Injured hiker carried out of Mahoosuc Notch

[marty]

Sounds like quite an undertaking. Mahoosuc Notch is rugged country, as many of us well know. Hope the hiker fully recovers.

http://www.sunjournal.com/node/35994/

Marty

 

[csprague]

This follow-up contains no details other than to state the the hiker is "doing well" in the ICU. That sounds positive though.

http://www.sunjournal.com/node/36456/

Chris

 

[vegematic]

Bad luck, a slip like that is easy enough in the Notch. I was hiking through there several years ago when my companion fell backwards and was likely spared a serious injury because we were on an overnight and wearing full packs. Some of his packed gear was damaged in the fall. I hope this guy pulls through okay.
-vegematic

 

[BobC]

Interesting to note that he was found hypothermic. I always carry one of those "Heat Sheet" emergency bivvys in my emergency kit, even in the summer, and would hope that my fellow hikers would try and get me into that if I was injured. Perhaps they felt that they shouldn't move him at all though, due to his head injury.

 

[Andrew]

Interesting to note that he was found hypothermic. I always carry one of those "Heat Sheet" emergency bivvys in my emergency kit, even in the summer, and would hope that my fellow would try and get me into that if I was injured. Perhaps they felt that they shouldn't move him at all though, due to his head injury.

The story sounds like they did move him through the notch to get back through the toughest sections where a carry would have been pretty tough. The exertion would have wasted his energy reserves thus making him more susceptible to hypothermia while waiting for the carry crew. Probably a good descision to get him through the boulders, and often a tough one in these cases, if the pt is not indicating too much pain from this action.

 

[DougPaul]

The story sounds like they did move him through the notch to get back through the toughest sections where a carry would have been pretty tough. The exertion would have wasted his energy reserves thus making him more susceptible to hypothermia while waiting for the carry crew.

The exertion would have created heat, keeping him warmer in the short term. The loss of energy might have been a longer-term factor.

Most hikers would be lightly dressed to dissipate heat as they travel through the notch (a notoriously chilly area). Anything that stops or slows the hiker down for an extended period reduces the rate of heat production and will result in said hiker becoming cold and possibly hypothermic.

An important part of treating an accident victim is to keep him from becoming chilled. It also helps to prevent shock. Carrying equipment that allows one to keep an immobilized victim warm (ie an emergency blanket, a jacket, a foam pad, a sleeping bag, a bivy sack, etc according to conditions) is generally a good idea. (Rescuers also need to be able to stay warm while attending the victim.)

Doug