Sometimes as preppers, we have theoretical discussions about how much help we’ll be willing or able to give to our neighbors, should the shit really hit the fan. There are different views out there, ranging through no help at all, all the way to food out of the pantry.
I heard about something Weds morning though, that really caught my interest.
In Plaquemines Parish, a fishing community south of New Orleans, about two dozen people who stayed behind despite evacuation orders needed to be rescued Tuesday night. What the reporter said was that the FEMA/National Guard guys were not sending in rescue teams yet because it was too dark and too windy. Locals heard that neighbors needed help, so they got in a few boats and were out in the hurricane, fishing people off of roofs, and in one case saving two pump station workers who got trapped by water spilling over the levees. Three levees were overtopped and some places had 9 to 15 feet of water. Now, I certainly can’t blame the National Guard for not wanting to send teams into that. Every map they have is going to be wrong with water 9 feet higher. Middle of the night in the middle of a hurricane is not the time to go into unfamiliar waters. I did snap out of my commute fog long enough to give some mad prepper props to the home boys that did go out in it. Sadly, I can’t find the story anymore. So, I don’t have any details about what they went through that night. But, I do have relatives down in Louisiana, (they’re fine), so I can at least set the scene for you here.
It’s pitch black, except when lightening strikes or you fumble on your flashlight. Can’t leave it on too long, there are no more batteries to be had. The rain is coming down hard enough, you feel like you’re in a chilly shower. The wind is blowing at 60 or 70 miles per hour. Think about the last time you stood next to a highway (at night) with the cars zipping past you at that speed. Now imagine the cars are lawn furniture, tree branches, and bits of houses or boats. You have to navigate around in water that’s 9 feet higher than it usually is, you have to recognize streets by roofs and tree tops, in the dark.
Would you be out there saving your neighbors off of their roofs? Or, if you’re in CA, are you going to be ready to pry rubble off of people? Not that everyone needs to charge in, if you’re just going to make another victim in need of rescue, DON’T GO. But, if you’re strong and healthy and can help, will you? What kinds of equipment will you need to give immediate aid? These are all things worth thinking about.
– Calamity Jane
Saving Neighbors
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That is a pretty scary scene alright. Those rescuers are brave folks and deserve some public recognition as selfless people who took care of their own when it counted. I hope the news for all in Issac’s path is good.
although some resent them for “their Morality”, “it would be the Christian thing to do”.
I’m not a very good Christian I guess. I don’t know if I’d go out during the height of the storm to try to rescue people who chose to place themselves in danger. (or worse, place others in a position where they just may end up laying down their lives) I guess I’d be more likely to, if there were children involved…
equipment is much easier to think about.
first, regardless of the emergency: rope. lots and lots of rope.
blocks and tackle. “rigging” stuff. nylon webbing. harnesses…
a fire axe. serious pry bars. flashlights, lanterns, rechargable batteries. a “chain fall” hoist.
real “life jackets”, that can keep an unconscious person floating face up out of the water.
SCBA for land, SCUBA for water rescue.
diving gear. warm blankets. hot weather rain gear…
…some “BFH”s, (2Lb ball pein, “engineer”, and “sledge”)
and some tree cutting gear.
To rescue and help or not to rescue and help, we all have our inbedded “risk factor” gene, some see no fear in bear or gator wrestling, some have lived through times in which they had to do or die, we have all faced emregency’s with different level’s of fear, complication, some train to run into buildings on fire, most are trained to run out of burning buildings…. when the time comes one will follow their heart even when the head say’s ohhh noooo go the other way. I still believe there is a remnant of people who will “help” however, with whatever they can…most RESCUE trained entities are under a governing body that tell’s them yeah or neah, whether they want to or not, the chain of command determines who goes when to do what… individual’s go and do as they can… just a thought.
” Beloved , let us love one another , for love is of God, and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. ” 1 John:4 vs 7
yeh, what Bubba Lee said.
