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March 2000 |
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April 2000 |
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The Unit was contacted by the Pierce County Department of Emergency Management on Monday Jan 31st at 10 :45 A.M. Mt. Rainier National Park Rangers had requested six mountain rescue volunteers. The Park had been in contact via cell phone with two overdue climbers who had scheduled to return Sunday afternoon. They requested that the team meet a Park Ranger at Hanger 3063 at Grey Army Airfield on Ft. Lewis to be lifted up to the mountain by a CH47 helicopter as soon as possible. Four members responded: Chris Berryman, Ken Capron, Scott Nicholson and Jim Lewis.
The following report was submitted by Chris Berryman:
I received the page from Tracy at 11:00 and picked up the truck from the Cache. I drove to Gray Field and was the first there. I met with Ranger Karney and got an update regarding the two climbers. He said that the last contact with them, via cell phone, was that they were moving from about 13,500' at Camp Comfort above Gibraltar Rock, and heading down Ingraham Direct or Gibraltar Ledge. His message to them was to look for a good LZ while we had weather.
The rest of our team arrived at Hanger 3063 by 12:30. The team consisted of Jim Lewis, Ken Capron, Scott Nicholson and myself. With no reported injuries, we geared up for upper mountain travel with winter conditions in mind
About 13:15 we boarded the Army Reserve Chinook 212 and flew direct to Gibraltar Rock. The weather at departure was high clouds and the mountain was clear. Upon our arrival at the mountain, the clouds were touching the summit and wind plumes could be seen on the west slopes. During the flight we put crampons on and readied to off-load into the wind chill of the rotor wash at 12 degrees.
The plan was to find the climbers and if they were at a good LZ just pick them up or if they were in a spot we could not land at, we would land below and climb up to them. We did find them in short order at about 12,500', half way down the Gibraltar Ledge. The nearest LZ was Camp Muir but as we had enough fuel we stayed on site and observed them down climbing. We flew tight circles and hovered for about 20 minutes. The climbers appeared to be making good progress and had covered safely the more hazardous terrain. The Park decided not to have us land at Muir but to return to Gray Field. We landed at Gray Field, had a debrief with Karney and headed home by 16:00.
The climbers made it safely to Camp Muir later that evening, but due to weather they did not make it off the mountain until Wednesday.
Publicity following the deaths of a few skiers with name recognition, Sonny Bono and Michael Kennedy, has helped to stimulate use of helmets by skiers and boarders on the slopes. Only 2.5 % of skiing injuries involve the head because the terrain is open and free of obstacles (if you discount humans out of control). Because the use of helmets in all sports where head injuries may happen is becoming more popular the removal of them by rescue personnel should be addressed.
If the fit of the helmet is snug, it requires significant effort to be removed. This is usually best done in the controlled environment of a hospital emergency room, rather than in the field. Because it acts as a rigid extension of the skull, the helmet can readily be fixed to a spine board to secure the subject's neck for transport.
Only if the helmet is not securely attached to the head should it be removed in the field. Removal always requires two persons, one to secure the head and neck from below by placing their hands under the chin and behind the head to stabilize the head and one to remove the helmet from above. After the helmet is removed, the person at the top of the subject assumes responsibility for stabilizing the head and neck. Gentle traction should be applied but no attempt to manipulate the neck should be tried under any circumstances, padding should be placed under the shoulders to prevent the head from moving forward.
Care must be taken at all times to stabilize the head and neck of any subject with a suspected cervical spine injury. Each head injury is unique and individual circumstances dictate the appropriate course of action. Also consider weather protection.
According to Dr. John Tongue (an orthopedist, not an oral surgeon) in Tualatin, Oregon, sledding should be added to the list of helmet sports. Although they generally do not travel faster than 20 mph, sleds provide greater opportunities for closed head injury.
Children up to six suffer nearly three times as many head injuries as those from 12 to 16. Kids less than 12 years old are at a greater risk because they have proportionately larger heads, higher centers of gravity, weaker neck muscles, and lower levels of coordination and strength than older children. As a result, when they fall off a sled, their heads are prone to fall backward and hit the snow or ice, according to Dr. Tongue.
Bicycle helmets are perfect for sledding, with minor adjustments to fit over a winter hat. Parents are advised to keep the bike helmet with the winter gear or fixed to the sled so when a snowstorm hits, the kids will be ready for the mad dash outdoors.
These minutes as published are unofficial and subject to approval at the next regularly scheduled board meeting.
Convened 19:35.
Board members present: Alan Givotovsky, Fran McFarland, Bill Weber, Larry Crum, Ken Capron, Gus Bush, Rick Wire, John Kirkman, Chris Berryman, and Stan Kartes.
Other members present: Jim Andrues, Connie Crum, Roger Ternes, Maria Ternes, Tim Pierson, Steve Medeiro, and Victor Caro.
The December 1999 meeting minutes were approved as read.
TREASURERS REPORT: Larry Crum.
KIT REPORT: Tracy Berryman was absent. Report given by Chris Berryman.
OPERATIONS REPORT: Gus Bush
TRAINING REPORT: Russ Brinton was absent. Report given by Chris Berryman.
EQUIPMENT REPORT: Ken Capron
COMMUNICATIONS: Stan Kartes
SAFETY & EDUCATION REPORT: Rick Wire
MEMBERSHIPS REPORT: Chris Berryman
FINANCE REPORT: Bill Weber
AIR OPERATIONS: Jeff Sharp Absent
SARVAC: Fran McFarland
MAST: Bill Weber
OLD BUSINESS:
NEW BUSINESS:
Adjourned 21:35
Respectfully submitted by John Kirkman, Secretary.
Tacoma Mountain Rescue Board, Special Meeting, February 9, 2000
Convened at 19:15
Members present: Alan Givotovsky, Larry Crum, Ken Capron, Bill Weber, Chris Berryman, Rick Wire, John Kirkman, Stan Kartes, Russ Brinton and Gus Bush.
The meeting was called to elect a new treasurer. Chris Berryman made a motion to make Victor Ciro the new treasurer (pending that he clears a D.E.M. check).
Stan moved that existing members do not have to pay the $50 deposit for pagers. Seconded and passed.
Adjourned 19:30
Respectfully submitted by John Kirkman, Secretary.
The following members attended the Kit party on the 2nd of Feb.:
They made 219 kits
The following members attended the Kit Component Party on 16th Feb:
The Kit parties are held from 7:00 to 9:00 P.M... The Kit party is the first Wednesday of the month and as of Jan 2000 will be held at the Cache. If you need directions, call 531-2120.
The next Kit Component & Pizza Party will be at the Cache, Mar.16, 7:00-9:00 p.m. We need your help.
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