Medic!

[Brian_Miller]

@anon86692127

I’m not carrying anything more than I need.
Not babysitting anyone.

I spent 14 years in Mountain Rescue. There was an average of 1 mission every 3 months on mixed terrain. Most were searches with no subject found or body recoveries where no air evac was authorized so it was a carry out. Plus 1 training mission every quarter usually on high angle rock or ice. All of the missions put us in hazardous situations. We were trained to use what we carried as a team, and improvising with what we could scrounge from the patients, their friends, and bystanders.

I was personally and collectively hoping that you would be willing to help us learn from your experience.

[anon86692127]

Well I write articles all the time about tenkara in the Western US, Kauai, Japan and all kinds of other stuff around tenkara and fly fishing.

Most of the time I fish alone. When I’m alone, I’ll fish up to six miles up a stream. Been doing this for about 25+ years. When I travel alone, I carry a few things, a jacket, sometimes a stove a few things for convenience but the most important thing I bring is my brains.

I did once bring a bottle of wine a couple of miles upstream at 9,000’ i was filming and drank too much got paranoid and took a nap.

All better.

But I watch the weather, let people know where I am. I make sure gas is in the tank, tires have tread, no guns on the reservation but I always have a Gerber LST.

I just keep my eyes open and aware who I am and what I’m capable of.

I never have a problem.

People don’t worry and life is good.

In hang gliding? I’ve saved peoples lives by stabilizing and assisting people in helicopter rescues. I saved a young boys life once, I was surfing in Mexico and he was getting sucked out to sea. Paddled you him and brought him in through the surf.

But I promised a young woman about 18 years ago that I would be a little more careful about what I write. I wrote a story about fly fishing in Kona, Hawaii on a lava ledge for big jacks. It was fun to watch the blue water swell up and over where I was at. It was intense but fun.

You see, he went missing and they found my story printed out in his briefcase. They went to my spot and found his fly box and rod. They figured out that he had been swept out to sea. Her story was real and I confirmed it. She asked me to be careful of what I wrote and I have kept my promise.

Going into the forest?

Know your limits.

Let people know where you are at.

Make sure you follow your plan and maybe carry a few extra flys with you if you meet someone along the way.

Never once ever thought about bringing women’s feminine products. I just make sure I watch my step, accidents do happen though.

Take care.

https://web.archive.org/web/20000603223058/http://www.smallstreams.com/Salt/Kona.html

[anon86692127]

@Gressak

I sense you just enjoy being contrary, especially with me…hahahha. I can practically bank on it

Contrary…

I think it’s more about choices.

I make choices to do what I do based on where I’ve been, where I’m at and where I’m going.

Medics typically are care givers. We take care of the people we are with.

As a fellow forum member and medic, I might just be doing my medic thing. Maybe not, but I do enjoy having a little fun here.

[anon86692127]

I have a SWFF story that might be fun.

My closest bonefish is 220 miles south in the Sea of Cortez. The tide there in the spring can swing up to 30’ vertical, that’s an inch a minute in the middle of a pulse.

I pick these big swings out in the spring and I walk out on the sand spits, at Playa Encanto, could be a half mile out. I meet the sea where the fish stack up and move in as the tide is coming in.

20 years ago when this particular story occurred, I was working as an anesthesia assistant and I put together an anesthetic kit for sting ray stabs. 100 on a pain scale of 1 to 10, a sting ray sting hurts so bad. During the spring, when the tides are big, that’s when the sting rays spawn.

I was hiked way out (alone again) on a HUGE tide. I forgot to shuffle and I looked down and already the blood was pouring out of the gash in my wet suit bootie.

FUCKKKK

I was so scared in one flat second.

I ran through the 6” water and up where I could get my kit out. Blood everywhere and passing out pain, I was worried that I would drown. Two povidine swabs, drew up the marcaine with epi and did a pain block right there on the sand. I wrapped my bandana around my foot and stuffed it back in the bootie high tailing it back to the car a mile and a half away.

No one does that.

Unless they know what they are doing.

Most of the time now I go barefoot to prevent myself from going in the water. I fish the edges, I stay out of the flats. I fish channels where fish are concentrated.

I don’t know what impact that sting ray kit had but I eventually dispersed it. It was false security and I walked right into the gauntlet because of it.

This is a tenkara site though.

If you fish salt water, be careful. Use your brain. Stack the odds in your favor.

[Vladimir (Vladimir Bushclyakov)]

I have not thought about this before. Now I think I need to assemble a mini first aid kit.

[Jason_Seaward]

Likewise Vladimir. I think I will carry a small kit as well. Better safe than sorry.
The forum has helped me reconsider wading staff and first aid kits. My wife thanks you guys!

[anon86692127]

I used to carry all kinds of things.

I don’t carry much anymore.

I like it better that way.

[anon86692127]

@Gressak

Carrying a few first aid items to help yourself or others in need, is not babysitting. It is caring about oneself and your fellow humans on this planet. It definitely is not a rule or a necessity. Necessity was not even implied here, but to discount it the way you have is an error, possibly irresponsible, and definitely reads as some tough talk. I hope for your sake, that if you find yourself injured and in need, you are lucky enough to run into someone like me. Someone who is carrying a couple of essentials and might be able to offer you aid when you need it most.

I think I’ll just keep doing what I do.

Tough talk huh.

Nope, just laying on the couch in my underwear writing about some memories.

