Anyone that said you were selfish or a baby or weak has never had to do a search on someone. I spent years in a SAR team in the PNW during the 90s. These PLBs are amazing. I would rather someone push the button and sent us on a direct path for rescue than having to do a full blown search and end up on a recovery mission. Thank you for this video.
As another who did SAR in the PNW in the 80's and 90', this hiker did the right thing. I would rather have a person talking while having a cardiac incident than doing another recovery. These PLBs would have been a boon to SAR personal back in the day. Anyone criticizing doesn't actually understand the toll to those who do the recovery. Cardiac incidents in the back country are not a joking matter. CPR while packing someone out is bloody hard and painful. Also rarely successful.
The PLBs, Inreach Explorers, etc. make SAR so much easier. My grandfather flew PBYs in WWII searching for downed airmen in the Pacific. Although some used devices such as the Gibson Girl, many did not. In one incident my grandfather, being the pilot, and his crew flew around in an area of the Pacific for 8 hours, and found the downed airmen in their final pass.
This is a learning experience for all of us . . . Since she did mention them . . . the only real *criticism* (or scolding) for Dixie was that she had no insurance as she said it was going to start in a few days(?) Why was there a laps in coverage? As far as the decision to push the button . . . She pretty much had to call for help because trying to walk out alone she might have gotten too dizzy and fallen even if someone else was carrying her pack. Falls are the #1 cause of death for hikers. Most SAR operations are not charged in the USA so I wonder if it had something to do wither her being a professional TH-camr. As a professional you kinda also need to have LIABILITY insurance to do anything in this day and age. That fact that Dixie is not rich or even a homeowner might help get a better negotiated price for the helicopter ride My own coverage is lapsed, I'm not backpacking right now so I'm reactivating my SAR insurance today because someone might talk me into a backpacking trip on short notice and I might not think about it in time so I better have it all the time at the price of a single dinner and beer in a restaurant.
Dixie, old retired fireman and SAR guy says you MUST take care of yourself and you shall feel no guilt for mashing the button. Those that criticize have a comfortable seat to sit back and share uninformed foolishness. Armchair Quarterbacks will always speak out. You are wonderful and we wish you a speedy recovery and back on the trail.
Bur she shall avoid some situations as well. Running trails at night, sliding down steep hills, ... maybe fun, but shall not be done at remote places. She's not getting younger. She has to do shorter steps with her medical history. Who cares, if she needs one or two days longer. I watch her channel because of the great nature footages. Not because she is fast. She has problems to breath. This affects the heart rate. And the other way around. So she has to learn quickly what her body is able to do. Accidents can happen. But you can avoid many of them. Especially if you are alone at remote places. Same for heart/breathing problems. Outdoor activities are a great therapie for them... if you set your targets well.
@@crumblethecookie6118 She has hiked already all of the longest hikes in US - and if she doesn't know her body by now - she never will.... There is only one unpredictable thing that affects us all - change....
Hi Dixie, thank you for helping educate us from your experiences (even the really tough ones). Your original and this Garmin SOS update video is most helpful. Garmin, search & rescue and the hospital should assist and endorse your efforts to educate “we the people” using our state and national parks and how/when to best use their services when needed. I am planning to thruhike the JMT Aug/Sept 2024 (assuming proper permit approvals) and have looked into Garmin messaging and insurance. Sound advice. I think the only question I have is that (I think) Garmin search and rescue insurance requires an active messaging subscription from the same subscriber (one cannot buy the Garmin insurance and then use a friends active messaging subscription). I would appreciate any clarification you have on this as we plan to thruhike the JMT Aug/Sept 2024 (pending permits approvals).
Hey y’all! After I get my heart monitor off and my testing is all complete, I’ll do a more detailed video of all the medical stuff that happened on trail and give y’all an update with my results. Thank you for checking in on me ♥️ Update: GOAL WAS REACHED! I can’t thank y’all enough 😭 For those of y’all who asked how you can contribute to costs of search and rescue, here is the link to do so: www.gofundme.com/manage/dixies-wilderness-emergency-fund
I'm from Auburn, AL, originally (shared connection with ya I guess Dixie) and my granddad told me if you don't have to be carried off the field on a stretcher then you better walk off or keep playing. I think this mentality is great in that it encourages us to be brave, dedicated and strong but also can be tricky if we don't use nuance. I have learned this myself with my health and not knowing when to go to the hospital bc I didn't have insurance and I made things much worse on myself. anyhow ty for making this series I have a garmin and I won't go outside without it, i even take it on road trips for times when I'm not in service and I need help. I'll be getting that insurance too for my wife and myself since we both adventure. GPS chips are gonna be in phones soon and I think that's great, I'm sure there will be an additional plan but it's well worth it. Also a note about GPS reception is that you need 3 satellites to triangulate your position so that ridge next to you we could see during the event probably was blocking a satellite which would definitely affect message transmission times. I generally think the garmin is slow AF in terms of messaging so it may just be a slower tech when we are used to gb of data but I'd say that tech via satellite is coming too. hope this helps someone out there. cheers.
