I was recently on a mission for a pack-out of a hiker with an injured leg. We were in the trees but above the snow line. The trail was compact snow and ice from the number of hikers on the trail the previous days. Our team treated the subject and packaged her for a long pack-out. Initially I set out roles of medical and rigging. We needed the rigging because of the steep snow/ice and management of the litter down the slope.
I quickly found myself jumping between setting up anchors, tending the main line, patient care and running the rigging. The initial patient care provider was much in the same assortment of roles as I was. Eventually, it was pointed out to me that it would be more efficient if I ran the rigging. I then appointed one team member to medical/patient care and the rest of the mission seemed to move more smoothly.
I should point out that patient care was always the primary focus but the swapping around of EMT’s providing care seemed to slow our progress.
My take away from this mission is to establish a Rescue Group Leader and have that person run the field portion of the mission ensuring the big picture is being managed. Additionally, assigning one person for medical and one for rigging would have helped in having a singular focus for each task.
Overall the mission was a success, however I felt there was room for improvement.
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