Pain, like fever, is a warning signal to call attention to an injury or damage to some part of the body. In major pains, such as broken bones, internal injuries, etc., the body automatically protects the vital organs of the body by rendering the body incapable of further movement. It is discomforting, but not of itself harmful or dangerous. Pain can be controlled, and if the survival situation is sufficiently grave, pain can be subordinated to efforts to carry on. The biological function of pain is to protect an injured part by causing the individual to rest it or to avoid using it. In a survival situation, the normal warning of pain may have to be ignored in order to heed the more serious warnings to move, hold out, or perform some other necessary action. Concentration and intense effort can actually stop or reduce feelings of pain for a time--sometimes this may be all that is needed to survive.

The control of the pain accompanying disease or injury under survival conditions is both difficult and essential. In addition to its morale-breaking discomfort, pain contributes to shock and makes the survivor more vulnerable to survival problems. Ideally, pain should be eliminated by elimination of its cause. Since this is not always immediately possible, measures for the control of pain are next best.(1) You can reduce pain by (a) understanding its source and nature; (b) recognizing pain as a discomfort to be tolerated; (c) concentrating on things you need to do: thinking, planning, keeping busy;

The part of the body that is hurting should be put at rest, or at least its activity restricted as much as possible. The position selected should be the one giving maximum comfort and should be the easiest position to maintain. Splints and/or bandages may be necessary to maintain immobilization. Elevation of the injured part, along with immobilization, is particularly beneficial in the case of throbbing pain. Open wounds should be cleansed, foreign bodies removed, and a clean dressing applied to protect the wound from the air and accidental contacts with environmental objects. Generally, the application of warmth reduces pain (e.g., toothache, bursitis, etc.). However, for some conditions application of cold has the same effect (e.g., strains and sprains). Warmth or cold is best applied by using water, because of its high specific heat. You should try both hot and cold water to determine which is the more beneficial

Pain anywhere that was not there an hour ago should indicate that something is awry. Even if ignored, as is often possible, it usually continues to try to tell the individual to do something about it. Relieve the cause, and the symptoms generally disappear.

Experienced outdoorsmen recognize that a man on foot in rugged terrain can be in or pass through desert type heat and Arctic type cold in the same day-- or even at the same time. It is not uncommon to get frostbite and sunburn at the same time, or experience dehydration and windchill simultaneously. Heat exhaustion can occur on the same trip with hypothermia (dangerous lowering of the body temperature). It just depends on the clothing worn (or not worn) and the weather elements prevalent in the area.

Also, when handling metal or non-freezing fuels they can become as cold as the lowest temperature of the surrounding air. Spilling your stove fuel on bare skin can cause severe frostbite. Touching super-cold metal without gloves or insulation causes nearly instant freezing. Do not pull free unless you want to lose some skin. Thaw loose. Use warm water.

When we analyze the real problem of staying alive anywhere on earth, we find that we must first control the mind, for the mind controls all physical movement, as well as judgment. Loss of control may allow our determination to drive us on and on to exhaustion of our limited available energy.

Second, it has been established that too much heat or too much cold have a detrimental effect on the mind and even on muscle movement, and can upset the delicate heat balance required within the body. So an individual should learn how to stay warm for survival in the cold and how to stay cool for survival in the heat. With such knowledge an individual at least would be better able to cope with these insidious enemies.

Under cold conditions, humidity plays a minor role, unless the skin is artificially wetted (rain or perspiration). Should this occur, the resultant evaporation cooling may exceed all other factors in importance. An individual immersed in sub-arctic 40 degree water can be cooled beyond recovery in about 20 to 40 minutes -- or approximately 10 to 20 minutes in 32 degree water. An individual in wet cotton clothing must consider he is nearly immersed in water and act accordingly.

In cold, wintery conditions, protection from the cold is your immediate and constant problem. Check for frostbite, avoid snow blindness, keep dry. To stay dry, keep snow off clothing, out of boots and gloves. Avoid all open water.

Your whole body must be kept warm to maintain circulation to hands and feet. Excessive loss of heat from any part of the body restricts circulation, leaving the extremities with little heat, thus susceptible to frostbite. Stay dry.

Caution and deliberation must be exercised in everything done in extremely low temperature. An individual's thinking, physical competence and dexterity are decreased. Move slowly. Avoid perspiring. Never travel without a buddy. You watch him and have him watch you. Cold slows both mind and body - "a numb brain is a dumb brain.

These minutes as published are unofficial and subject to approval at the next regularly scheduled board meeting.

Convened 19:33

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Alan Givotovsky, Fran McFarland, Bill Weber, Connie Crum, Ken Capron, Larry Crum, Chris Berryman, Russ Brinton, Phil Pletcher, and Gus Bush.

