FRIDAY FORUM: Broken Legs & Hypothermia

A while ago we did a post about “The Most Important Question” in rescue, which is: “What does my casualty need to survive?”  Our casualty, and our environment, have to drive our tactics.  Therefore our tactics have to be adaptable.  Here’s a case study of failure.

Years ago I arrived at a Climbing area right before a climber on the second pitch (second section of the climb) of a 300’ Ice Climb took a long lead fall resulting in a tib/fib ankle fracture but no other injuries.  He was lowered to a ledge about 80’ up.  I stole some splinting material from the first ambulance and climbed up to his location, performing basic stabilization and preparing with the other climbers to do a very simple lower to EMS care.

Then the Fire Department arrived.

We probably should have ignored them or interjected, but they took over the rescue with the goal of packaging in a stokes basket, moving him 15’ horizontally, then 15’ vertically to get him on the end of the Main that just barely reached the bottom of the ledge.  Following typical two rope FD Rope guidelines in an environment they were unfamiliar with, this process took two 2 hours. Though not a major problem due to a broken ankle, the environmental concerns were not taken into account.  It was 17 degrees outside with a windchill, and by the time the rescue was complete, Hypothermia was a bigger issue than the ankle.

The best way to perform a rescue is almost always the simplest way.  Notice I didn’t say “safest” way. There is obviously a risk assessment cost/benefit analysis that must go on.  Is a single rope system lowering the casualty without a stokes basket less “safe” than a double rope system with the casualty properly packaged? Maybe, but what’s the definition of safe?  In this case, being “safe” did more harm to the casualty than good.

Again, the WAY we rescue people matters.  Do what is best for the casualty, not what is best for the textbook.  www.andersonrescue.com