Cold and Wilderness Emergencies In-Service:

On September 11 and 15, 2008 Anderson County Emergency Medical Services held their monthly in-service training at Anderson County Park in Andersonville, TN. The topic covered this month was Cold and Wilderness Emergencies, something we deal with regularly during the winter months. Instructors for the in-service included: Darrell Muse, Dale Jennings, and Bobbi Jo Kaley. Our instructors were also assisted by members from the Anderson County Rescue Squad as we tend to work hand-in-hand during wilderness incidents. During the in-service, staff members encountered a set of two different scenarios.

During the first scenario staff made a short hike through a dense wilderness area where they found a hiker who had fallen from a small rock ledge. They were then tasked with initiating patient care, fully immobilizing the patient, and extricating the patient via the use of a side by side off road vehicle. This allowed a great opportunity for staff to become familiar with the techniques and equipment used by the Mountain Rescue Team. During the second scenario, staff members once again make a short hike through a dense wilderness area where they came upon a second victim that had fallen from a larger rock wall.

Gaining access to the patient was more difficult during this scenario in that staff members were required to descend a rock embankment. Once they reached the patient, care was initiated, the patient was fully immobilized, and a stokes basket had to be utilized to extricate the patient. This was also a great opportunity in that staff became familiar with the techniques and equipment used by the Rope Rescue Team. Overall, the in-service was a great success! This was the first opportunity for many staff members to use and become familiar with the equipment utilized by the Anderson County Rescue Squad. With Winter quickly approaching, it was important to discuss cold emergencies and the environmental hazards staff may encounter while responding to them. Anderson County EMS would like to thank the staff of Anderson County Park and the members from the Anderson County Rescue Squad that helped make our in-service outstanding!