Julie and I still keep in touch with many old friends from the winter search & rescue and backcountry ski patrol days. Here is a report I received from a close friend - now an international mountain guide - about he and his wife's recent short hike in the very busy Carson Pass area in the Lake Tahoe Sierra Nevada. Are we ready and prepared to help in situations like this? If the injury was more serious, do you have a way to call for help? These are good questions to think about.
"Today my wife and I went up to Carson Pass. Like other times when suddenly called to help others in need, this was no different. You are just doing your thing and then you find someone who is having a medical issue and our medical training is suddenly called upon. Are you prepared, is your first aid kit ready? We were hiking the Pacific Crest Trail near Frog Lake when a woman who was sitting on a log jumped off. One of the sharp branches cut open the back of her leg. She was bleeding a lot. Her adult son wrapped a bandanna around the wound. She was upset and screaming. My wife saw the bleeding and told me it was significant. I took my first aid kit and asked if I could help and told them my training. Asking her son to apply pressure I put on my PPEs, asked if they were vaccinated, and prepared my trauma supplies. Cleaning the wound, placing gauze on the wound, and wrapping the leg with rolled gauze to secure the dressing and apply pressure I checked for continued bleeding - none. I placed the used supplies in a ziplock, used hand sanitizer and washed my hands. We walked with her to the trail head. Many times they ask if the wound will need stitches. We are not qualified to answer medical questions like this. It is best to tell them to seek medical attention such as ER, Urgent care, and at times a call to EMS."
"Today my wife and I went up to Carson Pass. Like other times when suddenly called to help others in need, this was no different. You are just doing your thing and then you find someone who is having a medical issue and our medical training is suddenly called upon. Are you prepared, is your first aid kit ready? We were hiking the Pacific Crest Trail near Frog Lake when a woman who was sitting on a log jumped off. One of the sharp branches cut open the back of her leg. She was bleeding a lot. Her adult son wrapped a bandanna around the wound. She was upset and screaming. My wife saw the bleeding and told me it was significant. I took my first aid kit and asked if I could help and told them my training. Asking her son to apply pressure I put on my PPEs, asked if they were vaccinated, and prepared my trauma supplies. Cleaning the wound, placing gauze on the wound, and wrapping the leg with rolled gauze to secure the dressing and apply pressure I checked for continued bleeding - none. I placed the used supplies in a ziplock, used hand sanitizer and washed my hands. We walked with her to the trail head. Many times they ask if the wound will need stitches. We are not qualified to answer medical questions like this. It is best to tell them to seek medical attention such as ER, Urgent care, and at times a call to EMS."
