WMI Students in Action - letters from our files

Our students come from all walks of life. Many work in the outdoor education and guiding industries, still others are employed by governmental agencies including the National Park Service, the Forest Service and the Department of Defense. Regardless of how our graduates utilize their wilderness medicine training, they all share a profound passion for helping others.

Leah Callaghan Schwartz WMI Wilderness First Responder April 2006

Hi WMI,

I wanted to pass on a story to you both that I thought you might appreciate.

I was driving home to Jackson, Wyoming from Stanford (where I took the WFR this past spring with WMI) and I came upon an accident right outside Sacramento. Two 19-year-old girls had flipped their car three times when over correcting. I pulled over and approached the scene, carefully and slowly. I put on my gloves that I had on my key chain. (The night before friends were making fun of me for being a First Aid geek). One of the girls was lying face down on the side of the road. Another was screaming and crying, running around talking on her cell phone--she had been driving. Both girls were conscious--crying and talking.

Two men were sitting around the girl who was lying down. First, I asked if someone had called 911. One of the men started dialing. I then asked them if they had any medical training. The other answered that he was a doctor. I was pleased and then confused when I saw him helping the girl to sit up. I (assertively) told him to immobilize her, as there was definitely an MOI for a spinal injury. I told him to keep her in that position and to get her medical history as I approached the other girl. The co-rescuer told me that she was fine because she was walking around. I disagreed.

I convinced the girl to calm down and I clam shelled her down on her back. She had injuries to her knee and hip that I could see. As I continued to immobilize, I went through an initial assessment. I couldn't do much, because she was so hysterical and my priority had to be calming her and continuing to immobilize. I was able to get her vitals, medical history and other pertinent information though. By the time paramedics arrived, I was able to deliver a composed SOAP note and help them with the move to the backboard.

While there was no traction splinting, bandaging of sucking chest wounds, or administration of CPR, I still felt like my presence at the scene greatly improved the treatment the girls received until EMS professionals arrived. I surprised myself with my level of composure and my ability to take control of an accident scene.

I wanted to share this story with you both and pass on my gratitude once again. It is due to your high quality of training and attention to detail that I felt prepared to help others in a time of need.

Thank you! Leah

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