Comments on: My 911 Call From the MTB Trail: A Heat Emergency

By: jeff

jeff — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 18:23:26 +0000

Thanks stillfat, I heard recently about the fishing license including SAR insurance and this confirms it. Also, it’s important to note that SAR insurance has nothing to do with medical insurance–that’s still up to the individual. In a rescue situation you don’t have much (if any) control over who responds so it’s a good idea to have both types of insurance.

By: jeff

jeff — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 18:21:08 +0000

@Fitch: Yes, my wife knew vaguely where I was riding (name of the trail system and the state… but she was in Atlanta at the time). She was expecting me home later that evening so it would have taken her some time and effort to figure out who to call to track me down.

I felt pretty exhausted for the next 24 hours and was definitely more sensitive to the heat for several days. It also took me a couple days to get rehydrated–my piss was sweet tea colored even 24 hours later despite drinking gallons of water and sports drinks.

I guess my wife didn’t really get upset because (in her mind) I didn’t do anything COMPLETELY stupid. Since I started out with water, a phone, spare parts, and a reasonable plan… she was just glad I made it back safely in the end.

By: stillfat

stillfat — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 18:08:19 +0000

@delphinide, a Colorado SAR Card isn’t necessarily an insurance card – see below:

http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/DOLA-Main/CBON/1251592090523

By: Fitch

Fitch — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 17:37:01 +0000

Jeff, thank you so much for posting this. As was said, “it can happen to anyone, even the pros.” Seeing you have this experience reminds me of a few things I should do, most notably adding water purification tablets to my bag. I keep a big bag and a lot of water, but this is a very important tale and I sent it to several friends.

Questions:

1.) Did you let anyone know where and when you were riding? As if to say “if you don’t hear from me at 4pm, start worrying?”

2.) I’ve had one or two heat exhaustion moments, and normally feel awful for the next +/- 12 hours… but feel GREAT the next day. What did the next day feel like?

3.) Did your wife beat the crap out of you when you got home for this?

By: jeff

jeff — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 13:45:16 +0000

@Jared13, admittedly I didn’t start out with enough water–just two water bottles, maybe 60 ounces tops. In that kind of heat I probably needed 3 water bottles–per hour!

@Bwpaulk: I found the USFS map you mentioned and you’re exactly right–I was on Jacks Branch at about the halfway point. It looks like there’s another trailhead not too far from that spot but it’s probably good I didn’t aim for that since it looks like the trailhead isn’t anywhere near a paved road.

By: Bwpaulk

Bwpaulk — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 03:10:01 +0000

Based on the photo it looks like you were on Jacks Branch Loop, 14 miles with 1300′ of elv. change. Your photo is about the halfway point (overlooking the river). Went there last year in May and seriously bonked at that very point. Was with friends and still had H20 but could barely turn the cranks over by the time I got back to the car. It was only in the 80s but the humidity is brutal. Syllamo is big and bad ass and very remote. We rode for 3 days and never saw another rider on the trails. Maps and details trial descriptions are available online via the US Forest Service Southern Region, Syalmore Ranger District. Don’t start your ride without one.

By: maineskiaddict

maineskiaddict — Sun, 15 Jul 2012 01:26:48 +0000

Glad you are alright and that things turned out for the best. It can truly happen to the best of us. I am sure you have helped give others some guidance when preparing for their next ride.

By: joetutt

joetutt — Sat, 14 Jul 2012 15:54:59 +0000

Wow! Glad you’re OK and thank God for our volunteers! This story is a great eye opener. Thanks for sharing.

By: ngilbert

ngilbert — Sat, 14 Jul 2012 11:48:30 +0000

Glad you made it out okay. I had a similar encounter with heat exhaustion several years ago in Idaho, just when I first started to mountain bike. In my case, I overestimated my own abilities and the accuracy of my maps and seriously underestimated the trail difficulty and the effect of the outside temperature on my body. I eventually took a “shortcut” and tried to hike-a-bike to the top of a mountain; ended up leaving my bike on the mountain side and walking back to the car. When I think of all the other things that could have gone wrong–broken bike, broken arm or collar bone, heat stroke–I feel fortunate to have made it out with nothing worse than sore feet, a dry mouth, and a humbled ego. It’s a tough way to learn a lesson but I’m very careful now about when and where I ride.

By: Bubblehead10MM

Bubblehead10MM — Sat, 14 Jul 2012 05:09:35 +0000

@joeblob I’m adding bone saw, tourniquet, and scalpel to my list of gear.

By: Jared13

Jared13 — Sat, 14 Jul 2012 01:32:36 +0000

Very glad to hear everything worked out, Jeff.

Out of curiosity, how much water/sports drink did you have with you?

Instead of offering the individual firefighters cash, I’m betting the fire dept would be happy to take a donation (or a huge plate of cookies…ok, maybe that second one is just me.)

By: trnsprt

trnsprt — Sat, 14 Jul 2012 00:51:34 +0000

FYI my wife is a volunteer in rural VA for a local Rescue Squad. No charge. If the County Squad shows up you or your insurance foots the bill. I had no idea until she started working for a volunteer op. Some people call county dispatch via a local number (not 911) and ask for the volunteer squad and if they aren’t available refuse to request service and will not dial 911!!!!

