RURAL EMS
-
Remote settings
-Rough terrain- from unimproved roads to mountainous land without road access
-Sparse
population
-Time to notification/rescue/treatment prolonged
Providers
Mid-level
providers
and
physicians
Nurses
and
ancillary
staff
Park rangers
Less experience with EMS- volume
More responsibilities
Maintaining skills a problem for EMS staff
Yellowstone
2.2 million acres, mountainous
3
million
visitors/year
Rangers: Law enforcement, firefighting, resource management, EMS, technical
rescues, searches
High expectations from public--ie rescuers must have quick response and be
prepared for MVA, technical swiftwater/scuba/climbing rescues, searches, etc
1 year round clinic
1 seasonal clinic
1 seasonal hospital
Our terrain:
High altitude:
-highest peak ~11,300, highest road ~8900
-AMS incidence about 30%, HAPE not uncommon, easy access
(little acclimatization)
Thermal features:
-pools at 176-190
o
F superheated water/mudpots
-unstable geyserite
-avg. 10 serious burns/year.
Wild animals:
-Bison- recent decline in population past avg 3-5 gorings/yr
-Bears- approx 250 grizzlies avg 3 humans injured/yr in ecosystem
(usually hunters)
-Moose, elk, deer, mountain lion, wolves, coyotes
