Thank you!
When our fourth member had his accident, there were many people who helped us.
To remind the reader, we were on the Cassiar Highway many miles over rough roads from medical help. There are no land line telephones in the area and certainly no cell phone towers. You must plan your gas stops carefully since it can easily be 100 miles between available gas pumps. There are no houses visible from the road.
When we got to John we all thought that one of us would have to ride for help – which direction and how long would it take?
We each had first aid training and Matt was carrying our main first aid kit. We did our best to assess John’s injuries while keeping his spine stabilized. We anticipated shock.
A couple headed north in a small blue car stopped and climbed down the embankment to us. The man said there was a private airstrip just beyond the rise behind us and he ran back to his car. He returned shortly with Todd who works security for the airfield. Todd had a satellite phone. He had already called for emergency transport – either ambulance or helicopter. He sent for help to protect the scene and called the RMCP for us.
There is not much traffic on the Cassiar Highway, but almost everyone stopped to offer help.
A paramedic from Vancouver stopped and took over the scene for awhile. He performed a pretty through assessment including directing us in maintaining John’s spine protection while he examined his spine. We were reassured after his exam.
A nurse, who works in the clinic in Dease Lake, north of the scene, arrived with know-how and materials. Sam quickly conducted her own assessment and placed a cervical collar on John and carefully removed his helmet.
Nola and Peter had arrived earlier. Nola later helped Sam with the spine stabilization and helmet removal. Nola and Peter offered to take John’s gear to secure storage at Peter’s maintenance shop to the south.
The chopper arrived with paramedic and pilot. We all worked together to get him on the rigid stretcher and strapped on the chopper platform. There was no room for Matt to accompany John but Sam said they would take John to the Dease Lake clinic for evaluation and then send him on to Terrace or Vancouver depending on what he needed. The paramedic and Sam said we should head south since John was sure to be sent one of the two places.
The chopper lifted off and we thanked all that we could. We loaded most of John’s gear into Peter’s truck for transport south.
To the many people who helped us or offered help, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Thanks to Bob, Todd, Nola, Peter, and Sam for your help.
We pledge to do the same for others anytime we can.
And to John: We all miss you and look forward to being together agin soon. In the meantime, heal quickly.
To remind the reader, we were on the Cassiar Highway many miles over rough roads from medical help. There are no land line telephones in the area and certainly no cell phone towers. You must plan your gas stops carefully since it can easily be 100 miles between available gas pumps. There are no houses visible from the road.
When we got to John we all thought that one of us would have to ride for help – which direction and how long would it take?
We each had first aid training and Matt was carrying our main first aid kit. We did our best to assess John’s injuries while keeping his spine stabilized. We anticipated shock.
A couple headed north in a small blue car stopped and climbed down the embankment to us. The man said there was a private airstrip just beyond the rise behind us and he ran back to his car. He returned shortly with Todd who works security for the airfield. Todd had a satellite phone. He had already called for emergency transport – either ambulance or helicopter. He sent for help to protect the scene and called the RMCP for us.
There is not much traffic on the Cassiar Highway, but almost everyone stopped to offer help.
A paramedic from Vancouver stopped and took over the scene for awhile. He performed a pretty through assessment including directing us in maintaining John’s spine protection while he examined his spine. We were reassured after his exam.
A nurse, who works in the clinic in Dease Lake, north of the scene, arrived with know-how and materials. Sam quickly conducted her own assessment and placed a cervical collar on John and carefully removed his helmet.
Nola and Peter had arrived earlier. Nola later helped Sam with the spine stabilization and helmet removal. Nola and Peter offered to take John’s gear to secure storage at Peter’s maintenance shop to the south.
The chopper arrived with paramedic and pilot. We all worked together to get him on the rigid stretcher and strapped on the chopper platform. There was no room for Matt to accompany John but Sam said they would take John to the Dease Lake clinic for evaluation and then send him on to Terrace or Vancouver depending on what he needed. The paramedic and Sam said we should head south since John was sure to be sent one of the two places.
The chopper lifted off and we thanked all that we could. We loaded most of John’s gear into Peter’s truck for transport south.
To the many people who helped us or offered help, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Thanks to Bob, Todd, Nola, Peter, and Sam for your help.
We pledge to do the same for others anytime we can.
And to John: We all miss you and look forward to being together agin soon. In the meantime, heal quickly.
posted by Jim Laney at 6:16 PM
2 Comments:
WOW, those are some crazy photos! Hope yall stay safe and hurry back!
and lots of good posts. keep it up.
Hi,..I was the Paramedic who was flown in to escort John to Dease Lake on the heli. He must have some angels looking out for him. It was nice to meet him and better that he managed to walk away, after experiencing such a wipeout. Perhaps that's more 'limped' away! Anyways, don't give up on the Northern British Columbia highways. There is a beautiful world out there, still to discover. (Telegraph Creek is a must). Hope you all spin this way again. We're here for ya!
bearznorth@hotmail.com
Post a Comment
<< Home