Portland The Unabridged Version

I hit Portland about 9:30 PM Pacific Time on the 19th. Handy the Tri-Met train stops right at the airport terminal. For a whopping $2.40 I rode the train to within twelve blocks of my hotel. The slightly rainy walk was OK given being on the plane and train for so long. A leg stretch was just the ticket. I checked in, prepped for my morning stroll, and went to bed.

I was up at 6:00 AM needing to be at class at 8:00 AM. I found my way out the door and in search of breakfast. My GPS navigation toured me through Portland and to Tracker’s Earth – the venue for the class.

I went in, sat down, and filled out the paperwork with 28 other attendees. There were supposed to be 30 of us, but one did not show. The two instructors got right to it. The dude, Josh, said, (and I’m paraphrasing), “If you came to drink from the fountain of knowledge, you’re in the wrong place. This is going to be the fire hose of knowledge.” This proved to be spot-on correct. This class was intense both the quantity and quality.

Over the next ten days we met 8 AM to 5 PM with the exception of the two days we went from 8 AM to 10 PM and we did have one day off. We learned in the classroom. We were divided up into three groups. One group would act as people in distress. The rest of us would pair up and “rescue” them. These sessions were held outside, rain or shine, and mostly it was rain. I liked these hands-on training scenarios best.

We covered everything from every kind of trauma you can imagine to most medical issues as well. We even covered the legal aspects of what we were getting into.

We had two major outdoor rescue scenarios. The trainers were very good at using make-up and fake blood. Strapping dudes to backboards and hiking them out is much harder than you might think. Not only do you have to pad them carefully, you have to secure them perfectly. One dude is always at the head end communicating and making sure the strapped down dude was comfortable and not passed out, puking, aspirating the puke and dieing like some rock stars have.

The last day was test day. We settled in for a 100 question written exam. Then we were assigned a partner for the practical portion. We were to do a patient assessment to determine the physical and medical malady of the patient. Once we’d diagnosed the issues, then we had to treat them.

I had a very good group to be in. Everyone was very attentive and fun to work with. The farthest dude was from Ecuador. There was a dude from Lake Placid, NY, one from Memphis, and one from Detroit. Others were locals or from neighboring states. Of the 29 there were 24 dudes and 5 chicks. There was one heavily dreadlocked dude. Tattoos were a plenty. Interesting personalities were in great supply. Weird food choices were in play as well.

I learned tons, met many great people, was well educated in the topic, and made some lasting connections. I feel much relief for the times I announce I’m going to embark on some remote, somewhat dangerous adventure, and invite you along. I’d feel terrible if someone I invited along was seriously injured and I had no way of helping him/her.

Speaking of adventures, I’m feeling a strong urge to start planning and getting to them. It is getting time to start planning the San Juan Hut to Hut and / or the continental divide ride. I know Monte’s interested in the San Juan trip. Who else is in for either / both?

Ride On.