Coping with injuries / sickness on the trail
Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2012 4:48 pm
In reading some of these postings it's apparent that there are a number of "trekkers" who don't realize the serious consequences of an injury or sickness when you are miles from the trailhead in the back country. The following is NOT "medical" advice. There's lots of folks and postings on this site that know more about it than I do. However you can google "Acute Mountain Sickness" and learn the symptons and treatments for this killer. THIS posting is about a couple of things you can do IF you get in trouble.
First of all, if you're "solo" in the backcountry and have the misfortune to break an ankle, get AMS [Acute Mountain Sickness with cerebral or pulmonary edema] or something, you're going to be a "permanent fixture" there unless you have some sort of "communication" to summon help from the outside world. I carry a sat phone [Iridium] and a ACR NOAA 406 mh rescue beacon.
While this may seem paranoic, consider that you may run across some other trekker in distress. I've tested the sat phone in some very remote areas,,,, it's always worked. For some reason the "Spot" things don't always work in the backcountry and your cell phone will be useless.
The Sequoia / King's Canyon Park Service's "emergency" phone number, to be used ONLY if there's a true emergency, is 559/ 565-3195. Secondly, if you have to be flown out [helicoptered] be aware that they [the Sheriff's Department, Park Service, etc] are going to send you the bill. It ain't cheap, figure on $10,000 or so.
The answer to this is "Global Rescue Insurance" @ 617/ 459-4200 [Globalrescue.com]. The deal is that if you are more than 160 miles from your "home base" [your residence] they will cover the cost of your "rescue" and getting you to the hospital, and if need be the cost of getting you all the way back to your home if it's medically necessary. From virtually anywhere on the planet. It does not cover your medical expenses, just the rescue and transportation part.
I've got it. I just hope I never have to use it. "Be prepared"
First of all, if you're "solo" in the backcountry and have the misfortune to break an ankle, get AMS [Acute Mountain Sickness with cerebral or pulmonary edema] or something, you're going to be a "permanent fixture" there unless you have some sort of "communication" to summon help from the outside world. I carry a sat phone [Iridium] and a ACR NOAA 406 mh rescue beacon.
While this may seem paranoic, consider that you may run across some other trekker in distress. I've tested the sat phone in some very remote areas,,,, it's always worked. For some reason the "Spot" things don't always work in the backcountry and your cell phone will be useless.
The Sequoia / King's Canyon Park Service's "emergency" phone number, to be used ONLY if there's a true emergency, is 559/ 565-3195. Secondly, if you have to be flown out [helicoptered] be aware that they [the Sheriff's Department, Park Service, etc] are going to send you the bill. It ain't cheap, figure on $10,000 or so.
The answer to this is "Global Rescue Insurance" @ 617/ 459-4200 [Globalrescue.com]. The deal is that if you are more than 160 miles from your "home base" [your residence] they will cover the cost of your "rescue" and getting you to the hospital, and if need be the cost of getting you all the way back to your home if it's medically necessary. From virtually anywhere on the planet. It does not cover your medical expenses, just the rescue and transportation part.
I've got it. I just hope I never have to use it. "Be prepared"