The Pack

Well I decided that today I should feature the patrol pack that they gave us to use while up here. They are actually really nice. They come with a large detachable cross on the back so when we ski off duty we can detach the cross and still use the pack. Sweet! The bottom also has a rain guard built in so it can be pulled out and covered when it gets really rainy. Like today for instance! It poured on us while I had to hike a case of water by hand up a mountain. It was as fun as it sounds.

Ok back to the pack. It comes really well stocked with band-aids, non-adherent pads, triangular bandages, a pen light, scissors, steri-strips etc. All the necessary items. We also had the option to add some extras from the med supply inside the med trailer. I grabbed some saline rinse that come packaged in individual syringes for single use. The paramedics swear by them as they can be used for irrigation of wounds and even directly on the eyes if needed as it is sterile. Also sweet!

Had a nice tip from Guy too. We made a bleed kit. Its a small collection of essentials for use immediately on any type of bleed case that you keep accessible so you don't have to rummage while someone is leaking all over the floor (wow I sound morbid lol). It consists of 2 telfas (non-adherent dressings), 2 triangular bandages and a pair of latex gloves. Nice little trick. Going to keep one of those kits handy for patrol back at Louise and for the summer for all the sports I play.

Perhaps the weirdest thing we got was in one of the side pockets. A small tube of sunscreen, okay all good, and....wait for it.... two tampons!? Now I can understand the need to have something like that on hand in certain  situations, however I'm not sure anyone would actually ask me for one of those lol. Either way, we are carrying some....
Oh and the best part. We get to keep the pack once we are all finished our volunteering here. Awesome!

We did another scenario today with the helicopter. I got to go in and help with the unloading. I think we are getting a lot of practice in because of the events that happened on Friday. Also had some time to get to know the paramedics a bit better today as well. They are really cool people and I hope to get a good tour of one of the ambulances on one of the slower days. Is it weird that I wanted  to hook myself up to the heart monitor just to play? Yup still a kid at heart! Speaking of patients. We had a guy come in today that was feeling under the weather and had an elevated heart rate. Apparently there is a GI (gastrointestinal) outbreak going around! Basically its flue like symptoms knocking the workforce out. We now have a ton of antibacterial hand sanitizer around. Normally I'm pretty skeptical of the need for that type of stuff but with the number of people we are going to see and the rate this thing is spreading I'm going to be keeping my hands pretty clean. They really don't want to lose any more of us to sickness.

While I was on the scenario I got to talk with Laura, one of the patrollers I know from Lake Louise. I didn't know this but we have about 2000 military stationed in the surrounding woods and mountains for security right now. One course worker went into the bush to have a pee and all of a sudden one guy stood up and said "If you piss on me I'm going to shoot you and bugger off". WHOA! We only see a fraction of whats going on security wise on TV.

That brings up the notion of internationally protected people (IPP). There are 5 levels. IPP 5's bring their own nurse, doc, paramedic, ambulance and security team. President Obama would be an IPP 5. However we could possibly be called in for an IPP 4 or lower. Crazy! Apparently there may be an IPP 5 at the mans downhill but they are tight lipped on who it may be. Just as well too, it would only make a crazy day crazier!

I'm still alone in my room here at the Westin, so I think I might be having a room to myself which is great. I get a huge king size bed and its nice and comfy. I used the kitchenette tonight for dinner which is so nice. Its so much cheaper to make dinner rather than go out. Although there are some really nice restaurants I will have to go try before I leave. Especially the sushi one in the hotel! There is a place called Araxi that has a winning chef from Hells Kitchen running it now. Might be interesting to go see. Not sure I could get in as I assume its booked solid but would be neat to go have a look!

Well I better head off to bed tonight. I have to be on hill for 6:30 tomorrow morning...which means an even earlier wake up. Ugh!

PS. Sorry about the blurry pack pictures. I'm tired!