Search and Rescue Team Operation: Aid to an ill backpacker near Summit Lake

To:      All News Outlets

From:  Jennifer Hansen, Public Information Officer

Date:  July 31, 2013

RE:     Search and Rescue Team Operation: Aid to an ill backpacker near Summit Lake

On Monday morning, July 29, 2013, the Mono County Sheriff Search & Rescue (SAR) Team was called out for a hiker experiencing chest pains near Summit Lake, about 4 miles from the Virginia Lakes trailhead.  The 61 year old backpacker began experiencing chest pains around midnight and pressed the 911 emergency button on his SPOT device in the morning.  The SPOT device sends a signal to an orbiting satellite, which then sends a signal showing the device’s location to an emergency notification center.   The center then notifies emergency personnel for the area in which the SPOT device is activated.  The SAR team, along with personnel from Yosemite Search and Rescue, hiked into the area with emergency medical equipment.   In addition, the Yosemite National Park helicopter was requested for a medical extraction.   The team and helicopter reached the backpacker, evaluated his medical condition, and then flew him to the Mammoth Lakes airport where he was taken by paramedics to Mammoth Hospital for treatment.

Source: Mono County Sheriff Search and Rescue Team