by ntheno » Sun Sep 27, 2009 1:02 pm
Once again the PSMP were called for a group on Skyline and while responding to one call they were called by a second individual. This guy started at 9:00am and was going to hike three hours up. He arrived at the 4200ft level at noon and began his descent. As he descended he started cramping up. He reached the tables, vomitted and then attempted the"run-straight-downhill-to-the-Tennis-Club-Pool maneuver." This same manuever was attempted by someone this summer who ended up in a body bag. Fortunatley for our most rescent individual he realized the error of his ways and called 911. 40 minutes later the PSMP reached the victim, attempted to rehydrate and walk the individual out. After he vomitted twice, and now the team running low on fluids the PSMP called for Helo evac. Just as Helo was arriving AMR paramedic was able to make the tables and administer IV. Once stablized, the hiker was flown to O'Donnell golf course and then transported to Desert Regional Hosp. via ambulance. Due to the dehydration, the hiker was near kidney failure. Thankfully, after an overnight stay in the hospital where they administered IV fluids the hiker was discharged Sunday morning and is recooperating at his home in Santa Monica where in his words, "at high noon it's 75 degrees."
In my experience, those who hike alone are more likely to be carried off alone in a body bag.