The only difference between adventure and disaster is preparedness.

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Being Prepared Saves Lives

Just a timely reminder to make sure you have a well-stocked emergency kit in your car. And also....be wary of computers, they're just biding their time until they overthrow the humans. I'm just kidding. Or am I?

Nevada couple stranded 3 days after GPS leads them astray
Associated Press / December 29, 2009

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - A Nevada couple letting their sport utility vehicle’s navigation system guide them through the high desert of eastern Oregon got stuck in snow for three days when the GPS unit sent them down a remote forest road.

On Sunday, atmospheric conditions apparently changed enough for their GPS-enabled cellphone to get a weak signal and relay coordinates to a dispatcher, Klamath County Sheriff Tim Evinger said. “GPS almost did ’em in and GPS saved ’em,’’ Evinger said. “It will give you options to pick the shortest route. You certainly get the shortest route. But it may not be a safe route.’’
Evinger said a Lake County deputy found the couple in the Winema-Fremont National Forest outside the small town of Silver Lake on Sunday afternoon and pulled their four-wheel-drive Toyota Sequoia out of the snow with a winch.

John Rhodes, 65, and his wife, Starry Bush-Rhodes, 67, made it home safely to Reno, Evinger said. The couple was well-equipped for winter travel, carrying food, water, and warm clothes, the sheriff said. “Their statement was being prepared saved their life,’’ Evinger said.

The couple had been in Portland and followed their GPS as it directed them south on US Highway 97 to Oregon Highway 31, which goes through Silver Lake and Lakeview before connecting with US Highway 395 to Reno, Evinger said.

No comments: