Steve Marvell gave sound advice to Teignmouth Mens Probus Club about ‘How to get out of the S*** (Trouble) as the guest speaker for our May meeting. We can all find ourselves in a difficult maybe a life threatening situation but do we know what to do? Are we prepared to enable us to survive and ‘get home’? Steve made us believe that most of his audience if going for a hike up a mountain would wear the right footwear, have the right spare clothing for bad weather and carry water and Kendal Cake, a mobile phone and maybe a whistle. But, who and how would you summon help? How long do you need to survive before help arrives? Much depends on how dangerous or remote a place you are travelling. A sound plan is to carry a survival pack for 2 days on land and 4 days by sea. If taking essential medication, carry a couple of day’s supply, just in case.  Always tell someone, friends/family where you are going and when you expect to come home. If in remote locations, leave a note in your car of your intentions. Make sure you phone is well charged and do have the ‘numbers’ to call to hand. Search & Rescue, Police and Coastguard. Messge to ‘999’ or Emergency ‘112’ is internationally used but if the network is patchy or weak a TEXT is the best chance for getting a message through. Use ‘What Three Words’ for accurate location especially of the weather gets bad. If in a car, stay with it. How do you attract attention of your distress? Yes waving both hands over your head but have a torch especially at night. What signal best attracts attention? Well tried is three say 3 second flashes. Wait a few seconds then repeat another three in a regular pattern. Could use headlights. Have emergency kit in your car, 1st Aid kit, windscreen/window glass breaker and seatbelt strap cutter. Think, Prepare, can you light a fire? Blanket or clothing to keep warm overnight? Your very survival may depend on forward planning. Don’t get caught out.

Chris Inch our Speaker finder gave the vote of thanks for a thought provoking reminder to rehearse what and how to save yourself if going to remote or dangerous places. Just running out of petrol or breaking down in a remote location is all it takes.

Posted by Press Officer Rick Purnell