The three of us, my husband Matt, friend Geoff and I, started relatively early to hike Black Crater. On the descent, my husband, Matt, tripped on one of many hazards on this steep trail, fell and hit his shoulder on a very big rock. The steepness of the trail added to the damage and pain of his shoulder; so much pain, in fact, that he lost consciousness, and upon regaining it, started vomiting. He was walking with Geoff, as I had gone ahead as the slowest downhill walker of the three. I was alarmed to get a phone call from Geoff saying there was an “issue” and asking me to return. Upon hearing about the trauma and the symptoms, I called 911 for help, anticipating the worst.
By the time I had made it back uphill to Matt and Geoff, I had received calls from the Deschutes Sheriff’s office and one of the SAR volunteers, taking information and updates. They told me they were getting a team together and would then be on their way.
My husband continued to be dizzy and nauseated, and it was clear he would not be safe trying to continue the 1.5 – 2 miles left on our descent.
I can’t describe my feelings when, after about 3 hours, I saw the SAR team ascending with a remarkable amount of gear, including a wilderness stretcher. Everyone on the team was so composed, so professional and knowledgeable, that my anxiety lessened greatly. The team did a complete assessment, including an ECG, IV placement careful physical exam then carefully secured him onto the one wheeled stretcher and started the slow process of descending this hazardous trail. An ambulance was waiting at the parking lot; the EMT’s had been in contact with the SAR team, got an updated report and whisked Matt away to St. Charles.
These wonderful people exhibited competency and compassion (as well as remarkable fitness!), checking on Geoff and me several times along the way down, recognizing that Matt’s trauma had been ours also. One of the team, Cathy, followed up with us after Matt was in the ED, showing incredible care and concern.
This is my only experience with being the recipient of a SAR activity; I didn’t know what to expect, but they went so far beyond my expectations. The time, care and compassion these volunteers provide and how well they do it is a great example of giving at a very high level. Deschutes County is both fortunate and honored to have such remarkable people willing to give so much to help strangers in need.
My husband, adult daughter, and I were on evening two of a five-day backpacking trip around the Sisters Loop when I started to feel very weird. Before long, I was shaking uncontrollably and could barely speak. My daughter knew quickly that we were going to need some help, found cell service (lucky us!), and called 911.
She was put in touch with the Deschutes County Search and Rescue Team and THIRTEEN of those fine souls made their way miles up the mountain to find us. They provided on-scene medical care and decided to extricate me from that mountain.
It took hours in the dark, but these amazing people did it. They carried me unconscious miles and miles and miles over rocks, creeks, downed trees, and winding pathways. They brought me to an ambulance which took me to a helicopter and on to the St. Charles Hospital.
Here I am alive to tell you about this today. Our story could have turned out very differently if it weren’t for this team of angels.
As I reflect back, I am deeply grateful, of course, for the medical care and bad-assness the Deschutes County Search and Rescue Team provided for me. I also feel deeply aware of and grateful for the emotional care they provided my husband and daughter while all this was happening and I was so out of it.
This was a traumatic experience for all of us. These incredible people not only saved my life but provided a safe container for my husband and kid to begin the slog of processing through this unexpected turn of events.
Our story has a good ending. A great one! I am alive and well today. We made it out together. We had an experience unlike anything we ever expected and all lived to tell the tale.
Thank you to the Deschutes County Search and Rescue Team for your commitment to the volunteer work you do out there in those mountains. You save people’s lives all the time. Wow. I am in awe of all of you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
The manner in which SAR assessed and administered first aid was only surpassed by the steely nerves to care for a seizure in the dark, near midnight, on a mountain side. All 13 SAR members were in constant communication with us. It was a privilege to watch people work with such professionalism and humanity. Pretty sure I was in a state of shock witnessing my wife’s condition. A bit of denialism and surrealism helped me cope. If there is a message for others, if in doubt, call 911 or have a satellite help transmitter to use. If my daughter had not made the call, we’d be much worse off. There may be a hesitancy to ask for help, but I’m learning to shed that trait. 911, Deputy, SARs, and St. Charles are there for one reason, our safety.
