I have seen other improvised rescue sleds that emphasize diagonal cross members to prevent wracking. When you actually had to use this to haul your buddy out, how did this sled actually perform? Did you find it difficult to control? When hauling your patient, are they head first or feet first? What is keeping their head/feet from dragging and interfering with the haul? Thank you so much for posting this. I think about this situation a lot, especially as I start to get older and take more of my friends into the back country - I really want to make sure I can be a good "guide" and have a solution for if the worst happens.
Hey, great questions! Paul was actually the guy who got injured/hauled out (he's all healed up and skiing hard again now), but he said the sled performed fine. Granted, it's not a luxurious or comfortable ride (especially when you're injured) but it works. They hauled Paul feet first and from what he said head/feet dragging wasn't an issue. If you're interested in reading more about it, Paul wrote a blog too: paradiseskis.com/blogs/news/building-an-emergency-rescue-sled-with-your-skis Also, I'm sure Paul would be happy to answer anything directly if you send him a message on IG (@paulfotter)
I have seen other improvised rescue sleds that emphasize diagonal cross members to prevent wracking. When you actually had to use this to haul your buddy out, how did this sled actually perform? Did you find it difficult to control? When hauling your patient, are they head first or feet first? What is keeping their head/feet from dragging and interfering with the haul? Thank you so much for posting this. I think about this situation a lot, especially as I start to get older and take more of my friends into the back country - I really want to make sure I can be a good "guide" and have a solution for if the worst happens.
Hey, great questions!
Paul was actually the guy who got injured/hauled out (he's all healed up and skiing hard again now), but he said the sled performed fine. Granted, it's not a luxurious or comfortable ride (especially when you're injured) but it works. They hauled Paul feet first and from what he said head/feet dragging wasn't an issue.
If you're interested in reading more about it, Paul wrote a blog too: paradiseskis.com/blogs/news/building-an-emergency-rescue-sled-with-your-skis
Also, I'm sure Paul would be happy to answer anything directly if you send him a message on IG (@paulfotter)