Recently, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Forest Ranger Scott taught a wilderness survival course at Islip Middle School in Suffolk County.
Ranger Scott showed the students how to use a compass and map to navigate, how to splint a broken limb, and how to carry someone in a litter.
Once the students were comfortable with the skills, they were put to the test in a race. Two teams had to navigate to their "patient," splint their arm, and carry them back. Both teams were successful in their rescue and learned valuable lessons in teamwork, resourcefulness, and communication.
DEC Forest Rangers respond to search and rescue incidents statewide. Working with other state agencies, local emergency response organizations, and volunteer search and rescue groups, Forest Rangers locate and extract lost, injured, or distressed people from across New York State.