I appreciate your vulnerability with all of this. I was shocked (not sure why) to hear that you were getting ripped on for the rescue. I watched my husband pass out in front of my from A-fib, turned out his CPAP settings were not right. He has emergency meds for that now. A-fib is no joke and for the people who called this a panic attack, that is entirely different. When he was in the ER they were going to shock him if his heart rate didn’t return to normal. I have panic attacks and no one suggested getting the paddles out for that. Thank you for you bravery and hugs to your mom!!
It's not as if you're an amateur. My God, you're a triple crowner 👑. I know you would have only used the SOS if you absolutely needed to. Don't listen to the haters Dixie.
Dan Becker here on TH-cam also had to push SOS. There is no shame in any of this. I believe that you did the right thing. Your channel educates all of us and gives options for problem solving! PS. I somehow got unsubscribed from your channel. Human error 🤷🏻♀️🤣I thought it was odd that I didn’t see videos. The SOS video was in my recommended list of videos. Thank you for all you do 💕🙋🏻♀️🏔️
I saw a video about a guy (Jon Conti) who pressed the SOS button when he was hiking in the snow. His location was near a frozen lake, with mountains all around and very deep snow in every direction. His route back to his starting point was all but impossible in his condition. He had plenty of supplies but had run out of gas to cook with, and there was no dry wood to burn. He didnt think he was able to make it out in his current condition so he called in SAR. Garmin SOS, delegated to SAR, SAR delegated to the local country sherifs who drove out on snow mobiles to the nearest trail head that on the map was at the top of a VERY steep hill and looked all but impossible for him to get to on foot. They then walked down to him via a trail that wasn't clearly marked and proceeded to take the piss out of him. Took selfies, and posted his name and details on their facebook page shaming him for pressing the button. When you watch the video from his perspective I think anyone else would have pressed it too. The local serifs were just total dicks about it. SOS is not just a immediate life or death thing. It can also be psychological. It can also be pre-emptive. As you say, if you think you need to press it. Press it. Humans generally have a pretty good gut instinct about impending life or death situations.
@@rfcbass6810 but if you look on his map, the route from where he was to the trail looked like a significant slope. Traversing that in very deep snow, with no supplies to hunker down with if he runs into more issues, and no idea what conditions lay ahead, is foolish. He was also miles from his original start point in the other direction, so even if he made it to the trail he would still have to trek out without any food due to the lack of fuel. Regardless, if he felt he was not capable of making it out then he was justified in pressing the button. They were not, however, justified in taking the piss out of him, and publicly DOXing him. They are supposed to be professionals.
I was actually just thinking about that video when I saw this. Without being a quarterback. As far as I'm concerned what they did was it completely unacceptable. Even if it's not your emergency, it's somebody's emergency it should be treated as such.
@@rfcbass6810 You used the word "just", minimizing his situation. "not far" from the trail is extremely relative depending on experience and circumstances. If you are warm, prepared, know the topology well, and have just ridden a snow-mobile most of the way, and are full of energy, a mile hike down hill is nothing. If you are stressed, cold, in hostile conditions, with limited resources, on unfamiliar terrain, and with low-accuracy paper maps, the same hike up hill is an entirely different ball game.
As a First Responder, you absolutely did the right thing calling for help. The macho non baby tough talking idiots are the recoveries vs rescues we go on.
I was in SAR for 26 years. This individual did absolutely the right thing. And having the Garmin give exact coordinates is such a blessing for the SAR teams. Makes them much more efficient. I never hike or ski anywhere without mine! Shit happens.
When Dan Becker got rescued earlier this year, he said something I wouldn't have thought of. His motivation for filming his experience was so that his family would understand what happened to him in the event he didn't make it out. Even though it would be absolutely devastating to watch, your family and friends would have appreciated being able to hear and see you talk about what you were going through. It would have answered a lot of questions for them. So, yeah, not that you needed encouragement about your choice to film, but just one more reason why that choice was the right one.
I just watched Dan’s video you mentioned. Another very scary situation that happened to someone that I consider am expert. As someone just getting into hiking myself these videos are valuable information.
I couldn't agree more, it also helps in cases that remain unanswered as to what some people face. It might not seem like it but it does help in cases. absolutely . thank you.
I do searches with human remains detection dogs sometimes months and years after someone disappears. After that length of time, we are finding scattered bones. Family are looking for any answers they can get. A note or video in that context makes total sense.
