tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6321070.post6341972311732600329..comments2024-02-27T11:26:39.655-07:00Comments on Southern Rockies Nature Blog: What Does and Does Not Happen on NOLS PlanetChas S. Cliftonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00923547685265741325noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6321070.post-79679691581382186282016-03-10T10:17:51.718-07:002016-03-10T10:17:51.718-07:00They do indeed make the distinction between fast a...They do indeed make the distinction between fast and slow evac. With the instructors I have had, I did not feel that their gear assumptions were unrealistic; however, it does seem that my day packs are heavier after each class. Chas S. Cliftonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00923547685265741325noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6321070.post-90185463987029721992016-03-09T22:13:36.082-07:002016-03-09T22:13:36.082-07:00Good observations, Chas. I've actually appreci...Good observations, Chas. I've actually appreciated that many of my NOLS medical instructors have had a nuanced approach to evacs, i.e. distinguishing between fast evac and slow evac situations, and acknowledging that victims may have to walk or be carried. For us rafters, for instance, fast evac means float to a viable landing site and call for a chopper (note: may not actually be a very fast process), whereas the much preferable slow evac means float to the nearest road access, airstrip or jetboat landing and send them out less dramatically and dangerously. <br /><br />Another trend I see in these courses is that they're increasingly geared towards contexts like rafting trips and ski patrols, where lots of specialized equipment can be kept handy. It makes for some pretty unrealistic gear assumptions for us foot travelers. I suppose those contexts are the reason a lot of people are taking the courses, but I do appreciate the degree to which NOLS keeps a foot in the backpacking world and its realities.Peculiarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15849337750990440147noreply@blogger.com