Transportation of the Injured - part 1

Articles In This Section:

· Transportation of the Injured - part 1

· Transportation of the Injured - part 2

· Transportation of the Injured - part 3

· Transportation of the Injured - part 4

Ski accidents are difficult to deal with because of the cold, the delay in reaching a doctor, and the necessity for transporting the injured over snow. Fortunately, these difficulties can be overcome by the trained ski mountaineer. When the extent of an injury has been determined, shock treated, and any necessary splints placed, then—and only then—the patient is ready for transportation.

Do not underestimate the physical effort required to transport an injured person, no matter what type of rescue sled is used. It is better to make camp and send for help than to start transporting an injured man without adequate manpower. Rescuers and rescued may all be overtaken by fatigue, night, and cold.

The ready-made toboggan.—An eight-foot, flat, wooden, ready-made toboggan is by far the best method of transportation for the injured. Before starting any long haul of an injured man, the party should consider skiing out to get such a toboggan, with a crew of several skiers to handle it.

A sled with runners is drier and warmer than a flat toboggan, but is too high for stability on difficult terrain and is of no use in soft snow. Metal toboggans are too cold unless covered. A rigid toboggan should never be used as a splint for a broken pelvis, back, or neck. Such an injury must be splinted with skis (see p. 151).

A rigid toboggan is best for transportation even when separate splints are used, but, because the splints are then independent of the bending of the toboggan, its rigidity is not essential. Severe injuries should, therefore, be transported on a rigid toboggan if possible, but the flexible type is usually quite satisfactory and is much easier to pull over rough terrain. If a long trip must be made over rough ground, guard rails may be constructed by tying the skis of the patient on edge along the toboggan sides.

If an air mattress is available it will add comfort to the toboggan. It should not be inflated too much. Sweaters should be placed on the toboggan before the victim is lifted on so that they will be under as well as over him. In long hauls the injured man should be put in a sleeping bag. Narrow down bags are best and may be put on over splints if first turned inside out and then drawn up over the body from the feet. A wind and snowproof cover, such as a tent, may be put on last if necessary. The injured man should be tied to the toboggan to save him muscular effort and anxiety and to hold wraps in place, unless the trip is to be short and along the level. The importance of keeping him warm cannot be overemphasized.

The victim should usually be carried in a reclining position, unless the injury is slight. Ordinarily he will wish to have his feet at the front of the toboggan so he can see where he is going. If a leg has been broken, care must be taken that it does not press against the upturned end of the toboggan. If shock is severe, the victim should be placed so that his head will be downhill. Injured limbs must be well supported and must not be subjected to strain from cords used to tie the man to the toboggan, from pulling ropes, or from the weight of heavy covering.