Medical, Patient Packaging, and Litters – Introduction
Wilderness search and rescue poses unique and challenging problems for medical care. Emergency medical care in urban areas usually involves quick stabilization and transport in an ambulance that is climate-controlled and can transport patients to an emergency room in a short period of time. Wilderness medical care is often very different. A simple trail carry can…
Read MoreConsiderations
Weather Colorado weather, especially in the mountains, is exceptionally changeable. Often rescuers as well as the patient must brave below zero cold and blizzard conditions, as well as the threat of hypothermia and frostbite. Therefore, emphasis is placed upon the members’ ability to be self-sufficient in all types of weather and terrain to avoid a…
Read MoreMedical Director
All EPCSAR members, while providing medical treatment, operate under the license of a Colorado licensed physician and the EPCSAR Medical Director serves as this licensed physician. The Medical Director provides guidance, training, and direction in accordance with El Paso County Protocols. The Medical Director is available via cell phone to provide medical advice during missions. …
Read MoreMedical Skill Levels
Actual individual medical capabilities vary greatly among team members. Members may have little or no medical experience, as may be the case of the probationary member, or they may be extremely knowledgeable in the care and treatment involved in advanced life support. Team members are required to hold minimum medical qualification of Emergency Medical Responder …
Read MoreCare and Transport of the Patient
After ensuring the team’s safety, patient stabilization is the first responsibility of the field team. Next, care must be administered to the patient to correct any life-threatening trauma and to prepare for the upcoming litter evacuation. It is imperative that any foreseeable complications be attended to before the evacuation is begun, thereby ensuring the patient’s…
Read MorePatient Packaging – Litter
A subject who will be transported via litter must be properly secured in the litter. This process is called “patient packaging”. All injuries must be considered, and the patient must be immobilized as necessary. This may mean securing and immobilizing an injured limb or the patient’s spine. Principles Basic steps: The Wiggies: The Wiggies is…
Read MoreVacuum Full-Body and Leg Splints and Cervical Collars
History Vacuum splint technology began development in Europe during the 1970’s and crude devices arrived in the U.S. during the mid-1980s. EPCSAR began using vacuum splints in 1991 to facilitate difficult patient evacuations. In 2014, El Paso County fire departments and ambulances began adopting the technology. As you can see, EPCSAR was an early user…
Read MoreWinter Patient Packaging in the snow with SKED
Packaging a patient in the snow (especially on a slope) is more challenging and personnel intensive than with a litter on dirt. A few basic steps are required before you can begin to package the patient. While the rescue process and procedures are more in-depth and complex than I will cover in this section of the TM,…
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