Mounted search and rescue

["E.S." <ES212@QWEST.NET>]

will it be fair to say that 80% or more of the usual injuries are good 
candidate for a safe saddle transporting?  ankle injured, heat strokes, 
snack bite, lost hiker, etc.  so this area of SAR need to have more respect, 
recognition, and training.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Una Smith" <una.smith@att.net>
To: "Mounted search and rescue" <msar-riders@lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Sunday, July 19, 2009 3:23 PM
Subject: Re: [MSAR] Transport via horse


> Jorene Downs wrote:
> > The person with minor injury who doesn't need a helicopter or
> > litter but shouldn't (or couldn't) hike any real distance is a
> > good candidate for the saddle transport.
>
> This assumes a whole lot about the situation and the subject.
> A subject who shouldn't or couldn't hike out generally also
> does not belong on horseback.  This often has more to do with
> the terrain, timing, and weather, than the subject.  Also,
> let's not forget one other alternative:  staying there with
> the subject.  Get them warm, fed, and rested.  Then get them
> out.
>
> There are always exceptions.  We had one here a few years ago,
> a rider with a major abdominal injury.  The medical director's
> best assessment was that the subject would die before the litter
> foot team already en route could get him out, and the location
> prevented a helicopter pickup.  The subject was a horse rider,
> and agreed to riding out to a heli pickup point, knowing that
> given his injury the riding could kill him.  It was a choice
> between very likely death and possible death.  He did survive.
>
> On the other hand, a now defunct SAR team collapsed when they
> held a training ride and while climbing a steep trail someone
> fell off behind the horse.  The horse then kicked the person,
> causing massive injuries.
>
> Please find someone local to you to help with training, and be
> careful not to create unrealistic expectations.
>
> Una Smith
> New Mexico
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