PH's

Do you instruct your clients on what to do (other than the obvious 1st aid/life saving things) if you get incapacitated IN THE BUSH, God forbid. (Assuming client has huge language barrier with trackers and other attendants).

Eg., instructing them (the clients) in the use of your communication devise (whatever it is), alternate people/organizations to contact if primary contacts can't be immediately reached.

Really GOOD question.

quote:

Originally posted by bwana cecil:
Really GOOD question.

+1

I have never even thought of that question. I would hope that that didn't happen but, if it did that maybe one of the trackers would know.

Great question! When I went into the willows after my brown bear with my guide (we found my bear dead about 30 yards in) I asked to go first. He declined, asked why and let me go in right behind him. I told him if I got injured I was confident he would get me out, but if he got badly hurt we were screwed! I realized I didn't even know the password to his satphone.

Never had a PH do so yet.

First safari I went on, the PH showed me how to use the radio to call for help if something happened. Another PH showed me how to use his GPS to find my way back to camp if something happened to him, that was in Australia, we were hunting just the two of us in dense swamp, no trackers of course. One in Africa instructed me on how to shoot an animal off of him if he was attacked. Most did not show anything like that.

For me, they asked casually what I did for a living, and after that, had no real worries from the medical end, and in fact were asking me what to do about some things..

Fortunately, the trackers all had some degree of english, and I have never been too worried about that. I think that the PH's have a bond with their teams and pretty much have hashed this subject out amongst themselves. while I cannot use the radio (although I think the sat phone is no issue- heck, I have seen the passwords and such written in the case...) the guys answering it would be in Shona or Swahili so its kind of a moot point.

Honestly, if the PH is unable to communicate at all given the time frames for evacuation (many hours), I doubt there is much even a doc or a paramedic is going to be able to do in the field with a significant trauma. In most of the cases I am aware of, the victim has been quite lucid for a while, even though they are dying.

Now, on my Alaskan bear hunt, I was told where the instructions for the phone were and where the panic alarm was and how to use them. When there are only 2 of you, both need to be able to do everything. I have always wondered why more folks don't get at least some basic first aid training before going afield.

crbutler, I think Jason had more faith in your technical abilities. He didn't tell me where the phone instructions were and it would've been all I could do to carry his body into the raft and got back to camp if he had gotten hurt. He of course didn't, he was very good, but we had bears in camp every day so had to be a bit careful.

Dependant on the area we are hunting and the method of communication needed in the terrain all clients are given a briefing prior to the hunt starting.

In addition on pig hunts the client gets a blow by blow mock up of how we walk into a bayed pig etc as well as first aid and emergency procedure.

With any DG, and in my book that includes Pigs and Hippo, you should all be equally capable of effecting a rescue should it be required.

For those who said they have never had any conversation on this topic, I suggest you start to ask as you could end up sitting alone in the bush with a dead PH that you might have saved with just a simple conversation.

Good luck
Ian

Chuck, maybe he had more concerns about my hunting ability than the safety end...

Had a Ph come down with malaria while ele hunting in Zim. Had to support/ carry him to get him out of the bush.

Mike

does caring for a ph with a hangover count?? if so i've had to do that before

I have fairly extensive emergency training that I, thankfully, haven't had to put to use. I always take a first aid kit, including extra quick clot and dressings just in case. I hope the kit stays pristine and unopened. And it is also why I choose to hunt with a PH smaller than me, so I could, If I had to, carry him out.

Well, on a similar note, when I was a station commander in South LA with LAPD, I reguired my officers to fully brief civilain ridealongs on how to use the radio, how to access the first aid kit in the crusier, and a variety of other things I thought they'd need in order to help my officers in an emergency. If the civilian was someone who presented as a competent adult, we'd also brief them on how to access the shotgun and/or patrol rifle.

While Sheep hunting in the Alaskan Range we decided to move camp over a mountain range, which required air lift to the new location. On the next to last trip my outfitter, left me with tent, food and instructions that if he did not return, I should follow the river for 6 miles and would find a cabin to shack up in. Rescue would arrive at that location once his demise was discovered. I must say that was an odd realization at the time. Thereafter, Iv'e traveled with my own Sat phone...in Africa or Alaska just in case. The Boy Scout have it right Be Prepared.

