There were two missions last month. On Sept 9^th the Unit was notified of a lost 56 y/o hiker at Crystal Mountain Ski area. He walked out before a full call-out was completed.

On Sept 12^th we were again notified of a mission for a fallen female climber on Monte Cristo in the North Cascades. Six members responded: the Fran McFarland, Stan Kartes, Mike Mixon, Talis Abolins, Russ Anschell, Bill Weber. The mission was turned around when the subject was found deceased.

Any rescue that a member of the team participates in that does not involve an official call-out of the team is called a rescue incident. Editor

During the week of July 19, 1999, our family was vacationing near Strathcona Provincial Park, a mountainous area in north central Vancouver Island. The park is reached via a road traveling inland from Campbell River, which is the closest population center. Once in the park, the road runs along the east side of Buttle Lake. Buttle Lake is 19 miles long, and over ½ mile wide. The water in the lake is fairly cold, as it is fed by melting snow in the surrounding mountains. With the exception of two drive-in campgrounds on either end of the lake, camping is limited to backcountry campsites. On the west side of the lake is a roadless mountainous area with marine campsites available for those traveling by canoe or kayak.

On our last night on the island, July 23, 1999, we decided to take a short hike in the Park. It was about 6:00 pm, and traffic heading into the park was very light. We were nearing the end of the road when my youngest son Nathan, age 4, announced that he had to use a restroom. We had just passed the Karst Creek trailhead, so I decided to turn around. We pulled into the parking lot which is down near the lake. The day was mostly cloudy, and the wind had been blowing south along the length of the lake, forming waves with small white caps.

Upon getting out of the car we heard shouting. My wife Marianne said, "That sounds like someone shouting for help." Way out in the lake we could make out three heads, and no boat. The wind and waves were slowly moving them down the lake. We heard a female yell, "Help us! Our daughter's in trouble!" They appeared to be at least 250 yards distant, and I was somewhat uncomfortable with the idea of swimming that far out under those conditions.

I asked my oldest son Talis, age 6, to watch the people in the water while Marianne and I ran out to the road to see if we could flag down any motorists. Within a few minutes we had flagged down a car and asked them to go for help.

Returning to the lake I could see that the people had been able to move closer to the shore, but had blown south past the parking area. At that point I made the decision to swim out and attempt to help at least one of the victims back to shore. I stripped to my undershorts, donned a life vest and goggles, and began swimming. At first I swam head up, but quickly became tired with the waves. I began side breathing, and would occasionally look up to confirm my direction. When I finally reached the family I was shocked to see a small 7-year old girl who was clearly in trouble. The family had life preservers, and the parents were on either side of their daughter, trying to hold her head above the waves while paddling with their outside hands. The daughter was unconscious with her arms stiffly bent upwards. There was foam covering her mouth, and her eyes were rolled into the top of her head. She was making repeated gutteral noises, and looked as if she were in a coma.

Her parents let go of their daughter and I placed her in a cross-chest carry, in which the rescuer swims side stroke with one hand, while holding the victim facing up on the rescuer's hip with the other hand. It seemed that I could not swim fast enough. I was constantly talking to the victim, attempting to reasssure her, while praying that she would make it. I had to swim north, against the wind, to return to the lot, and shouted for Marianne to start heating up the car at full blast.

When I reached the rocky shore I was too tired to lift the girl from the water, and Marianne and a man who had arrived rushed down and carried her to our car, where we removed her wet clothes and placed her on a sleeping bag. I lay down next to the girl and hugged her with my arms around her back and in her arm pits, and placing the side of my head alongside hers in an attempt to warm her. She was extremely cold, and would not respond. Her arms remained stiffly upturned, her legs were stiff, and other than the strange noises, her face remained lifeless with eyes rolled back.

About 20 minutes later I could hear that the parents had arrived at the shore, and that others who had arrived were helping them into a van. Marianne grabbed another sleeping bag for the parents, and stated that we should leave for the nearest hospital. A Park employee stated that the closest hospital was in Campbell River, over an hour away, and we began to follow the van.

For most of this drive, the girl remained non-responsive. Nathan was in the back seat with me, trying to keep her legs warm across his lap, while Talis sat in the front seat. Both of my children were sweating from the heat, but did not complain at all. I continued to talk to her in an effort to reassure her. I told her about Nathan and Talis, talked about pets, let her know her parents were in the car ahead, and continued to pray. Finally, after about 45 minutes, she began to nod her head to some of my questions. Shortly after that I received a tremendous kiss on the cheek, which brought huge smiles to all of us. After some difficulty, she was finally able to pronounce words and focus her eyes. We learned that she was "Kaitlyn", was 7-years old, lived in the Comox area of the island, and had a bunny named "Dusty". Before arriving in Campbell River, Nathan quietly reminded us that he had to use the restroom. We pulled over and allowed him a quick stop in the bushes.

Shortly thereafter we checked her into the hospital. Her father's temperature was nearly back to normal, but my son Talis overheard a nurse report that Kaitlyn and her mother still had "extremely low" temperatures. However, it was obvious that the whole family was recovering very quickly, wrapped in space blankets and electric blankets.

The parents told us that they had been camping at a marine park across the lake, and had set off in their canoe for the other side. Within 15 minutes a few large waves had overtopped the canoe and it sank out from under them. Although they were closer to the shore where they were camped, the father decided that the only way for them to survive was to swim for the far shore where they had a chance of finding people and getting warm. During the 90-minute swim across the lake, Kaitlyn had lost consciousness from the cold. Our family is incredibly thankful that "nature called" us to that particular parking lot, where we were in a position to help Kaitlyn and her family. I am also thankful for the training that I have received through the Mountaineers, Tacoma Mountain Rescue and, many years ago, as a lifeguard for Sumner High School. We hope to stay in touch with Kaitlyn and her family, and perhaps visit them when we are in the area.

