tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33799970413573888662024-03-13T00:02:07.475-07:00My Journey Towards Becoming a DoctorJustinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14647946727233346093noreply@blogger.comBlogger75125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3379997041357388866.post-74406275919619933592011-05-29T10:13:00.000-07:002011-05-29T10:22:10.188-07:00Hello AllFirst off, the rumors of my demise were greatly exaggerated. I did not die, become a Tibetan monk, or join a cult. I was simply lost in the jungle of studying for the MCAT (there's a summer goooooooone) and applying to medical school.<br /><br />The long and the short of it: after 38 essays and 400+ hours of studying for the MCAT I was accepted into medical school. I'll be attending the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine in my home state of Missouri beginning Fall 2012. (Ironic that my username used to me "WanabeMD" and I'm going to a DO school ay? More about that later)<br /><br />Yep, 2012... I deferred for a year (and my parents ARE talking to me again finally). Why? I wanted to continue working for the Search and Rescue team- especially as short staffed as we are. I wanted to finish my research at the Neuromuscular Function Laboratory and I wanted to explore the mountain west for one more year before I bear down on the next umpteen million years of studying, boards, clerkships, interships, residencies, etc.<br /><br />You can follow the adventures of my girlfriend and I <a href="http://onepeakaweek.blogspot.com/">here</a>. Our goal is to hike, bike, run, and climb to at least one summit a week until we move back to Missouri.<br /><br />I'm not sure if I'll post more SAR mission stories on here. I got in a bit of trouble despite my complete fabrication of hybrid patients. We'll see....Justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14647946727233346093noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3379997041357388866.post-29290731136560239872010-03-02T20:13:00.000-08:002010-03-02T20:43:11.131-08:00Buried Alive, part 2Wow.... this took a while to finish. Trying to get a paper written and its A LOT more work than I expected. First author though!!!!<br /><br />So what was being buried alive like?<br /><ul><li>It was warm, honest to god- under the snow I was never really cold. I had some intermittent shivering but that's it. My core temp (which is usually a little high) never dropped below 37. Begin the alpine fat jokes now... I was only in a mid weight capilene and gore tex suit.<br /></li><li>NG tubes SUCK. I gagged, and gagged, and gagged even with the nasal lidocaine, spray lidocaine, and lidocaine gel. I wish that upon no patient, ever. This reaffirms by belief about performing procedures on professionals before they'll do them on patients. I've been strapped to a backboard for 3 hours, had an NG tube dropped on me, had an epidural, and had venous and arterial catheters put in. I can for sure relate to patients a lot more. </li><li>Even sitting upright (think a snow recliner) in the snow, I still got vertigo. There were moments of confusion. I'm confident that if ever buried for real I'll have no idea which way is up</li><li>I couldn't move one inch and the snow was just boot packed around me. The avy debris I've dug through was much, much, much harder. SCARY.<br /></li><li>I was under the snow for an hour but it went by really quick. I was bored, but I meditated and got through it. One guy pissed himself.... I was really happy I just didn't eat or drink that morning.<br /></li><li>Once they dug me out I got really, really cold. As per protocol, I was placed in a hypothermia wrap for an hour while they continued to measure my vitals, etc. Once I hit the air (even in a sleeping bag, tarp, and sleeping pad), I started shivering violently. So violently that my whole body was sore the next day. The rewarming was the most miserable part. </li><li>It couldn't have been that bad... I went back and did it the next day =)<br /></li></ul>Justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14647946727233346093noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3379997041357388866.post-16105138560877881892010-01-08T17:42:00.000-08:002010-01-08T17:57:05.168-08:00Buried Alive?<div style="text-align: center;">Not many words for now, just pics. But being buried was quite interesting.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Getting ready to be put under sans helmet. The wires you see are finger pulse oximeters, forehead skin temp probe, EKG probe, rectal temp probe, and O2/CO2 monitors. </div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhE3pwMPSE0vJdjJCXMxSDSd2vpEs-NBxjeVM0JC8iixoIIkaYMKSEZSkTSsdAttpStDCSb6IOyMlowVcfgPhswO66SPW_BsXqnhqomFwvYVW71RUm4JgDkcP-Mlg7QHccUFjeJMc6Rhp1/s1600-h/IMG_0217.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhE3pwMPSE0vJdjJCXMxSDSd2vpEs-NBxjeVM0JC8iixoIIkaYMKSEZSkTSsdAttpStDCSb6IOyMlowVcfgPhswO66SPW_BsXqnhqomFwvYVW71RUm4JgDkcP-Mlg7QHccUFjeJMc6Rhp1/s320/IMG_0217.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424550518628387906" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Begining the burial.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4fIA3Je6eNL9_ia4WwhzKePMzm2TEu0EQwes-NvME-m_PyufZwM76NJiW8bzFb4k_e1jLoqGoEp6JrI4mcsKDmwagx0St188qUsWjL7MFQtHa-v-lMnUYuQ053mvlLfxIKEXIF39CBb-d/s1600-h/IMG_0213.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4fIA3Je6eNL9_ia4WwhzKePMzm2TEu0EQwes-NvME-m_PyufZwM76NJiW8bzFb4k_e1jLoqGoEp6JrI4mcsKDmwagx0St188qUsWjL7MFQtHa-v-lMnUYuQ053mvlLfxIKEXIF39CBb-d/s320/IMG_0213.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424550426825156210" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Halfway under, the snow was packed hard around me so I couldn't move more than a cm. The heavy wire you see was my radio to the surface.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGbgveWtas06lIKYg5wkoJjrsLLbWpKtIXC5g4w5cjiD9JYbTjsaESPtAvm35BiHLfzCue-DLNqS1d4x2ww-lBHGxeZpvUUSkQWDNYMmu9npuaZnE9w1QFeSGPiTQjl5O-O9kfxKgS1cB2/s1600-h/IMG_0222.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGbgveWtas06lIKYg5wkoJjrsLLbWpKtIXC5g4w5cjiD9JYbTjsaESPtAvm35BiHLfzCue-DLNqS1d4x2ww-lBHGxeZpvUUSkQWDNYMmu9npuaZnE9w1QFeSGPiTQjl5O-O9kfxKgS1cB2/s320/IMG_0222.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424552265347537762" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;">All the way under. Only 60min to go at this point...</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0mIRQq_-p8jgtG-0E59HqMl2vZ61je1QFKsieY_4nEhI71RlKLW2PWNRegS3lNIQfFbaTJTo8oPTULXw6TFfFwpOFJczlsbk5kSRQi9TRFEgAImPFg8S8W0hzLGRhCxrC8bxenKFAaXkj/s1600-h/IMG_0218.jpg"><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0mIRQq_-p8jgtG-0E59HqMl2vZ61je1QFKsieY_4nEhI71RlKLW2PWNRegS3lNIQfFbaTJTo8oPTULXw6TFfFwpOFJczlsbk5kSRQi9TRFEgAImPFg8S8W0hzLGRhCxrC8bxenKFAaXkj/s320/IMG_0218.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424550583560106018" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitubecxTHmc-PxYDiZvH-vjqptpxVBDqZeaaLSaTg2D6AKCgemuDx9jn3dO03coRsNmtS2ysQLV1Tq2fEzKMWd7tqVaXnU9F82a2dYVFDIyW9NikOiaBWzRxRd1hHnXMAtgBhDUacwY7lk/s1600-h/IMG_0220.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">They look nice and warm don't they?</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitubecxTHmc-PxYDiZvH-vjqptpxVBDqZeaaLSaTg2D6AKCgemuDx9jn3dO03coRsNmtS2ysQLV1Tq2fEzKMWd7tqVaXnU9F82a2dYVFDIyW9NikOiaBWzRxRd1hHnXMAtgBhDUacwY7lk/s1600-h/IMG_0220.