Many people dont, or dont want to contemplate, a significant injury may occur to them on the trail during their hike. However, injuries can and do occur. I sustained multiple fractures in a fall from the trail just short of the Canadian border requiring helicopter rescue. Id like to share a few observations from that experience. First, I was really glad that my wife had insisted that I carry a Spot. Second, even after I had crawled to a clearing and had gathered several hikers in the interim, I was told by a crew member that the only reason we were spotted was because one of the hikers had a red jacket to wave. Mind you, the rest of us were all waving whatever we had to wave, but we werent seen, even next to Fairway with the red jacket. Third, helicopters dont carry pain relievers. From the time of the fall until the time I was delivered by a second military helicopter to a hospital, was over eight hours. The flight from the accident site to the hospital alone was just under an hour. Even the medic on board provides only medical monitoring. Consider carrying a Spot. If you have a choice of red as a color in buying a piece of gear, choose that one. If you have an opportunity to obtain a few narcotic analgesics, think about doing so and carrying them. Always carry at least some water.
Posted on: Sat, 29 Mar 2014 23:00:07 +0000
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