Man down at Rooster

Nak · Wed Nov 09, 11 7:52 pm **Man down at Rooster**

Youkai was injured today at Rooster. I've heard he's going to be OK! Very Happy

Thoughts, prayers and well wishes to you Youkai!

Way to go to Mark; First Responder!

On a side note, the Corbett paramedics were slower than molasses. Thank God it turned out speed wasn't of the essence. Even after they were there, it took them maybe 15 minutes to decide to actually walk out to the beach. Then what they went though to get him up the stairs was nothing short of ridiculous.

DrewB · Since 16 Aug 2006 384 Posts PDX Obsessed

Heal up William!

What happened?

dancingwind · Since 18 Jul 2007 321 Posts Obsessed

Wishing you speedy recovery Youkai! What happened???

undertow · Since 15 Feb 2008 371 Posts BeaversBurg Obsessed

Stay strong William

Nak · Thu Nov 10, 11 7:34 am

I got there shortly after it happened. I don't think anybody saw the incident, but apparently there was a problem with a self launch. William was on the ground, unconscious. I think any more details will have to wait till Youkai recovers enough to post them himself.

Justsmile · Since 20 Jul 2009 1530 Posts Not Portland XTreme Poster

Heal up fast YOUKAI. very curious to hear what happend especially with the self launch. We have been using webbing/rope and a carabiner to self launch from the bushes without trouble. Curious to learn so no one else goes through this. Heal up so you can get back up!!!!

stringy · Since 23 Jun 2006 1735 Posts vancouver XTreme Poster

yes heal up youkai
one of the most enthusiastic new kiters I'm sure you'll bounce back from this soon.

on another note,
I'm concerned with the first responders lack of readiness.
even after theo's ordeal, a plan of action is not put into place?
would a boat rescue on the shoreline have been possible?

Blazeheliski · Since 30 Mar 2011 659 Posts Mosier Addicted

Each area is going to have its own skill level of paramedics. The Corbett ones sound like the Aurora paramedics I witnessed several years back. We had a serious waterski injury on the Willamete. The ambulance and paramedics arrived at the same time. The ambulance crew took the lead. The guy leading the response asked one of the paramedics to get him a "4X4" The paramedic runs off and comes back with "4X4" piece of wood he found on the dock instead of "4X4" gauze that the abulance guy wanted to stop the bleeding. The ambulance guy just shook his head...........

Get better fast William! I think I learned about the same time as you and I am inspired by your exploits.

Nak · Thu Nov 10, 11 9:31 am

Mark · Thu Nov 10, 11 9:32 am

I will let Youkai tell his story as to what went wrong.

I was in the parking lot watching Youkai and Nick on the beach. I then saw Nick running up the beach waving his arms. I grabbed my cell and ran down the stairs and on to the beach. Nick said Youkai was unconscious and not moving. I called 911 and ran out to youkai. He had been out for about 5 min. He then came to. I was supporting his neck and tried to make him comfortable. Had Nick grab a kite and put it around us as the wind was blowing 40 and the sand was really stinging and filling his face with sand. At this point youkai was semi lucid and complaining of neck pain and that he couldn't breath. I pulled his wetsuit away from his neck and kept him from moving. He faded in and out of sleep. Nick was up at the parking lot directing ambulance and fire. Man they took FOREVER to ready their gear and come down the beach. At this time the Park Rangers drove their Gator out to help.... It got stuck half way. Finally the rescue people arrived with a back board and basket. After we got his head stabilized (again took forever) we got him on a backboard and into the basket. At this point a basket with a wheel showed up. There was a lengthy discussion to transfer him. I suggested we just carry him as it would be quicker and the wheeled basket wouldn't go up the stairs anyway. (only several hundred feet from ambulance) We carried him to the stairs and were about to carry him up when they decided to rig a rope.... Finally got him up the stairs and into the ambulance.

After thoughts:
Worried about slow response and lack of leadership when the Pros arrived. There was also a discussion as to take him to the local hospital or Portland. ALWAYS GO TO EMMANUAL. Thats Oregons tramua center.

Glad to hear that he will be OK. Look forward to kiting with you in the future.

Be safe out there....
Mark

Kraemer · Since 24 Apr 2006 1736 Posts Sky Pilot Unicorn Captain

That sounds like a shitty day. Glad you guys were there-- hope UK is OK.

Justsmile · Since 20 Jul 2009 1530 Posts Not Portland XTreme Poster

OHSU and Emanuel are the trauma hospitals.. Emanuel is not the only one! Sometimes they alternate in the case one hospital already has a trauma activation. Anyone,when you called did you state he had neck pain/ with difficulty breathing and lucid intervals or was it just stated he was an unsoncious pt./kiter etc. for the possilbe activation of life flight. We see these dispatch remarks on a daily basis and you would be surprised the inaccuracy and lack of accurate detail that is given by callers who are trying to be helpful. Windy yes, visibiltiy good, the bird might have set down to pick him up. I would be curious to hear the details that were entered into the call for the dispatcher. Multiple agencies, mulitple people who think they are in command or no command presence can be an issue. Sounds like we had multiple agencies playing. Why did it take so long for the ranger and gator to make it? maybe they need some initial training about kiters and common injuries etc. Were they notified by phone or in person? Just asking questions that can help frame in the entire incident and response.

what happened with the self launch???

heal up fast so you can get back out YOUKAI!!!!

kitemare · Since 23 Mar 2010 265 Posts Seattle, wa Obsessed

get well and heal up quickly.

Algo Sucedio · Since 31 Jul 2010 8 Posts Kook

Best wishes to William for a complete recovery.

When it comes to being rescued, we need to remember this is an extreme sport.

To expect first responders to risk their lives (life flight), or go beyond the “normal” call without compensation could be a bit Narcissistic.

It should be up to us to make the right choices and live with those decisions.

Just like the conversation that took place after the 3 incidents @ Kite Beach this summer.
we should put our own Rescue plan into place at this beach.

Algo

broadbandito · Since 26 Apr 2005 342 Posts CSO headwaters WheatHead

Sounds scary--hopefully no damage and back on the water soon.

I wonder if anyone saw what happened--mostly because when I've had my bell rung hard enough to cash out, I don't remember much leading up to the black.

sirmichaelo · Since 26 Mar 2010 353 Posts Maui Obsessed

Come back soon Youkai. Your enthusiasm is contagious on NWkite.

M.

genek · Since 21 Jul 2006 2165 Posts East Po KGB

Heal up quickly!