RRC Archives

This afternoon, heard on the emergency radio that Lee County SAR and Fire Rescue were called to the PMRP to attend to a fallen climber. And, knowing they had no litter, I grabbed our Muir Valley stokes and headed down there with Stephanie's emergency map. This super map got me straight to the accident scene, and I had the litter and backboard to the patient up at the Playground before Lee Co. folks arrived. The paramedic arrived shortly thereafter, but the SAR folks showed up with zero tech gear.

I was there only to provide litter and backboard, so also did not take my tech gear. Nevertheless Lee Co. Fire Rescue put me in charge of the technical side of things. So had to borrow cordage and hardware from climbers to do the low and steep angle stuff. With great help from climbers, we got the patient to a waiting chopper.

Plus - the emergency map.
Minus - no LZ at the PMRP. (Took 45 minutes from cliff in the back of a pickup to get to the top of the Bald Fork Rd to load patient there into ambulance.

Thanks Big Time, Steph and those who helped create the map!

Rick

Awsoe that they worked out so well!! Shitty to hear about the accident. Hope everyone involved is okay.

Anything we can learn as a community from this accident?

Two climber falls today:

One at Muir - possible broken tib/ankle. Emergency road (re-opened last Sat during trail day!) and emergency station with radio all worked great. We were with patient 3 minutes after receiving emergency call on radio.

One at PMRP - serious injuries. Sure could use an LZ down there or a decent road. LONG, rough ride for this poor guy.

Rick, Nice work! What is an "LZ" ? (for us couch potato-non rescue types)

KD wrote:Rick, Nice work! What is an "LZ" ? (for us couch potato-non rescue types)

Landing zone for a chopper. They had to land down by Koops.

I'm sorry about the accident and I'm glad that we had this project done in time for this day. The map was actually created by Kim Nielson by way of all the info I provided to her. Rick Bost formed a valuable relationship between climbers and Lee County that helped fine tune our project. However feedback is always helpful.

I completed the materials for the Emergency Tubes and the first installment on the PMRP will begin starting tomorrow.

An LZ is definitely needed but we don't have a guarantee of it being managed (mowed). At this point, the RRGCC cannot provide the manpower, BUT as a concerned climber, I feel we should generate ideas on the topic.

Lee County SAR showed up late and with no litter or gear. For whatever reason, Lee Co. Dispatch will not call in Wolfe Co. SAR under the county mutual aid agreements. Today, I came down there on my own. Until such time as Lee Co. SAR gets trained and equipped, you can call us directly, and, like today, if I'm available, I'll get a litter, spineboard and gear down there as quickly as possible. 606-668-9066.

The Lee Co. ambulance service is fine - they just don't have a litter.

Rick

weber wrote:The Lee Co. ambulance service is fine - they just don't have a litter. Rick

Rick, how much $ are we talking about here for them to acquire a litter? I think the community should fix this ASAP.

Geez that is right ... Thanks for taking initiative - I put your phone numbers on the Emergency Instructions, but you acted without a phone call. If the IP were me or someone close to me, I know I would want the fastest care possible and it's by pure luck (and concern) that you were available to hear the call.