Ask a Mountain Rescue Person...
Discussion
Chimune said:
What % of people rescued don't realise the seriousness of the situation they were in?
Great question.The serious trauma incidents know they're lucky to be alive.
Lots of others haven't a clue - It's not the actual injuries that could possibly affect them, exposure will - they don't get that bit. Sometimes we get them right on the edge of proper hypothermeria. Broken ankle never killed anyone, right?
Edited by Mothersruin on Friday 12th January 01:04
BTW - This was a thread where some of the training was outlined - I've now been operation for a bit - https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=16...
Zetec-S said:
For idiots who get caught out with just shorts/t-shirt/flip flops/etc, once you've got them to safety do you give them a proper b
king, or is it a softly-softly approach?
Softly-Softly. We have a word but most realise they screw up.king, or is it a softly-softly approach?That said, people can be well kitted out and simply have an accident. Last night was a walker that slipped on ice North of Pen Y Fan and had a suspected fractured ankle. Couldn't walk off so needed assistance, low visibility so the heli couldn't get in, good old fashioned stretcher off was the order of the day. She was fully kitted out and experienced.
Kendal Mint Cake - sugar bars as far as im concerned. We just carry normal choccy bars. I carry snickers and mars bars.
Mothersruin said:
Nope, I was away over the weekend but I was following it on Sarcall. I heard the wind was up.
Is everyone ok now?
Yes, the accident was a proper could have happened anywhere - trip on flat ground and a broken ankle, just happened on the Neuadd ridge. Is everyone ok now?
The wind certainly had it's part to play but only from the challenges it presented the helicopter and the potential cold danger to us from the windchill - we were quite lucky to find a slight hollow only 100m or so away from the accident site so we carried the casualty there, otherwise it could have been interesting. A nice shiny new bothy bag has now been added to my kit!
The casualty managed to break her ankle in a couple of places and managed to add a black eye into the bargain when a strap on the stretcher whipped across her face during the winch, but yes, she is ok.
The only question that followed up for me was : should we have just carried her out to begin with? we had the people but no stretcher, it would have been very painful for them but doable.
Broken ankles can be quite complex. We have to regularly check for blood flow to the foot as it can easily be cut off if there's complications. Then there's a real risk of losing the foot if they don't get to difinitive care quickly so a heli is the default if it's available. We have to err on the side of caution.
But, yes, you could have succesfully self-evaced as long as you had enough time, decent kit, plenty of food and water as you'd be working very hard and the casualty was stable. But calling MR is usually the best thing to do.
Bothy bags are the best survival bits of kit.
But, yes, you could have succesfully self-evaced as long as you had enough time, decent kit, plenty of food and water as you'd be working very hard and the casualty was stable. But calling MR is usually the best thing to do.
Bothy bags are the best survival bits of kit.
Dr Doofenshmirtz said:
Do you ever feel you've put your own life in danger having rescued an overly adventurous moron(s)?
Not really. We're safety conscious and there's a wealth of experience in the team so the judgement calls are sound. The kit is excellent and constantly checked for any possible issues. On ropes and slings, for example, even the smallest amount of wear is noted and the offending item is demoted to training gear or destroyed if necessary.Gassing Station | The Lounge | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff