I just had a worst day sledding experience 3 weeks ago....learned a few things......maybe they will help you.
1. Be sure to store the number to life flight in your cell phone (they can still be reached, but I thought it was a good idea once I realized I did not have their number). Sherrifs office numbers for areas you ride in would be a good idea too.
2. Its a good idea to have a mental map of areas where you can get coverage where you ride. So pull the phone out once in a while and flip it on to see where you can get a decent signal. I agree with previous posts, in an emergency, I think it is by far the best if you can talk to someone (lifeflight) directly.
3. We all need heavy duty survival blankets (not the cheap thin tin foil ones). They make one that is about 3x as thick and still can be crammed in your seat pouch. Laying in the snow waiting you get so cold, so fast you won't believe it.
4. Remember the basics of first aid, 1st priority is to get the person stable and as comfortable as possible. Tend to any visible bleeding, then get to work getting them covered up and keep them as warm as possible. It was a spring day, and I was in all my layers + goretex, still shivering uncontrollably by the time life flight got to me. Don't give them anything to eat or drink and don't let em eat snow. They will beg for it if it is a bad injury, don't give it to em.
5. When life flight gets there they are going to need a packed trail from the victim to where they land, do your best to get this prepared ahead of time. Also, it helps to try to pack down an area for them to land. Could be a waste of effort...they might not like your spot. But we were in an open bowl so it worked out.
6. I had a new GPS, when they asked for coordinates, I could not find a page that gave you the coordinates big enough that I could make them out. I have years of experience using GPS and was pissed when I finally had a chance to use it but could not find a good page for coords on the GPS. The lifeflight gal finally used her cell tracking system to find me.
7. Be careful when going big for the camera....sometimes it goes wrong. Doc says I'll be back to normal by September
I have good medical insurance, but it is still not going to be cheap. I'm betting this whole experience is going to be over $100k. Not to mention the Physical Therapy (I'd rather do alot of things than the PT for this injury).
Just say no to big cornice drops!
--Chris
1. Be sure to store the number to life flight in your cell phone (they can still be reached, but I thought it was a good idea once I realized I did not have their number). Sherrifs office numbers for areas you ride in would be a good idea too.
2. Its a good idea to have a mental map of areas where you can get coverage where you ride. So pull the phone out once in a while and flip it on to see where you can get a decent signal. I agree with previous posts, in an emergency, I think it is by far the best if you can talk to someone (lifeflight) directly.
3. We all need heavy duty survival blankets (not the cheap thin tin foil ones). They make one that is about 3x as thick and still can be crammed in your seat pouch. Laying in the snow waiting you get so cold, so fast you won't believe it.
4. Remember the basics of first aid, 1st priority is to get the person stable and as comfortable as possible. Tend to any visible bleeding, then get to work getting them covered up and keep them as warm as possible. It was a spring day, and I was in all my layers + goretex, still shivering uncontrollably by the time life flight got to me. Don't give them anything to eat or drink and don't let em eat snow. They will beg for it if it is a bad injury, don't give it to em.
5. When life flight gets there they are going to need a packed trail from the victim to where they land, do your best to get this prepared ahead of time. Also, it helps to try to pack down an area for them to land. Could be a waste of effort...they might not like your spot. But we were in an open bowl so it worked out.
6. I had a new GPS, when they asked for coordinates, I could not find a page that gave you the coordinates big enough that I could make them out. I have years of experience using GPS and was pissed when I finally had a chance to use it but could not find a good page for coords on the GPS. The lifeflight gal finally used her cell tracking system to find me.
7. Be careful when going big for the camera....sometimes it goes wrong. Doc says I'll be back to normal by September
I have good medical insurance, but it is still not going to be cheap. I'm betting this whole experience is going to be over $100k. Not to mention the Physical Therapy (I'd rather do alot of things than the PT for this injury).Just say no to big cornice drops!
--Chris