Two months ago, I had to use my ZOLEO to end a hike in Colorado after 5 days. After 50 years of hiking and backpacking I had to get out because of what turned out to be altitude sickness which contributed to rhabdomyolysis. Your experience was so familiar, down to the type of helicopter. Your video helped me stop beating myself up about bailing out. Thanks so much.
It is a brave and wise person who can set emotions aside and make difficult decisions. I hope I have the same wisdom and courage if/ when I am in need of help! You did the right thing!
As an active member of search and rescue you did the right thing!! Its sooooo much easier to find you if you can talk to us! 4hrs to hospital is GREAT response time! Those teams have got it dialed in! Good job all the way around!
It is ! I got my hand broken in a sky slope in the Alpes, I was in a town. There was a doctor who made xray of my hand. But it tooks 4 hours to go the hospital to go to the OR !
From a backpacking guide and former fire rescue professional of 14years, good on you for handling this situation the way you did and for sharing this information with others. From my rescue experience I tell people All The Time that we’d rather be called for a “lower risk situation” than to not be called, or worse yet, called too late. From my backcountry guide experience I’ve learned that education and sharing of experiences, like you’ve done here, can absolutely save lives. At the very least it provides peace of mind for those heading out on their own adventures.
As a 20 year SAR volunteer, I can assure you that you did the right thing. I agree, if you are questioning whether to push the button, then it’s time to do it. Sometimes a helicopter is not available and the team may have to hike to you. Also, most teams are volunteers. As result, it takes time to gather and start into the field. I don’t think most realize that it can take a lot of time.
Thanks for the insights. Do you also have an idea, why Dixie was changed the 60k for the helicopter lift? I know it is a highly specialized helicopter and they had to fly twice, but still it sounds like a lot.
It varies by state and I only have experience in New Mexico. If a helicopter is required, we try to get either the State Police, the National Guard, the Border Patrol or Army helicopter to respond. They will not charge the subject. If they are not available, the last resort is a commercial medical response helicopter. My understanding is that these charge a minimum of $10,000. Time and distance impacts the price. Helicopters are expensive beasts to operate.
@@jeeptrekker Thank you very much for the details! I did not thing about commercial available helicopters. But yes - I could imagine: this is a specially equipped helicopter with very expensive maintenance and highly trained specialists operating it. And they had to come twice.
I'm an InReach owner who carries it with me into remote (Sometimes about as remote as it gets) trips in Southeast Asia and I've always wondered how good Garmin would be about delegating a rescue. I'm sure it would be different communicating with SAR efforts in a different country, but it's great to know they're responsive and quick to arrange communications with rescue and your emergency contact. Glad you're ok! I got really sick once, and probably would have died if I was alone. My condition deteriorated from laughing and hiking to expelling all the liquid in my body and loosing 100% of the feeling and function in my hands and feet within a minute or two, so anyone who's hating and saying you wasted resources has no idea what they're talking about.
I am only ~99% certain, but I believe that the Garmin inreach uses two different types of satellite signals, the first (and the reason you have to pay a subscription) is for commercial communication satellites, for the "friends and family can track you on a map" and the "honey I finished my hike, but my car won't start because the lights were on, and I'm out of cell range, so please bring some jumper cables" features, and a 406MHz Copas-Sarsat signal, for the "I'm really fucked, please send everything, and sent it yesterday" signal that every modern PLB, ELT and EPIRB uses. I'm only 99% sure, because I haven't explicitly researched the inreach, and sometimes companies do stupid things in the name of cost cutting.
@@cameronwebster6866 no Inreach doesn't use the Cospas-sarsat network it's just GPS and iridium that they use, the signal isn't picked up directly by the rescue coordination centres like PLBs are so you are relying on Garman to forward information onto them instead
@@cameronwebster6866No. The Inreach devices MUST have an active subscription to send an SOS. If you really need to be found, a PLB is still your best bet. Thr inreach device can be used for lesser emergencies or to communicate the nature of your distress to the SAR team.
Being a nurse in cardiology, I do think that you did the best thing pushing the help buttom. When you know you've trained, you know your health status, you've been hiking for so long. Something was off. Take care of yourself and hope you'll be back on the paths real soon. Greetings from Switzerland. And yes, good insurance when you go hiking is a must, even if like me it's not in the wild.
I'm a full time Paramedic for my county, and you most definitely did the right thing. Pushing yourself harder could have caused some serious cardiac issues, possibly even an MI. Now, if someone had called me at 3am because they haven't pooped in 4 days then we'd have a problem.
You will almost certainly save lives with these videos. As a fellow solo backpacker and inReach carrier, I thank you. People who are criticizing you here don't understand heart problems, period. Or empathy, or how to be good humans.
