BLOG #19 WHAT DOES A RESCUE LOOK LIKE?

                                                              WHAT DOES A RESCUE LOOK LIKE


Let’s say you are hiking into a new lake or mountain top, with friends.
On your way out, someone trip and hurt themselves.
First, you must assess  your victim for any injuries, and determine the proper course of action.
If needed, stop any bleeding, and assess any other possible injuries.
Now let’s say you don’t have three bars on your phone. 
There is an app that weights nothing and can alert rescue crews of your location.  
It’s called AirFlare.com, and only cost $4.99 a YEAR. Please see BLOG #9.
This app only sends dispatch your GPS coordinates. Do not move from this site, because that is where the rescuers are headed to.
If you move, they may not be able to find you in a timely manner.

What do you do next.

​If your victim can’t walk out, they are in trouble.
If you have a Personal Location Devise (PLD), and you can trip the emergency button.
Or activate a search on the phone app…AirFlare.com. This app works without cell coverage.

You’ve initiated a rescue crew to come and help you.


Here’s what you do…
Treat any bleeding wound immediately, and monitor how your victim's wound is acting. 
STOP THE BLEEDING. It’s why we carry the 14 ESSENTIALS.

Then keep a close eye on the victim. If they go into shock, you must warm them.
Make the victim comfortable and keep a close eye on their vitals.
Breathing, pulse, consciousness, and any wounds.
Lay them down, and lift their legs above their heart.

A good rule of thumb is D.O.T.S.

D- DEFORMATION  of extremities, spine, neck, hips, arms and legs.
O-OPEN WOUNDS. Treat for bleeding immediately. Other than a pulse and breathe in, controlling bleeding is essential..
T-TENDERNESS. Check the victim very carefully. Examine all areas of tenderness for additional injuries.
S-SWEELING. While checking for tenderness, take note of any area that shows any degree of swelling. 

​
Make an area that the victim can be comfortable in for many hours.

What is the Sheriff doing since he or she got your alert?
First they have to contact the Search & Rescue team (S&R) members to meet at the sheriffs office or at the trailhead near where the accident occurred.
After they load their snowmobiles, 4 wheelers, or hike, they have to drive to an area near your location.
Then ride or walk to find you.

From the second you push the button, to seeing a rescue crew can take many hours.
PLEASE keep in mind, they are hurrying to get to you, but these things take time.

For instance….in 2023, a friend got hurt while snowshoeing in the Stevens Peak area. 
It took the S&R crew over 5 hours to get to the scene of the accident.
Mullan is only 3.5 miles from the accident.

Something the rescue crew leader said to me, sparked a nerve.
He said that of the dozens of rescues he has led, most all the hiking members , ask him a horrible question.

“How come it took so long for you to get here?”

These men and women bust their asses to get to you as fast as they can.

PLEASE, PLEASE don’t be an ass to them.

During the above mentions accident, the team leader told me that of all the rescues he has led, we were the only people that didn’t ask that stupid question..what took you so long?

In fact, we were very appreciative and kind, and that made him feel as if he did his job correctly, and well.

The up side to this story was, he called in a helicopter from Flathead County, Montana, Two Bear Air.
Within an hour or so, they had plucked my injured friend off the side of the mountain, and flew her to an awaiting ambulance.
Of course if the accident was life threatening, they would have flown her to the nearest hospital. 

Two Bear Air is a free plucking (rescue) service.
And I for one, am appreciative and thankful.

We were very appreciative and happy that our friend got the help  she needed.

So please don’t be an ass.

InlandNWRoutes.com


Chic          David