good deal of pragmatic experience in developing leaders for organizations with a bias for action.  We thank you for your interest, and hope that we can be of service to you and the organization you lead.

  

OMNA International

Fredericksburg, Virginia