My son and his wife have a story of survival from a snow machine accident. Some 7 years ago a friend had left his snow machine on the property for the winter with an open invitation to use it anytime. On a bright sunny Saturday afternoon, it being about -25F, my son and daughter-in-law decided to go out for a brief 'spin' in the bush. My wife and I were in California on the day, touring wineries... But the kids thought it would be a nice ride. It was all fun and joy until about 5kms into the bush when they went over the edge of a ravine. Ended up at the bottom with the machine in pieces, son with severely broken arm, broken ribs and back injuries. Daughter-in-law had fractured skull, fractured clavical, severly fractured arm and leg, and pelvis broken in several places, plus internal injuries. My son (who is highly qualified in wilderness first aid), had to leave his wife behind to get help--now dark, heading towards -30F, and his wife pleading for him not to leave her. It was the most difficult thing he ever did in his life, he says, as he did not know the extent of her injuries, only that she was VERY badly injured. So he could not be sure that she would be alive by the time he was able to get help. </p>
By the mercy of God, he was able to run(!) through deep snow to the nearest road, some 5kms away, where, again by the grace of God, a father and son had just been giving their dog a run. Indeed, they were about to leave when the young boy told his father that he could hear something--so they stopped and listened and could just make out my son's voice as he was shouting 'help!' as he ran through the bush. In a short while, my son made it to the road and the father and the boy were able to rush him to the hospital (very near) where my son was able to give the coordinates to the emergency search and rescue team who were able to be at scene of the accident within two hours. They did not let my son go with them, but had no trouble locating the site from my son's directions. You can imagine his relief and gratitude when the search and rescue folks returned with his wife and the medical folks were able to assure him that her injuries, while severe, were not life-threatening. A not-insignificant miracle was that she had no frostbite and was not hypothermic.</p>
Her recovery took six months, but she and son are both now fine, though with a collection of pins and screws holding them together in a few places. When I asked my son what would have happened if it had been his leg and not his arm that had the telescopic fracture (bone pushed back up the limb), his reply was brief and to the point: "We'd be dead." So some pretty important lessons: NEVER go into the bush without letting someone know where you are going and when you expect to be back. If you using a machine (snow machine, ATV, etc.), it is far better and safer to have two machines in case one runs into trouble. And ALWAYS have your winter survival gear in the winter (which they did have).</p>
They now confine their winter bush travelling to snow shoes and cross-country skiing. No more zooming for them!</p>
By the mercy of God, he was able to run(!) through deep snow to the nearest road, some 5kms away, where, again by the grace of God, a father and son had just been giving their dog a run. Indeed, they were about to leave when the young boy told his father that he could hear something--so they stopped and listened and could just make out my son's voice as he was shouting 'help!' as he ran through the bush. In a short while, my son made it to the road and the father and the boy were able to rush him to the hospital (very near) where my son was able to give the coordinates to the emergency search and rescue team who were able to be at scene of the accident within two hours. They did not let my son go with them, but had no trouble locating the site from my son's directions. You can imagine his relief and gratitude when the search and rescue folks returned with his wife and the medical folks were able to assure him that her injuries, while severe, were not life-threatening. A not-insignificant miracle was that she had no frostbite and was not hypothermic.</p>
Her recovery took six months, but she and son are both now fine, though with a collection of pins and screws holding them together in a few places. When I asked my son what would have happened if it had been his leg and not his arm that had the telescopic fracture (bone pushed back up the limb), his reply was brief and to the point: "We'd be dead." So some pretty important lessons: NEVER go into the bush without letting someone know where you are going and when you expect to be back. If you using a machine (snow machine, ATV, etc.), it is far better and safer to have two machines in case one runs into trouble. And ALWAYS have your winter survival gear in the winter (which they did have).</p>
They now confine their winter bush travelling to snow shoes and cross-country skiing. No more zooming for them!</p>
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