Mike W. Bryant
Northern News Services

NNSL (May 17/99) - Having the right equipment and clothing can make the difference between life and death.

Survival on the land for extended periods of time is a concern for many Northerners and the key to surviving is the proper planning.

For Chris Groves, part owner of Eetuk Outfitting and Equipment rentals in Iqaluit, safety in the wilderness is the mainstay of his business.

"Not only will the equipment and clothing we provide protect you from the elements, but it should reduce the need for costly search and rescue missions," Groves said when reached at his outfitting company.

"Survival suits, like those made by Mustang, Sterns and Buoyoboy, will not only keep you afloat if you should fall through the ice, but keep you warm as well.

"Global positioning systems (GPSs) and personal locator beacons (PLBs) are probably the most important devices one could have if stranded in the wilderness, but unfortunately, they also very expensive to buy. They usually go for around $2,500."

If you can't afford a GPS or a PLB, Groves recommends purchasing signal flares or smoke canisters if you plan to be spending time in remote locations.

"Signal flares and smoke canisters can save your life if you are lost or caught in a storm," Groves says.

"The wilderness in the North is so expansive that it makes it very difficult for rescuers in the air or on the ground to find someone who is lost in the best of conditions. It is important to have at least some signal flares with you when spending some time in the wilderness. They can be seen for miles when they're used. They're very effective."

Groves also mentioned that encounters with wildlife can be a relatively safe experience for both man and the animal.

"Bear sprays and bangers have been very effective at keeping aggressive bears away," says Groves.

"A study done last year in the High Arctic wilderness had shown otherwise, but that study didn't take a few things into account. Clothes sprayed with bear repellant were left outside in the wilderness and it was found that the bears would pick up the scent and eat them, but that was because the spray loses its strength after a very short period of time when released.

"I've seen how effective bear sprays are in the wild, however, and a quick blast of spray will usually keep a bear away.

"We also supply rubber bullets and those work too. It's better than having to kill the bear with a real bullet."