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitubecxTHmc-PxYDiZvH-vjqptpxVBDqZeaaLSaTg2D6AKCgemuDx9jn3dO03coRsNmtS2ysQLV1Tq2fEzKMWd7tqVaXnU9F82a2dYVFDIyW9NikOiaBWzRxRd1hHnXMAtgBhDUacwY7lk/s320/IMG_0220.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424550706604112162" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div><br /><br /><div><br /></div></div>Justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14647946727233346093noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3379997041357388866.post-12456836795135479232009-12-31T09:02:00.000-08:002009-12-31T09:02:00.722-08:00Headlights... no, not THOSE headlights<a href="http://wanabemd.blogspot.com/2009/04/lights-flashing-and-bodies-stiffening.html">This callout</a> still sticks in my head for a few reasons.<br /><br />First, it was the first time a dead body bothered me. It was the first time I really thought about it once I was done, the first time I shed a tear about it, and the first time I dreamed about it. I still don't know why.<br /><br />Second, the night was absolutely gorgeous. The kind of night that brings you back to alpine climbing again and again. This contrasted sharply with our mission.<br /><br />Third, I LOVE my petzyl head lamp- but it is not enough light to ski by and is makes a true search in the trees difficult. Being a self confessed gear whore, I wondered what I could do about this.<br /><br />When doing 24 hour mountain bike races, I have a really nice, light, bright light set up made by <a href="http://www.niterider.com/prod_trinewt.shtml">NiteRider</a>. Two on my handle bars, one on my helmet and I usually run faster laps at night than I do during the day. I would love a similar headlamp possibility on my ski helmet.<br /><br />There is a helmet mount already made:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIS5lfcdfR2bFhI4No-y3JEMt1fXoJ8VNoq-gHN8IzUhPT8Ajb54G4uPuL2GHd11v0DoIDyphY-YDmIkksZnPtIbV57RjR6SvDiRt3tsUdwL0sc8Tea6pbir36_ymGsNUM3GuEE693YdTw/s1600-h/22218_md.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIS5lfcdfR2bFhI4No-y3JEMt1fXoJ8VNoq-gHN8IzUhPT8Ajb54G4uPuL2GHd11v0DoIDyphY-YDmIkksZnPtIbV57RjR6SvDiRt3tsUdwL0sc8Tea6pbir36_ymGsNUM3GuEE693YdTw/s320/22218_md.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421077579700665890" border="0" /></a>but it is intended for mountain biking helmets with ample open vents for the velcro straps. I'm planning to try epoxying it onto my Giro G9 ski helmet to see if it may be a viable option for holding a light. The battery pack would either go in my backpack or jacket. Anythoughts?<br /><br /><br /><img src="file:///C:/Users/Tom/AppData/Local/Temp/moz-screenshot-2.png" alt="" /><img src="file:///C:/Users/Tom/AppData/Local/Temp/moz-screenshot-3.png" alt="" />Justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14647946727233346093noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3379997041357388866.post-76244511767037119022009-12-30T08:53:00.000-08:002009-12-30T09:13:14.648-08:00Mountains Are My HomeFirst, check out my good friend and former roommate's blog:<br /><a href="http://mtnsaremyhome.blogspot.com/">Mountains Are My Home</a><br /><br />He's a super talented rando racer, mountain bike racer, and all around good guy!<br />He was with me on one of my worst back country touring days ever (Tele, SURE I remember how to tele!), some loooooooong ass mountain bike rides (7 hours? no prob), and introduced me to Mate tea (for which I will always be thank full).Justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14647946727233346093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3379997041357388866.post-81784642216269815002009-12-27T07:26:00.001-08:002009-12-27T07:54:17.616-08:00Torture Test 2010No callouts<br />More gear<br />Yay Christmas!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMmMB_KYC8R4_MMYtn8bfaK5gtBrDyb8aVzybbZ1OmRziVXRo49fgM6_jsRSrgwTarXo0hUQxbZ0BJRz1kLikECUfvdc0cDdq0DvpMOUMdChSrqBEEbtb8UmlsUNHql7P8gnzTQdOJ17Ng/s1600-h/IMG_1578.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 405px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMmMB_KYC8R4_MMYtn8bfaK5gtBrDyb8aVzybbZ1OmRziVXRo49fgM6_jsRSrgwTarXo0hUQxbZ0BJRz1kLikECUfvdc0cDdq0DvpMOUMdChSrqBEEbtb8UmlsUNHql7P8gnzTQdOJ17Ng/s320/IMG_1578.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419938181792644354" border="0" /></a>Home for Christmas and Santa was nice enough to bring me a few really nice pieces of gear that I will be beating the shit out of as soon as I get home:<br /><br /><a href="http://us.rab.uk.com/clothing/down_insulation/neutrino_endurance_jacket---19/">Rab Mountainering Neutrino Endurance Jacket</a><br /><ul><li>750 fill down</li><li>A giant freaking hood (I have it over my Giro G9 size XL ski helmet in this pic!)</li><li>638g (on my postal scale)</li></ul><a href="http://www.blackdiamondequipment.com/en-us/shop/ski/snow-gloves/heavyweight">Mountain Hardware HeavyWeight Gloves </a><br /><ul><li>Full leather palm... ohhhh yeahhhhh</li><li>Longer cuff than most "liner" gloves</li></ul><a href="http://www.rei.com/product/773307">REI Performance Headliner</a><br /><ul><li>Neck Gator</li><li>Full Balaclava</li><li>Pretty lightweight</li></ul>All of which should come in handy during the upcoming cold days and nights on the snowmobiles and skis during back country rescues. Last year I didn't have a puffy with a hood, that made belay stations very chilly. I know some people aren't a fan of the hood, but I've wanted one for a while. Rab has started to become popular in the US with excellent recommendations on their gear from a few of my friends.<br /><br />The helmet liner should be excelent as well. Considering the size of my head it seems like it'll fit under my climbing, skiing, ans snowmobile helmJustinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14647946727233346093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3379997041357388866.post-65192242523434798142009-12-17T22:47:00.000-08:002009-12-17T22:56:35.069-08:00Gear You Can't Live WithoutI'll admit it, I'm a gear whore... unabashedly a gear whore. Luckily, I live in a house I work on rather than pay rent for so I have some extra money to buy gear. The whole being single with no kids thing helps too.<br /><br />While I own a fair bit of gear (like a lot of us it takes up an extra bedroom), I'd like to think its because I'm picky with what I use. Hence, I'd like to begin a series about "Gear I Can't Live Without" based on my favorite packs, boots, ice tools, and other expensive shiny things I've tried to kill without success. Gear Like:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.coldcoldworldpacks.com/chaos.htm">My Cold Cold World Chaos Pack</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.telemark-pyrenees.com/shop/images/z_LaSportiva-Nepal-Extreme-2008-TH.jpg">The La Sportiva Nepal Extreme Boots</a><br /><br />and<br /><br />Petzyl<a href="http://www.petzl.com/en/pro/verticality/packs-and-accessories/accessories/cordex-plus"> Gloves </a>and <a href="http://www.petzl.com/en/pro/compact-headlamps/tikka-plus">Headlamp</a><br /><br />That are always in my car ready to go.