Ready, Set, SAR!

Ready, Set, SAR!

Hello ProRangers and park people! since my last post, there have been some exciting developments here in Yosemite. As the world grapples with the emerging COVID-19 virus, park staff have taken extra precautions to keep visitors and park employees safe. I spent a portion of the week on the valley ambulance and in the Yosemite Medical Clinic where patients were pre-screened to rule out possible infection. While there are currently no reported or suspected cases of Coronavirus in Yosemite, precautions are in place to ensure staff are equipped to handle the possibility. In addition to working in the clinic and on the ambulance, I participated in my first search and rescue (SAR) this week! Although the SAR was challenging and lengthy, I learned a lot of valuable information that will translate to other SAR's throughout my time in Yosemite.

To prepare for the possibility of a suspected or confirmed case of Coronavirus here in Yosemite, Park officials and healthcare providers from the U.S. Department of Health created standard operating procedures for the medical clinic and the Park's ambulances. These procedures primarily focus on preventing the spread of Coronavirus through the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and proper diagnoses. One way to ensure park staff and visitors are protected is to screen patients prior to contact with any healthcare providers. One way this is achieved is through coordination with the Park's emergency dispatch service. Dispatchers now screen all calls involving respiratory complaints and notify emergency services personnel prior to contact. Additionally, at the medical clinic, patients are screened prior to entering the building. I had the opportunity to assist screening patients this week to ensure patients experiencing a cough or fever wore PPE prior to entering the clinic. Once a patient experiencing symptoms was identified, I notified staff from the U.S. Department of Health who dawned PPE and examined the patient. While these precautions are more time consuming than normal, it is important in order to keep park staff and visitors safe. In the event a confirmed case of Coronavirus is found within Yosemite, plans are in place to transport the patient from the park to a hospital that can provide a higher level of patient care. While there is still a lot of uncertainty around whether or not the park will experience a positive case, I am confident that the procedures in place will ensure park staff and visitors are protected. 

In addition to screening patients for Coronavirus, I participated in my first SAR this week! On Wednesday, a report came in of a ill hiker on the Upper Yosemite Falls trail that was unable to hike down. Fortunately, a backcountry Ranger was on duty hiking the trail and was able to make contact with the patient within minutes. After examining the patient and determining that self rescue was not an option, the decision was made to coordinate a rescue. A mix of law enforcement rangers, paramedics and myself gathered at the SAR cache to gather gear and coordinate the rescue. During this time, the incident commander (IC) completed a risk calculation analysis (GAR) to identify any hazards that might be faced during the rescue. After determining the rescue was safe, medical supplies, a litter, and personal gear was gathered and loaded into the search and rescue van. From there, the SAR team headed for the Upper Yosemite Falls trailhead located at Camp 4. 

Upper Yosemite Falls Trailhead

Once at the trailhead, members of the SAR team started to hike up to the patient. From previous reports, it was determined that the patient was approximately 90% up the trail towards the top of the falls on the upper switchbacks. I joined Park Ranger Nash as part of the "hasty" crew that moves quickly to the patient. Carrying the advanced life support (ALS) medical gear, I made my way up the trail towards the patient. After an hour and twenty minutes of hiking, I found the patient laying on the ground accompanied by backountry ranger Fisher. Once on scene, I assessed the patients vital signs and provided information to the IC. Roughly twenty minutes later, the remaining members of the SAR team arrived with the litter and other required gear. After the patient was assessed and given the required medication by one of the paramedics, the litter was assembled and the patient was packaged for transport. Now came the difficult task of carrying the patient down the trail. Accompanied by ProRanger Sender and the rest of the SAR team, we slowly made our way down the trail with the patient. Given the patients condition and steep terrain, the litter carry lasted over four hours and stretched into the evening. After hours of hiking, the SAR team successfully reached the trailhead where the ambulance was waiting. Once the patient was transferred from the litter to the ambulance, I assisted one of the paramedics in taking the patient to the hospital. Although this rescue was not as severe as some other SAR's, it was a great introduction to SAR in Yosemite and allowed for some great team building experience with a variety of park staff. While I hope there isn't a need for future SAR's, it is a reality of living in Yosemite and I look forward to participating in the future. 

As this week further proved, Rangers wear many hats! I look forward to another eventful week here in Yosemite. Check back next week to see what I have been up to.

Until next time,

ProRanger Caruso