Short trek day so Catherine and I decided that another practice Casevac would be a good idea.
The trek guides had pitched the emergency tent on the roof of the toilet (my visions of them crashing through mid squat unfounded) so the plan was for the lead guide to be involved.
A couple of risky looking rope bridges later and the trek is complete. Feels a little flat to have reached the end of this first phase, although a great sense of achievement. Gald to get all of the team back in one piece when there were so many opportunities not too!!!
Back to RIMS tomorrow for debrief and a new team of Volunteers.
The trek guides had pitched the emergency tent on the roof of the toilet (my visions of them crashing through mid squat unfounded) so the plan was for the lead guide to be involved.
The Plan
During the night Mingmal fell off the toilet roof, hit his head. Felt ok during the night but then felt rough when he woke. Second guide, Poona, would then raise the alarm to the day leader and a medical emergency would then be triggered. I'd changed the Casevac number in my Comms phone to Catherine's and she would play the role of Kathmandu Medic. I discussed the plan with Mingmal and Poona and they nodded in excitement.
Catherine duely disappeared up the road on the pretence of sorting the accommodation bill.
Many nods and winks to the guides to start the process.
Then their tent started to be dismantled and Mingmal was up and about.
Quick call to Catherine, Casevac mission aborted....
Then all hell breaks loose. Poona has decided to play the part of the injured party instead and is on the floor and yelling for help.
I have to stop Catherine coming back as she is the trek medic and the team will turn to her. I see her coming up the road so go and intercept.
Back at the emergency site the team are starting work on Poona, all 7 medical bags are out and the call has been made to Kathmandu medical team (aka Catherine hiding round the corner). Poona is having a great time rolling about on the floor, groaning and making up symptoms and ailments which the team are trying to treat.
Catherine is having a great time on the other end of the phone putting on a fake Irish accent.
Poona is wrapped up in bandages around his head, leg splint on and having his ankles checked. Still smiling!
I nip to the toilet (just outside is the emergency site). From my squat I can hear the team discussing giving Poona pain relief so I think the exercise has run its course, I don't want Poona to be pumped full of medication!
Practice over we start treking.
It's only a 3 hour walk to Kimtang Besi, we drop down the mountain, intersecting the road and are met with the amazing sight of a shop selling bananas. First bananas since day one of the trek and a very welcome piece of fruit.
A couple of risky looking rope bridges later and the trek is complete. Feels a little flat to have reached the end of this first phase, although a great sense of achievement. Gald to get all of the team back in one piece when there were so many opportunities not too!!!
Back to RIMS tomorrow for debrief and a new team of Volunteers.
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