Rescue Sleds?

[davjr96]

What do you guys carry while touring in the event of a potential partner evac situation? There's the really expensive alpine threadworks tarp and the discontinued brooks range one but I am looking for more of a DIY solution. Anyone have a cool setup with just their skis, poles, shovel, and a rope? DIY tarp setup? This looks intriguing http://straightchuter.com/portable-e...ountry-skiing/

I'm envisioning situations just a few miles from the trailhead, where the victim can't ski but is otherwise workable (think knee/ankle issues, etc). Not trying to drag someone 15 miles uphill with a compound fractured femur or anything...

[tgapp]

that's an interesting sled there. I love how cheap and durable it is. My only question would be around securing the patient, especially with a possible CSPINE injury. Also carrying that in your pack would definitely suck.

I got a good deal on a Brooks Range UL sled, and for what it is, I love it. I only carry it on long tours to remote places, and I'm not under any illusions - it is a single use item. I love how bomber it is with everything tightened down on it, but that nylon will only last one trip as a sled.

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[BCMtnHound]

[nickinbc]

I'm envisioning situations just a few miles from the trailhead, where the victim can't ski but is otherwise workable (think knee/ankle issues, etc).

In that case perhaps the better option might be to have a good sled in the car and go and fetch it if needed. If it is an injury that will take being dragged out on an improvised sled then it isn't going to get much worse for waiting.

[river59]

My thinking has always been in line with what mtnhound posted. Multi purpose items that can be rigged into whatever is needed. Whatever you choose, practice it before you need to deploy it.

Instead of drilling holes in skis, U-bolts with wing nuts could be used for clamping shit together.

If you suspect spinal injury I would advise letting the pros do the packaging and moving. Make the victim as comfortable, warm, and safe as possible.

I have never had to use an improvised sled for evac, but I have used dedicated litters like a sked or stokes basket for winter evac. I have always had a strong team to assist and even then it can be real tiring real quick. If you are moving someone solo on anything relatively firm or slightly steep, watch out. You might have a runaway toboggan on your hands PDQ.

[Andyski]

IMO, the best thing you can invest in is suitable comms equipment, and understand how to use to enact a rescue/ extraction.

Totally agree with this. Try moving an average sized adult on any kind of rigged sled over anything other than a groomer and you'll quickly see the extreme limitations. In theory it sounds good, in practice you'll realize it's usually a total waste of time and energy in a situation where you have neither to spare.

[XXX-er]

the K2 Shaxe was a B class ice axe/ snow shovel which could be made into a rescue sled if you had put holes in your skis came with all the hardware, never really took off

couple years ago we had a down day where Neil Warren from alpinethread works showed us how his rescue tarp works

[hafjell]

BCA used to sell a kit with their shovels that helped transform the shovel and skis into a sled. Pretty rudimentary but looked solid. Doesn't appear to be available from their website but maybe explore online?

[Jonathan S.]

BCA used to sell a kit with their shovels that helped transform the shovel and skis into a sled. Pretty rudimentary but looked solid. Doesn't appear to be available from their website but maybe explore online?

I have that -- although it's from K2. IIRC it came out before K2 and BCA were under common ownership. Can't remember if it lived on for awhile after that. (The K2 carbon probe I have is especially burly!)
Here's an old listing:

https://www.rei.com/product/825765/k2-rescue-shovel-plus

Should be glimpses of it in the pics toward the end of these albums:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/mDX7dvK1Coe3WvrM7

https://photos.app.goo.gl/1BtBr8G2TP1Sh8Tm8

I split each class into three subgroups: one got the K2 shovel, another the Brooks-Range sled, the other had to improvise with a bunch o' random stuff I gave them.

[Jonathan S.]

Totally agree with this. Try moving an average sized adult on any kind of rigged sled over anything other than a groomer and you'll quickly see the extreme limitations. In theory it sounds good, in practice you'll realize it's usually a total waste of time and energy in a situation where you have neither to spare.

Although I don't want to encourage the mentality of relying exclusively on outside assistance ... my own experience with practice of such a scenario confirms the limitations.
We're always practicing assembling sleds for ski patrol backcountry courses.
In the two links I posted above, the sleds held together well -- but that something like five or ten minutes.

In my first experience using the old Brooks-Range model:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/EyW8eRfYNLHHYLM49

... I learned that the key to making it work was to tighten up everything as much as possible -- then tighten it up even more!
Sections that I thought were if anything overtensioned turned out to be far too slack.

By contrast, even a plastic sled that would seem absurdly inadequate for ski resort patrol use can work well for a backcountry rescue:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-ilNSetmSD6GshWfoYduSwG6tY9ef7sK2KZ_ztRnAKQ/edit?usp=sharing

[stealurface831]

I always carry a few of those orange ski straps; typically one or two long ones, one or two short ones. Between those, some coradelette, and an ass pad, along with the basic materials, I can build a sturdy enough sled. The straps allow you to go really tight and make for a pretty secure ski/pole frame.

[XXX-er]

I always carry a few of those orange ski straps; typically one or two long ones, one or two short ones. Between those, some coradelette, and an ass pad, along with the basic materials, I can build a sturdy enough sled. The straps allow you to go really tight and make for a pretty secure ski/pole frame.

One long strap will not strap your boot to the ski when the binding splodes, 2 long straps will barely do it, I suggest 5

[stealurface831]

One long strap will not strap your boot to the ski when the binding splodes, 2 long straps will barely do it, I suggest 5

Shit, if my bindings 'splode, my ass is glissading down. I don't keep the straps for binding improv--never even thought of it, really--but i guess that is something to consider. Do you actually keep 5 in your pack? I bet a few industrial zipties would do the trick at a fraction of the mass and volume.

[XXX-er]

yup ^^ cuz broken equipment is more likely IME, I also carry the 5 M of rope, some hose clamps, there are pictures and write up at end of thread

https://www.tetongravity.com/forums/showthread.php/274833-Leatherman-type-multi-tool-for-skis/page4

around here it could be very fucking cold and you are broken down/can't ski out this ^^ will get you out

also had the broken bones but buddy was a doctor and suggested we just call for the hell of a copter

[nickwm21]

During my AIARE 1 class one of the other students had an awkward/slow backwards twisting fall that resulted in a fractured tib/fib. The guide/instructor had a rescue sled. The rescue sled was basically just a tarp with loops/buckles to wrap and pull with. Being AIARE 1 we weren’t that far out. We only had to pull the guy maybe down 500vert and back up 500vert in maybe 3mi to get back to the trailhead where an ambulance was waiting.

It was a huge learning experience.

That sled was about as big as you would really carry on a tour. It worked well for what it was... But it was terrible pulling this guy uphill. And trying to guide him downhill, you could tell he was in a ton of pain, every bump and dip he was screamin. You are really risking additional injury by using the sled, so if someone is really fucked up, it’d be better to try to get the professionals there ASAP.

The guide had a radio and was able to call for assistance from his office; the ranger snomo’ed out and met us as we were getting close and the ambulance was waiting.


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