A caver (m, 54), on an exchange trip from Lancaster Hole to Cow Pot, slipped from the traverse in Bridge Hall, sustaining a slight head injury and knocking himself out briefly on landing. A loose rock also fell, landing on the caver’s wrist, causing an obvious fracture. Having made him as comfortable as possible and wrapped a Blizzard emergency exposure blanket round him, the caver’s wife exited the pot-hole to phone for help. On arrival, team members assessed the patient, gave him mild pain relief and splinted his wrist, after which he was able to walk with minimal assistance. Meanwhile, other team members had rigged a tripod over the Lancaster Hole entrance and the patient was hauled up the 33m pitch. On the surface, he was able to walk gently back across the fell to Bullpot Farm, from where his wife was able to drive him to hospital for treatment. Team members recovered all the equipment, returned it to Clapham, cleaned it and left it all to dry before standing down.
Our thanks to the Red Rose C&PC for the use of Bullpot Farm as a base.
Volunteer hours: 122