Rescue from woods

[skeeter@ccia.com]

Ok friends of HC...some have in the past heard my stories of the old pump giving out on me now and then over the years and it didn't fail to do so this hunting season. Only thing is, I was way back in the woods this time and unable to get myself out of the situation on my own. Heart attack #7 came out of the blue and dropped me like a rock. During times I woke up looking at the blue sky, I knew I had to make my phone call but it still took a good 15 min to find the phone in my pocket, attempt the 911 call between pass out modes and explain where I was on a power line..I did wake up once to see a pickup at bottom of hill lookin and managed to wave my hat.(camo too).I thank all the police, firemen, emts and the land owner for their help. I did get a free ride off the powerline..Lesson learned here are a few. One young emt about in his 20's don't know me well and said..is nothing, just angina pains..he run his ambulance the long way around to hospital, stopping at redlights, etc etc..well my heart dr just happened to be in the cath lab at the time and they contacted him on my way. He said do not waste time in emergency room, knows my history and just bring right to him..where he found I was still blocked 99%..time was important and this time as with one other time, did some pump damage..too much time without O/2...the ole pump even stopped during the night while in critical care..but here I am again..tks to all those involved...lessons to be learned..never judge a book by it's cover..just because I was able to sit up in the truck on ride out and help myself and others as best as could, don't fluff off the severity of the situation..#2, make sure you do have a cell phone on your person..you might not have time to dig in a bag for it..(keep in my pocket)..even though I was up behind my house, my wife would not have came home for another 6 hrs before worry..never would of made it that long..be familiar with how to find you..The only thing that bothers me is I have a wk of black powder season yet and till end of month for area 2b rifle but now can't get out...grrrrr..lmao..My dad always told me to figure out how to get things done yourself and don't count much on others but be thankfull if you do get help..so with that in mind, I use to tell those that worry about my hunting that if not able to find me, look for the crows in a few days and will find me with butt wedged in a Y of a tree..(that is to keep possums out)..and that my friends was one thought I had as lay on back in weeds..I couldn't get to a Y in a tree..so that helped spark things..you know where they like to enter..they would of found me thinking I was still breathing cause my belly would of been moving..lmao..I think I need to carry a 12v battery and jumpers for each nubbin..anyhow..thanks again for all involved even though they probably won't get to read this..all here at HC, learn and be prepared for anything...and I hope it never ever happens to you.

[Johnny Reb]

I'm happy to hear your doing o.k skeeter. :) Take care of yourself and get well my friend. I will keep you in my prayers.
Best Regards
JR

[popplecop]

Wow, that is one scary story. Sure glad that you are on the mend. Thanks for sharing with us, kinda of a wake up call for me.

[Jack]

Skeeter, I'm glad you're here to give us all a good bit of advice. I hope you have a speedy recovery.

[multibeard]

Skeet glad to see you had some one looking after you from above. being unattached for a number of years i was always worried about something similar happening to me. in alot of my haunts cell phone service is non existant.

[skeeter@ccia.com]

Thanks all...I am under the understanding a 911 call will go out even if you have no service. That is something I am sure to look into and hope none of us ever need to find out. Thanks again.

[Rapier]

Skeeter,
Hope you are doing a bit better today. Dad gum man, #7, hum me thinks you are on the long side of one lucky SOB. You best take care before you get put on the other side of green. You got stints or had a bypass?
Ed

[Skinny Shooter]

Hey Skeeter, glad you're still with us.

Having been an EMT for awhile and after reading about the actions of that young EMT, it sounds like he needs an attitude adjustment.
I urge you to contact the EMS squad that transported you and inform of them of the actions of that EMT and that diagnosis is best left to a physician.
Are there Paramendics out in your neck of the woods? If there are, they should have been there.

Would a personal emergency locator beacon help you?
Something like this: http://www.cabelas.com/product/Fast-Find-GPS-Personal-Locator-Beacon/735036.uts?Ntk=AllProducts&searchPath=%2Fcatalog%2Fsearch.cmd%3Fform_state%3DsearchForm%26N%3D0%26fsch%3Dtrue%26Ntk%3DAllProduc ts%26Ntt%3Dpersonal%2Bgps%2Blocator%26WTz_l%3DHeader%253BSearch-All%2BProducts&Ntt=personal+gps+locator&WTz_l=Header;Search-All Products

Allen

[GoodOlBoy]

Wow, we are all just glad you are ok buddy. We are praying for you on this end.