By: trnsprt

trnsprt — Sat, 14 Jul 2012 00:46:09 +0000

Great story! It can happen to ANYONE. Even pros. Thanks for sharing.

By: Spartan

Spartan — Sat, 14 Jul 2012 00:16:03 +0000

Biker #1-Rectum?

Biker #2- Damn near killed em’

By: motofix

motofix — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 23:39:34 +0000

Glad you decided you really needed help.

I’m a rescue diver and so is my wife, we were riding Lair o the Bear trail in CO last summer on a hot day. We had started our ride first thing to be sure to beat the heat. As we were on our way back along a nice river, we came across two women siting in the middle of the trail. As we got closer one started yelling for help. The other woman was elderly and was unconscious. Fortunately we had some training to deal with the situation, we first called for help and then started to work. We got her revived and feeling better, as we stayed with them till a park ranger came by and took over. It still surprises me that after she came to, she wanted to walk back to their car but we wouldn’t let them. After talking to them a bit we found the normal few mistakes that led to this point. Primarily, out of shape, out of water and continuing to go further, starting at the hottest time of the day, and no way to get help. It is a scary thing when you see someone limp and non responsive. I’m thankful we came along when we did.

All my friends think I’m nuts for having such a heavy pack but I’m thankful I have it and haven’t had to use some of the things I carry for my self. I have seen my share of bad things on the trail and would like to make sure they don’t happen to me.

It’s ironic you posted this as I just came from looking at water filters for my pack, I carry treatment tablets but wanted to make it so I didn’t have to carry so much water on those 30-50 mile rides.

By: delphinide

delphinide — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 22:11:54 +0000

By the way the clinical definition of heat stroke is a rectal temp of 106…hopefully no one bothered to check It sounds like you had severe heat exhaustion, but FYI you are more prone to get it subsequent times after experiencing it once. No one knows why, but we think it has to do with thermoregulatory mechanisms in your brainstem…so please take more water than you expect on any hot ride you do. One more thing I forgot to mention as a ‘must have’, especially on your local trails….a SAR (search and rescue) card that can be purchased at local outdoor shops. For example, in Denver you can buy a SAR card for $11 that is good for 5 years that basically exempts you from costly rescue fees if someone needs to come save your butt in the backcountry. It’s basically a donation to the local volunteer SAR teams that acts as an insurance card…but for the cost you can’t go wrong.

By: JPMcInturff

JPMcInturff — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 21:25:29 +0000

Great story identifying the mistakes. I recently decided to go road riding in 100 degree heat just north of Chattanooga and realized about 1 hour into the ride this was not a good idea. A first for me, I called for pick-up at the bottom of the mountain instead of going up it. I am glad I had my cell phone.

By: mtbikerchick

mtbikerchick — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 21:14:05 +0000

Holy CRAP! That is scary stuff Jeff! Still, like others have said, you’re not alone. I remember in college biking back in the middle of nowhere, running out of water on a hot day and barely making it back to campus. I’m just glad you called 911 when you did. It’s a good reminder to us all to be extra prepared when we’re in unfamiliar territory or when it’s super hot.

By: eastwood

eastwood — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 20:46:52 +0000

Great write up. Great lessons for us all to consider on each and every ride. Sounds like great coordination between dispatch and responders – they don’t get enough credit for all they do. Glad you are ok!!

By: jeff

jeff — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 19:53:18 +0000

Great question! I’ve heard stories about this happening in a lot of situations and honestly it was on my mind as I considered whether to call. I wasn’t charged anything and I’m not sure if this is because they used volunteer firefighters to respond or if is just this county’s policy not to charge. If an ambulance had responded I imagine I would’ve paid for that (mainly b/c my health insurance sucks).

I hope the volunteer firefighters at least got reimbursed for their gas mileage and the four bottles of water they gave me. I thought about offering them money but figured that would be tacky.

By: Trunkmonkey

Trunkmonkey — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 19:45:12 +0000

Were you charged anything for the dispatch? Obviously money shouldn’t be a concern in a life-threatening situation but I’ve heard of multi-thousand dollar horror stories for a 15 minute ride in an ambulance (usually private ambulance services in urban areas).

By: mtbgreg1

mtbgreg1 — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 18:31:30 +0000

Wow that’s insane!! I can’t imagine what kind of hell that was

By: jeff

jeff — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 18:15:20 +0000

Looking at the GPS track I only rode about 9 miles in 1:45 before turning around so I was taking it pretty easy. After that it took me 1.5 hours to walk less than 2 miles.

By: mtbgreg1

mtbgreg1 — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 18:10:07 +0000

Dude I’m so glad that you made it out of there in one piece! That sounds like the most miserable ride imaginable.

So did you look at your GPS track after you got back? Any idea how many miles you ended up covering before your mechanical issues, and then afterwards?

By: abegold

abegold — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 16:26:49 +0000

When I was younger as a landscaper I never drank enough water. Used to have a recurring dream of standing at a water fountain taking a drink and it having no effect. I was worn out after work on every hot day. Basically dehydrated myself for years.