By Beatriz E. Valenzuela
Daily Press
VICTORVILLE, Calif. — It’s a frightening situation: A hiker has lost his way in the mountains and the sun is quickly setting.
As recently as two years ago, the stranded hiker would have waited until daylight to be found, but since the San Bernardino County Sheriff ‘s Aviation Unit acquired night-vision equipment, searches can go on into the night.
“In the course of about a month, (the aviation unit) did about five mountain rescues just over the holidays,” Arden Wiltshire, a spokeswoman for the Sheriff’s Department, said.
With the technolog y, air searchers can spot the light from a cell phone from five miles away, Lt. Dale Gregory said.
Before the department had the gear, deputies did not perform very many nighttime rescues, Capt. Tom Hornsby said.
Linked with other technology such as an infrared camera, the unit now routinely conducts night rescues in the surrounding mountains, Hornsby said. In many cases it can mean the difference in locating and making contact with someone immediately or having to wait until daylight, he said.
“Even if we can’t rescue them, we can direct ground crews to their location and get them the help they need,” Gregory said.
The aviation team’s flying skill is also essential to rescues.
“When you’re up in the mountains you have to make your own landing zone,” said pilot Deputy Dave Borgerd as he delicately balanced the B-3 Eurocopter on one skid on the side of a mountain near Deep Creek Trail.
Borgerd and his partner, Deputy Randy Gerwig, have even had to land on a narrow ridge with the skids hanging over a few feet on both sides of the ridge.
While the new equipment assists in rescues, it’s always best for hikers to stay safe and not need a rescue.
“Many times people underestimate the terrain and overestimate their ability,” Borgerd said.
Even on short hikes, said, people should always be prepared and carry food, water, a jacket, a cell phone and, if possible, personal GPS.
Copyright 2009 Daily Press