— from Michael Welding for NAS Whidbey —
A Search and Rescue (SAR) team from Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island conducted Medical Evacuations (MEDEVAC) for two separate patients from Orcas Island February 12.
The SAR team were notified on the evening of February 12 that a
three-year-old child with a broken femur on Orcas Island needed a MEDEVAC. Civilian airlift assets were unable to conduct the mission due to weather. The SAR crew launched at approximately 8 p.m. for Orcas Island.
After landing at Orcas, and while bringing the child and her father onboard,
an ambulance arrived with a patient who was exhibiting stroke symptoms. The SAR crew brought the second patient onboard and a medic to assist, which made it necessary to off-load equipment. Both patients were transported to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle at which point they returned to Orcas Island to transport the extra medic and collect the off-loaded gear before returning to NAS Whidbey Island.
NAS Whidbey Island SAR has conducted six total missions throughout
Washington State this year, including one search and five medical
evacuations.
Soo Glad for this group. Those were difficult conditions!
We are very blessed that Orcas Fire maintains these critical resources.
It’s difficult to ask for help in extreme conditions, but even all the more critical that we have these resources available.
Very impressive how well this little Island delivers!! Even when asking for help!
Sending well wishes to both patients! To the parents of the little girl–I also had a 3 yr old fracture a femur. I don’t have experience with a spica cast, but I have many tricks and tips if she has titanium rods and no cast. Feel free to call me @ 3690.
So grateful we have this valuable resource available!
Wow, what a tale. We ARE lucky. Thank you to the Whidbey Island NAS Search and Rescue conducted Medical Evacuations (MEDEVAC) and, undoubtedly, our fearless, trustworthy, and oh-so-talented Orcas EMT. WONDERFUL!
Impressive assistance by NAS Whidbey and the Orcas Island medics.