<br /><br />Before I tear stuff apart one at a time, what have been some of your favorite pieces of gear? Anything you can't live without?Justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14647946727233346093noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3379997041357388866.post-60671992481202215222009-12-02T19:18:00.000-08:002009-12-02T19:30:00.790-08:00A Lesson in Redundancy?http://www.sltrib.com/ci_13873501?source=most_viewed<div><br /></div><div>I think there are a lot of people in the high angle rescue community who would like to more specifics about this. I hope they surface soon so that we can all learn something.</div><div><br /></div><div>First off, I realize that any enclosed space rescue is difficult. If you add a high angle component it increases the complexity by quite a bit. Combined with a patient that is circling the drain fast and you have a rescue situation I hope I'm never placed in. </div><div><br /></div><div>That being said, most rescues should be a "back to the basics" affair. I think it's unfair to say that "the equipment didn't fail, the rock did". The most basic part of your system is your anchor- it IS a part of your equipment in my eyes. If there are doubts you need to increase the redundancy until your safety factor (our team uses 10:1) is reached. If using man made anchors (bolts, cams, nuts, hexes, etc) then your suspicion should increase and so should the redundancy of your system. This often entails using many more anchor points than you would have otherwise to avoid a system failure. Why would you build a system that would put your patient's life in danger if one component failed? </div><div><br /></div><div>My condolences to the patient's family and friends, along with the rescuers involved. Here's hoping we can all learn something...</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14647946727233346093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3379997041357388866.post-67124989168625109532009-11-19T15:27:00.000-08:002009-11-19T15:47:25.256-08:00Get Back on That HorseI never was very good at horsemanship....<br /><br />Physics over the summer, an ass ton of callouts (four, FOUR on one day) and my research have taken priority over this blog. I missed it though, so I'm back (thanks, AlbinoBlackBear for awakening me from my slumber).<br />-----------------------------------------------------------<br />I've decided to apply for MD/PhD programs. That's how much I've been liking my research as of lately. The key will be finding a program where I can keep doing what I love and still fund me. Its an interesting mix of exercise science and medicine. Really, its exercise as a specific treatment for chronic pain. I think I'm going to get a masters first, especially if I get the big mutha' of a grant I just applied for.<br />-----------------------------------------------------------<br />Rescues have been lacking as of late now that there's just a little bit of snow on the ground. Not enough white stuff to play in or slide, just enough to make it muddy. The few rescues we have had we're impressively fun.<br /><br />This weekend entailed a full on alpine rescue. First, in the dark then into the next morning and afternoon. Granite covered in Rhine ice, a little snow, some really stuck kids, it made for a challenging rescue.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Highlights:</span> A helicopter offload at 8,000 feet with one skid on a wee small granite fin, stepping out onto snow and with full packs on; beautiful alpine rock and ice; everyone surviving (I didn't think we were going to make it there in time); getting to watch my good friend and roomate lead his first rescue team in to support our helo team; getting hoisted off the mountain- I always feel like I'm flying hanging beneath the rotors of that beautiful bird.<br /><br />It cannot be stressed enough: no matter how many times I get to play with the helicopters they still give me a giant woodie.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Lowlights:</span> Getting hit in the chin as the helicopter peeled off the mountain in a wind gust; wondering all night if these kids were going to die because I couldn't get to them till the morning (and not sleeping one wink because of it); having to tell a patient that they were "just going to have to hold on till daylight" for the first time because my team couldn't climb to them in the dark; having to tell a new team member to take his comments off facebook because of the poor things they said about our patients- and the attitude I got back from it.<br /><br />I'll try to upload some video we shot during the rescue but until then enjoy the poor quality pics I grabbed off the news:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz1JFGyBZxxhPsgtYJD38QzW8lNwZMmVCXvxia0_vv3MRUB1Y5ULgrJ9zr7PG1FWZJAHLUDFDo0hrvZMbQNi3EkxCizaa9SXVMvEJhprVqV3LDhOVcGU0Loa7Z7O9JQdwsgNoZVSCpNlZe/s1600/15764437.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 186px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz1JFGyBZxxhPsgtYJD38QzW8lNwZMmVCXvxia0_vv3MRUB1Y5ULgrJ9zr7PG1FWZJAHLUDFDo0hrvZMbQNi3EkxCizaa9SXVMvEJhprVqV3LDhOVcGU0Loa7Z7O9JQdwsgNoZVSCpNlZe/s320/15764437.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405965036288910866" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4y1FBy2YKMNHocWBkS5kTGJ0Mc0604FdE3Ba-nwrw_FAbGNchWbUMLEsF39offCefQodGiPez_OQaGyYbCPg-Omt6vKJ5KVowBEwEHHw28vYldm-Oer5hbyfhdDU7c3ugUyhBjWZ20X40/s1600/15764438.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 186px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4y1FBy2YKMNHocWBkS5kTGJ0Mc0604FdE3Ba-nwrw_FAbGNchWbUMLEsF39offCefQodGiPez_OQaGyYbCPg-Omt6vKJ5KVowBEwEHHw28vYldm-Oer5hbyfhdDU7c3ugUyhBjWZ20X40/s320/15764438.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405965192842877138" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMsxdHNlJqpVgendRsRhyp_MdDdDEDDSGyTXj-o4kwgLxyrQUIuY-3hyOWQPQ-QYF_D6nIt76s5LSaw62lnoMNBNSJgN4syRxNDcla8HsHKG94emSRI661fJPewduUquzyFUo5IYceAklF/s1600/15764446.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 184px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMsxdHNlJqpVgendRsRhyp_MdDdDEDDSGyTXj-o4kwgLxyrQUIuY-3hyOWQPQ-QYF_D6nIt76s5LSaw62lnoMNBNSJgN4syRxNDcla8HsHKG94emSRI661fJPewduUquzyFUo5IYceAklF/s320/15764446.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405965319201595794" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj38RepLRPEyKOT_VWfaTCJh_JumrTVSFQYRcnf3AuPNQAPjCQEN_zSr5B3RF-GZrwoZYdXo76ajReOZDGwWscjvLPWUOd0qoxcmCDA9_EzXW1pUVvjaCT984-tv7vb3g4kbRpvbungbnrw/s1600/15764454.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 187px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj38RepLRPEyKOT_VWfaTCJh_JumrTVSFQYRcnf3AuPNQAPjCQEN_zSr5B3RF-GZrwoZYdXo76ajReOZDGwWscjvLPWUOd0qoxcmCDA9_EzXW1pUVvjaCT984-tv7vb3g4kbRpvbungbnrw/s320/15764454.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405965437936024258" border="0" /></a>Justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14647946727233346093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3379997041357388866.post-84273401443107369822009-07-06T21:42:00.000-07:002009-07-06T21:45:43.935-07:00SorryI can't finish the last series of posts... its just not going to happen. Hopefully I'll have something else to write about soon.Justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14647946727233346093noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3379997041357388866.post-59626625820497215282009-06-17T19:07:00.000-07:002009-06-17T19:09:09.548-07:00Two Rules1.) Its no fun to climb and die<br /> <br />2.) Learn to down climb, it will save your life<br /><br />that is all, back to physicsJustinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14647946727233346093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3379997041357388866.post-67040597055210519092009-06-17T16:15:00.000-07:002009-06-17T16:43:56.219-07:00ThreeFive Days in the Water Part TwoDid I say three days in the water? How silly of me; I meant Five. Allow me to ruin the end of the story for you. We didn't find the body, rarely do we ever find the body. But, we sure as hell tried.