Lead Medic 04.10.2008

Summit County Rescue Group received a page Tuesday for a 23/yo female with back injuries. I threw my gear on and headed up to Boreas Pass. I threw on my mountaineering boots and was given lead medic for first patient contact. Brian, the Team Leader, and I hopped on a snowmobile. I put on the medical bash kit and headed down the 100 feet of 50 degree slope.

After making patient contact, establishing scene safety, and receiving her vitals and injury report I sent a radio report back to Command. Dan came down with the vacuum splint and rescue basket. After we secured her neck we placed her in the full body splint and basket. The team at the top of the slope built an uphaul system and pulled both the patient and myself up on a rope. I held on for dear life trying not to drop her to one side. Once at the top I put my full face helmet back on and placed her in the Orion, a large sled with a cover. I stood on the back and we towed it back to Command with a snowmobile.

I was thrilled to have my first patient in the field not be squirting blood and screaming bloody murder. She was great even though highly injured. When I reached her she said, “When I hit the ground it felt like there was small explosion in my back.” Last night at our rescue group meeting I was told that I got accolades for my patient care.