Then Jesus said, “Greater love has no man than he lays down his life for his friends”. John:15 vs 13
yeh, what St. Francis said.
If they succeed in saving their nieghbors in the face of danger by their reckless choices then they are indeed heros. If they fail they are statistics or if they are lucky simply add to the number that need to be rescued by the coast guard. I too applaud people who bravely risk their life to save others but I also shake my head at the stupidity when these would-be heros die in the attempt.
Aye, well said, gone with the wind, recently read where a husband and wife drowned trying to save their dog who jumped out of their boat, sometimes wonder if some of this is meant to be, or their love for this animal supersceeded their own lives, tho, does anyone goes into a rescue with the thought this is going to kill me, no one know’s until the hour they are called upon….
Think this is the link to the story you seen.
http://news.yahoo.com/louisiana-father-son-team-rescues-120-flooding-223023752–abc-news-topstories.html
Over 120 saved by everyday guys in a disaster.
I have to revise my comments. These guys are heros. I think their abilities and knowledge of the area worked in their favor. It is difficult for an outsider to go into an unknown area at night in a flood and hurricane and be effective. But the advantage these “good ole boys” had of knowing the terrain and where the people in need might be and where safe high ground was became the most important factors. Kudos to these men and hope they continue to be the sheep dogs for their friends and nieghbors.
I’m always willing to offer whatever help I am able to, that being said, I would not be heading out at night in the middle of a hurricane. It seems under those circumstances there would be a greater risk that I’d end up having to be rescued myself as opposed to actually helping anyone.
Without knowing the specifics of that particular story anyone that ventured out into a storm/hurricane to rescue people is incredibly stupid and lucky if they survive. Worst decision they could have made was to go out into that for just about any reason. The reason the rescue people didn’t go out was because it was TOO DANGEROUS !!! They got lucky…they are not heroes in my eyes. Just a slime chance that they didn’t INCREASE the number of people needing rescue or even worse get people killed because of the lack of experience and knowledge. If you want to help…. volunteer to help the rescue agencies in the area. That being said maybe the locals that helped DID now what they were doing ? Or possible the situation, at the time, wasn’t as bad as it seems. Lots of things we don’t know about the situation.
That is the difference between fight and flight. Some are born to put there self in harms way to help others….case in point our military and then others are very content to be the protected…..There is nothing wrong with either. Just try not to be so critical of someone’s decision to fight vs flight.
These two people are more heroic than you know.
The winds probably would’ve sounded horrendous – it drowns out human speech – sounds first like a train, then several trains, then a jet, then a whole squadron bearing down on you – for HOURS. (And after Katrina, a lotta people down there are traumatized even during a normal storm…) As for “familiar terrain” – very little is still familiar during storm flooding – things floating to (or under) the surface, you’re not sure how deep it is, moved houses (!) , things to snag your prop, and yes, downed LIVE power lines.
So yeah, logically it makes more sense to wait it out if you can… but when you’re getting calls from neighbors (and in this case neighbors were also friends, relatives & loved ones) in 1-story buildings calling YOU telling you the water is about to cover the kids’ chests – well, having independent principles sounds all well & good when you’re not in it. Doing what you can is what makes a man a real man.
Agree w/ bhoff that it’s also “fight/flight” instinct – as they themselves put it, “going on adrenaline” is an instinct that lets you cut thru the fear sometimes.
They would’ve needed a shallow boat with a POWERFUL trolling motor , ropes, life jackets, hopefully some of the rescued were able to assist also. In their case sounds like saws & axes to get thru roofs would be needed. If they had good lights & radar that could’ve helped. (DON’T get into the water – you’re trying to get people out of the flood, not in – the current & debris & power lines are too dangerous.) Once you had the survivors, you’d need a safe place to ferry them to, with shelter (hopefully the waiting teams). En route, blankets & hot water are useful.
The odds you’d want to save someone near&dear may be good if you’re not a hermit. Sounds like these guys must’ve been able to do it pretty sensibly if they picked up so many.