Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
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Watch Operation Wild and get to know the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Search and rescue is a regular part of their responsibilities, and they have some tips about preparedness if you're going out into the wilderness—and some photos to illustrate the kinds of precautions they take and the rescues they're involved in.
Number one tip
The first and most important—as well as most basic—step in a Search and Rescue operation, according to the FWC's Captain Brad Williams, is to notify the authorities of the situation. After all, when you're out in the wilderness, there's no one to witness or call in for help on your behalf.
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| Courtesy of Florida Fish and Wildlife |
You don't want to end up in a situation either where you're abandoned and isolated—or at risk of being mistaken for a suspect, for example, which is what the officers here are looking for.
If you're going to be out in an isolated area, plan ahead and make sure to have the ability to call: whether with a marine cell phone, a VHF radio, audio-visual distress signals—educate yourself on the various means that authorities can be notified.
Also be sure to know where you are—"if people can't tell us where they are, that extends the search process," said Williams. "That time is a critical thing." The boat and helicopter here are both working on a search and rescue—you probably want to be more easy to find than that!
So get yourself a GPS or other location-sensing device, so you can help the authorities help you&mash;when you'll need it most. Also, don't move! The more you move around, the harder it will be for anyone to find you. (You could also put yourself in more danger than you already are.)
More mishaps occur out on the water than on land, so be sure to take extra care if that's where you're headed.
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| Courtesy of Florida Fish and Wildlife |
The FWC's goal is "to preserve the resources for everybody to enjoy." That means wildlife preservation and fighting against poaching fall under their purview, as well as protection of Navy assets, which the FWC is doing here from the air.
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| Courtesy of Florida Fish and Wildlife |
They also assist injured wildlife—here, an injured Florida Panther is being Medevaced to help.
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| Courtesy of Florida Fish and Wildlife |
Related Posts:
Operation Wild: About the Show
Outdoor Emergency Handbook: How Not to Get Hypothermia
