What we know:
- Stuck/Lost November 25th, 2006 in the snow in Oregon USA.
- 40-50* F highs during the day and 20-30* low temps at night.
- 4 Person family lost/stuck in OR in the snow.
- 35yr old father (Jim).
- 30yr old mother (Kati).
- 4yr old child and 7 month old infant.
- 2005 9-2X AWD Saab wagon stuck in the snow
- Used all gas in vehicle to run heater and stay warm to try to survive/wait for rescue.
- After gas ran out burned tire(s) for signal and to stay warm. [Note: tires smoke a LOT]
- Baby food in snacks were only food available in vehicle.
- James ate berries for a period of time.
- After food ran out mother nursed children.
- December 2nd 2006 - James Kim heads out to find help for his family. (last time he was seen alive)
- James was wearing only mild weather clothes. Tennis shoes, jeans, and a jacket.
- Kati Kim waived an umbrella to signal a passing helicopter which spotted and rescued her and her two children.
(Umbrella had reflective tape.)
- James Kim body found December 6th, 2006 with clothes scattered all over.
- Severe hypothermia causes the body to feel HOT and many people discard clothing and die minutes later.
What can we learn here?
- If James had stayed in place he would have been rescued with his family and still alive.
- A PLB (Personal Locator Beacon) similiar to a black box on an air plane. This device can be “armed” when in life threatening danger and search and rescue will be deployed to your location. This device alone would have saved the entire family, and due to the decrease in cost they are much more affordable. One would have thought that a gadget guy (James Kim[cnet reviewer]) would have been all over it (lets not blame though).
- Extra food and blankets should always be in your car especially for winter travel. A couple gallons of water and some power bars can go a really long way.
- When traveling through severe weather you should always pack some cold weather clothes such as boots and jackets incase your vehicle needs any work while you are on the road.
- When traveling in the snow another great item to bring would be a shovel or two.
The Kim’s did a great job surviving how long they did in the freezing temperatures and with barely any food and water. It is sad that James Kim did not make it through this, at least he died doing what he wanted to, attemping to save his families life.