This. A-fib killed my boyfriend 5 years ago. He was fine until he wasn't and a few days later he was gone. He was in his 30s and relatively healthy. You think it cant happen, but it can.
Hey Dixie, As a person old enough to be your parent, I am very glad that you pushed that button. I am so glad that there are so many keyboard warriors that know your body and medical issues so well that they can reccommend the proper response for your medical needs. Dont let all these fools bother you or slow you down. I have followed your channel since the AT, sharing your life through a camera is what you do. Please never stop, and always follow your adventurous heart. The best of luck figuring out the issues so that you can get back on trail. Keep smiling.
Wow, what's up with people?? You have nothing to be embarrassed about, and shame on those folks who feel compelled to hate on you. Your video(s) are extremely educational and spot on. Someone such as yourself, who has spent time on the trail has accumulated a vast understanding of your body and how it responds to stress and recovery, so you know what feels right or wrong and wouldn't make an important decision lightly. Keep up the good work.....
This should be required viewing for anyone with or considering these devices! Props to the SAR team and to Justin at Garmin for being amazing at his job! Great video!
I had a "cardiac event" 3/4 of a mile in, while bow hunting by myself, and no cell signal. I had no history or signs of heart problems. I carry a " O- SHIT " bag I kept emergency gear in. One of the items was a Altoids tin with misc. pills. The handful of baby aspirin i took, and not panicking, saved my life. A 4-1/2 hour walk, 30 feet at a time, got me to my truck. 4 days later, a triple bypass. Best wishes and a speedy recovery from S.E. Ohio and a few hundred yards away from the Buckeye Trail !
I had a cardiac arrest last year during hiking in Australia, a team of over 30 people from local GoodSAM Responder Pete, AV Paramedics, Victoria State Emergency Service (SES), Country Fire Authority (CFA), Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV), and Victoria Police came for the rescue, I was extricated from the reserve and taken to a waiting ambulance where he was transported to Ballarat Hospital. so lucky to be still alive.
I cannot believe that anyone would criticize you for seeking help. You were having heart issues for god's sake, along with shortness of breath and fatigue. You did the right thing. Shame on anyone who thinks they know how you felt and what you should have done, for all you know you were saving your own life. They are the same people who would be super upset if it was them and SAR wasn't there in 5 minutes because they just know it all, right??
Having cared for someone who had a-fib for over a decade, I can concur - people who think they know what is best for you are the worst. You did exactly what you should have. And yes, the worry that you are bothering someone or embarrassed to ask for help before its almost too late is real, but never let it stop you fro pushing that button. It matters more than I hope you will ever know.
@@rifleshooterchannel208, you seem to be ignorant about cardiac issues. Rather to be rescued in reasonable condition than to be found unconscious or dead. Maybe you should study medical facts a bit more.
@@rifleshooterchannel208 Hey everyone, here's someone with zero experience with cardiac issues teaching us all about cardiac issues. Maybe you should read the comments from EVERY SINGLE paramedic and search and rescue person in here that is saying she did exactly the right thing and THANKING HER for doing so. Don't you think it's a bad idea to wait until you can't move or talk to call for help?
I work on a medical helicopter and most people don't understand the billing, because nobody explains it. A small helicopter can cost $5 million. Salary for the Pilot, Mechanic, Flight Nurse, Flight Paramedic and management can cost $1 million per year, and maintenance and fuel on the helicopter can cost over $1 million per year. Housing, travel to work and ground vehicles can cost hundreds of thousands a year. Now the revenue: A helicopter can't fly if there are too many clouds in the sky at certain elevations or if there is fog, or certain rain and most snow conditions. There are weather issues, staffing issues and bill collection issues. Insurance often pays a fraction of the bill or refuses, then the Patient can refuse and now the bill is ZERO. So there is often limited money coming in and massive amounts of money going out as the crew doesn't take very many flights over the course of the year because of weather and no staff. And thats why so many helcopter bases are shutting down. Way more money to operate than there is money coming in.
@@adamr8628 thanks for this info. Curious, do you think there’s a way to cover the costs through membership? I bought helilift insurance $60/year and thought that was seriously reasonable. I’m curious if it just needs marketing/awareness to become a common sense tool for hikers to have. Best part, it weighs nothing in the pack.
I had a cardiac arrest last year during hiking in Australia, a team of over 30 people from local GoodSAM Responder Pete, AV Paramedics, Victoria State Emergency Service (SES), Country Fire Authority (CFA), Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV), and Victoria Police came for the rescue, I was extricated from the reserve and taken to a waiting ambulance where he was transported to Ballarat Hospital. so lucky to be still alive. There was a helicopter were stand by in the air, but it is unsafe to use, end up I was getting away from the helicopter bill (about AU$10000), but just $2000 for the ambulance, also without any expenses for that month long hospital and install a pacemaker.
