Sunday July 23 2017 a medical emergency occurred at Hardware Park Mountain Estates. A very serious ATV accident happened. I was fortunate to be available to help out. After the fact, I have had time to reflect on this event and evaluate the efficiency of our emergency plan. First, the injured young man, according to his grandmother, has no broken bones, is moving all extremities, but has not regained full consciousness. Doctors expect a full recovery. The victim was found lying in the drain ditch at the center gate by Hal Jones. Hal was able to free him from the machine and begin first aid. Hal was by himself and had no one to help him. Fortunately Hal had been working with me the previous day so he knew I was on the property. Hal left the victim and rushed to get me. He returned to give aid, I started the 911 notification. This brings me to-
Observation 1: When we are on the mountain, we have no way of knowing our fate. If we are alone, we need to communicate with others on the mountain. If Hal would not have known I was there he would have been in trouble giving aid.
Observation 2: I knew the life flight landing zones because I helped establish them. Do you know them? Do you have your card and map? One thing we will be changing, the card has the landing zone number and G.P.S. coordinates but no landmarks. I could not remember where each zone number was located. The only way I knew was by using the coordinates that had the most northern number. But it worked, the helicopter flew right to location.
Observation 3: Do you know the road names and locations of cabins or landmarks well enough to direct someone to an accident site? Do you know how to direct emergency personnel to HPME? It’s 7 miles North on Ant flats road off highway 39 or 7 miles south of Hardware Ranch from Logan.
Observation 4: When out riding, ride in pairs (I mean 2 machines), wear helmets and please travel the speed limits out lined in the bylaws. [The maximum speed on any HPME roadway is 15 mph.]
Observation 5: Get a cell phone and know where your cell phone works on the property.
Observation 6: We need a way to notify those coming and going through the gates when an emergency is in progress so you will know to leave the gates open. The board will work on that.
Observation 7: To first responders, access the severity of the victims injuries before you notify 911.
After talking to the emergency personnel I found that unless the dispatcher is certain life flight is needed they will not dispatch them until the EMT request them. Because this young man was bleeding, unconscious, and breathing shallow, 911 ordered life flight from our recommendation. It took life flight 40 min to arrive. It took EMT 40 min to arrive. The young man was on life flight and under medical professional care in under 2 hours. Thank you to those professionals that dedicate their lives to helping us when we need help. Thank you Emergency Preparedness Committee for your prior planning.
Farrel Lewis
President HPME