Convened 19:40

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Alan Givotovsky, Bill Weber, Larry Crum, Connie Crum, Ken Capron, Jeff Sharp, Chris Berryman, Phil Pletcher, Fran McFarland, Stan Kartes and Gus Bush.

OTHER MEMBERS PRESENT: Lee Tegner, Mike Mixon, John Simac, Roger Ternes and Maria Level.

The July '99 minutes were accepted as read with the following clarifications: The training report, item #2, Adam Pope will be the instructor (not Brian Pope). Under Finance Report it should read No activity, and under New Business item # 1 Mike Gauthier is the lead climbing ranger ( not lead ranger).

TREASURER'S REPORT: Larry Crum

• Accepted as presented for July '99. ( Full report is attached to the official minutes)
• PCSAR 2^nd quarter pager bill - 3 members who returned their pagers were charged. This has been reported to Stan Kartes for resolution.
• Larry reported that he is trying to resolve 3 checks for kits which have not yet cleared the bank. This is most likely a process anomaly rather than missing checks.

KIT REPORT: Chris Berryman for Tracy Berryman

• $1600.00 in July sales.
• $3100.00 in August sales.

OPERATIONS REPORT: Gus Bush

• See August Rucksack for mission reports.

TRAINING REPORT: Russ Brinton (absent)

• Chris reported that Russ is developing a training schedule for the future (5-10 years).

EQUIPMENT REPORT: Ken Capron

• Mike Mixon reported the chainsaw does not work due to water damage that occurred during a mission. Jeff was able to fix this problem during the meeting.
• Ken reviewed an equipment check out form that could be used to help alleviate the problem of Unit equipment not getting returned after missions. Suggestions for modifications to the form were made by the members present. After discussion it was decided that Ken will update the form and implement its use.
• All equipment should have our TMRU label on it. The soft litter has not been recovered from the mission on the weekend of August 7-8, 1999.
• The GPS units are working with no modifications following the 8-21-99 satellite resetting.
• Bill painted the pry bars with orange paint.
• Chris suggested that we need one 2" rescue pulley for each rigging kit. The board voted and approved the purchase.
• No activity with the rigging kit committee.

COMMUNICATIONS REPORT: Stan Kartes

• It was reported that the H16 radios did not work on a recent mission. Stan reported that the problem was that the battery charger was unplugged.
• Reminder - After using H16 radios with battery packs which hold alkaline batteries, the batteries must be removed. Otherwise they may corrode.
• It was reported that it is difficult to determine the status of loose AA batteries in the battery box. It was decided to place the fresh batteries in zip lock bags. Any loose batteries will be considered used.
• Jeff suggested purchasing a mobile repeater for $500.00. A mobile repeater at base would allow two radios to communicate, allowing teams in the field to hear all radio communications that are heard at the base. The board voted and approved purchase.

SAFETY AND EDUCATION REPORT: Phil Pletcher

• No new report.

MEMBERSHIP REPORT: Chris Berryman

• Chris reviewed a skills form to test for qualifications to join the Unit, and to advance within the Unit. He requested that those with suggestions should please give him a call.
• Jim Lewis moved to Olympia and therefore has a new telephone number.

FINANCE REPORT: Bill Weber

• No activity.

AIR OPERATIONS REPORT: Jeff Sharp

• No activity.

SAR COUNCIL MEETING REPORT: Fran McFarland

• No activity.

SARVAC

• No activity.

MAST:

• No activity.

OLD BUSINESS:

• The issue of missions and training was discussed and it was emphasized that missions have priority over training.
• A page will be sent out regarding the date for the 2^nd hepatitis shot in the series.
• Ken is scheduling the locks to be changed at the September general meeting night.
• The septic tank is full and needs to be pumped. Bill will be calling to have it pumped.
• Chris suggested putting Shorty's plaque and all of the other TMRU plaques at the Cache. This would include the plaques that are currently at Spire Rock. The board approved of this suggestion and Chris will pursue removing the TMRU plaques from Spire Rock.

NEW BUSINESS:

• Elections are in October and Gus Bush is accepting nominations for secretary and treasurer.
• Chris will take over the honor of fabricating the Big Piton Award.
• Thank you to Stan and Helen Engle for having our annual picnic at their home.
• Reminder - Chris is offering a high-line training field trip October 2, 1999.

GOOD OF THE ORDER:

• Membership issues were discussed and the board agreed on the following:
  1. Any member is eligible to buy stickers, patches and shirts with the MRA logo.
  2. Any member is eligible to rent a pager.
  3. You must be at rescue or rescue support status to be eligible to receive pro deals, cell phones, EMT sponsorship and outside training.

Adjourn 22:00

Respectfully submitted

Connie Crum
Secretary

The Kit party on the 1^st of Sept was canceled due to lack of participation and rescheduled to the 22^nd of Sept. The following members attended that Kit Party:

John Simac,     Ken Capron,     Chris and Tracy Berryman,
Alan Givotovsky,     Fran Mcfarland,     Larry and Connie Crum,
Roger and Maria Ternes   and     Bill Weber.

Remember the Kit Party is 7:30 P.M. the first Wednesday of the month at 2905 Parkway Dr. W. If you need directions, call Gena Williams at 564-0581.

The next Kit Component & Pizza Party will be at the Cache, Oct. 20, 6:30-8:30 p.m. We need your help.

The offices of Secretary and Treasurer are are still up for nominations. All elected officers serve for a two year term with the President and Vice president being elected on even years and the Secretary and Treasurer being elected on odd years. The actual elections will take place at the October Membership meeting. If you know someone you would like to nominate for these offices please contact Gus Bush.

©Copyright 1999 Tacoma Mountain Rescue