@@adamr8628 In Canada It's free. Paid for by the government. Your helicopter fees sure cost lots of money. But the government needs a search and rescue and they need training exercises and to use the helicopters. Else the helicopters just sit there doing nothing. Think of this as a training exercise. I think in emergencies it should be paid for government, but if there service is abused then they should charge.
Great video. It gave me a few things to think about. A trick for using a signal mirror: Put you finger near the target and move the reflected light over it, back and forth, moving it towards the target. Or you can create a V with your fingers in a similar fashion, and place the target inside the V. Of course this only works when there is enough light. You can use this aiming technique with a bright light or laser, if there isn't enough sunlight to get the job done. Best take away from this video, besides bringing the SOS capable device, would be to always carry a bright, contrasting piece of material, to use as a signal. It can also be used to mark you trail, or campsite, should you have to deviate for some reason (i.e. using the Latree).
I, too, had a recent emergency requiring evacuation from the back-country. Garmin's team were wonderful at letting my family (my emergency contacts) know, step by step, how the rescue was being planned and executed. Their calm voices went a long way to keeping my family calm through several worrying hours. Having the capacity to call for help was the most crucial piece, but now knowing how the process unfolds we feel even more how valuable the service is.
Thank you for this video and the way you’ve made the negative comments a teaching opportunity. I’m a physician and I can tell you we much prefer it when patients can speak with us about their health issues rather than being farther along and unresponsive. Best wishes with everything yet to come.
I bought a garmin earlier this year because of you. I always have it with me when I'm out in the woods, hiking or biking. So glad that you are still hear with us, and never second guess asking for help. It's first responders jobs to help and we love what we do.
My wife and I have had many wonder adventures in the backcountry, including the Sierras, thanks to the guidance and encouragement you provided via your videos over the past several years. I purchased a Garmin mini for backpacking after watching one of your videos. You really never know when an unexpected emergency will occur. Recently my wife fell and broke her arm on a XC course and on a different occasion I suffered a ruptured quad tendon on a local trail and was unable to walk. We both required emergency assistance. Thank goodness we were in an urban area and did not need to hike a day or more out. Glad you made it out ok. Thanks (again) for sharing. More lessons learned for all of us.
Excellent video. Safety first !! As a cardiac nurse , Atrial Fib can be very dangerous. You could have thrown a clot to your heart , brain , lungs ect and that’s game over in the woods. I’m so glad you pushed that button. Showing us what happens when you do was excellent. Thank you Dixie.
You did the right thing. One suggestion…after you straighten out the insurance, make sure you call the hospital and the air ambulance company and try to negotiate the bill down to something more manageable. I had a couple of emergency room visits the last couple years and was able to negotiate the bill by almost half on both occasions.
Some hospitals will give you a "cash discount" or a "self-pay discount" but you HAVE to ask. The staff aren't allowed to tell you they have it unless you ask. I had one sort of coach me into asking and she sounded so relieved when I did- you could tell she wanted to tell me but couldn't offer the discount until I asked.
You and Dan Becker should totally do a collaboration on getting rescued on the Trail. Thank you so much for this video and for having the presence of mind to videotape the whole event and this follow up. It helps us all know what to expect. You absolutely did the right thing by pushing SOS.
As a SAR medic here in the bighorns of WY, we always tell people we interact with either in public or in searches; call soon and early. Nothing worse than getting a call at 11pm for something that’s been going on all day. Not in the gotta respond to this call at 11pm, cause we love call outs no matter the time but in resources and patient comfort. As an augment of the Sheriffs office, we don’t charge for rescues including medical treatment we provide. Now private medical services will charge in the case of a helo transport/care and our integrated private medics we have on our team won’t charge for care in the field unless they transport to the hospital. We also utilize National guard and they don’t charge in these circumstances Just realize that it takes time to get to you even if we have your exact location. Fastest I’ve ever gotten to a patient was 45 minutes and he was right on the east side of the mountains. Call soon, call early and don’t ever feel bad for calling us out. Most SAR teams are volunteers and it makes our day to help out our fellow humans in their time of need. Thanks for putting this out there.
Hearing Mama Mills get upset, is heartbreaking. Im glad everything is ok, and you had the garmin to begin with. Great video Dixie! This was extremely informative!
I'm a backcountry canoe camping in Canada. This and the previous video are absolutely invaluable! It's incredible Dixie was able to capture such an event. We often talk about it the what-if scenarios that could result in th eneed for an evac and what it would all entail. There isnt a lot of good info on this. From my perspective as someone who does this kind of activity, these video's are invaluable and incredibly helpful and in some ways maybe even life savings if not saving a lot of money. that added up to about $100k Canadian! Thanks for sharing everything Dixie!
