Protecting a Casualty

It’s unwise to move an unconscious casualty (or even a conscious one, depending on the injury), but they may still need protection from the elements (once you have completed the ABCs of first aid). Most 2 person mountain shelters are not big enough to adequately cover a prone casualty but the ShellTA can be spread out as a waterproof blanket. Use whatever is available, pegs, rocks, sacks or volunteers, to hold it in place without causing any further discomfort to the injured person. Use all the resources at your disposal to protect the casualty and yourselves while waiting for rescue.

Two ShellTAs, zipped together in poncho mode create a shelter nearly 3m long, which can provide protection for a casualty and two first aiders.

(Large clan tents, mountain shelters or bothy bags are used by most mountain rescue teams to provide an environment for multiple team members to stabilise a casualty. The ShellTA is not big enough for this role.)

For more on First Aid please try this site.

Thanks to Glossop Mountain Rescue Team for this image.