While the terrain of high angle rescue above ground often poses significant challenges, they are nothing compared to what can be encountered underground when a whole set of other factors come into play.
A NZ caver is currently being taken out of a cave where he became injured 3km into the system. With a broken pelvis and head injury, this is almost one of the most severe combinations that would require immobilization. Big kudos to the team who has to carry out a packaged patient as gently as is needed here over such a great distance.
On the other hand, as a rescuer himself, I’m sure Dr. Brewer is grateful of the commitment from his friends on whom he can count on when he himself is hurt.
Dr Brewer had suffered suspected cracked ribs, concussion, and a broken pelvis in the incident, which happened about 3km into the caving system - a distance which usually takes about five hours to travel.
Caver two-thirds out of Middle Earth - 27 Aug 2007 - NZ Herald: New Zealand National news
