Las Vegas Boy Dies After Getting Stranded in Death Valley

**Pete** · 08-08-2009, 06:18

Las Vegas Boy Dies After Getting Stranded in Death Valley

http://www.lasvegasnow.com/Global/story.asp?S=10867128

I was wondering which folder to put this post in. Thought it would best be placed here in the fieldcraft section as an example on what not to do.

I feel sorry for the boy and the mother but..........

Read for yourself, yeah this is America but the hard side of living can jump up and slap you if you're not prepared.

".....The vehicle was found several miles off a dirt road in the middle of the desert and apparently got stuck when it drove over an underground coyote den and the soil collapsed, Lotspeich said......."

Off roading in the desert with a single vehicle requires knowledge of self recovery and just a few basic tools. A shepard's jack and D handle shovel might have been enough to fix the problem.

Read through the story and just shook my head, one thing after another leading up to a disaster.

PSM · 08-10-2009, 17:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete

A shepard's jack

New term to me. Is this a Hi-Lift jack?

Pat

Edit to add: No joy on Google search.

**Pete** · 08-10-2009, 19:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by PSM

New term to me. Is this a Hi-Lift jack?

Pat

Edit to add: No joy on Google search.

Yes that would be a Hi Lift Jack. I guess I used the old term.

A litttle odd to use with newer plastic bumper cars but with a good size base plate, some hooks & straps, a shovel and a little brain figuring you can lift & fill under just about anything and get back rolling.

Sdiver · 08-10-2009, 20:10

I too was/am shaking my head after reading this, but not the same way Pete was shaking his. Some things just don't add up and smells kinda fishy to me.

They got a flat tire, she changed it, continued on, went off road, got stuck, went through their 24 16oz waters/pop-tarts/and cheese sammiches, the dog and the mom survive but the boy dies.......

I'm sorry, but my Spidey Senses are tingling on this one. Be interesting to keep an eye on the investigation with this one.

08-10-2009, 21:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sdiver

I'm sorry, but my Spidey Senses are tingling on this one. Be interesting to keep an eye on the investigation with this one.

My senses as well.

Richard · 08-11-2009, 05:34

We always had some metal fence stakes, rope, and a comealong for such a situation - a three-post anchor to attach a winch or comealong works wonders in that type of terrain.

Richard's $.02

**Pete** · 08-11-2009, 05:41

20 miles is a long way in the desert.

I can believe the story just because it reads like a typical "Oh, this sounds like fun. Let's do it." story.

The average person can pull out the owner's book and struggle through changing a flat tire while parked on the side of the road. But when one of your tires breaks through an underground den you find you can't get to where the book says to put the jack.

They entered a survival situation where even with limited training or pre trip prep they all would have survived.

I would hope the authorities do a real good interview with her and somewhere down the road we can read an AAR of what they did during the 5 days.

Stuck in the desert or stuck in a blizzard - both can kill the unprepared.

And in addition to what Richard said - a snatch block doubles the pulling power of a comealong.

ODA572 · 08-12-2009, 05:58

What I don't understand about this story is, "Why is the dog alive?"

You're stranded in one of the worst places in the world to be stranded, Death Valley. It's called that for a reason.

How long till rescue? No idea.

Must ration the supplies for maximum duration.

Water for mom, water for kid, ......... water for the dog? Not in my play book.

That dog had to have been given water to last as long as mom. That water maybe, just maybe, could have saved the boy till rescue.

I'm sure the PETA crowd is praising the mom's decision to give water to the dog, and the boy, well, too bad about that you know.

Stupid is as stupid does.

**Pete** · 08-12-2009, 06:54

I would guess the dog was the smart one.

After the water ran out I'll bet his place was under the vehicle in a nice bed he made for himself in the sand.

"....... and quickly consumed the 24 16-oz. bottles of water........"

That's why I would love to read a detailed AAR of their experience.

Since they were going overnight camping they had to have some basic camping equipment. What did they have and how did they use/not use it?

Richard · 08-12-2009, 07:00

Quote:

Since they were going overnight camping they had to have some basic camping equipment. What did they have and how did they use/not use it?

A shovel?

Richard's $.02

**The Reaper** · 08-12-2009, 07:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard

A shovel?

Richard's $.02

Exactly my thought.

Given a couple of days, you could dig the vehicle out and build a pretty good ramp.

Maybe people without adequate training should not attempt potentially life-threatening activities, especially if they are taking their kids along.

TR

Saoirse · 08-12-2009, 08:13

Why didn't she just backtrack to the road from which she drove off of, if she didn't have the tools or know-how to do what you guys would have done? In that 5 day period, she could have made it back to the main road.
But, most importantly, what the hell was she doing out there in the first place? Who goes camping in Death Valley, in the middle of the summer, totally unprepared and with a total lack of knowledge? I hate to think it, but Susan Smith comes to mind!!

**Pete** · 08-12-2009, 08:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saoirse

.... I hate to think it, but Susan Smith comes to mind!!

Don't think so. It all sounds like fun until something goes wrong.

Sticking the vehicle was not done on purpose. You'd be amazed at the number of people who own 4x4s or all wheel drives and don't know how to use them to get the most from it's capability. "Hey, its a 4x4, it can go anywhere."

Ever see a 4x4 with two opposing wheels up in the air just spinning away?

If it was done to pull a "Susan Smith" she stood a very good chance of checking out herself. Suicide by desert is not a nice way to go.

Your "Why" questions are good questions but how do they relate to desert survival? The nearest place was 20 miles away and they had no maps of the area.

The simplest plan would have been to tell a neighbor "We are going......and will be back Sunday evening. If we're not back by Monday morning could you notify the police and the park?"

And then Monday afternoon be ready to burn your flat tire.

Saoirse · 08-12-2009, 08:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete

Don't think so. It all sounds like fun until something goes wrong.

And then Monday afternoon be ready to burn your flat tire.

I thought about the tires, as well. Not to mention the seats and canvas top if she had one (the last resort). I am assuming the base didn't have cameras and patrols like the illustrious and oh so secretive Area 51.

And as far as the Smith comment, it was a knee jerk reaction to letting one's child die and the dog surviving. As much as I love my dog, my kid would have had priority!! But, we don't know anything about this woman, her knowledge and her motivation for really being out there. I am curious how the investigation is going to go and what the outcome will be.

albeham · 08-12-2009, 08:51

Dog, Cat, snake, etc, all a food source .

Lack of education, and training , and fore sight.

My wife hated going off the trail with me, until she read this...

Sad, very sad.. I too have a sense that something is afoot with this...

AL