30 July 2014

So You Think You Live Off the Beaten Path?

How about 354 air miles from the hospital, in an area with no roads?

Rural Woman in Labor Assisted by Multiple Agencies

Department of Military and Veterans Affairs

In a multiple agency effort, a Nulato woman experiencing early labor symptoms was transported to Anchorage for emergency care, despite bad weather, aircraft issues, and the rural location of the village.

According to Senior Master Sgt. Rob Carte, the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center was contacted by LifeMed at 7:45 a.m. Monday about a Nulato woman who was 25 weeks pregnant with twins and experiencing early labor symptoms. LifeMed was unable to reach the village due to bad weather.

“The combination of our HC-130 and HH-60 rescue teams can often get into locations in Alaska where other aircraft cannot due to bad weather,” Carte explained. “With Forward Looking Infrared Radar technology and highly experienced aircrews, the Air National Guard is often the most technologically advanced search and rescue organization in the state.”

The two aircraft team was unable to reach Nulato, however. Midway into the mission, the helicopter encountered a mechanical issue, and the HC-130 plane was unable to land at the airport due to the condition of the gravel runway.

“Ultimately, we turned to the Bureau of Land Management’s Alaska Fire Service for help,” Carte said. “The nearest military helicopter was in Nome, so the BLM airplane was much closer.”

The crew from the HC-130 accompanied crew of the new plane, contracted from Suburban Air in Galena. They were finally able to reach Nulato and began treating the woman at 1:30 p.m.

Read the rest here.

FYI, 90% of the villages in Alaska are not connected to the road system. Access is by air only, unless it's a coastal area, in which case you can get barge service.

6 comments:

Stephen said...

Guess folks have just given up on the simple art of walking....

Rev. Paul said...

Heh. On the other hand, I'm not sure that walking 400+ miles overland, including a couple of mountain ranges, is something one should attempt while in labor. Just a thought. (/snark)

JMD said...

Whoa, I have always wanted to not be near people but on second thought, maybe not that far away.

Rev. Paul said...

JMD, most places in the Lower 48 have at least some roads. That would help ... but I agree: that's a bit too far away.

Old NFO said...

Yep, they DO make things a 'tad' interesting up there...

Rev. Paul said...

That they do, NFO, as you know better than most. :)