Re: Rescues . . . On a positive note

["Carolyn S. Loedeman" <tawasentha@ohiohills.com>]

excellent observation!  And all ride managers should have at least a few
numbers for any such emergency that may come along!  You never know what may
come along and the safest and sanest way to deal with it is a plan of
action!  Enough said lets get on with other things.  Thankyou so much!
Carolyn Loedeman
Ohio
----- Original Message -----
From: <RISTREE@aol.com>
To: <ridecamp@endurance.net>
Sent: Friday, August 11, 2000 6:52 AM
Subject: RC: Rescues . . . On a positive note


> Have been reading the thread about rescue resources with great interest.
>
> I have a somewhat interesting perspective on this for two reasons.  One is
> that I'm a trainer for hazmat emergencies (you know, tanker overturns,
> chlorine leaks, that sort of think), and secondly, last summer my hubby
and
> his horse had to be "rescued" when they fell off a steep bank
(understatement
> on "steep") and got stuck in some serious mud in the area a couple hundred
> feet (?) below.
>
> The team at FAHA (PA) who handled the emergency did a topnotch job.  In an
> emergency (whatever variety), there are some things which are always the
> same, and from there it is a crap shoot.  In my eyes, the job of Ride
> Management is similar to that of an Incident Commander in a Hazmat
Emergency
> -- determine the best plan of action and do your darnedest to find the
best
> resources to handle it, and keep those resources SAFE.
>
> Having every conceivable resource available, on site or on call is
sometimes
> impractical, although allocating resources (e.g. "on call") when there is
a
> high degree of probability of an emergency is a pretty wise thing.  That
is
> why so many large chemical manufacturers have on-site hazmat teams (thank
> goodness!  it is how I make a living).  Certainly it would be an excellent
> idea for any ride management team to sit down and discuss potential
> emergencies (which have a high probability of occurring) and figure out
some
> phone calls to make prior to the ride.  (As if they don't have *enough* to
> do.  <chuckle>)
>
> The other thing I have to add, although I imagine I might torque some
folks
> off by saying so . . .  Is that "responding to an emergency" is just that.
> The "emergency" already happened, and the "victims" are already victims.
In
> responding, I constantly remind my hazmat students that THEY are the most
> important person.  Next most important, THEIR STUFF (repelling equipment,
> vehicle, supplies, personal protective equipment), then THEIR BUDDY, and
> THEIR BUDDY'S STUFF.  Then the victim(s).  It seems rather cold, I know,
to
> put the victim so far down on the list, but the fact of the matter is that
> you can't help anyone if you are dead (which you are likely to be if the
> entire situation is too unsafe to facilitate rescue, your "stuff" isn't in
> working order, or your "buddy" isn't available to rescue YOU).
>
> And this from someone who bounced around in the back of a pickup truck,
> listening in on radio conversations, clueless as to her own location while
> Ride Management determined the best way to 'get to' her husband and his
> horse.
>
> (I don't mean to imply that my husband's situation was as serious as the
one
> at Tevis, nor to imply that the response there was adequate or perfect,
just
> attempting to show a different angle on this type of thing.)
>
> --Patti
>
> P.S.  Thanks FAHA folks, you can be on my "hazmat" team anytime!!
>
>
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