Multiagency response saves injured rider in Enfield

Ambulance Victoria (AV) paramedics weren’t sure what they’d be facing when called to what quickly became a complex, multiagency response in Enfield last month.

Experienced dirt bike rider, Adam, was carving up the trails with a friend in Enfield State Park on 6 August when a fall resulted in a serious lower leg fracture.

Trapped in dense scrub, Adam was in unimaginable pain and unable to move. Luckily, his friend called Triple Zero (000), starting the chain of multiagency response.

A specialist Air Ambulance Victoria helicopter crew, a mobile intensive care ambulance (MICA) and two advanced life support (ALS) paramedic road crews attended the scene and worked with VICSES, FRV and Victoria Police to navigate the complex location and reach the patient.

Due to the challenging conditions and extensive length of time it would take to extricate Adam manually in rapidly fading light, the decision was made to winch him by helicopter.

Our Air Ambulance Victoria helicopter is crewed by an AV MICA flight paramedic, along with a pilot and aircrew officer from Babcock Australasia.

MICA flight paramedic Jake Kilsby responded to Adam’s case and said it was his first operational winch.

“As MICA flight paramedics, we undergo extensive training with experienced teams to prepare for difficult patient retrievals just like this, so I felt well prepared to provide the very best care to Adam,” he said.

“This was a logistically complex rescue due to the undulating terrain and steep trails, with the added challenge of the tree canopy making it difficult to choose a winch location.

“Our ALS paramedics worked alongside the other on-ground emergency services to administer exceptional clinical care before we arrived. The work they did providing pain relief, protecting Adam from the elements and assisting to move him to the winch location, optimised our air response as the patient was clinically stable and ready for transport when we arrived.

“This was a great example of multi-agency teamwork resulting in the best outcome for the patient.”

Adam was flown to a nearby airfield and then transported by road ambulance to Ballarat Base Hospital for further treatment. He is now recovering at home and said he’s thankful for everyone who came to his aid.

“The whole team who responded to me were really lovely and did all they could to make me comfortable and get me to safety,” Adam said.

“It just shows how important it is to be prepared before heading outdoors as you never know what could happen.”

Top tips from Ambulance Victoria before you begin your outdoor adventures:

• Know your trails – Before you set off, take time to check trail maps and difficulty ratings. Stick to trails that match your skill level.
• Download the EmergencyPlus app -This free app has a built-in GPS function to pinpoint your exact location in an emergency, even if you don’t know where you are. The What3Words location function works offline so it can be used in remote areas with poor data connections as well.
• Tell someone your plans – Let a friend or family member know where you’re going and when you expect to return.
• Carry the basics – Pack a mobile phone, a small first-aid kit, enough water, and wear appropriate gear.
• Consider carrying a personal location beacon (PLB).

About Ambulance Victoria’s Air Ambulance service

• Ambulance Victoria’s HEMS and highly-skilled MICA Flight Paramedics and crews can reach the most remote places, and with winching capabilities, can perform retrievals in the most remote and hard to reach locations across the state.
• Air Ambulance Victoria (AAV) helicopters allow patients requiring life-saving transport as quickly as possible to the nearest hospital.
• AAV retrieve and treat around 6000 patients per year.
• Babcock Australasia provide AV with pilots, aircrew officers and engineers, to help ensure 24/7 coverage of Victoria and surrounding waters

For more information on enjoying the outdoors safely and preparing for your adventure, visit Plan ahead and keep your holiday on track | ambulance.vic.gov.au(opens in a new window)