I go fishing to escape.

I make Internet sites on my interests to have fun.

I’m thinking it might be fun to get the Disney + channel and watch the new Star Wars series.

Now that sounds like fun.

[Vladimir (Vladimir Bushclyakov)]

I would be glad if the first-aid kit is never useful, but it is better if it is lying in a backpack.

[Jason_Seaward]

Agreed. Would rather carry around a minor amount of weight (that I would hardly notice) and never use it, then be in a situation where I wish I had it.

[Gressak]

@anon86692127

I used to carry all kinds of things.
I don’t carry much anymore.
I like it better that way.

You note that a lot, but again that is not what this thread is about. There is a disconnect in these sorts of entries. Your Kona and Sea of Cortez entry are awesome. Entries like the above, I just dont know the point you are getting across. It is like having a conversation about automobiles and someone comments about how they prefer walking because that is their preference for moving from point A to B. I hope that is a clear framing. It is hard for me to understand your motivation for writing these kinds of comments.

@anon86692127

Nope, just laying on the couch in my underwear writing about some memories.

Dude…

[Gressak]

@Jason_Seaward

Agreed. Would rather carry around a minor amount of weight (that I would hardly notice) and never use it, then be in a situation where I wish I had it.

I think the biggest motivator for me, is to have it as a piece of insurance. Especially for being out of cell phone range and alone. The incident at the head of this thread was pretty much a wakeup call for how easily and suddenly something can go wrong. As I get older, the probability of these incidents will increase and I am not prepared to change my ways quite yet. I enjoy fishing in semi dangerous environments. It is a rush and I really like the energy of fast moving water.

The other time I carry it is when I am with my daughter who is 9. Having some items that can be used for major or minor first aid can make the difference in the psyche of a young injured person. Sometimes it can be a bit more difficult for them to walk off an injury that might be tolerable for an adult.

[anon86692127]

@Gressak

There is a disconnect in these sorts of entries. Your Kona and Sea of Cortez entry are awesome. Entries like the above, I just dont know the point you are getting across. It is like having a conversation about automobiles and someone comments about how they prefer walking because that is their preference for moving from point A to B.

Pretty much nailed it right there.

I don’t carry tampons.

I knew I was going to get stung so I carried the equipment for an anesthetic pain block and used it.

Self fulfilling prophecy.

Now I walk barefoot to enjoy the beach and it keeps me from wading out. I have more fun barefoot because it is decadent.

I think you are starting to get it, maybe not. It doesn’t matter either way.

[Jason_Seaward]

@Gressak

I think the biggest motivator for me, is to have it as a piece of insurance.

That’s probably the best way to explain for me. Yes, insurance, especially as I get older.

[anon86692127]

@Gressak

As I get older, the probability of these incidents will increase and I am not prepared to change my ways quite yet. I enjoy fishing in semi dangerous environments. It is a rush and I really like the energy of fast moving water.

The people in any sport that are good at what they do and grow old at it are NOT looking for a rush, quite the opposite.

Feel free to quote me on that.

I think this is your motivation in arguing with me.

The rush.

I don’t get a rush from this. I feel like I’m wasting my time but I do it because we love fishing.

[TenkaraAddict (Tristan Higbee)]

Here’s my emergency kit that I toss in my pack when I go hiking or fishing.

Basically it has firemaking stuff, a poncho, a trash bag, a Buff, a spare contact lens (which I needed a month ago when one of my contacts fell out while fishing), space blanket, whistle, extra pair of stocks, first aid items, a tick remover, light, a piece of a comb for removing cactus/cholla balls, etc.

[Brian_Miller]

@anon86692127

I don’t carry tampons.

Cool, I don’t either

Sterile versus nonsterile clean dressings

[anon86692127]

I’ve written articles on survival kits and being prepared and what I’ve found most important is normal stuff.

Tell your wife, your mom, your room mates where you are going and what time you will be back.

Check the weather, know the coldest and hottest temps.

Water is not an issue (stream fishing)

Know what will hurt you.

If I’m traveling and fishing in new areas, I always ask my peers, “What are the dangerous plants and animals?”

Wading, physics and the physical properties of water are objective dangers overcome with experience.

Always operate within your experience level.

Some people carry stuff.

Be careful, don’t get excited and forget your brains…

[davidsr (David S Riley)]

Mr Trahan
For quite a while now I have read your ‘contrary’ views when others are trying to have an interesting and responsible discussion. I appreciate that you have years of experience and knowledge in just about everything. How do I know - quite simple really. You keep telling us, but thank you for your very valuable input to this thread. Much appreciated.

[Brian_Miller]

@anon86692127

Be careful, don’t get excited and forget your brains…

Anyone can have a bad day.
One of the Mt Rescue missions I participated in was a body recovery of a world class climber with a first ascent route on Everest, and a climbing student who were killed while making a forced descent on a planned two-day winter climb of a local route during the fourth day. Weather forced them to abort their summit attempt and retreat to their high camp to spend a second night. The weather pinned them down another day. The following day with food and fuel running low, the continuing bad weather forced them to choose which of two hazardous routes to descend. The leader’s rope team was hit and buried by a slab avalanche that traveled 500 feet.

Every member of the recovery team carried plastic explosives that were used for bringing down any remaining loose ice and snow threatening us.

That’s one of the reasons I carry some emergency kit and think about what can be used to improvise if necessary.