Adventure Magazine

Setting off unaware of dramas ahead
"Chris is still very grateful for the Land SAR, and humbled by the
sense of community he enjoyed in Hamner and Culverden."
While Chris was being attended to, the group were
confronted with a new dilemma – how do you turn off
the PLB? Somewhat trivial compared to Chris’s ankle
but important nevertheless– firstly to stop the signal, and
secondly, they needed the PLB for the remaining three
days of the trip. Despite the combined intelligence of all
the remaining members, they were forced to hand it over
to the helicopter crew to switch off. Something to consider
if you find yourself faced with choosing a PLB.
A little later Chris was enjoying his first and second dose
of Southern Hospitality, as Joe gave him a lift the 2km
to the Hamner Springs Medical Centre to be treated.
En-route Joe told Chris not to worry about finding
accommodation at short notice in the town - there was
always a bed available at his home - a very thoughtful
and generous offer as the town would be clogged with
tourists at that time of year.
Once at the Medical Centre, the staff assessed Chris was
more likely to have a sprain rather than a break, but he
needed to get to Christchurch Hospital – 135km away -
for an x-ray. The problem - how to get to Christchurch? It
was too great a risk for the local ambulance to be away
for the six hours it would take to complete the return trip
to Christchurch. Instead, the staff at the Medical Centre
did what you do when there is a strong local community -
posted a request on the local Facebook community page.
Southern Hospitality was also the theme of the next day.
Early in the morning, just as he was about to give up and
try and book a bus trip, Chris received a text. One of the
local police was travelling to Culverden, 36km away. From
there a volunteer from the community centre would drive
him the remaining 100km to the hospital.
Unfortunately, once at the hospital, the x-ray could only
confirm a bad sprain. It wasn’t until after he had returned
to home several days later that his leg “ballooned”, and
he was sent for another examination which confirmed the
leg was broken in two places. Two screws were inserted,
and it was many weeks before Chris found himself
enjoying the outdoors again.
Chris is still very grateful for Land SAR, and humbled
by the sense of community he enjoyed in Hanmer and
Culverden.
Lessons Learned
We can only imagine the possible outcomes without that
PLB. Thanks to the beacon, Chris had received attention
within hours of the incident. For the rest of the group,
once Chris had been evacuated, they could continue their
adventure knowing Chris was in safe hands.
There was no way Chris could have hobbled the 40
plus kilometres for help without doing further damage
to himself. So, without the PLB, the group would have
needed to split up as some left to seek help. Separating
the group is never a good idea.
However, it is not just as simple as carrying a PLB:
• Everyone should know who is carrying the PLB, and
• Where it is stored in that pack, and just as importantly…
• How to use it – as simple as knowing how to turn it on
and off!
“Common-sense” stuff.
And how was the rest of the trip? That will have to wait for
another issue.
18//WHERE ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS/#240