<br /><br />Like any story worth reading; this epic has a girl involved. Actually, a really hot girl, some damn good ice cream, a $50 bottle of port, and my hot tub. Then my fucking pager went off (to which the first words out of my mouth are always "oh shit") and that will be the last we ever hear of that girl.<br /><br />The page was its usual cryptic self:<br />"S&R CALLOUT SEARCH OF 10YOF RESPOND TO (GETTO) BRING DIVE EQUIPMENT"<br /><br />Translation: the kid is dead, he's been in the water for an hour before fire called us to find the body. Never mind that we have an actual fast response rescue team. I guess someone at the station forgot to set the TIVO and they had to head back home to catch <span style="font-style: italic;">House</span>.<br /><br />I changed into my wetsuit at my house (in front of a very perplexed female, I guess I didn't explain what I do very well) and high tailed it to the scene. By the time I got there it was the normal multiple agency cluster fuck. I was assigned to build the grid- a giant man made strainer down stream- but got pulled into a zodiac for a bank search. Of course, I didn't clear that with my commanding officer and got an ass reaming for it that night.<br /><br />A lot of people on our team readily assume that every water call out is a body recovery. They're right 98% of the time; but that's not good enough for me. I grabbed (stole...) a jump bag from the ambulance on scene <span style="font-style: italic;">just in case</span>. I can't image how stupid I would feel if I found an *almost* dead patient and didn't have shit on me to help.<br /><br />Of course, the bank search was uneventful and we went back to probing. A lot of people ask how we find bodies in the water. We pick the most likely spot they could be and see if we can snag anything with a giant metal pole with two or so hooks on the end. That is when most of my friends stop asking what I do... gruesome indeed.<br /><br />Darkness fell, the rain started, and the fishing continued. We had three people in the zodiac- one running the outboard, one probing, and the other holding onto the bottom of the bridge so we'd stay in one place. We found a lot of shit- blankets, pillows, signs, shopping carts- all of which feel A LOT like a body. Each time we'd get our hopes up, only to have them be killed. It could be worse, we've found bodies in this river in past searches... that weren't the body we were looking for.<br /><br />Midnight came and command sent us home with the promise that we'd be there the next day bright and early. My dreams were short (as was my sleep) and weird; it wasn't until I got home that I realized EXACTLY what we were looking for:<br /><ul><li>someone's daughter</li><li>someone's sister</li><li>someone's niece</li><li>some little kid's best friend<br /></li><li>some little boy's first crush</li></ul>Dammit...Justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14647946727233346093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3379997041357388866.post-7414945646289926252009-06-14T18:32:00.000-07:002009-06-14T18:51:32.415-07:00Three Days in the Water, Part One.Its been a while since I've had anything to post on here. Its been <span style="font-size:180%;"><br /><br />QUIET<br /><br />DEAD QUIET</span><br /><br />(may the ems god smite me... fuck them)<br /><br />Until this weekend any way. Friday we were called out to a 3 year old who fell in a creek while chasing her dog. I had just began an exam when the page went out. I glanced at it and all I had to see was "3 year old" and "swift water" and I was out of my seat and heading towards the door. The TA confronted me, I explained the situation (swift water rescues are one of the few times where our response time means life and death) and continued out the door.<br /><br />"I'm going to fail you" was the last thing I heard. I couldn't care less- I don't think I could ever forgive myself if a kid died because I wouldn't leave some pointless piece of shit exam. I hauled ass to my partners house. He was waiting, wetsuit on, so I let him drive while I tossed mine on in the car (I'm sorry to everyone on Main street i flashed).<br /><br />As we drove we checked in on the radio reports; witnesses were reporting seeing her, still alive, further and further downstream. We adjusted our course accordingly (wishing our friggin department would give us blue lights the whole time) and finally hit a part of the steam accessible to the road downstream from her position.<br /><br />We readied for a "live bait" rescue. In escence, something like this:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdCSjG3jztW8k5RtczTUBDP_bGXBBZ2BRUC_D6M4KuntnYHIVMDN6vLoeMaFP-RhQ5NbQ_SRyU7ykjw1N4VRJF186mzfyDuuPkuUVFQsBjO_nlCqJwcR_2H0-6A7Of-sK37f2GK_01h3zm/s1600-h/P5290045.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdCSjG3jztW8k5RtczTUBDP_bGXBBZ2BRUC_D6M4KuntnYHIVMDN6vLoeMaFP-RhQ5NbQ_SRyU7ykjw1N4VRJF186mzfyDuuPkuUVFQsBjO_nlCqJwcR_2H0-6A7Of-sK37f2GK_01h3zm/s320/P5290045.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347364117161110034" border="0" /></a>One team member has a rope attached to his rescue PFD and stands poised at the waters edge or on a rock while the other team member gets ready to belay him from shore with the rope. When the "swimmer" (patient, victim, w/e) is in sight and slightly past the rescuer in the water he makes an elegant swift water entry (belly flop), grabs the swimmer, and is then pedulumed to shore by his team mate who hope fully still has hold of the rope. The difficulty of this maneuver is compounded by a struggling patient (yes, I hit them if need be), and the shear idiocy of jumping into the very situation killing your patient.<br /><br />I couldn't have been more surprised when we hit the shore and there was our little girl, laying in the shallows... face up. My partner gave two quick rescue breaths (without a barrier... oops) and just like that the girl coughed up a little water, gave a wail, and pinked up. The ambulance was right on our ass so we handed her off to the medic and that was the last we saw of her.<br /><br />I got to finish my exam... and I got the high score in the class... eat that Mr. TA!Justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14647946727233346093noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3379997041357388866.post-54730864419171218792009-05-16T14:44:00.000-07:002009-05-16T15:04:08.220-07:00New Packing ListThey say that you can tell an EMTs experience by the amount of shit on his belt. The more shit there is, the less experience he/she has. I think the same can be said for SAR; except I carry everything in the back of my car. Now that its summer I can get rid of most of my winter gear (skis, avy gear, etc) and I took hard look at what I was carrying.
