Emergency boxes to accompany search and rescue efforts

As the president of Swan Mission Search and Rescue, Carol Field knows that all it takes is one wrong turn for a hiker to become lost in the wilderness of Lake County.

“There are just so many forest service roads and trails that — especially if you’re unfamiliar with the area or if it’s dark — you can go off on and get turned around,” Field said.

Following a particularly difficult search and rescue mission near Van Lake a couple of years ago, Field and her colleagues wanted to develop a way to accelerate the process of rescuing a lost hiker.

Their solution: cache boxes.

“We got the idea from David Thompson Search and Rescue in Libby,” Field said. “They shared the concept with us, and we just molded it to fit our needs.”

In the event of a search and rescue mission, the boxes, filled with emergency survival supplies, will be strategically placed at road or trail intersections within the identified search area. The boxes will be accompanied by an upright pole attached to a flashing strobe, making them visible at night from a half-mile away.

“We will figure out strategic points to place these as soon we are notified that we have someone missing,” Field said.

In addition to materials such as food, clothing, first aid kits, flashlights and matches, the boxes will contain a note instructing the missing person or persons to remain in that location. During a search effort, the box sites would be checked every 10 to 15 minutes.

“Most people just keep walking, but this way, we let them know that we’re looking for them and there’s a better chance of them just staying put,” Field said. “We can’t be everywhere at one time.”

Since the boxes will only be utilized in the event of a search, rescuers have the ability to add or remove things depending on the conditions.

“There might be an extra rain coat, or extra gloves and socks,” Field said. “We can be totally flexible depending on the time of year.”

The organization currently has six boxes loaded and ready for use, and Field said her group will prepare more if necessary.

Field noted that the fall hunting season can be a particularly dangerous time for backwoods trail users, as temperatures drop significantly overnight.

“Everyone has cell phones, but they don’t always work out there,” Field said. “And once you get out there making turns, it’s easy to lose track. This is just another tool in our toolbox to help people out.”