New Zealand Alpine Hunters. Injury, first aid, & gear survey results and analysis. Part 1: Injury. Dr Malin Zachau, October 2018

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1 New Zealand Alpine Hunters Injury, first aid, & gear survey results and analysis Part 1: Injury Dr Malin Zachau, October

2 NZ Alpine Hunter: Injury, first aid & gear surveys: Part 1: Injury Dr Malin Zachau, October 2018 Purpose: I wish to attempt to identify the possible factors causing South Island Alpine Hunters to fall, the kind and severity of injuries they sustain, and how they achieve rescue. Method: Using a free online Survey Monkey tool I produced a survey with 9 questions. I recruited participants via two online NZ Hunter Forums and also via the winter issue of NZ Hunter Magazine where the internet links to the surveys were published accompanying a Hunter Specific First Aid article I wrote. Results: A total of 106 hunters responded, 75 of those hunt in South Island Alpine terrain and 30 do not. The results are displayed in graph forms and with narratives quoted verbatim from the hunters. Key points from the survey: In a cohort of 75 self-selected NZ South Island Alpine Hunters: o 72% of hunters carry PLB at all times o 25% of them always hunt alone 75% of hunters have fallen. Mechanisms of injury being: o 12% creek crossings, o 10% scree / slipping on ice, o 8% darkness / getting bluffed o 6% fatigue / descent /carrying meat 43% of those who fell were injured 69% were able to continue tramping after they had fallen and sustained injuries 15% of hunters sustained potentially immobilising or serious injuries. o Of those who were alone at time of significant injury, only one activated their PLB. o Of those who were with companions when significant injuries occurred only two activated PLB. Apart from one person who had to sit and wait to be found by a search party, all the rest self-rescued (with a great deal of grit and perseverance, even if it became a long, slow and painful process). Conclusion and commentary: Self-rescue is admirable but does pose its own risks. Perhaps hunters should be encouraged to use their PLB s in order to prevent the potential escalation form a survivable fracture to a fatal fall. There is currently no data to prove or disprove that some fatalities amongst solo Alpine Hunters may have occurred in those who were already injured. Injuries, and the trauma induced hypothermia which accompanies the injuries, may cause the hunter to be less agile and less able to negotiate the challenging terrain, and this could be a contributing factor to sustaining a fatal fall. This hypothesis requires further study, hopefully with the cooperation from Mountain Safety Council and the Coronial Information Department. 2

3 Survey Analysis: Q1: Identified people hunting in the South Island Alpine terrain: Of the 106 respondents 75 met this criteria. Q2: Identified the method of hunting: Of the 75 hunters who hunt in South Island Alpine environments: 95 % use fire arms; 2% use bow; 1% use dogs; and 1% use all of the above methods. Analysis of Questions 3 to 9 is presented below. This data including respondent comments is printed from SurveyMonkey. Additional commentary has been added as required. 3