Well said and I completely agree. Dixie is a treasure and the content she shares with us all is invaluable. Being prepared and having a good idea what to expect when "something" does happen can make it a better outcome and possibly even save a life!
THAT WAS SMART TO FILM YOURSELF. Murders have been solved because ppl had the foresight to take a picture or video. I am so glad you are okay and that you found ppl to stay with you. You had a medical crisis, never feel bad about asking for help.
That was an excellent follow up video! I’ve been an outdoor guide for over 40 years and I have trained thousands of people on how to handle emergencies like yours. A team of Hollywood writers could not have written a better script than you did for that video. Considering your video was a better public safety announcement than the government could produce, the cost of your rescue should’ve been waived due to special circumstances. Thank you for promoting safety in the great outdoors!
As always, Dixie, nothing but respect for you. I have no doubts about your sincerity or motives. A strong moral compass is evident in all of your videos, and in sharing the good and bad in all that you do. That honesty is commendable and rare. I also want to thank you for sharing all aspects of your experience in using an SOS device. The hesitation in pushing the button and the doubts and possible guilt afterwards is palpable in your presentation and it is important to understand that possibility from the viewpoint of the person being rescued. Thank you for that. The video of the rescue, along with this after-the-fact synopsis, is a valuable teaching moment and we are in your debt for having shared it. Finally, pay no attention to the naysayers who, sadly, will always be an element in all aspects of life. Put them behind you and go forward (as I know you have/will). As always, thanks so much for sharing. Steve
Garmin didn't publish this... but they should have. Garmin should be paying Dixie for the over-the-top content that is so valuable to anyone that goes out into the wilderness. Thanks Dixie!!
I'm a nurse and think this is a fantastic video. You literally covered everything I wanted to know about this experience. Thank your mom for her imput, and so glad you are feeling better, and had some coverage for that helicopter ride!
Thank you Dixie. I’m an older backcountry hunter with ongoing health issues and I’ve always had questions about what I could expect should I ever need to hit the button. You’ve addressed most of them here and I feel a lot better about things and many of my doubts are allayed. My philosophy has always been that it’s always better to get help BEFORE you’re immobile or before your condition has progressed to the point where you can’t help the people who are trying to help you. You made the right choice. Thank you for telling us about your experience and I’m sure as hell glad you got out of there ok
I appreciate you posting this so much! I have an inReach and know I can press the SOS button, but as you said - seeing the process helps reduce the fear of the unknown. And I'm glad you did the right thing and are taking care of yourself. Thank you.
SAR Manager here. You did good. You trusted your body, your body-worn unit, and your smart watch when they all sensed an issue. You wisely paid attention to status and recognized that things were not getting better. I am proud of you for ensuring you called before it became a urgent. Thank you for getting the message out., teaching people how to be a "good subject" and ensuring they know that SAR teams are not going to judge you! Your fear of cost is a real problem, and it causes people to not call for support when they feel there is a chance of financial penalty. In my jurisdiction there are ZERO FEES for service.
I had to be transported to the hospital via helicopter before. I did have insurance. Receiving the bill was still about $50,000 and insurance was only willing to cover $4,000. After about a year of talking with insurance and the helicopter company, I ended up paying about $8,000 out of pocket. I hope this information helps. Glad you made the decision to push the SOS!
My husband and I were trapped by a massive landslide in Marlborough Sounds in New Zealand in 2021 and despite a terrifying experience we still felt embarrassed about sending out an SOS. We had to wait out the night because it was a weather event and we chose not to put any searchers lives at risk but the relief when a very muddy fireman arrived in the morning to help us get out and the easing of the mental load was immense. So many people helped us that day it was truly humbling. In NZ the government pays for all search and rescue costs and we have a free hospital service. We are very lucky here and hey the hiking is great here too.
Great to know about the AAC and Garmin options. I was evacuated from the JMT a few years ago with displaced fracture in my arm and I felt stupid about calling for help. I kept saying I could walk, for crying out loud, and we were only about 15 miles from a TH. It's a huge macho issue for many, to be self sufficient and not need help. Lot's of mountaineering stories about suffering and toughing it out help perpetuate the feeling that you shouldn't call for help unless you are at death's door. Fortunately my brother in law made the call on his Garmin when I went unresponsive after the accident for about 10 minutes so by the time I was able to argue it was a moot point. I feel also fortunate that I was in a NP. I was very afraid of a huge bill for the helicopter, but never got one. My understanding (anecdotal) is that NP's would rather you call for rescue than try to tough it out because of the cost. Seriously bad situations are a LOT worse for S&R and they would rather do a bunch of routine transports than have to do a multi-day search for a body. Glad you are OK, and best wishes on managing your A-Fib.
