Saving lives

Two weeks ago, Search And Rescue (SAR) volunteered to be medics during a poker run up in the foothills of IF. If you don't know what a poker run is, lots of people jump on motorized vehicles like ATV's and motorcycles, drink and drive around to various stations to gather poker chips. It's a drunken game where most people make really bad choices. Anyways we were just there to help out. When I drove by the starting point I saw lots of people without helmets...it was going to be a good day! After being assigned to our stations with our partner for the day, 815 and I headed out. Within 5 miles I got a call about the first accident, I turned the truck around radioed if they needed additional help. Nope, so I turned back around then another accident happened and all I heard was white Chevy. Then a white Chevy pulled up next to me and said "are you a medic?" YES! YES! Instantly my training was tested. I had one patient who cut her head open and another boy with a dislocated shoulder and bad road rash. Guess who wasn't wearing helmets? Both of them. Dummies. I did a quick triage and knew the girl was higher priority and had the boy take off his shirt so I could look for any bruising in chest and assigned him to 815. The back country deputies arrived and provided additional help. Understandably the girl was freaking out and so were her friends. I actually had to have the deputy escort one away and tell her to calm down. I bandaged up her head, put her in a c-collar, treated for shock and kept a good eye on her. She was in the truck and I didn't want to move her. The ambulance was on the way. When the ambulance arrived I was happy to see the unit I had been doing my patient contacts with. The paramedic just stepped to the side made the decision to life-flight the girl out then allowed me to continue until the other members of the crew moved her onto a backboard then waiting for Air Idaho to arrive. The boy was transported by ambulance and was mostly upset because he had to put a c-collar on. Anyways, it was so much fun and it was great to be able to confidently treat those patients. We forgot to get pictures but 815 did get this picture right as the helicopter was leaving.

Here's the article in the paper:
http://www.am-news.com/content/blackfoot-teens-survive-4-wheeler-wreck

Yahoo for SAR and my partner in crime 815!