<br />
<br />My goal was to have a pack that was ready for 90% of our missions pre-packed in my car. This includes food, water, etc. I use a Lowe Alpine Alpine Attack 50 for my SAR pack because it *can* be a load hauler when I end up with the 600 foot static line or I can compress it down if I'm in the HASTE team.
<br />
<br />I was always amazed at the small size of the packs carried by experienced members on our team. Especially considering they ALWAYS had what they needed. Now, I understand why. Speed= safety (as long as you have the crapola you need). Here's what I'm keeping pre-packed:
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margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} /* List Definitions */ @list l0 {mso-list-id:1484665803; mso-list-type:hybrid; mso-list-template-ids:1147167268 67698703 67698713 67698715 67698703 67698713 67698715 67698703 67698713 67698715;} @list l0:level1 {mso-level-tab-stop:.5in; mso-level-number-position:left; text-indent:-.25in;} @list l0:level2 {mso-level-number-format:alpha-lower; mso-level-tab-stop:1.0in; mso-level-number-position:left; text-indent:-.25in;} @list l0:level3 {mso-level-number-format:roman-lower; mso-level-tab-stop:1.5in; mso-level-number-position:right; text-indent:-9.0pt;} @list l0:level4 {mso-level-tab-stop:2.0in; mso-level-number-position:left; text-indent:-.25in;} ol {margin-bottom:0in;} ul {margin-bottom:0in;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <ol style="margin-top: 0in;" start="1" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style="">Lowe Pack</li><ol style="margin-top: 0in;" start="1" type="a"><li class="MsoNormal" style="">Top Pouch</li></ol></ol> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.5in; text-indent: -1.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span>i.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->Map</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.5in; text-indent: -1.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span>ii.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->Compass/ Whistle</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.5in; text-indent: -1.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span>iii.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->Pro Bars (2)</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.5in; text-indent: -1.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span>iv.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->Pair of socks</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.5in; text-indent: -1.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span>v.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->Laser Pointer</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.5in; text-indent: -1.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span>vi.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->Safety glasses</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.5in; text-indent: -1.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span>vii.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->Headlamp</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.5in; text-indent: -1.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span>viii.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->Fire starter + matches</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.5in; text-indent: -1.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span>ix.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->Sunglasses</p> <ol style="margin-top: 0in;" start="1" type="1"><ol style="margin-top: 0in;" start="2" type="a"><li class="MsoNormal" style="">Main pouch</li></ol></ol> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.5in; text-indent: -1.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span>i.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->Team shell</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.5in; text-indent: -1.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span>ii.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->Team fleece jacket</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.5in; text-indent: -1.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span>iii.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->Team fleece vest</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.5in; text-indent: -1.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span>iv.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->Team fleece hat</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.5in; text-indent: -1.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span>v.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->OR waterproof gloves</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.5in; text-indent: -1.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span>vi.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->MH fleece gloves</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.5in; text-indent: -1.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span>vii.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->Helmet</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 2in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="">1.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->headlamp attached</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.5in; text-indent: -1.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span>viii.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->Climbing bundle</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 2in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="">1.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->3 Omega Team Carabineers </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 2in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="">2.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->15’ webbing</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 2in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="">3.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->20’ webbing</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 2in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="">4.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->Personal prussic cords (2)</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 2in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="">5.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->Black Diamond Alpine Bod harness </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 2in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="">6.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->Petzyl gloves + keeper carabineer</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.5in; text-indent: -1.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span>ix.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->Climbing harness</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 2in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="">1.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->ATC + belay carabineer</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 2in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="">2.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->Personal Purcell</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.5in; text-indent: -1.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span>x.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->One Nalgene (water)</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.5in; text-indent: -1.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span>xi.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->One Nalgene (gatorade)</p> <ol style="margin-top: 0in;" start="1" type="1"><ol style="margin-top: 0in;" start="3" type="a"><li class="MsoNormal" style="">Outside pocket (crampon pouch)</li></ol></ol> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.5in; text-indent: -1.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span>i.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->Team first aid kit</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 2in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="">1.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Trauma sheers</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 2in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="">2.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">BVM</span> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 2in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="">3.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Gloves (Large)</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 2in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="">4.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Bio Bag</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 2in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="">5.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Kerlix Roll</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 2in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="">6.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">4 X 4 gauze (4)</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 2in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="">7.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">8X 10 Combine dressing</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 2in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="">8.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Cavet bandages (2)</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 2in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="">9.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"><span style=""> </span>Mole Skin</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 2in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="">10.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Triple antibiotic packages (2)</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 2in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="">11.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Antimicrobacterial wipes (3)</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 2in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="">12.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Ibuprophen (2)</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 2in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="">13.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Diphen (2)</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 2in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="">14.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Bandaids</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 2in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="">15.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Bug X towelette</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 2in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="">16.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Sunscreen</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 2in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="">17.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Sting relief </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.5in; text-indent: -1.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span>ii.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Sam Splint</span></p>
<br />So that's about 1000 calories plus a combination of clothes that will keep me comforatable in a range of conditions. I'll drop my primary climbing harness before we set out if it doesn't look like we'll need it- its a super heavy (comfy) big wall harness but I'll keep my main climbing kit because a simple carryout can require belays very quickly.
