Thanks to our first responders, and the tools they have today

[Robert Dabe]

Thanks to our first responders, and the marvelous tools they have today

I'm an experienced ATC rider, but the last time riding one was 1996.

A couple of weeks ago I really got the bug to go riding again. I ended up buying a 2000 Honda TRX400EX in decent shape, and took it up to the Interlake State Recreation Area, near Linville, In, yesterday. The park sets on an area where coal had been mined. there are a lot of rocks there. It was a cool day so I made sure wear thermal underwear. I rode mostly easy trails until I felt more confident. The trails were pretty wet, but still manageable, until I went down one hill too many. I wasn't unable to climb up the other side. I spent a couple of hours trying to figure a way out. In the end I pulled the key, and started walking, back to the parking lot. The more I walked, the darker it got. It turned out I was on the wrong trail. I turned around and wend on a different trail. My legs were very sore so I took a break, and laid down under a tree, and shivered. I had fallen several times in the darkness. One thing that really helped my rescue was the ability of the Sheriff to ping my phone, and locate my truck.

Around 5:00 am I heard a drone, then saw some headlights. I walked down to them. It turned out they were looking for me. I didn't know they were part of larger group. They took me to the ambulance, and started checking me out. Once that was done I got to see the tools they had at their hands. Each of the people looking for me were assigned a radio number, that was tracked by the main computer. The screen showed the searchers paths. Where they had been, and where they were at any given time. Once they determined I was ok to go home, I was in between the ambulance and a second vehicle. I can't provide enough praise to people dedicated to helping others. 

Now the, rest of the story... Before leaving home I told my wife I was going to do some riding, for about an hour. After not hearing from me for many hours, she decided to call the Sheriff for help. She gave him all the information she could. She knew the color of my truck, the ATV, and my phone number. I am very happy she looks out for me. You can bet this won't happen again. Thanks sweetie!

All of this could had been avoided if I was riding with another person, and had my phone with me. 

[06kfx440]

God bless your wife. My wife is a paramedic and my family is in the fire department. I was in your shoes once and that's all it took. I now have a GPS on my quad just in case something like this happens. Also a rule of thumb for me. Never ride alone. I'm glad things turned out well for you.

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