I think people are afraid to lose their lifesavings in America over health issues...that's why they try to toughen up, not to look macho on Facebook or TH-cam...
Glad you are safe and sharing your experience. One other thing to consider is if the helicopter cannot land and you need to be winched up you will most likely have to leave your pack behind.
Thank you so much for sharing your experience. I learned so much, especially about educating my emergency contact & making sure they're aware of my situation.
I am an 84 year old hiker that has been hiking since I was 11. Thank you so much for updating us on your present health condition and be sure to follow your cardiologist advice on not hiking until you have had a complete work up. I recently had 4 stints but I am back to hiking 3 days a week on a local mountain. You did do the right thing by pushing the button. God Bless You.
PLEASE please please share this with as many EMS/Fire/ER staff/etc... out there around the world. Seriously, this is a wonderful education tool. Grats on being an amazing human!!! Your mom did a fine job.
I don't think it was, she clearly panicked, but she knew the drug she was taking was the potential cause. She should have rested in the tent, stop the medication immediately, eventually regained her strength, and walked back the day after. She pressed the button because she panicked. She would not have pressed it, if she knew how much that would have cost her. Lucky for her, she is at least partially covered. What she did is legit, but not necessarily a smart choice.
@@biomorphic She was presenting a-fib with tachycardia and shortness of breath and fatigue. That's a 911 call and a paramedic transport in any situation.
@@biomorphic Perhaps you missed the part in the first video where she said her biological dad died in his 30s from heart disease. That adds quite a different dimension to the medical side. I don't agree she panicked; I think she was fairly thoughtful given the situation. As a person in a medical field, I can attest that it's much better to call early and not wait until it's starting to get dark and substantially add to the task for SAR.
Thank you for sharing your experience. Being 67 year of age and enjoy getting into the back country, I appreciate knowing how your situation was resolved because all of us may need help at some point.
SINCERELY, thankyou for pushing that button. I have 2 heart conditions I was born with and I exercise to improve my heart health.(I love hiking) This could be me one day and knowing what to expect is amazing! Thank you thank you thank you x1000.
As an EMT and now a paramedic student. I am also someone who hikes. Thank you for pushing the button. If you had tried to walk out, things could get a lot worse really fast, possibly to you not being able to puch the button. You did the right thing.
I cannot emphasize enough how vital this video is for all outdoor enthusiasts. Thank you so much, and stay safe! And wow, those critical comments lacked thorough reflection. Heart issues are not to be taken lightly in an urban environment, let alone in the wilderness while carrying a heavy pack on uneven terrain. You definitely made the right choice.
I'm in Canada and I've been using a Zoleo communicator while I'm out camping for 2 years and I'd highly recommend it. More or less equivalent to the Inreach for a lower initial and significantly lower ongoing cost. They both use the Iridum satellite network, which Spot does not. The Zoleo has a dedicated check-in button, so you can send your coordinates and an OK message to your specified contacts. I"m also not sure about the negative app experience. I have an iPhone and I've never had an issue with it. Typically, when I'm using the Zoleo I treat it as regular SMS, so I easily rack up ~500 messages per trip. I might sound like a sales person, but I have no connection to Zoleo, it's just a great product for the price. Also glad you pushed that button and are safe!
Retired, USAR Medic and firefighter, you did EVERYTHING right. Good for you. I’ve been a great fan of your videos and this one is probably the best and most useful one that I’ve seen. So many want to know what happens when you pop the button. Thank you for continuing to post some of the best content on packing available anywhere.
I've carried an inReach for over 10yrs now. This is an excellent video for other's carrying these devices. Good on you for carrying such a device. I always watch that show 'I Shouldn't Be Alive'. Having a way to signal rescue is the next most important thing to carry. Flares, bright colored e blanket, whistle, mirror, etc... is a must!
This video is sooo valuable. I am not an overnight backpacker/hiker that explores remote areas. But I am getting older, I am out of shape and I enjoy short hikes and kayaking ... both often solo. The kayaking I do is generally on State Park reservoirs that have decent traffic, but as soon as I disappear into a cove no one is likely to see or hear me if something goes wrong. The are a lot of scenarios that could leave me stuck/immobile. Even though I'm in densely populated Ohio it's VERY common for me to not have cell coverage on the water. I keep my InReach clipped to my life jacket (as well as my cell phone) in case I get separated from my boat. I hope to never have to use it of course, but it's good to know that it DOES work. THANK YOU for sharing your experience.
Dixie, to hell with those trolls that found it necessary to make rude comments on your video. You did do the RIGHT thing by calling for help!! It’s better to be safe then wait to late to call. I always enjoy your videos so much. Thank you for doing what you do. Your in my prayers…
In my opinion, your last two videos are the most important and informative backpacking videos I’ve seen. Thank you so much for documenting this. You are saving lives here. And if people have something negative to say about it, they can go back to watching condensation videos.
