Winter is here.

Happy New Year everyone.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Gear!

What gear is on your Christmas wishlist?

Customize Your Griptillian -- And We Both Did

Updated with pictures of both of our knives.

A very few weeks ago we reported reported on our trip to the Medina Gun Show where we held and fondled for the first time a Benchmade Mini-Griptillian EDC knife.  Steve ordered one that evening for Kimberly (in Pink of course) at "Customize Your Griptillian" on the Benchmade website.  All along he had hoped to give it to her for Christmas, but when it came he had to give it right away and see her reaction.  She was thrilled with the plain edged sheepsfoot/thumb hole blade with the pink handle.  Turns out Kimberly was looking for an orange one for Steve and had not found what she knew he wanted. When pointed to the Customize You Griptillian website she placed a custom order for Steve.  And now it is here and Steve's turn to be thrilled! It is a thing of beauty and balance.  It is exceedingly sharp and fun to open and close.  It cut through some reinforced cardboard boxes like a "hot knife through butter."  Clearly the finest knives we have ever owned.  Steve's knife is a drop point thumb stud plain edged blade in 154CM steel. We were both able to designate the color of the screws, that axis and the liner, as well as choose the type of clip.



And the best part, if we misplace or lose it, the words on the blade can have it speeding back to us.  When we ordered it we had to designate a warranty service center and our own excellent outfitter here in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Appalachian Outfitters came up and we selected it.  They have Benchmade knives.  Go take a look.  Tell them we sent you.

Here is our customized mini-griptillian EDC (everyday carry) knives by Benchmade.

Search and Rescue with Troop One Akron

Kimberly and I have been certified in Red Cross Wilderness and Remote First Aid.  This 16+ hour course is incredibly important for all leaders who go out into the woods camping, hiking and backpacking with youth, but can pay off for couples off on their own in the wilderness as well. It is based on the BSA Wilderness First Aid Curriculum and doctrine Guidelines. Our boy scout troop and venturing crew has 9 youth and 8 adults certified.  Some of the youth have served on staff of a subsequent W&RFA course as have Kimberly and Steve and 5 or 6 of our youth have taught the first aid sessions for Outdoor Leader Skills courses where Steve has been the Course Director.

So the introduction of the Search and Rescue Merit Badge (requirements link) was very welcomed and created excitement and we have just complete our first highly successful Troop One Search and Rescue Weekend.  We tried to follow the Incident Command System that is offered by FEMA and required to earn the SAR MB.  The story of the scenario is told in the slide show pictures and below.  Three scouts were discovered to be missing and a search ensued and a rescue was needed.   
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A scout's tent buddy interrupts the SAR MB class and says "Has anyone seen my tent partner?"  Discussion ensues and an Assistant Scoutmaster says he sent him to the Campmaster earlier that morning.  The scouts decide that it would be fun to try out the search techniques under the incident command system (ICS) that they have just learned about. After a hasty search they learn from the Campmasters that there are actually 3 scouts missing. 

So what was the story?

1. One scout (Scout 1) tried swinging on a vine and suffered a bad fall. He is immobile and he could not get up and be assisted by his buddies. He is drifting in and out of consciousness, mostly from the pain. He has a broken right lower leg and a collar bone break. He is in a lot of pain and weak from his injuries, from yelling and the pain. 
2. Scout 3 goes for help while Scout 2 remains with the first scout.  Scout3, sets out alone and is seriously scared, starts running the wrong way, is medically fine but wandering aimlessly lost and not able to get help.
3. Scout 2 decided it has been too long and (not thinking clearly due to the cold) sets out to seek help.  He has left his coat over Scout1 so Scout 2 is getting very cold.  He doesn't make it too far before he is balled up shivering on the ground unable to think and motivate himself to go back for his coat or on for help.

Look at the slide show and let us know what you think about our SAR morning. in the afternoon we hosted the Ohio Search Dog Association and will have a report on that later.