Labor Day weekend I decided to take my dog for a hike to Chush Falls outside Sisters while my husband watched opening day football. I hike all the time alone so thought nothing of it. Once I got the Chush Falls, it was a very steep user trail down to the canyon bottom to see it up close. When turning back, best I can tell my left foot slipped while on top of that log and fell forward with all my weight hitting my right foot which probably was at a weird angle too. All I remember is seeing my knee bulge out sideways and then crashing into the gravel. My leg was stuck at a weird angle and it was incredibly painful to move it even a tiny bit. I was stuck. After realizing I was in real trouble and had no cell service, I started screaming for attention. A trail runner found me not 5 minutes later and ran to call 911. It took only about 2 hours until I saw the first Search and Rescue yellow shirt coming over and I have never been so happy to see someone! When Search & Rescue arrived they told me that they had to get my knee back in place to move me because getting the litter down the ravine was going to be very difficult. Next, they put a auto blood pressure cuff and pulse ox on me, plus an IV, all while I was still in that place. Crazy! After a bout of strong drugs I passed out and when I woke up- VIOLA! My leg was completely straight and a full wrapped brace was on! Now they got the “muscle” – two of the bigger SAR guys – to help carry me at times up and over all those logs. Finally, back at the hillside, I was put in a harness and roped up, and since it was too steep and narrow for the litter. I had to hike up on my good leg, with the 2 guys on each side helping me up. Once at the top I was strapped in the litter with a large wheel. Four people then rotated holding me while we went down the 2.5 miles or so back to the trailhead and a waiting ambulance. It turns out that I dislocated my knee which ruptured my ACL and MCL, and my meniscus was shredded. There is no way I would have gotten out of there if SAR had not come. I will be forever grateful to Search & Rescue and all the wonderful people who helped me. THEY ARE ALL VOLUNTEERS and did this on their holiday weekend for no charge to me or anyone they help. You NEVER think this will happen to you, but be thankful we live in an area of such unsung heroes!
I had an ankle break at Golden Lake in the Three Sisters Wilderness Area at 3 pm on August 12th. The break happened at the north shore of the lake while jumping across a creek. Alone and away from my group I cried out to God to help. I crawled back to my camp and got a cell phone from a friend. I called 911 and got put through to Sheriff Deputy Jim Whitcomb. He calmly asked me questions and got my exact GPS location and dispatched two teams of SAR volunteers, who hiked in and carried me out. Thanks to SAR, an ex-drug addict and ex-alcoholic still has a shot at a bright future.
I want to give you our sincere thanks for being there during my life saving event that happened on Friday, September 13, 2013 near Horse Lake in the Sisters Wilderness. I was bucked off my horse when he stepped on a hornets’ nest and threw me into a grove of trees. I broke my back among other things. Between the Deschutes County Search and Rescue, the Oregon Air National Guard and others I am thankfully alive and well today, one year later. I can’t express how much we owe all of you for my life.
Thank you Matt, Team Leader, Kristi and others for pulling me out of the snow on January 7, 2014. I still cannot walk on my left leg but I am scheduled for an MRI and orthopedic doctor tomorrow.
This note is to thank everyone for the help that I received on August 10, 2014 following a skiing accident. My ankle was broken in two places, my fibula was broken, and all the ligaments were torn away. So the Helivac was a God-send. The volunteers were so thoughtful and caring.
To everyone who helped with our rescue at Swampy Lakes, we really appreciate the work you do and what you did for us.
Many, grateful thanks to all of those who helped us last night when we were lost in the Badlands near Highway 20. We are moved by your wonderful dedication.
Thank you for all your efforts and all the help that you provide – our entire community appreciates it. Your organization means a lot to us.
Thank you so much for all of your help with the Deschutes River Clean-up Day. It was wonderful to work with all of you! We really appreciate all of the time and energy you put in to help make the event a success. Thank you for all that you do to make our community better.
This note is to thank the Deschutes County Search and Rescue volunteers, three deputies and the USFS for their help in extracting my two horses from deep mud while on a ride on April 19, 2014 along the Windigo Trail, north of USFS Road 1514. My horses were stuck in mud over three feet deep – it took over 5-1/2 hours working in cold water and mud to extract them safely. The Deschutes County Search and Rescue is noted for their life-saving efforts, but they do not get nearly the credit they deserve from the public. They don’t think as individuals. They think as a team.
Their funding is limited, but their passion for rescuing people and animals from hazardous situations is tremendously rich. They don’t ask for praise, but instead, the 125 volunteers and a Sheriff’s Office coordinator attempt positive results in an average of 100 missions a year. The day after saving my horses, the Mountain Rescue unit and Horse Team of Search and Rescue were back in a training seminar. That was their weekend.
Thank you for providing such honorable services to the Deschutes County community.