PLB Rescued a Stranger in Mount Aspiring National Park

1 lives saved

Hiking

Medical emergency

Mountain

Normal conditions

What happened?

There were 5 of us hiking the Gillespie Pass in Mount Aspiring National Park when we arrived at Young Hut for the night. After settling in to cook dinner and talk about the next day’s walking, we met a young woman who was complaining about a painful cramp in her leg. We gave her water, salts and basic medication to help with her cramp and pain. 20 minutes later, her situation started to get worse, she complained about not being able to feel her foot and said the pain was at 9 out of 10. At this point, we realised that this wasn’t a cramp, and something more serious was happening, and knew walking out would not be an option.

As we discussed activating my rescueME PLB1, she lost consciousness completely. We activated the PLB immediately and kept her warm and monitored her breathing while we waited for help to arrive. She started having small tremor-like seizures and was coming in and out of consciousness in severe pain while we nervously waited for help to arrive.

A rescue helicopter arrived within 40 minutes and paramedics set her up on an IV drip, and connected her to a machine to monitor her vitals as they air-lifted her to safety.

It was a huge relief to have had the rescueME PLB1 with us. It’s small enough that I always keep it in my first aid kit that comes with me everywhere. It’s a scary thought to imagine what could have happened without it. With a medical emergency like this, it was truly life saving.

It’s also a reminder that PLBs are not just for you, they are also for complete strangers! I never even knew her name.

Words of wisdom

The PLB is not just for you, but also could save others, so always bring it with you!

Thank you note to the Ocean Signal team

Big thank you to the team at Ocean Signal. The rescueME PLB1 is small and light enough that I never hesitate to take it with me. That means that it was there when I needed it.