End of a terrific elective

Yesterday marked our final exam - a multi-casualty rescue scenario in the foothills of the Sandias. My friend Steve and I formed one of three strike teams and went off to find our victim. Unfortunately, she was far away and we soon lost radio contact. Then we had to belay each other up a 20 foot rock face with no grips (easy in 6th grade, much more difficult now!) and using what looked like a hundred year old fiber rope.

Then Steve zip-lined down to get a can with the coordinates of our next victim. Unfortunately again, the zip line was too low and he zipped for 20 feet across, and then right into a cactus. As he scrambled for the message, the rain picked up, lightening started, and the the scenario was called to a screeching halt. But (remember no radio contact), we didn't get the message and were the last to return -- wet, and ready to take on the world of wilderness med? Well, wet at least.

Later that day we had dinner party complete with video and photo montages. It was a terrific month and I think all of us learned a lot, and made at least a few new friends. To anyone reading this thinking of hitting the great outdoors, my advice is: tell someone where you're going, take a cell phone, and if things get bad (or if you run into a maniacal ER doc hopped up on too much mate tea and yelling "DEPLOY, DEPLOY!" improvise!