It was supposed to be an outdoor adventure — a hike on the C&O Canal’s Billy Goat Trail. But for one hiker who wishes to remain anonymous, it became a medical emergency.
How it happened
“I was with a Meetup group and lost sight of them after a wrong turn was made after the biggest scramble on the hike. Once I got to the split, the people that were checking on hikers saw my face was pale and ran various vitals and asked things. I was conscious the entire time. It took about an hour for a decision to be made to get a helicopter. “
Rescue video
On the helicopter
“Before the helicopter arrived, I was asked to lay down on blankets on a big rock….seconds before I was lifted, I was told to close my eyes the entire time. The ‘body bag’ has a mask that is intended to cover most of one’s face, but I was able to breathe easily. I did as I was told, and I could tell when I got inside the helicopter as I heard the door close. I opened my eyes and got a thumbs up from one of the rescuers. I could have talked but I thought, the less I do, the better, and figured I needed to save my energy for the questioning at the hospital. I also want to add that I am not scared of heights (Decades ago, I did a static line skydive in Sebastian, Florida). I was never scared the entire time, more annoyed than anything else. I also wore light colored clothing…I never passed out; I never lost consciousness the entire time. “
At the hospital
“The diagnosis at Suburban Hospital was heat exhaustion…. the staff at Suburban was phenomenal. I don’t know who it was, but someone from the rescue team checked on me, I think around 3:30…. The IV’s is probably what I needed more than anything else, but I had been drinking water before and during the hike. I think Gatorade is better for this time of year and activity is the lesson I am taking away. “
Getting home
After his release from the hospital at around 5 p.m., our hiker took a Lyft to reclaim his car and drove home. He described the experience as “something I will never forget.”
Photos/video courtesy Pete Piringer, Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service
