Did you ever figure out what those four items were? Water, a cell phone, knife and a lighter. If you're hiking I would suggest a whistle instead of a cell phone.

"OK", sez you, "but why do I need water in the city"? You ever go to work without a latte or its equivalent? I sure don't. Latte's are made with water and that most life saving of all elixers, coffee.

Last weekend a few of us went to Mt San Jancinto State Park. I met Ranger Cher and we spoke of training and response for the people who get into trouble. It occurred to me that all too often in the past 25 years I've been the first responder in many instances. True to form less than an hour after leaving the ranger station I responded to an incident with a heat stressed boy whose father pushed him up the steep trail to Mtn Station and then allowed his son to drink a fair amount of cold water. As a result the boy vomited and collapsed. Of the 8-10 people standing around no one had any idea what to do. Despite first aid training my friends couldn't handle a retching puking boy who needed help while Dad and co just stood there trying to macho the kid to his feet. With no one doing anything I just did my job, one I don't even get paid for anymore.

Later I was asked, "How did I know it was heat stress"? Easy enough. The boys head was very hot, so was his neck by the carotid artery. The answer is simple cool him down. A wet bandanna around the neck on the artery, a strip of cool water down the middle of his back and on his head. Get him into the shade and wait for him to cool down, naturally in this case. These people didn't wait. The hustled him into the Tram car headed to the bottom of the mountain 6,000 ft below. A sick kid in a hot tram car. I'm thinking that good 'ol dad there had a very sick kid on his hands for awhile there.

If you, the guy or gal reading this, ever have to respond you should know that the area is going to be covered in blood, puke and only the lord knows what else. You are going to have to go in there and get dirty. One of my friends tried to help that boy but told me the smell drove him away. He asked me how I did it. I dunno, I just do. What about you; how will you respond when the time comes?

Tonights post written because I was bored while watching a silent movie starring Lon Chaney.