Category Archives: Disaster Safety

HIKING THE NORTHVILLE/PLACID TRAIL

Disaster Safety, Emergency Management, How To Prepare, , ,

HIKING THE NORTHVILLE /PLACID TRAIL

 Tracking off the Grid 

Joanne Hull| July 11, 2014 

I admit, I’m not the avid hiker in the family however, some people very close to me are avid hikers and they’re planning to hike the Northville /Placid Trail.  From Trail-head in Benson NY, to the final segment in the high peaks wilderness just outside of Lake Placid NY, they will be hiking approximately 133 miles.  The last 50 miles of this trip are some of the most rugged, desolate (yet beautiful) areas in the Adirondack Park.

Translation…THEY WERE GOING OFF THE CONVENTIONAL GRID.

NO cell phone service and NO easy way to summon emergency help.

That said, and because these folks are very dear to me and probably because of the work that I do for a living in Emergency Management, I realized that I would not rest an easy night without knowing that they would be able to summon help in case of an accident or any other catastrophic event.

ENTER THE SPOT GEN 3—Satellite GPS Messenger

This hike will obviously take them beyond cell phone service.  I wanted to know that they were okay during this two week adventure.  It appears, from my research, that Spot Gen3 was just what I was looking for.  A lifesaving line of communication.  The “just in case factor” should they ever need emergency help.  It works by pressing a button.   SPOT sends your exact GPS location to an emergency response coordination center at the press of a button and, it can also send pre-set messages to stay in contact with your friends and family along the way to let them know all is well.

 Translation….GPS TRACKING OFF THE GRID

NOT A BAD IDEA, RIGHT? 

I’m sure that there are many other devices to choose from.  Check them all out if you’re interested.  However, here is the link below to the SPOT home page.  I just purchased one last night.  I hope I never have to use it.

It may be a little pricey however, if it works like it says it does, I think it may just be worth the cost the first time you ever have to press the SOS.   That said,  I hope I never have to find out!!

http://www.findmespot.com/en/

 

MIX UP YOUR ROUTINE AND LOOK BEHIND THE CURTAIN !

Additional Topics, Disaster Safety,

Mix Up Your Routine -AND- Look Behind The Curtain !

Hotel Safety On A Disaster 

Joanne Hull | April 9, 2014

A few years ago, a friend of mine came back from the gym to find her hotel room door ajar.

She admits to making several mistakes:

First Mistake:   She opened her door and since she didn’t see anyone, she went inside the room.

Second Mistake:  She exited the room and called the front desk from her cell phone while standing in the hallway.

When the hotel security and police officer arrived, they made her wait outside while they checked the room. They checked the obvious places and the not so obvious places……under the bed and behind the curtains.

Yes, some of her personal items were missing but my friend was lucky.   You never enter a room when the door is opened and who, for goodness sake, would ever think to look behind the curtains?   That said, possibly my friend’s biggest mistake was her routine.  Every evening, she went to the gym.  The hotel that she was staying at provided a courtesy shuttle both ways.   She left the same time every night and returned a couple of hours later.

Her consistent timeline made it easy for a perpetrator to gain easy access unimpeded. When away from home for long periods of time…… mix up your routine and, look behind the curtains!!

See HOTEL SAFETY TIPS 911 from the Travel Channel:  http://www.travelchannel.com/video/hotel-safety-tips

Rob Pralgo explains how to avoid thefts, Wi-Fi  hackers and fire-hazard hotels.  Everyone’s circumstances are different however, use this entertaining video as some safety food for thought!