OTHER MEMBERS PRESENT: Lee Tegner, Tracy Berryman, Jim Howe, John Kirkman, Cherie Brandon-Stover, and David McElmurry.

The November 1999 meeting minutes were approved as read.

TREASURER'S REPORT: Larry Crum

• Monthly report accepted as presented for 12-1-99 through 12-29-99 (Full report is attached to the official meeting minutes.)
• The board approved Tracy Berryman's expenditure of $188.42 for Shorty's Memorial.
• The Annual Report for the State of Washington was updated, reflecting Rick Wire replacing Phil Pletcher as the Safety and Education officer.
• 25 members have paid their dues for 2000.
• A committee was formed consisting of Larry, Alan and Stan to discuss pagers and billing.
• There was a discussion regarding an audit. Phil will contact an accountant to ask for advice on this issue.

KIT REPORT: Tracy Berryman

• December and year to date sales were reported. (attached to the official meeting minutes).
• The kit parties are now at the Cache and Ken Capron is in charge. The time has also been changed and is now from 7:00 to 9:00 pm.
• The board voted and approved the request for $20.00 a month to be allocated for the purchase of refreshments at the kit and kit component parties.
• Tracy plans to track the volunteer hours that go into making the kits.

OPERATIONS REPORT: Gus Bush

• No activity.

TRAINING REPORT: Russ Brinton

• The December training was review of first aid. 14 members attended the Saturday training.
• The January training will be cold injuries and patient packaging and will be taught by John Minor and Chris Berryman. The Saturday training will be at Mount Rainier.
• There was a discussion regarding obtaining an alternate meeting room for the Wednesday night training lectures. Ken Capron and Russ Brinton are both following up with this.

EQUIPMENT REPORT: Ken Capron

• Our newest rope was left at Mount Rainier on the last mission. Also the equipment check out forms were not used on this mission. Ken now has the rope.
• There was a discussion regarding single and dual frequency PIEPS. Ken reported that Stan is continuing to research this topic before buying new PIEPS.
• The Nitrile gloves are bagged, labeled and in the truck.
• Andrew Cull, a TMRU member attending WWU, is their outdoor director and is looking for an old wire litter to be used for training.

COMMUNICATIONS REPORT: Stan Kartes (absent)

• ·No report.

SAFETY AND EDUCATION REPORT: Phil Pletcher

• Phil is working on the final plans for the 2000 shows.

MEMBERSHIP REPORT: Chris Berryman

• Chris made the motion and it was seconded to vote the following applicants in at field support:
          Cherie Brandon-Stover
          David McElmurry
• 4 more applications are in the review process.

FINANCE REPORT: Bill Weber

• No activity.

AIR OPERATIONS REPORT: Jeff Sharp (absent)

• No Report.

SARVAC: Fran McFarland

• The next meeting is January 22^nd.

MAST: Bill Weber

• No activity.

OLD BUSINESS:

• Truck insurance was discussed and a committee was formed consisting of; Ken Capron, Phil Pletcher, Larry Crum. and Fran McFarland to report at the next board meeting a proposal.
• Ken will follow up with the REI grant proposal.
• Pro deals need to be paid for in advance, and the companies prefer to be paid with a credit card. Phil will check to see if we can continue to pay by check.
• Phil will be taking orders for Koflach boots at the January meeting.

NEW BUSINESS:

• Bill Weber made a motion and it was seconded to continue with the present publication schedule for the Rucksack with a disclaimer that the meeting minutes are subject to approval by the board at the next board meeting.
• Alan will be attending the MRA meeting in Las Vegas.

GOOD OF THE ORDER:

• Jim Howe is putting together a list of all the recipients for the Shorty Willliams Memorial Big Piton Award.

Adjourn 21:32

Respectfully submitted

Connie Crum
Secretary

Tacoma Mountain Rescue Board Special Meeting, January 7, 2000

Convened 19:10

Members Present: Alan Givotovsky, Larry Crum, Connie Crum, Ken Capron, Bill Weber. Chris Berryman, Phil Pletcher, Stan Kartes, and Gus Bush.

The meeting was called to discuss a personnel issue. Full report is in the official meeting minutes.

Adjourn: 19:45

Respectfully submitted

Connie Crum
Secretary

The following members attended the Kit party on the 5th of January:

They made 321 kits

The following members attended the Kit Component Party on 189 Jan:

The Kit parties are held from 7:00 to 9:00 P.M... The Kit party is the first Wednesday of the month and as of Jan 2000 will be held at the Cache. If you need directions, call 531-2120.

The next Kit Component & Pizza Party will be at the Cache, Feb. 16, 7:00-9:00 p.m. We need your help.

©Copyright 2000 Tacoma Mountain Rescue