<br />
<br />Also, in the back of my car ready to go is my radio chest harness. Now, I'm not a huge fan of this thing. Its hot, heavy, and seems to get in the way. I'd rather toss my radio in my crampon pouch on my pack and run the lapel mic up to my shoulder strap. I'm still afraid to not have somethings attached to my body (space blanket, radio) so
<br />for now it stays:
<br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.5in; text-indent: -1.5in;"><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CThomas%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} /* List Definitions */ @list l0 {mso-list-id:1484665803; mso-list-type:hybrid; mso-list-template-ids:1147167268 67698703 67698713 67698715 67698703 67698713 67698715 67698703 67698713 67698715;} @list l0:level1 {mso-level-tab-stop:.5in; mso-level-number-position:left; text-indent:-.25in;} @list l0:level2 {mso-level-number-format:alpha-lower; mso-level-tab-stop:1.0in; mso-level-number-position:left; text-indent:-.25in;} @list l0:level3 {mso-level-number-format:roman-lower; mso-level-tab-stop:1.5in; mso-level-number-position:right; text-indent:-9.0pt;} @list l0:level4 {mso-level-tab-stop:2.0in; mso-level-number-position:left; text-indent:-.25in;} ol {margin-bottom:0in;} ul {margin-bottom:0in;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> </p>
<br /><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CThomas%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} /* List Definitions */ @list l0 {mso-list-id:1484665803; mso-list-type:hybrid; mso-list-template-ids:1147167268 67698703 67698713 67698715 67698703 67698713 67698715 67698703 67698713 67698715;} @list l0:level1 {mso-level-tab-stop:.5in; mso-level-number-position:left; text-indent:-.25in;} @list l0:level2 {mso-level-number-format:alpha-lower; mso-level-tab-stop:1.0in; mso-level-number-position:left; text-indent:-.25in;} @list l0:level3 {mso-level-number-format:roman-lower; mso-level-tab-stop:1.5in; mso-level-number-position:right; text-indent:-9.0pt;} @list l0:level4 {mso-level-tab-stop:2.0in; mso-level-number-position:left; text-indent:-.25in;} ol {margin-bottom:0in;} ul {margin-bottom:0in;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <ol style="margin-top: 0in;" start="1" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style="">Radio Pack</li><ol style="margin-top: 0in;" start="1" type="a"><li class="MsoNormal" style="">4 X 4 bandages (2)</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">Space Blanket</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">Sharpie</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">Pen</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">Notepad</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">Small flashlight</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">Team medical form</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">Two pair large medical gloves</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">One pair each: small and medium gloves</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">Medical reference card</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">Small gerber</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">800 mHz Radio + Lapel mic</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">Medical tape</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">Ear plugs (helicopters)
<br /></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">AA/AAA batteries (3 each)</li></ol></ol>
<br />Finally, I have two small duffels I keep in the back of my trusty subaru. One is specifically for swift water rescues and the other has some snow/ice gear (there's still a lot at high altitudes) and my normal clothes/boots I wear on callouts.
<br /><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CThomas%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} /* List Definitions */ @list l0 {mso-list-id:1484665803; mso-list-type:hybrid; mso-list-template-ids:1147167268 67698703 67698713 67698715 67698703 67698713 67698715 67698703 67698713 67698715;} @list l0:level1 {mso-level-tab-stop:.5in; mso-level-number-position:left; text-indent:-.25in;} @list l0:level2 {mso-level-number-format:alpha-lower; mso-level-tab-stop:1.0in; mso-level-number-position:left; text-indent:-.25in;} @list l0:level3 {mso-level-number-format:roman-lower; mso-level-tab-stop:1.5in; mso-level-number-position:right; text-indent:-9.0pt;} @list l0:level4 {mso-level-tab-stop:2.0in; mso-level-number-position:left; text-indent:-.25in;} ol {margin-bottom:0in;} ul {margin-bottom:0in;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <ol style="margin-top: 0in;" start="1" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10;" >Duffel</span></li><ol style="margin-top: 0in;" start="1" type="a"><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10;" >Tall leather boots (socks + gaitors inside)</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10;" >Mountaineering boots </span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10;" >Crampons</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10;" >Ice Screws (6)</span></li></ol></ol> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.5in; text-indent: -1.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span>i.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span><!--[endif]-->10cm (2)</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.5in; text-indent: -1.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span>ii.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span><!--[endif]-->15cm (2)</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.5in; text-indent: -1.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span>iii.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span><!--[endif]-->17cm (2)</p> <ol style="margin-top: 0in;" start="1" type="1"><ol style="margin-top: 0in;" start="5" type="a"><li class="MsoNormal" style="">DMM ice tools (2)</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">BD Ice Ax</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">MH winter gloves</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">MH prima loft jacket</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">Green team pants</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">Team short sleeve t-shirt</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">Synthetic boxers</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">Long sleeve synthetic shirt</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">AA/AAA extra batteries (10 each)</li></ol><li class="MsoNormal" style="">Swift water duffel</li><ol style="margin-top: 0in;" start="1" type="a"><li class="MsoNormal" style="">Swift water PFD</li></ol></ol> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.5in; text-indent: -1.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span>i.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span><!--[endif]-->Whistle</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.5in; text-indent: -1.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span>ii.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span><!--[endif]-->Knife</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.5in; text-indent: -1.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span>iii.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span><!--[endif]-->Attendant line + locking carabineer (LOCKED)</p> <ol style="margin-top: 0in;" start="2" type="1"><ol style="margin-top: 0in;" start="2" type="a"><li class="MsoNormal" style="">Helmet</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">Neoprene gloves</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">Neoprene socks</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">Wetsuit</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">Old tennis shoes</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">Throw rope</li></ol></ol>
<br />That's still a ton of stuff, but I'm open to ideas of what I can get rid of....
<br />
