SNORR Recovery 101 Class
I recently took the Recovery 101 class offered by SNORR (Southern Nevada Off Road Recovery. SNORR is an all-volunteer non-profit organization located in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The class location sometimes changes, this class was held at the Apex/Nellis Dunes Area, a short distance northeast of the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. We met at a predetermined location next to the Gas line road. There we aired down our vehicle tires, and together drove about one mile out into the dunes.
Continued:
A $45 donation is required to take the class, and classes are limited to 30 vehicles. 100% of all donations raised go to SNORR and are used for buying gas cards, helping to replace gear as it is damaged on recoveries, and to help keep the service 100% free for the public.
Many people are new to the off-road community, or have gear that they have never used, or are looking for some information on what gear to buy and why. This class covers all of that!
After arriving at our meeting location, we gathered around a table loaded with all sorts of recovery gear and settled into our folding chairs. The class was divided into four sections starting with a thorough discussion of all the basic recovery gear one might need while off roading, followed by three demos.
Section 1 - Basic Recovery Gear
Recovery gear that was recommended to carry while off-roading included:
Kinetic recovery rope.
Static tow strap.
Shackles.
Recovery or Traction boards.
Shovel.
First aid kit.
Fire extinguishers.
Other recovery gear can include:
Winch.
Snatch block.
Winch line damper or something suitable.
Gloves.
Discussions including:
Hard vs Soft Shackles.
Different snatch block types and why use them.
Kinetic Recovery ropes vs Tow ropes.
Section 2 - Winching Demo
Two vehicles were set up to demonstrate the following:
How to winch safely.
Basic single line pull.
Using a snath block for a double line pull.
Use of a winch line damper.
Also discussed was the proper use of jacks including: a hi-lift jack, bottle jack, and air bag.
Section 3 - Recovery Ropes Demo
Again, two vehicles were used. One was deliberately stuck in soft sand (a large heavy truck), and the other (a smaller SUV) was used to demonstrate the use of a kinetic rope. Using about five feet of slack in the rope, the SUV easily pulled the heaver truck out of its stuck position.
Section 4 - Recovery Boards Demo
Another vehicle, purposely stuck in soft sand was used to demonstrate the use of traction boards in helping the vehicle drive out of its stuck position.
The class ended with a discussion of Radio communications covering Amateur (or HAM) radio which requires a license and a test, and GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) which requires only a license.
If you are interested in taking the Recovery 101 class, follow the "SNORR, Southern Nevada Off Road Recovery" Facebook page, and look under "Events."
NOTE:
The Facebook group "SNORR, Underground" is for group member discussions.
The Facebook group "SNORR, Southern Nevada Off Road Recovery" is for official business. An obvious difference you'll notice is this page has an "Events" section, and a "Files" menu option, for official business. You can post on this group if you need help, or call 702-706-2330.
Volunteer With SNORR
There are three Tier levels to be a volunteer. Tier 1, pass an online test on basic recovery knowledge. Tier 2 requires you go on three recoveries. This recovery class will count as one recovery. For more information on becoming a volunteer with SNORR, visit SNORR.vegas.
The class location sometimes changes, this class was held at the Apex/Nellis Dunes Area, a short distance northeast of the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. We met at a predetermined location next to the Gas line road. There we aired down our vehicle tires, and together drove about one mile out into the dunes.
Continued:
A $45 donation is required to take the class, and classes are limited to 30 vehicles. 100% of all donations raised go to SNORR and are used for buying gas cards, helping to replace gear as it is damaged on recoveries, and to help keep the service 100% free for the public.
Many people are new to the off-road community, or have gear that they have never used, or are looking for some information on what gear to buy and why. This class covers all of that!
After arriving at our meeting location, we gathered around a table loaded with all sorts of recovery gear and settled into our folding chairs. The class was divided into four sections starting with a thorough discussion of all the basic recovery gear one might need while off roading, followed by three demos.
Section 1 - Basic Recovery Gear
Recovery gear that was recommended to carry while off-roading included:
Kinetic recovery rope.
Static tow strap.
Shackles.
Recovery or Traction boards.
Shovel.
First aid kit.
Fire extinguishers.
Other recovery gear can include:
Winch.
Snatch block.
Winch line damper or something suitable.
Gloves.
Discussions including:
Hard vs Soft Shackles.
Different snatch block types and why use them.
Kinetic Recovery ropes vs Tow ropes.
Section 2 - Winching Demo
Two vehicles were set up to demonstrate the following:
How to winch safely.
Basic single line pull.
Using a snath block for a double line pull.
Use of a winch line damper.
Also discussed was the proper use of jacks including: a hi-lift jack, bottle jack, and air bag.
Section 3 - Recovery Ropes Demo
Again, two vehicles were used. One was deliberately stuck in soft sand (a large heavy truck), and the other (a smaller SUV) was used to demonstrate the use of a kinetic rope. Using about five feet of slack in the rope, the SUV easily pulled the heaver truck out of its stuck position.
Section 4 - Recovery Boards Demo
Another vehicle, purposely stuck in soft sand was used to demonstrate the use of traction boards in helping the vehicle drive out of its stuck position.
The class ended with a discussion of Radio communications covering Amateur (or HAM) radio which requires a license and a test, and GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) which requires only a license.
If you are interested in taking the Recovery 101 class, follow the "SNORR, Southern Nevada Off Road Recovery" Facebook page, and look under "Events."
NOTE:
The Facebook group "SNORR, Underground" is for group member discussions.
The Facebook group "SNORR, Southern Nevada Off Road Recovery" is for official business. An obvious difference you'll notice is this page has an "Events" section, and a "Files" menu option, for official business. You can post on this group if you need help, or call 702-706-2330.
Volunteer With SNORR
There are three Tier levels to be a volunteer. Tier 1, pass an online test on basic recovery knowledge. Tier 2 requires you go on three recoveries. This recovery class will count as one recovery. For more information on becoming a volunteer with SNORR, visit SNORR.vegas.
