found themselves stranded in a snowstorm in a secluded part
were and hope rescue teams would find them in time or leave the
»
LifeorDeath Decisions
When it comes to getting out of a survival situation alive, the
toughest choice facing any of us is the one between staying put
in the hopes of being rescued or venturing out for help. Often,
it’s a lifeordeath decision.
This was the dire predicament facing Thomas and Tamitha
Garner, a suburban couple from Salt Lake City, when they
of southwestern Utah. A sudden winter storm paralyzed their
vehicle, cutting them off from civilization and virtually all hope
of immediate rescue. Stuck in the snowblanketed mountains
for 12 agonizing days, the Garners struggled to survive in their
pickup truck, with two boxes of granola bars, some frozen bot
tled water, a can of spray deodorant, some carburetor cleaner, a
lighter, and Medusa, the family dog.
Dressed only in jeans and light coats, they kept warm by start
ing the truck from time to time. For nine frigid days and nights,
Thomas and Tamitha carefully rationed the granola bars and water,
but eventually, when they were reduced to eating Medusa’s remain
ing kibble, they knew they had to make a choice: stay where they
cold comfort of the truck to set out in search of help.
Thomas, a former Eagle Scout, got to work. Recalling an
episode of “I Shouldn’t Be Alive: The Science of Survival,” in
which I fashioned a set of makeshift snowshoes from seatbelts
and foam carseat padding, he created boots using the truck’s
seat cushions and a few bungee cords. With his wife in sneak
ers behind him and Medusa in tow, he blazed a trail through
snow well over two feet deep. When night fell, all three huddled
around a fire, which they made by lighting carburetor cleaner.
When the fire waned, they kept it going with spray deodorant.
The couple and their dog continued hiking—despite dehy
dration, exhaustion, and frostbite—for an astonishing three
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