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5 NZ Alpine Hunter: injury, first aid training & gear survey 12 nonspecific/overused They are probably a good idea. My view is a bit jaded because of the overuse of them by people who are not comfortable with mild adversity in the outdoors. I work as an Air Traffic Controller ( in Australia we have a role in concert with the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in relaying aircraft received reports and coordinating search activities). We see significant overuse by people for the wrong reasons. Used correctly they have there place and simplify any required search. SurveyMonkey 1/28/2018 6:40 PM 13 With their weight in gold 1/28/2018 6:24 PM 14 Carried in a harness on my body at all times 1/28/2018 8:19 AM 15 Dont know never had to use it but wouldnt be without it when hunting alone in an alpine environment 1/27/ :16 AM 16 Confidence inspiring but one has to ensure that doesn't change key behaviour patterns. 1/27/2018 9:01 AM 17 I don't personally own one but will hire one if the weather looks like it could turn 1/26/2018 9:48 PM 18 Nice to have. keeps the wife happier knowing I have it. They are not worth having unless you are able to activate it though. 19 expensive Would like to carry one and have used them before for rescue while in the tramping club at uni. Cost is limiting factor at the moment with a young family. 1/26/2018 8:00 PM 1/26/2018 8:00 PM 20 Nessecary 1/26/2018 7:33 PM 21 Wouldn't be without one. 1/26/2018 7:22 PM 22 Must have, I use a Garmin inreach 1/26/2018 3:57 PM 23 essential 1/26/2018 2:27 PM 24 Always carry a PLB. Now on my second, it was the smallest device on the market at the time. Very important tool. Looking forward to new technology which allows for PLB, texting and remote tracking all in one. 25 I think that as a solo hunter, it can be extremely beneficial to carry one. I am much more comfortable in the mountains knowing that I have it. 26 A no brainer. Costs very little when compared to a weekend away. Unfair to SAR volunteers to not have one. Can turn an injury into an embarrassing inconvenience rather than a death sentence. 1/26/ :56 PM 1/25/ :04 PM 1/25/ :02 PM 27 Expensive item to purchase but good for piece of mind for myself and family 1/25/2018 7:54 AM 28 Worked for me not too long ago 1/24/2018 8:51 PM 29 planning to It's on the list of gear to buy when i decide what one to get for good value 1/24/2018 7:11 PM 30 Gives me peace of mind, I carry one on every hunt. 1/24/2018 5:54 PM 31 Cheapest live insurance available, and despite the best training and gear available at the time of an accident may be the difference between live or death. Also take it for hunting trips. as well as off shore fishing trips. Ideally, would be compulsory for oversea's trampers in certain area's too, but that's never likely to happen. 32 PLBs enable careless people to undertake activities they wouldnt have attempted in decades gone by. 1/24/2018 2:31 PM 1/24/ :55 PM 33 Good insurance 1/24/ :07 PM 34 I only tend to take one on long trips, when I'm in ruff terrain or if I am on my own. 1/24/ :47 AM 35 Great piece of kit. 1/24/ :11 AM 36 essential 1/24/2018 8:19 AM 37 A must have especially in winter 1/23/2018 8:09 PM 38 A helpful tool, though perhaps relied upon too much. People seem to forget the difficult and perhaps prolonged rescue extraction. 39 My background with PLB's is marine where they have been around for a long time and everyboat has one. myself and my hunting mates in the north island all carry 1. We will do 2-3 hours alone up a valley each before meeting up for lunch the hut or camp. 40 A cheap life saving item, why wouldn't you carry one if you value your life or the life's of others. Family want you back so again why not 41 A usefull piece of equipment, I carry it all the time while hunting. lives in breast pocket of hunting top.haven't had to use it for myself but have twice for other parties. 1/23/ :29 AM 1/22/ :28 PM 1/22/ :38 PM 1/22/2018 9:45 PM 2 / 3 5

6 NZ Alpine Hunter: injury, first aid training & gear survey 42 Essential, you're an idiot if you don't carry one, and they should be on your body at all times, not stuffed away in a pack SurveyMonkey 1/22/2018 8:41 PM 43 The smaller the better, using the RescueME PLB1. 1/22/2018 8:36 PM 44 Current generation of PLBs has improved chances of geeting rescued. Price decrease now make them available to most participants (less than a new cheap scope). 45 planning to I have not to date but will be investing in one shortly. I feel they would provide a very strong sense of security for longer trips. 46 Great device Have had a spot and found it unreliable, (wrong Co ordinates sent for the 'all okay' and said on my end it was sending but no one heard from me for a few days and sent a helicopter to check on me) now have a kti plb. Never needed to use either 1/22/2018 7:11 PM 1/22/2018 4:30 PM 1/22/2018 3:58 PM 47 Extra safety margin 1/22/2018 2:56 PM 48 They are a good safety device if you are in peril or come across someone else who is. It will save a lot of searching time and delay. They are not to be used frivolously. 1/22/2018 1:49 PM 49 I carry it on me at all times in my bag when hunting & I tell anyone else with me that its there. 1/22/2018 6:54 AM 50 PLB's are a fantastic investment which provide a level of surety for both the hunter and the family back home. I don't always carry one... for example on day trips with other hunters I rarely carry one, but for solo trips and the longer more remote trips I always take one. 51 I must get one, I'm now convinced of their value (having been a doubter for years). I have one for marine use, but up till recently didn't see a need for terrestrial use. 1/21/ :34 PM 1/21/2018 9:06 PM 52 Nice to have the backup and doesn't mean I can't look after myself 1/21/2018 7:20 PM 53 Vital bit of equipment, even if not for yourself, but for others. 1/21/2018 6:20 PM 54 A useful safety measure if things go wrong but by no means a replacement for common sense 1/21/2018 5:35 PM 3 / 3 Commentary: Analysing the comments about PLBs, as can be seen the majority are very positive. 16% of hunters (12 people) do not carry PLB. 8 of those have commented: o 4 say too expensive o 2 say overused / too nonspecific in communication o 2 planning to get soon 12% ( 9 hunters) use them depending on circumstances, terrain etc I will rent one for multiple day trips, If the weather looks as if it is going to turn or I m going somewhere ruff (sic) I will borrow one 6

