February 2, 2008
Last updated: Saturday, 09-Feb-2008 13:03:34 PST
WIOL participant Chris Brown, from Thomas Jefferson HS, was injured while running his course at today's WIOL meet at Fire Mtn. En route from control #1 to #2 on Course 4 (JV Boys), he fell and suffered a laceration on the outside of his left calf. All he remembers is that he was running along and looking at his map when he fell. He doesn't remember what he tripped on. Amazingly, he was able to hop/limp back to the registration/finish area where meet staff administered what first aid we could.
Medics were summoned and units from Big Lake Fire Department and Skagit County Fire Department were on scene within minutes. They quickly assessed Chris's condition, applied a field dressing, and started an IV before transporting him to Skagit Valley Hospital. The medics were so quick and efficient that many participants at the meet were not even aware that we'd had an emergency. Our thanks and compliments to Brett Berg and Rob Minor from Big Lake and Danny Laine and Lee Knodel of Sakgit County. Big Lake's ambulance also responded and stood by in case they were needed.
His family met him at the hospital and took him home where is resting up. Even though the wound looked deep to those of us attending to Chris, fortunately it was not - it was not into the muscle or bone. 37 stitches were needed to sew it up.
Chris is doing fine, considering. As would be expected, his leg is sore but otherwise he's OK.
His family expresses their appreciation for the helpfulness of WIOL participants and commends the good job done by them and the responding medic units. Among those Cascade OC members helping out were Jana Dvorak (Meet Director), Jim Siscel (WIOL Coordinator), and Christi Frank. Numerous others rounded up blankets and coats to comfort Chris and keep him warm. A handful of participants carried messages to other meet staff or helped keep things under control around the scene. Still others helped direct the arriving medic units to his location. Thank you, everyone.
A few closing thoughts. In the 26 year history of WIOL, this is the most serious injury that any of us can recall, and the only one in the 30 year history of Cascade OC requiring emergency transport. In other words, orienteering is generally an injury free sport. Sure, there are the minor cuts and scrapes and the occasional twisted ankle, but that's about it. We have over a thousand starts each WIOL season (more than any other orienteering school league in North America), and nearly no injuries.
Jim Siscel, WIOL Coordinator, reported the incident to the Fire Mtn. Camp Director. The camp staff will send a group of people through the area in the near future to see if anything can be found that would have caused the cut. Obviously if there is something dangerous out there they want to get rid of it.
One of the useful things that we had on site (in addition to first aid kits) was the collection of registration forms for each participant. It greatly sped up the processing by the medics to just give them Chris's form. This allowed them to transcribe the data they needed instead of having to ask Chris for his full name, birth date, address, etc. The importance of filling these out correctly, completely, and legibly cannot be overemphasized.
Cell phones played a key role, from the initial call to 911 to the call to Chris's parents. Very important was the ability for Chris to talk directly with his dad, a comfort for both of them.
WIOL staff will review today's incident and see if we can improve our preparedness for future events. In the meantime, we thank everyone again for their assistance and wish Chris a speedy recovery - and hope he returns to orienteering soon.