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-
    • At night, normal headlights are justified in true medical emergencies. Be watchful for people walking on roads in the dark
  • 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.
  • In case of water leak:
    • 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-


Want to Help?

TSP needs volunteers to help with various aspects of supporting emergency conditions including:

    • 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

    Medical volunteers