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8 NZ Alpine Hunter: injury, first aid training & gear survey 11 Creek Crossing a creek, tripped an fell head first into rocks luckily the rifle and my elbow took most of the impact. could have been much worse. My hunting companion was rather worried when i fell. 12 minor injuries Short falls 1-2 meters usually in proximity to significant exposure. You need to mention the risk of rockfall either from animals above dislodging rocks or frost heave after a rain/snow event and overnight freezing 13 Bluffed Tahr hunting climbing around bluffs and fell. Luckily nothing serious, a few cuts/bruises. Could have been worse. SurveyMonkey 1/28/2018 6:24 PM 1/28/2018 8:19 AM 1/27/ :58 PM 14 Creek Slipped on a rick in a creekbed and bruised knee 1/27/ :16 AM 15 Fracture Several. Last was a fall which resulted in my left ankle being broken in two places. 1/27/2018 9:01 AM 16 Scree Walking across scree and slipped. Minor damage 1/26/2018 9:48 PM 17 Bluffed Getting dark Stumbled off a ~3m bluff in the dark while working my way back to the hut one evening after a long day. 1/26/2018 8:00 PM 18 Descent 2 Minor falls while down climbing. Once solo and once with company. 1/26/2018 7:33 PM 19 Getting dark Slipped on ice Walking into hunting spot in the dark, stood on side ice and slid meters down a tussock gut. 20 minor injuries Mainly small tumbles of only a few metres. Usually resulting in some bruising and grazing to arms and legs. 21 Cartlige torn SLipped on grass Slips on wet snow grass, also on dead snow grass a few times, over extended knee, torn cartilage 1/26/2018 7:22 PM 1/26/2018 4:17 PM 1/26/2018 3:57 PM 22 Scree not too serous, just stunned a bit tripped on a gravel slip 1/26/2018 2:27 PM 23 minor injuries Plenty of falls over the years, none major in terms of injuries. But potential is there. 24 Creek Ice axe into hand Scree -Slipped on waterfall, Ice axe went into my hand -Fell walking on scree field, slid about 50 meters. No injuries, just quite scary. 25 Carrying meat Fatigue Getting dark Carrying a deer back to camp in the dark with head torch. Very rough, steep terrain, very tired legs. Fell and tumbled several metres down steep bushy face ended up winded and tangled in gear and bracken. Took a long time to recover bearings and get home. Very scary but minor cuts/bruises/sprains only. 26 Selfarrested SLipped on grass reasonably steep slippery tussok face, used ice axe when slipped but bottom end dug in and pushed me away from face sp took a bit of a tumble. 1/26/ :56 PM 1/25/ :04 PM 1/25/ :02 PM 1/24/2018 8:51 PM 27 Bluffed Slipped down a 3 metre bluff while climbing a razorback spur. 1/24/2018 5:54 PM 28 minor injuries Only even small falls (and luckily not on ice), usually due to losing my footing. 1/24/2018 2:31 PM 29 Landed on kinfe Slipped 2 metres and landed on my bum bent knife blade on my belt but not a cut. Lost 1cm divot of skin. Pretty trivial really. Im careful. Its the tahrs role to die not tge hunter's. 30 Cartlige torn ROckfall Standing on a car sized boulder glassing for Chamois in Lee's Valley, the boulder let go of the hill and i tumbled down a steep creek bed with my pack and rifle. Tore my knee which made a normally 3hr walk out take 9hrs. Later required surgery. 31 Scree SLipped on grass Nothing serious to date, mainly slipping and sliding on tussocks and scree resulting in sore knees, ankles and the odd cut/graze. 1/24/ :55 PM 1/24/ :41 PM 1/24/2018 9:04 AM 32 minor injuries no serious injury 1/24/2018 8:19 AM 33 Scree Hunting tahr slipped crossing a chute fell about 20m down scree slope 1/23/2018 8:03 PM 34 minor injuries Only minor slips to date, touch wood. 1/22/ :28 PM 35 Rock shear A bank collapsed on a track under my right leg, damaged my left knee as it got driven up to my chin. 2 hour walk out to the road end on pain killers and anti-inflammatory tablets to dull the pain 1/22/ :38 PM 36 minor injuries just minor falls on steep /slippery terrain, no major injuries suffered. 1/22/2018 9:45 PM 37 Descent Selfarrested Fell whilst descending through thick monkey scrub between tussock tops and the treeline in steep country. A few falls whilst on snow/ice in the alpine environment, was able to self arrest with crampons, ice axe, and in one instance, my hunting partner caught me 1/22/2018 8:41 PM 2 / 3 8

