It has begun…

People lost in the jungle, rescuers searching in 95F heat and 99% humidity, hours pouring over maps.

We are well into the thick of things here, getting students out practicing and honing their wilderness and medical skills.  Today, they had a mini-race through the village of Mastatal and the surrounding environs, using their maps and compasses to locate four injured or otherwise needy people. Once at their patients, students had to complete an assigned assessment task, recording their findings, and move on to another person in distress.  And did we mention that it is hot?!

In addition, we spent time today learning more knots (trucker's hitch and taught-line) and reviewed knots already learned (bowline and and stopper).

Students are currently back in the classroom learning to use UTM (Universal Transverse Mercator) coordinate systems for navigation.   Unlike lines of latitude and longitude, UTM lines are very user-friendly but something that many people don't know how to use.