Be Prepared
The Texas Star Party is a unique environment due to its remote location, about 200 miles from cities El Paso and Midland/Odessa.
What if I need medical attention?
- The nearest medical facility is at Alpine (28 miles), Big Bend Regional Medical Center at least 40 minutes away (see map)
- A map to this ER is also posted on the notices board just outside the dining hall entrance. The Ranch gates remain unlocked at night.
- There are several pharmacies in Alpine.
- Cell-phone coverage is not available on the Ranch
- But there is a phone inside the Radio building (adjacent to radio tower) which can make 911 calls.
- There is an outdoors public phone just outside the Ranch front office (to the right of the entry door)
- There is a phone inside the Ranch front office
- The nearest cellphone service is in Fort Davis (5 miles away)
- In case of a medical emergency, consider these options:
- Yell out as loudly as possible, “I need help!” or just “HELP, HELP, HELP!”
- short, sharp, loud repeated sounds are easier to hear in the outdoors, especially against the wind
- Honk a car horn repeatedly with short fast honks, if that is possible. 3 short honks with 3 long honks over and over will get attention faster (SOS).
- At night, flash a white light repeatedly.
- Send someone for help… Ranch office (regular hours) or the Radio building (adjacent to radio tower)
- Check out our options for radio communications, which can be very fast and convenient
- If you have a 2-way radio (FRS or GMRS), call out on Ch6 Sub0 (FRS radios do not require any license)
- or you may be able to reach a TSP staff member at Ch15 Sub11 (GMRS radios only; simple payment for 10-year license)
- If you have a ham radio (requires license with test), we have a repeater that gives wide coverage: W5TSP REPEATER 442.8+, pl 110.9-
- If you have a 2-way radio (FRS or GMRS), call out on Ch6 Sub0 (FRS radios do not require any license)
- At night, normal headlights are justified in true medical emergencies. Be watchful for people walking on roads in the dark
- Yell out as loudly as possible, “I need help!” or just “HELP, HELP, HELP!”
- Check out this first aid information resource
- Consider bringing your own personal first aid kit.
- Our most common maladies at TSP include: Dehydration, sunburn, scrapes and cuts from falls, etc
- Put a list of your prescription medications and any relevant medical conditions (diabetic?, drug allergies, etc) in your wallet/purse.
What about fire or other hazard?
- Evacuate from the location to a safe distance
- In case of fire:
- Location of fire extinguishers – locate yours, typically mounted at rear of building on outside.
- Location of fire extinguishers – locate yours, typically mounted at rear of building on outside.
- In case of water leak:
- Contact Prude Ranch – Front office (daytime), Nighttime Food Service (next to Swimming Pool)
- Contact Prude Ranch – Front office (daytime), Nighttime Food Service (next to Swimming Pool)
- In case of wildfire nearby:
- TSP staff will be monitoring conditions with county officials
- Monitor 2-way radio for possible on-site news
- In case of bad weather:
- Monitor 2-way radio for possible on-site news
- Some radios can receive National Weather Service (NWS) station (Alpine)
- TSP Weather laptops, located at
- indoor TV lounge adjacent to Ranch Front office
- from window on front porch of Lodge building north of upper field
- Check out our options for radio communications, which can be very fast and convenient
- If you have a 2-way radio (FRS or GMRS), call out on Ch6 Sub0 (FRS radios do not require any license)
- or you may be able to reach a TSP staff member at Ch15 Sub11 (GMRS radios only; simple payment for 10-year license)
- If you have a ham radio (requires license with test), we have a repeater that gives wide coverage: W5TSP REPEATER 442.8+, pl 110.9-
- If you have a 2-way radio (FRS or GMRS), call out on Ch6 Sub0 (FRS radios do not require any license)
TSP needs volunteers to help with various aspects of supporting emergency conditions including:
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- First responders (with or without medical skills) who have radio communications (preferably ham radio)
- Medically-skilled persons such as doctors, nurses, paramedic, etc. (We can equip you with a TSP staff radio)
- Other persons who can help facilitate, such as traffic control, etc. (ham radio required, which requires license)
- You can get useful communications training via our Emergency Drill. Find out more on options for radio communications
- You can also find out about the TSP Emergency Network
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- Contact us if you can help this year at tsp@texasstarparty.org