A local rescue department that covers a rock climbing area recently had a highline rescue. I had ran into a member that rides fromtime to time with them and asked about how things went and was good and what needed some work. The one thing that stuck out in my mind that he had said was that the medic was not happy that he was told there will be no riding with the patient. I thought that seems odd to me due to the reason they were there was due to the man having respitory issues. The medic told the officer that he wanted to stay with the patient to asst him with breathing but still the officer refused stating that " he didnt know if the medic could be trusted on the highline"...... I am not one to question outside departments methods but this was just not right to me. A patient that is unable to remove them self due to respitory problems and a medic stating that this patient will need help with breathing and it is denied???
So my question to you is, what are your departments SOGs for medics riding with patients on highlines? It takes no skill to hang, not tuch anything, and tend to your patient. Let me add this, this was a sloped highline, the medic was not going to have to control anything at the basket.
This is not a mountain area company that is in this call. More of a rural area. They may have a high angle rescue 3-4 times a year. My personal thought is I would rather have a medic go with there patient then to have the patient arrive on the otherside DOA. Lets be honest if you think it is too dangerous for your medic to go then why are you sending the patient? Drill with everyone not just your company.
So my question to you is, what are your departments SOGs for medics riding with patients on highlines? It takes no skill to hang, not tuch anything, and tend to your patient. Let me add this, this was a sloped highline, the medic was not going to have to control anything at the basket.
This is not a mountain area company that is in this call. More of a rural area. They may have a high angle rescue 3-4 times a year. My personal thought is I would rather have a medic go with there patient then to have the patient arrive on the otherside DOA. Lets be honest if you think it is too dangerous for your medic to go then why are you sending the patient? Drill with everyone not just your company.
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