This is probably the best question I have been asked about hunting. I will do something about it today, thanks.

Pieter,
You're right, I also have never been asked this question. One of the best questions I've seen on this forum since I've been a stalker here. After last years losses of PH's, it's something we all need to consider. It's never concerned me MUCH but a great get-your-mind-going thought.

quote:

LAPD/114/R10David

TWL - Can you explain the 10 David bit. It was the call sign on the SWAT movie and I was curious as to what it meant, sorry for the hijack.
Ian

A smart P.H. will have his trackers well versed in using the radio, driving the landcruiser and giving first-aid. After all, these guys are generally people that he works with all the time.

I always carry my own GPS and SatPhone and also get a list of important local phone numbers from the PH and put them into the speed dial on the SatPhone. Knowing where you are and the ability to communicate with someone (preferably local) in civilization prevents a lot of potential problems. What made me really think things through was an antelope hunt in Northern Nevada with a friend. I almost stepped on a rattlesnake and as we talked about the event over dinner that night we realized that if something in a major medical sense happened to either one of us we would have had a two to three hour hike back to the vehicle followed by another couple of hours to get to someplace with cell phone reception. Fortunately nothing had happened however the math is simple, four to five hours of getting to a place to contact help in a potentially life threatning situation versus a call made and (in this situation) a helicopter evacuation in less than an hour.

Even in non-life threatening situations I firmly believe having a GPS and knowing how to get back to the vehicle or camp and a SatPhone to call for help if needed is great peace of mind.

I've only been to Africa once (Tanzania). My PH didn't go over any emergency ops plan, but I brought along my own sat-phone, GPS and a SPOT emergency satellite locater. I felt pretty confident that if something happened and I needed assistance (or my PH), I'd be able to get assistance.

I have laminated a small paper that rides in the glove box. Emergency phone numbers, my blood type and the PIN number to my cellphone. The GPS is in my backpack and the coordinates of base camp listed.

What else do I need to add?

A PH will always have a standing plan of action in the event of a misfortune where he is rendered incapacitated and least one member amongst the crew will have been taught how to use the Sat phone which most PHs carry and a GPS and able to drive the vehicle - some Sats can also give a GPS position from the point of call.
The most important, in any scenario, whether it involves the PH, client, or both, is to make it back to camp or the nearest airstrip, depending on the gravity of the situation.
Spot Locators don't always work from an evacuation point of view, either because of distance, terrain, or both and are therefore applicable on an area by area basis only.

quote:

Originally posted by Pieter Kriel:
I have laminated a small paper that rides in the glove box. Emergency phone numbers, my blood type and the PIN number to my cellphone. The GPS is in my backpack and the coordinates of base camp listed.

What else do I need to add?

A signed, blank, undated "last will and testament." Just in case you have nice rifles that could be in need of looking after.

Scriptus, I imagine you will find the directions to the stashed bottle of single malt to pour his final drink before you find that will you are looking for.

I think one thing that's being missed here is, EVERYONE should know a little more than basic first aid. As hunters we are in the field where things can happen unexpectedly, When a person is down, what to check for how to stop bleeding, what to do about broken bones, insect bites, snake bites, deep cuts , sprains , what about if someone is just unconsious? etc... It wouldn't hurt for all of us to go through a first aid course just so we don't get blindsided in the bush by an accident. Here in the states, the red cross has them just about everywhere they have an office. My son is a paramedic and he has opened my eyes to some simple steps to take in different situations that I wouldn't have known before.

What percentage of AR posters are ex-servicemen?
Basic first aid is part and parcel of military training is it not?

quote:

Originally posted by fujotupu:
What percentage of AR posters are ex-servicemen?
Basic first aid is part and parcel of military training is it not?

Well in my case I got out of basic and what first aid training we got in 1971. Might have forgotten some of it, ya think??????

Never really felt there was a pressing need for concern in Africa as some of the trackers were well trained and there usually was a cameraman as well.

BUT in Australia, if you were out in the northern territory with the PH with no other people. Then this becomes a concern, not just for tending to the PH, but also finding your way back in areas with no distinquishing landmarks.

I have thought about it once or twice and then started getting compass bearings.

Dak