I have a SPOT experience to report. Last weekend on the Bradshaw Trail (just east of Salton Sea in Southern California, our group of ExPo members came across a fallen dirt bike rider. Another group of riders had arrived moments before us and were beginning to check out the patient. We helped assess the patient's condition and came to the mutual conclusion with the riders that he had possible spinal cord injuries, and most definitely shoulder and rib injuries. We agreed he needed to be backboarded out. Fortunately, the fallen rider had his own SPOT tracker, which we activated. We also had cell phone coverage, so we contacted the fallen rider's wife (he was lucid enough to give us his name and contact info) to let her know that SPOT would probably be calling her. We then called 911 but didn't have a lot of success with that, as they couldn't use the GPS coords we had. We did have a map and that was VERY helpful to give the 911 operator nearest trail entry points (she kept asking for nearest major cross streets, LOL!).
Within 90 minutes of activating SPOT, a sheriff's fixed wing plane started circling overhead, apparently operating as a radio relay to incoming ground and air rescue teams. At about 1:40, a CHP helicopter arrived, and probably 5 minutes after that, two fire trucks, and ambulance, and a CHP 4x4 truck all showed up together. So under 2 hours, LOTS of help arrived. I asked the helio pilot how they were notified, and she said their dispatch gave them GPS coords to where we were. I figure that was from SPOT. Cool!
After a few minutes, the rescue crews had the patient on a backboard and strapped into the helio and he was on his way to a level III trama center in Palm Springs. He was gone and the dust settled in less than 2 hours from pushing the button.
Photos:
http://nwoods.smugmug.com/gallery/7319544_6Q3bT#470882851_erVMU
(photos taken with permission and encouragement from the patient!)
