OFFROAD PREPARATION
When traveling in the back country it’s imperative to understand how to get yourself out of a pickle with the least amount of effort first. Who wants to spend all day getting unstuck when you could be hunting?
Some say that the journey is more important than the destination. But when you’re far away from the hardball, the destination is pretty important too. The great outdoors can be an exhilarating experience, but it can also be treacherous. That’s why it’s essential to know how to recover your vehicle if you venture off-road. Having the right equipment is one part of the equation and we often overlook key equipment that can keep us on the hunt.
Knowing how to use your off-road recovery equipment is essential for survival. Without it, you could find yourself stranded in the middle of nowhere. With it, you can have the confidence to keep going, even when the going gets tough. So if you’re planning on taking your rig off-road, make sure you know how to do it right. With the proper preparation, you can ensure a successful journey – and an unforgettable hunt.
THE FUNDAMENTALS
VEHICLE DYNAMICS: KNOWING THE CAPABILITIES AND LIMITATIONS OF YOUR OWN RIG
When choosing to travel off-road it’s important to understand the risk involved. Instead of traveling on a well-maintained road, we are heading out onto terrain that has different levels of traction and each vehicle will respond differently depending on lots of different factors such as:
- drivers skills,
- weather,
- terrain type,
- center of gravity,
- weight/size of vehicle,
- tire type
Life in the backcountry can be unpredictable. Survival depends on being prepared for anything and everything. That’s why it’s so important to understand the capabilities of your vehicle and gear in various conditions. Whether you’re driving on a dry, dirt road or trying to navigate a muddy, rutted trail, knowing the limits of your equipment can mean the difference between success and failure. With a little knowledge and preparation, you can confidently tackle any challenge the backcountry throws your way.
RECOVERY ASSESSMENT AND SCENE ANALYSIS
Our goal will be to recover a vehicle in a safe and efficient manner using the least intrusive method available based on the factors we find (Stuck Assessment).
Start small and work your way up depending on the stuck assessment.
- Where is the vehicle?
- Where are we in relation to the stuck vehicle?
- What resources are available?
- Do we have anchors?
- What is the terrain like?
- Sand
- Rock
- Wet
- Are there any injuries?
- Driver of stuck vehicle can’t operate vehicle so we need someone else that can operate it
Cool Things I Keep in My Truck: SAFE-XTRACT
I found the right kit and then I sought training so that I could effectively use my equipment. The SAFE-XTRACT System offered me all the right gear in one manageable package and I don’t know why or how I traveled miles off-road without having it with me.
Safe-Xtract is an industry leader in Vehicle Recovery education and innovation, based in New Mexico, USA. Their vehicle experience ranges broadly from two wheels up to regular size SUVs and pick-ups, to larger military and civilian vehicles. They have extensive expertise in the engineering and fabrication of expedition vehicles including standard SUVs & larger vehicles.
RIGGING FOR TOW
I had the opportunity to train with ETS Consulting on how to properly tow another vehicle. As someone who spends a lot of time on the road, I was surprised at how much I didn’t know about this important safety procedure. Survival in many roadside emergencies can depend on knowing how to tow properly but in the back-country this could ruin your entire hunt. If done correctly, you will be able to tow the other vehicle safely and confidently. If done improperly, you could put yourself and others in danger. Luckily, with proper training from experts like ETS Consulting, you can learn how to do it correctly and be prepared for any offroad emergency.
SELF-RECOVERY TECHNIQUE: WINCHING BASICS
SINGLE POINT RECOVERY
MULTI-POINT RECOVERY
EMPLOY A PULL PAL
We are dropping a YouTube Video on this topic soon!
