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Subject: Mounted search and rescue

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  • From: Karen Nesbitt <spanishequines@yahoo.com>
  • To: MSAR <msar-riders@lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: [MSAR] Transport via horse...
  • Date: Tue, 21 Jul 2009 06:18:56 -0700 (PDT)

Message: 26
Date: Sun, 19 Jul 2009 23:28:05 -0700
From: "Jorene Downs" <Jorene@CEOates.com>
Subject: Re: [MSAR] Transport via horse?
To: "'Mounted search and rescue'" <msar-riders@lists.ibiblio.org>
Message-ID: <00bd01ca0903$3da64860$b8f2d920$@com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Karen, based on your description it sounds like you were not remotely a
candidate for being transported in the saddle.



To answer your questions, if you're packing some equipment to immobilize a
leg, etc., inflatable air splints don't take up much storage room yet are
pretty effective. And yes, a riding helmet should be provided to the
passenger / patient in the saddle. There are a multitude of ways to carry
along that riding helmet. On top of the pack behind the saddle is pretty
common.



-          Jorene

---------->>>>>
 
Jorene, you were so right, however your conclusion may possibly been drawn based on after the fact information information about the discovery of old injuries..  Had you been on the scene back then, as did the FD present, you too, might have assumed, oh, just a busted leg. We can move you.  Lets do a shoulder carry and get you sitting upright.
 
In my case, yes, the fall with the knee indeed aggrivated old injuries that were not even know present to myself at that point in time.  It was not until I got a thorough examination from a chiropractor quite a bite after being in rehab for the knee that the prior injuries were even discovered nearly 20 years later.  Twenty years I lived with injuries I did not even know I had.  You see, at the time of the previos accident that cause my whiplash years prior, I walked away from rolling a vehicle.  The EMTs at that scene assumed I was fine because I walked away.  No thorough exam was done at that time to be sure.  (Now this accident happened back in the 70's so mind you things were different in those days as to care and handling and of course)... when I busted my knee, that incident was 20 years later.  Giving you a better clue on two things,1) how much medical science has improved on the way it can discover prior injuries and their issues and 2) that it still can be ignored that the subject may have other issues not related to a current injury at the scene, those injuries doubly being aggrivated..  So basically what I am telling everyone here, NEVER assume its just a "leg" injury if that is what simply what is presenting.  And even in the case of a broken arm....heretoo "assuming" the patient received a serious blow to break the bone or a fall that may have caused it.   Its always more than just the obvious.
 
I really have to look back and wonder how on earth the EMTs at the scene of my accident when I rolled the vehicle, how they could have ever assumed no whiplash existed when I had landed upsidedown straped in by a lifesaving seatbelt.  I guess the shear fact I walked away implied that.  How wrong they were. 
 
Just my 2c having been on the receiving end of some rather serious injuries from auto incidences and a serious fall or two.  Any fall  or impact that takes a person out of balance is serious.  And does effect the rest of the body in some way.  Be it spine, neck, back or whatever.
 
My suggestion if the subject is coherent ask them is this the first time.  Then you may have a better clue there might be more than mets the eye.  
 
One other thing I want to add... someone mentioned practicing with volunteer "victims"...if you are transporting via horse, beleive me, the animal knows the difference between a fake patient and one that is not faking anything.  They have a keen sense of smell that will alert them to any high adrenaline the real victim may be presenting and also, they are masters at body language.  About the only thing you will train your horse in using a "fake" victim is perhaps there is unusual equipment present, however, they know better when it comes to the real thing and if a person has an injury.  Some animals may take care of you, others may not.  There is an adage..."green horses and green riders do not mix well".  And there are equally the smart horses be they green or otherwise that may not know the difference of taking care of its person.  Most horses that are one owner, those animals will take care of their owner.  So unless the animal is ridden by many and has experience  of taking care of many  what I am going to refer to as lopsided riders... as someone mentioned, unless your mount doubles as a livery or pack string animal, you have a mount with little experience. 
 
Karen
 
 
       
 
 



  • [MSAR] Transport via horse..., Karen Nesbitt, 07/21/2009

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