GoodOlBoy

[skeeter@ccia.com]

I have had numerous stents put in and taken out during a 3 bypass had done in 89 and have had if I recall 4 of those attacks since the bypass..just in April this past yr, they put 3 more stents between 2 that were already in one graft..they just added the 6 one in there..but lost count of them all over the years. am just glad I have such good drs that keep the pump going..I just heard on scanner this morning a 911 call to the same ambulance service to a 37 yr old chest pains..I do need to contact them and let them know this guys actions..even though he responded quick, I agree it isn't his call..I am 59 now and had first problem back when 37..so been dealing with it for few years..I have never let it hold me back for working (I did retire after #5) or doing things as the wife/kids yell at me all the time for doing..guess cause we only get one chance here on earth so as long as see the green side of the grass and get to see the big guy turn the light on every morning, is a good day..
Skinny, I have often thought of one of those locators..might be a good investment..for any of us here that have a need..I wonder what sort of equipment would the responders have to have to locate it though. That is the only thing that I have trouble with..the pump..I never even catch a cold..never..and I don't sit around either..gotta keep moving...and yes I know I have help from above and others like here at HC..tks

[buckhunter]

I should have read this before I shoveled heavy wet snow yesterday. Just for the record the snow blower broke down.

[Rapier]

Skeeter,
Just take it easy, especially this time of year with the snow and all.

That cellphone is about the best deal. It can be traced right to your pocket as long as it has power. It does not even have to be turned on, as long as the memory chip is in it and it has power in the battery, it is broadcasting its location. Call your service folks and they will tell you what they need to trace it upon request, then write the data down.
Ed

[muledeer]

Glad to hear you're all right. Skinny idea's of a locator is worth looking into. May I suggest that in the future you hunt with a buddy? I realize that there are times that you want to hunt and there is no one to go with you. Maybe you should forgo the hunt unless you have a companion. This past October I was deer hunting with two buddies and dislocated my left ankle and broke my fibula 50 miles from the nearest hospital and no cell phone service. My buddies got me to the ER. I ended up with a plate and nine screws in my ankle. My friends saved my butt, period. I've hunted many times by myself. I always had the attitude "what could happen to me"? From now on I'm going to hunt with someone or not go at all. I suggest you do the same. We all want you around for a long time!!!!!
muledeer

[skeeter@ccia.com]

muledeer..what the heck were you doing to do all that? Crossing a creek? It can be hard to find someone to go with ya all the time and do end up by self most of the time or sit at home..Did that cut short your hunting season? Got a big doe once with leg in cast. Is sure way to guarantee you will get one..sort of works with that Murphy's law theory..Makes it hard to drag out that way. Crossed creek with slippery rocks and broke leg 3 places..back before cell phones were invented..Hope leg heals fast.
buckhunter..you best get snowblower running and drop the shovel..just run mine few days ago after change my fuel line..is what problems was..this garbage gasoline with ethenol kills the fuel lines in about a year and they crack. Can pick up lots of chainsaws, wheedwhackers etc. free and is mostly all they need to get running.

[buckhunter]

One advantage is having a son in law in the lawnmower and snowblower business. Load it up and drop it off. Now I gotta work on getting them to do it which ain't gonn happen. Trust me I'm not killing myself anymore.

[muledeer]

After a long morning hike I got back to camp. Had a bite to eat and one of my buddies decided to take his quad down the road and scout some other areas. It was hot so we decided to get serious about hunting later in the afternoon. My other buddy offered to let me use his quad. I've only ridden a quad once. He told me to go slow and I would be fine. I took my rifle and followed the other quad. I came to the worst part of the road (drop off down to a creek) and hit the throttle too much and went off a steep slope. Hit a choke cherry brush and that stopped me. Actually saved my life. My left foot was stuck under a branch and rotated about 120 degrees inboard. I had to turn my foot straight to get out. I will never ride a quad again!!!
I've never had an accident hiking but this made me think about hunting alone. I'm 63 and in good health and work out at Gold's Gym four days a week. That doesn't mean much when you break a bone!! Bottom line Skeeter, especially in your situation, you should consider hunting with someone, at least invest in a locator like Skinny suggested.
muledeer

[buckhunter]

Hey MD,

Took my son in law about 3 cranks to get my snow blower going again. All set for the next blizzard. Us old Xarts need to be careful.

[skeeter@ccia.com]

http://www.findmespot.com/en/index.php?cid=103 Hers is something called SPOT. Cost $100 a year basic service I see but would be nice...We are tracking a friend of the wife right now while they hike in Colorado someplace. Very interesting.

[Skinny Shooter]

Skeeter, just found an App that I'm going to try out on the iPhone.
http://www.garafa.com/GPSKit/Home.html
That App has a real-time GPS tracking feature called "Squawk".
Squawk used to be called "Radar" but the website hasn't been updated yet.
Here is a youtube Vid of it in action: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsGL8HVo-pM

That will enable my wife to know my location if something would ever go wrong and don't return at a pre-arranged time.