I have been fascinated with Search & Rescue for awhile. After looking into it towards the end of '08 I was asked to come in and interview with the team. They liked my climbing background and invited me to train with the team for a couple months and see if it was a good fit. It is.It's a volunteer organization, but gives me an excuse to play in the mountains and train to do mountain, swift water, dive, open water, downed aircraft and cave rescue. We also do lots of emergency medical training - which will allow me to recertify as an EMT.
The other weekend we met up at the base of Mt Timpanogos for a winter - avalanche rescue training. After arriving I was informed that I was selected as the leader for this rescue. (I'm the nerd in the red pants and yellow gaters)The scenario was that 4 victims were caught in an avalanche and 3 of them had beacons. So off we went with our probes, shovels and avalanche beacons to make the rescue. The 3 victims with beacons were easy to locate and uncover. I was surprised that they actually had live volunteers buried (wrapped in pads and with a strategic vent hole, but a good 3 feet under the surface). These guys don't mess around. We got to dig them out and provide emergency care for injuries.
Above and below I am leading the probe line in search of the 4th "victim". This one was a little tougher and was quite educational as to why avalanche rescues are almost always a body recovery if they are without a beacon. It took awhile, but we found #4. I guess nobody would volunteer to be the beacon-less victim, so this one was a large duffle bag buried at the base of the chute. 
6 comments:
I'm glad you're having fun. I think you're nuts!
You are such a stud. and of COURSE they want you to lead it. your experience on rainier alone is worthy of leadership roles in rescues like this. I can't believe they burried real dudes in the snow for this exercise! Love the pictures. Love the yellow gators. And I agree w/ Trace...you are nuts. But in a good cool studly way of course. Can't wait to see more pics of these adventures.
I for one don't think you're nuts as it's an awesome cause, a great way to be with people who share your interests, and it provides opportunities to get outdoors. Awesome photos and there is nothing like real-life training exercises. I would worry about poking the buried person in the eye or face with the pole but on the other hand that would be better than sufficating. I am sure you will have more interesting stories to share as you get to do actual S&R adventures. Dad
Dude, that is Awesome!!! Good thing we always had your dad to keep us in line, because there were a few times we could have been the duffle bags. I envy what you are doing. Good luck with the rest of your training!
You should totally talk to Mark about this and see if it's something he could do as well. He is a certified Confined Space Rescuer and has no problem with heights and small spaces. I think he'd love doing that, too.
this type of work was made for you. i think it's awesome. i envy that you get to go out and be in the mountains which is something you love, and are able to help people. does it get better than that? i use to dream about becoming a park ranger at rainier, but this is way cooler than that.
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