<br />Justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14647946727233346093noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3379997041357388866.post-30695768381712327472009-05-15T11:00:00.000-07:002009-05-15T11:10:43.552-07:00Quite Possibly the Finest Prank Ever<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ivxXI7kkfYAlCRn3UY2YWT42xw2EOkBasvjlcVQQIGpWY6st_trDUHxG7f8XPWgRLTOwmDHwgp4QmTu2S4J_TBkQY27dGGky3jCCcM8du9qF_GatTmiINnN_GJTy3f4wZIgWohRMNcLp/s1600-h/ear.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 204px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ivxXI7kkfYAlCRn3UY2YWT42xw2EOkBasvjlcVQQIGpWY6st_trDUHxG7f8XPWgRLTOwmDHwgp4QmTu2S4J_TBkQY27dGGky3jCCcM8du9qF_GatTmiINnN_GJTy3f4wZIgWohRMNcLp/s320/ear.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335890204700581202" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I credit myself for being a little bit of a prankster... Its a defense mechanism and a way of reminding my self that none of us are really all that important. Usually, its little stuff. Like sneaking into one of our deputies cars and turning up the radio so that when he turns it on in the morning he'll be bombarded with Mexican polka (bonus points for taking the radio control knobs off or covering them in KY) or tying my team leader's boots to the litter as we're practicing carries.<br /><br />One deputy I work with took the cake though. We were doing a body recovery. A really, really bad body recovery. The kind where you bring the pieces out in small trash bags as you find them and hope the patient had good dental records.<br /><br />Well, for some reason, the patient's ear was found far, far away from the rest of the pieces of the body. The ear was placed in its own bag and because of that forgotten about when the rest of the pieces were handed over to the coroner.<br /><br />This deputy realized his mistake about an hour later, and sheepishly told our commanding officer. Our CO's reply:<br /><br />"Fuck, well just throw the damn thing away, none of us ever saw it..."<br /><br />Ay, ay captain, and so it was done, or we thought.<br /><br />Not long after the call out the afore mentioned deputy and went to grab us sandwiches after the call out. Our CO had been bitching all day about how hungry he was and how long the recovery was taking, etc, etc, etc.<br /><br />The Deputy returned from his food run, handed out all the boxes of food, and (quickly) walked away. Our CO opened his sandwich box, opened his hoagie to pile on the mayo and letuce and there, smack dab in the middle of his ham was the ear that had been "thrown away".<br /><br />Our CO immediately recoiled, and chucked the sandwhich at the (now running) deputy. After a brief pursuit the deputy handed out CO his real sandwhich, the ear was finally thrown away, and one of the better pranks in our department went down in infamy.Justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14647946727233346093noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3379997041357388866.post-80342590004027165852009-05-14T12:24:00.000-07:002009-05-14T12:33:35.235-07:00HappinessHappiness comes in many forms. Today it was:<br />200 rounds through this:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmYfCpaFl7C6ticp3s52A7_Tq5lWzfTQbbH2X-0m1TqntEXmsPIpqpz53RRS4j0LhGKxENdPk98TKrhfHYGqTRQSDbGKhUl45RDmxo6MlNqe-KCZtHNyrMATS0sbJ-x66G8Voy_L7I0H5H/s1600-h/beretta92.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 208px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmYfCpaFl7C6ticp3s52A7_Tq5lWzfTQbbH2X-0m1TqntEXmsPIpqpz53RRS4j0LhGKxENdPk98TKrhfHYGqTRQSDbGKhUl45RDmxo6MlNqe-KCZtHNyrMATS0sbJ-x66G8Voy_L7I0H5H/s320/beretta92.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335763506746658018" border="0" /></a><br />And 49 rounds through this:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw8E-7bOitYatfdLdJ6Tr7LC-4URR3-Mfr0eB87mLG5bnvNjhsqD3u3PEvPt_5bXkpywc64jaRHt6sTWjboIMxzFJMXaTNs6AHXHlokagLOYJLtICyo_Mff2Sm1tBN8hfwtD3Li7wzkDlb/s1600-h/colt1911lownx0.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 246px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw8E-7bOitYatfdLdJ6Tr7LC-4URR3-Mfr0eB87mLG5bnvNjhsqD3u3PEvPt_5bXkpywc64jaRHt6sTWjboIMxzFJMXaTNs6AHXHlokagLOYJLtICyo_Mff2Sm1tBN8hfwtD3Li7wzkDlb/s320/colt1911lownx0.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335763951486494370" border="0" /></a>And 3 seconds between shots rule at civilian ranges? WTF?<br /><br />Still haven't decided what I'm getting when I get my concealed carry permit.... probably neither one of those. Leaning towards a SIG.Justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14647946727233346093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3379997041357388866.post-15639553359246911772009-05-13T19:24:00.000-07:002009-05-13T19:39:27.748-07:00To ALS or BLS, that is the questionI loved Kelly's new writings on EMS1:<br /><a href="http://www.ems1.com/medical-clinical/articles/492833-Too-Much-of-a-Good-Thing">http://www.ems1.com/medical-clinical/articles/492833-Too-Much-of-a-Good-Thing</a><br /><br />But I'm curious, if EMS is the spinal tap what is SAR? The bastard, kinda dumb, jockish guys? I think so...<br /><br />But the question remains, is there a place for Advanced Life Support capabilities on a mountain search and rescue team? Many argue yes because of the long transports of critically injured patients.<br /><br />However, I argue no for a few reasons:<br /><ul><li>Most patients, by the time we get to them are either dead or stable. I have to leave work, change clothes, get to my car, drive to the callout (without being able to go Code 3...), hike/fly/ride into the patient and then transport them out. We're talking hours here.</li><li>It is damn near impossible to get an IV to stay in and active while moving a patient through the terrain we deal with. (If anyone has any ideas let them rip). Cold skin just aggravates the problem.</li><li>ALS would mean more shit I'd have to carry in, and I already have a lot. Plus, meds would have to be kept controlled and current. That would be impossible in the back of a civilian car and hard in a non medical (Sheriff's) truck.<br /></li><li>In my opinion, and this has always been my opinion with EMS, the fastest way to the hospital is the best way. Get in, get the patient, get them the fuck out....</li></ul>Will I still go to paramedic school if the department pays for it? Hell yes I will.Justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14647946727233346093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3379997041357388866.post-78602888489150453942009-05-09T20:18:00.000-07:002009-05-09T20:24:02.811-07:00Guilty As ChargedI leave town for a week and miss TWO, TWO friggin rescues. Seriously, I'm thinking the worst thing for the welfare of mountain going folks in my county is for me to leave town (this has happened quite a few times).<br /><br />I feel guilty. I should be there helping our relatively small rescue team out with these (especially when there's two in one day). Instead I'm sitting on my ass in my parents house, where I'll be for the next week. If there's more rescues I'm tempted to fly home NOW.<br /><br />Should I feel guilty? We're a volunteer team- I don't get paid a dime to go on rescues that will occupy 500+ hours or so of my year. In fact, I buy most of my own gear for those rescues. So who cares that I'm home and enjoying time with my family? I do... I love going on call outs, I love the challenge, I love the rush, I love talking to the patients on the way home, I love it all and get pissed when I miss out- end of story.<br /><br />I'm going to get so much shit at the next meeting....Justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14647946727233346093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3379997041357388866.post-78690842081482637212009-05-05T21:14:00.001-07:002009-05-05T21:15:24.656-07:00My fake craigslist personalsWhat do I do in my spare time? Post shit like this to craigs list:<br /><br />Geek seeks an MHC with the right antigen shape to bind to his Tcell. I keep trying to find the right one but they seem to be MHC-1 and I need an MHC-2. Can you be the second signal to my receptor site?Justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14647946727233346093noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3379997041357388866.post-75515416411054745792009-05-05T14:37:00.000-07:002009-05-05T14:43:45.499-07:00How do you know when you've been teaching too much?11 lectures a week for three weeks....<br /><br />According to my girlfriend, I've been lecturing in my sleep. As in reciting my power point slides, talking about shock, and walking through the primary and secondary assessments. This is nothing new. I've always been quite the sleep talker. Even going as far as too carry on conversations (that I have NO recollection of). I'm also known on our SAR team for being able to fall asleep when ever, where ever and be up and awake when I need to be just as fast.<br /><br />The icing on the cake was when she woke up to me doing a full head to toe patient exam on her. An exam:<br /><ul><li>I don't remember one bit of</li><li>In which I was asking her the SAMPLE questions</li><li>I even kept my hands together when I palpated the sternum (so I didnt "cup" her... not that I haven't used that excuse on dates before...hehe)</li></ul>Seriously, WTF?<br />Just say no folks:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheLZy15OGzy9-IrGMZHxHa73cRi14AoMHxSiPbIIajKkBGUVv8JUV_OV1i5ln9dFL6o3IfF33vrpif1qrgOMYNSCAohKhIkTutg7tQgRk8YFCleV00wH7BEnQuLIVBzp4iICz9C5duDQtH/s1600-h/ambien1.