OMG!!! Really??? Lost in the Desert episode!!

I can certainly understand your frustration watching this issue. Those of us, who have spent time in the outdoors, and bothered to study or learn survival skills certainly would have done things differently.

First, in this families defense, there is a posting of their ordeal, from Shelly (the mother) posted at:

http://www.wildernet.com/pages/area.cfm?areaID=AZBLM&CU_ID=1

About half way down the page. It is a little different than the episode.

The big thing is, for many of us, we would have recognized the danger and made the effort to carry the needed supplies and gear, before heading out into the great unknown.

As my father, who was a pilot told me once about air craft crashes, they usually happen after 3 minor things have gone wrong. And if you think about it, that is a good description. Three minor things that by themselves would not cause concern, but together are catastrophic. In the case of this story.

It appears in this case. there were a few as well:

1. They should have turned back WHEN she did not recognize the terrain.
-Did they ever look BACK as the were going to a place, where she said she had not been before. Have familiarity with the terrain and the trail. Especially the way out. (The above link gives information on why they were in an area they had not been before.(According to the published accounts, it was on Aug 31, 2002, so a simple GPS could have prevented the episode.)

2. They over estimated the ability of the truck and became stuck.
- Roger Sargent, admitted he was from New Jersey and was not familiar with the desert, or obviously the truck. This could have been fixed with a shovel, a come-along, a better jack or a regular truck winch. The way it was described, it could have been evacuated from its position. A shovel would have been especially useful later as well. (Even in the desert, a dry creek bed could harbor water a few feet down in the right place. Much better chance than counting on water from cactus. . .)

3. This one could be a verity of things. I would list the dead cell phone (or lack of effective communication).
- No charger cord. (not that they could have gotten a signal where they were), but a charging cord, an extra or emergency battery, a CB or better yet a 2 meter ham radio (not that expensive) could have been taken as well. Simple fact was, since no one knew where they were, coupled with no method of communications were factors for not having been found sooner.

I am not even mentioning the idea to march the ENTIRE BUNCH in the HEAT OF THE DAY to the abandoned vehicle. or the decision to split up, or not carry more water, or basic survival tools. . .

Yes, they made mistakes. They are human. But I am willing to bet they don't do it again.

If I had their address, I would send them a copy of Cody Lundin's excellent book "98.6 Degrees: The Art of Keeping Your Ass Alive" which is arguably one of the best in the newer genre of survival books.

The thing that really amazes me from this story is the vehicle that stopped for Roger, but mistook him for an illegal alien. Their treatment of the guy was criminal. I would not leave another human being in his condition as they did. EVEN if he had been a illegal, he was still a human being. . .

Enough already. ..
W Horton RN BSN former Paramedic

I thought they all survived. Or did I miss something? Did that one little girl die?