The air is warm but the river water is ice cold. Stay out of the water.
Early Sunday afternoon, a code 2 Medical Check Out by CAL FIRE/Placer County Fire Department was request by State Parks for victims that had been flushed through a class three rapid known as Flip Flop. State Parks reported one person in distress with near drowning symptoms and a second that was stable. Two engines and AMR responded to the scene.
Once at scene the Paramedic determined the patient was not stable, non ambulatory and would require a stokes extraction, the second patient was not injured and denied injury. E2351 FAE Tomimbang recognized the challenge ahead, as the patient was still at waters edge, 300+ feet down from the ambulance. E2351 ordered additional resources and upgraded the call to an MRE.
The crews were split into two groups (systems and littler), as the extraction required a low angle system. Within 45 minutes of dispatch, the patient was in ambulance, and transported to Sutter Roseville Medical Center.
Excellent evaluation and recognition of challenges by a young company officer proved vital for the timely transport of this patient.
No injuries to first responders.