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 163px; height: 205px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheLZy15OGzy9-IrGMZHxHa73cRi14AoMHxSiPbIIajKkBGUVv8JUV_OV1i5ln9dFL6o3IfF33vrpif1qrgOMYNSCAohKhIkTutg7tQgRk8YFCleV00wH7BEnQuLIVBzp4iICz9C5duDQtH/s320/ambien1.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332458407621617762" border="0" /></a>Justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14647946727233346093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3379997041357388866.post-3127036914736871262009-05-03T17:12:00.000-07:002009-05-03T17:20:47.286-07:00I want...I want....<br /><ul><li>A teacher that won't mark a question wrong because I didn't regurgitate what he said in class word for word; but rather integrated my knowledge of outside sources and answers into a comprehensive answer that actually showed thought and/or knowledge of a subject that the professor is woefully behind in.<br /></li><li>Grades to actually show how much I've learned, not the random shit I memorized before an exam</li><li>Classes that integrate with each other... or at least agree</li><li>It not to count against me if all of my classes but one have presented a fact in one way and hence I write down that fact when my current professor is stuck back 20 years ago.</li><li>It to count that I'm a better clinician than the medical school students I work with in the homeless clinic. They are, without a doubt, clueless and inept. Oh, sorry, they got an A in Ochem of course they'll be good doctors.<br /></li><li>The fact that I know exactly what I'm getting myself into to help me, not hurt me. Just because I don't have the same starry eyed enthusiasm to save the world and work with the undeserved like all the other douche bag, clueless pre-med students doesn't mean I do not care. It just means I'm realistic. Sorry, I know medical schools love to beat that kinda thing out of their students. </li><li>To be a doctor, because right now I'm watching patients die because I can't do anything to save them, because I don't have the training, or the knowledge, or the experience.</li></ul>I know I'll be a good physician... someone just has to give me a chance.Justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14647946727233346093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3379997041357388866.post-74689110682571897592009-05-03T17:07:00.000-07:002009-05-03T17:10:05.176-07:00Another Short Haul Picture<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifmEoVVYdtYSuePI5WHi1UpEUYePqtb97j0xJk-ufJa6QZVaoacuEMZ20v7FeHDlBoemoHXf1_m6K6RhQvf4xZbt3rTKvaFZ50LkqH4RwZWFw-A-bh5US2b_AEY1bs8EskyrmQY3WvCzPx/s1600-h/Wintersh+08-09+066.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifmEoVVYdtYSuePI5WHi1UpEUYePqtb97j0xJk-ufJa6QZVaoacuEMZ20v7FeHDlBoemoHXf1_m6K6RhQvf4xZbt3rTKvaFZ50LkqH4RwZWFw-A-bh5US2b_AEY1bs8EskyrmQY3WvCzPx/s400/Wintersh+08-09+066.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331754231943897746" border="0" /></a><br />Why can't I make a living doing this again?Justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14647946727233346093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3379997041357388866.post-58914954771920932922009-04-29T11:43:00.000-07:002009-04-29T11:44:58.766-07:00This just in; swine fluI'm considering applying for a MD/MSPH combined program. That is, ONLY to be more able to do research as part of my practice. Any part of me that actually wanted to work in public health has been finally scared away by the mass hysteria over the "swine flu". Seriously, I couldn't deal with this stupid of people all day...Justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14647946727233346093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3379997041357388866.post-36378755863105802132009-04-26T12:12:00.000-07:002009-04-26T12:44:05.746-07:00Pissing off the FAA<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwIBqd1SDNTD3ErGN1ySILZ4twBj3hyphenhyphen_lm16rum-ALdPYocmKsnJxMyRCigixAXjFdt3RqD44rbDZuHsG97YufuLGihm9SyHNE1CsQjbnybai76sgfQ88vTeyu85woboW1BZJbZ5V5TDTc/s1600-h/3058184621_6e8cc6d7cf_o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 275px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwIBqd1SDNTD3ErGN1ySILZ4twBj3hyphenhyphen_lm16rum-ALdPYocmKsnJxMyRCigixAXjFdt3RqD44rbDZuHsG97YufuLGihm9SyHNE1CsQjbnybai76sgfQ88vTeyu85woboW1BZJbZ5V5TDTc/s320/3058184621_6e8cc6d7cf_o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329082943656959762" border="0" /></a>(Image "Dope on a Rope" from <a href="www.tetonat.com">www.tetonat.com</a> )<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br />That's a picture of a "short haul" technique used to insert rescuers and evacuate patients from highly technical terrain. Its certainly one of the perks of SAR because its a ton of fun and certainly something different from the normal EMS routine (which is "treating" patients who don't really need your help).<br /><br />Advantages include decreasing the hover time (which is the most dangerous time period of any helicopter operation) and staying away from the more complicated winch in/winch out mechanics.<br /><br />Disadvantages include no visual communication with the pilot (radio only) and it requires a tremendous amount of skill on the pilot's part to avoid flying the rescuer and patient into trees, buildings, rock walls, etc. Sadly, such an event happened recently with one of the most accomplished mountain rescue teams in the country. The patient was killed and the rescuer critically injured.<br /><br />Usually, our team is inserted via helicopter on a ridge and then we descend to the patient. In this manor, the ship is usually on the ground (or has one skid down) and we exit out the doors onto non technical terrain. Per FAA regulations, short hauling, winching, and rappelling out of civilian helicopters is strictly prohibited except by a very select few trained individuals who work for the helicopter companies. For example, there is only one civilian air ambulance company who is allowed to winch patients and their medics in and out.<br /><br />That's great... but I really don't give a shit. If inserting via technical means (mentioned above) is the safest way I can get to my patient I'm going to do it and ask for forgiveness if necessary. I've always followed the motto that "The fastest way to the hospital is the best". We're lucky that we have a helicopter crew that is willing to support these transgressions.<br /><br />Case in point; a few days ago we had a MCI on a large rock face. Multiple patients took extended (500-1000 ft) falls or slides. We had a few fatalities and a lot of patients circling the drain- including pediatric patients. We had two options- climbing in from the top or bottom or short hauling in.<br /><br />Hiking in would have exposed our rescuers to an extreme avalanche danger, rock fall, and a slope that was melting out. It also would have meant the death of many patients because it would have taken us an hour to reach them.<br /><br />We choose to short haul two of our rescuers in and extricate the patients as soon as possible. No worries, it has become standards operating procedure. We did, and not one patient died who wasn't already dead when we arrived on scene. Considering the nature of their injuries, that is a huge accomplishment and uncommon in SAR.<br /><br />In typical fashion, the news crews (who could ruin a wet dream) published the footage despite us asking them not too. The FAA saw it. We're in deep shit. But, ya know what? I'd do it again, and again, and again without a thought otherwise.<br /><br />Get the patient out as fast as possible and they live... all I give a damn about.<br /></div></div><a href="www.tetonat.com"> </a>Justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14647946727233346093noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3379997041357388866.post-2636479778686338432009-04-16T08:54:00.001-07:002009-04-16T08:58:09.235-07:00Prostate Watch 2009 (Last One, I Promise!)Final pathology came back for the lymph nodes sampled during my dad's surgery. The cancer was contained to the prostate, Gleason remained at 6, and there were no other indications of a spread. Hooray! The tough old hoot went for a hike today, I'm proud of him!<br /><br />The lesson in all of this is to get checked out early and often. His PSA never rose past about 2 and had been consistent there for a few years (with negative biopsies). But that, combined with a strong family history, kept him going in for biyearly exams. The list of people whom have died from prostate cancer they ignored is long and distinguished and thank god my dad isn't one of them.<br /><br />PeaceJustinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14647946727233346093noreply@blogger.com0