9 NZ Alpine Hunter: injury, first aid training & gear survey 38 Dislocated shoulder ROckfall Happen a few times, just twisted ankles, crushed foot from falling rocks, sprained wrist, cut hands legs and arms from falls., dislocated shoulder from a fall. And walked out every time. SurveyMonkey 1/22/2018 8:36 PM 39 Creek Fell down during creek crossing. 1/22/2018 7:11 PM 40 Creek Slipped crossing a creek & fell onto rocks. 1/22/2018 6:52 PM 41 Complacency easy terrain Yes but all pretty minor. Generally slip on mud on the flat track that was unexpected. Tend to pay much more attention when I'm around a cliff face or scree. 42 minor injuries No major injuries, twisted ankles and knees, few bits of skin off bumping on rocks. 1/22/2018 4:30 PM 1/22/2018 3:58 PM 43 minor injuries Minor negligible injuries 1/22/2018 2:56 PM 44 Complacency easy terrain Creek Fracture Fell into a rocky creek bed at the start of a hunt, just a few metres from the road. Picked myself up, tightened the straps and carried on. Found out a few days later that I had a few broken ribs. 45 minor injuries Not much of a fall more of a slip and a tumble, bruising my wrist on a shrub. Biggest concern was my Plb was torn from belt loop and fell further down hill, I has to climb further down to find it, now carry in a zip chest pocket where possible. 1/22/2018 1:49 PM 1/22/2018 6:22 AM 46 Never taken a serious fall. 1/21/ :34 PM 47 Slipped on ice Hopped out of truck in a riverbed in Winter, fell very heavily on ice within 100 metres of the truck. Was lucky no real damage done but it had the potential to be very serious had I knocked my head. 1/21/2018 9:06 PM 48 minor injuries Only small, hurt my elbow. Generally avoid doing dumb shit 1/21/2018 7:20 PM 49 Fracture took a reasonably bad fall while chamois hunting with a mate. big mission to get off the hill, driven home, Dr the next day, chip off the bone in my ankle 50 Fell down bluff Selfarrested Slipped on ice Climbing through a set of bluffs and should have had the ice axe out. Slipped on ice under snow pack. Slid 40m. Used my rifle to do a self arrest 1m short of going over a 30m cliff. 1/21/2018 6:21 PM 1/21/2018 5:35 PM 3 / 3 Commentary: Analysing the answers about taking a fall, the causes of falling were these: 12% creek crossing 10% scree/ slipping on ice 8% darkness/ getting bluffed 6% fatigue/ descent/ carrying meat I really like the quote Fatigue is always the monkey on your shoulder 9

