A man is recovering from serious injuries sustained in a backcountry avalanche near Mount Cain on Vancouver Island. North Shore Rescue and Campbell River Search And Rescue collaborated in a successful rescue effort, utilizing helicopters and advanced medical expertise. This incident marks the first time a critically injured patient has been flown directly to the Vancouver General Hospital rooftop helipad, highlighting a new initiative that could potentially save lives in the future.
A man is recovering from serious leg injuries and hypothermia following a backcountry avalanche near a Vancouver Island ski hill on Sunday. North Shore Rescue and Campbell River Search And Rescue collaborated on the mutual aid medical call on February 2nd near Mount Cain on northern Vancouver Island . According to a news release published on North Shore Rescue 's social media page, 'An individual had been caught in an avalanche and partially buried.
He suffered multiple injuries, including a significant leg injury, and was hypothermic.' North Shore Rescue volunteers from the Mount Cain community reached the injured man, while NSR crews responded with Talon Helicopters and night vision goggles. 'The crew included helicopter rescue techs and one of our advanced medical providers (an ER physician) with advanced medical gear,' stated NSR. 'Cloud conditions were difficult, but the helicopter was able to find a path into the Mt. Cain area and land at their base shortly after the Cain volunteers had brought the subject out of the field.' The man received treatment at the scene and then in the helicopter. 'Given his condition, the decision was made to fly directly to the Vancouver General Hospital rooftop helipad for immediate access to their trauma care and surgeons,' confirmed NSR in its post. 'BCEHS paramedics and other medical personnel met the helicopter team at the VGH pad and provided excellent care to the subject as he was brought into VGH for further treatment and surgery.' This marked the first time NSR has been able to fly a critically injured patient directly to the helipad at Vancouver General Hospital. 'We have recently been granted the ability to do so for 'life or limb' type situations, where access to advanced medical care is time critical for patient outcomes,' noted the NSR. 'A huge thanks to the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority, VGH, and BCEHS paramedics for making it possible. This initiative has the potential to save lives in the years to come.' North Shore Rescue concluded its social media post by acknowledging the crucial role played by individuals throughout the rescue chain, including: the two bystanders who provided immediate assistance to the subject, Campbell River SAR and Mt. Cain community volunteers who reached and extracted the seriously injured subject in challenging conditions, Talon and the NSR NVG program which facilitated time-critical air transport at night, the provincial Patient Transfer Coordination Centre staff and the VGH ED Charge Nurse who ensured seamless coordination of the first-ever flight to the VGH rooftop pad, BCEHS paramedics who provided excellent patient care on-site after landing, and the medical staff at VGH
Avalanche Rescue Vancouver Island Helicopter Medical VGH North Shore Rescue Campbell River Search And Rescue Mount Cain
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