10 Commentary: I have cross referenced the replies for Q5 and Q6 in order to get an accurate number of injuries since they were entered in different questions by different responders. Injuries identified were: 3 incidences of fractured ankles: o Big mission to get off the hill, driven home. Dr. next day, chip off the bone in my ankle o Broken ankle and disrupted ac joint. was with family, activated plb, chopper in about an hour 10

11 o Left ankle broken in two places. Was alone at the time. Bloody oath, was I injured. Made it out with assistance from 3 other hunters that saw me on the way back from their hunt. Group of Dad a vet and all 3 sons trained St John ambulance operatives, made it out on hands and knees or scuttling on my bum. 2 incidences of multiple rib fractures: o 3 fractured ribs: walked out to quadbike and took 11 km track to car. Trifle sore o A few ribs: Picked myself up, tightened the straps and carried on. Found out a few days later that I had a few broken ribs 2 incidences of dislocated shoulder: o Hunting buddies took 20 minutes to relocate it, then walked out to where chopper could land and fly us out o Always hunt solo, walked out. Once trip took 3 days when injured (doesn t specify whether that was with shoulder or minor ankle injury ) 3 incidences of torn cartilages, needing surgery or taking 3 months to improve: o Tore my knee which made a normally 3 hr walk out take 9 hrs. Later required surgery o 2 hour walk to road end on painkillers and anti-inflammatory tablets to dull the pain. Limited mobility for 3 months afterwards o Companion helped me, able to carry on tramping 1 fractured scapula, 1 concussion, 1 one inch laceration to head o These 3 injuries were all the same person: When I came to (which suggests loss of consciousness) I left my rifle and pack behind, took survival kit and radio and walked out to truck 1 laceration to lower leg down to bone 1 ice axe into hand 1 fall o landed on bum, bent knife blade on my belt but not a cut. Lost 1 cm divot of skin Of the injuries 11 were significant, potentially immobilising injury events. This represents 15% of hunters surveyed. 11

12 Comments from respondents: Used rifle as crutch, dumped a big load of venison, moved carefully, was unable to weight bear on sore leg. Took approx. 3 hours to descend 200 vertical metres over 2 km Crawled to my pack, took a couple of painkillers, waited 30 min or so, then slowly hobbled to a hut, thinking I d sleep there the night but pain was getting worse. So I made a makeshift crutch and limped out This was before the days of PLBs (I carry one now, just in case) and I didn t have a radio. Had I had a PLB I probably wouldn t have used it anyway. I don t think I was really in danger of dying, just in a great deal of pain (Torn knee cartilage which needed surgery) 12

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14 Conclusion and commentary: In this group of self-selected South Island Alpine Hunters who responded to this survey the majority (75%) carry PLB s,the same size majority (75%) have taken at least one fall.even when quite significant injuries like fractures are sustained (as in 15% of the hunters) they tend to self-rescue even if it becomes a long, slow and painful process. This is admirable but perhaps they should be encouraged to use their PLB s in order to prevent the escalation form a survivable fracture to a fatal fall. Self-rescue can pose its own risks. There is currently no data to prove or disprove that some fatalities amongst solo Alpine Hunters may have occurred in those who were already injured. Injuries, and the trauma induced hypothermia which accompanies the injuries, may cause the hunter to be less agile and less able to negotiate the challenging terrain, and this could be a contributing factor to sustaining a fatal fall. This hypothesis requires further study, hopefully with the cooperation from Mountain Safety Council and the Coronial Information Department. 14

2009 Accidents & Recommendations

2009 Accidents & Recommendations Club-Wide Safety Committee Dan Lauren (Chair). Bellingham: Steven Glenn, Kenneth Small. Everett: Harlan Brown, Lisa Loper. Olympia: Thomas Pearson. Seattle: Helen Arntson,