As someone who is a hiker (AT thru 2019) and also someone who suffers from occasional bouts of afib I can speak to how scary it is and how helpless you feel if you have symptoms in the wilderness. I can only imagine how much worse it would be if you were having symptoms for the first time and didn't know what was happening and were a really long distance from the nearest trail head. Thanks for sharing, you are awesome! I will buy the insurance next time I head out on a multi day trip.
You are so sweet-remaining polite and respectful in addressing these trolls. This has been a very insightful and informative video, and why would you NOT have recorded this. As an In-Reach owner who has fortunately never had to press the SOS, I now know what to tell my family to expect to happen if I do. Glad you’re safe!
You and your family are in my thoughts. Thank you for the extreme emotional effort it must have taken to make this episode. I'm sure this will help many folks as they face their own unforeseen challenges. Be well
I've experienced tachicardia on trail. Heart rate was north of 145bpm and I was nearly taken to my knees from it. I wasn't very far from my car so I chose to go for it because I didn't have a Garmin. It requires lots for discipline to remain calm and it's extremely stressful and frightening. Dixie did a great job of containing her fear and using good judgement. It helped having other people come across her and remain with her. Happy ending.......
Comments like this always put into perspective for me how bad my condition is... 145bpm to me is a pretty normal 'oh, I over did it a bit today, I should sit down.' rate. I don't start fretting until it hits at least 160, and my record is 189... I've never been to the hospital for any of those incidents, because they clear up pretty quick... but this reminds me that I AM disabled. This is a serious condition. It isn't normal to have a heart rate of 120+ all the time.
Being alone on a trail with this condition makes it a more serious concern. At the time I didn’t know if I was about to have a heart attack. Tachycardia was diagnosed by a cardiologist after the incident. A heart scan showed that I had a scar more likely from the AFib.
I’m late to the comments party… Dixie, this and the earlier video about your medical issue and rescue are both excellent. Your honesty, vulnerability, and sharing with us are all incredibly wonderful and informative. True character shows up under pressure and the Dixie we know in all the easy times is the one who showed up under the stress of this situation. You are the real deal! SAR loves it when someone sends an SOS right away. It keeps options open, especially if bad weather and/or darkness are coming, or a medical condition worsens without warning. It also dramatically increases the chances of a successful outcome. First responders and SAR love a successful rescue (live person), and are torn up by having to do a recovery (body). (Don’t ask me how I know this.) You did the right thing. If anything, one might suggest that you have sent the SOS even sooner, but you still did it timely, which is great. Now for the trolls with their head up their @$$ saying you weren’t in bad enough shape to call SOS: 1. Anytime the outcome of the activity is in doubt, it is time to call SOS. Your situation CLEARLY met that threshold. Is everything fine? - Yes? Good! No SOS. - No? Outcome in doubt? Yes. Send SOS immediately. 2. Atrial Fibulation won’t kill anyone - directly. HOWEVER, a resultant blood clot will. That is the number one issue with afib. The nurses and doctors don’t mess around. Afib sets up a situation where there is an incredibly high risk (really, just a matter of time) of clots forming in the atrium. When a clot gets to your brain or lung… it ain’t pretty. Stroke or death. Dixie did exactly the right thing calling SOS. Period. -- A note about satellite communications. There are different networks with different coverage and different dispatchers. Know what you are getting as you evaluate devices. Test your device if it has that capability. Test the actual network if it offers that capability. With Garmin InReach, I scheduled a test with them (72 hours or more in advance), received approval, and at the appointed date and time I sent the SOS. I was under about 3/4 coverage tree canopy. It took a couple of minutes and I received the first message from them. A couple more minutes and we had completed exchanging a couple more messages. Your times may vary. Be sure your InReach antenna is pointed straight up. Then they called me (a planned part of the test protocol) and we had a short conversation and he asked if I had any questions. I mentioned that I also had an ACR 400 mHz PLB. He said that was great because sometimes SAR has difficulty locating the person and will request the PLB also be activated. The gentleman who called me was very friendly, professional, and knowledgeable. Happy Trails to you!
Thank for posting this. I backpack and backcountry ski almost every single weekend in the colorado rockies. I carry my inReach with me every time, but this included some key information about updating emergency contact information and carrying reflective gear. Fantastic video.
I guess the bright side of the naysayers is that it allowed you to really explain in detail many of the things that help us understand exactly what happened and exactly what you did and needed to do during this situation, I think you did the right thing and I appreciate you showing us what you did and how you did it.
Such good info! I'm 73 and carried my Inreach as a "security blanket" for years..so much better to have it and not need it than the other way around. So glad you're ok and thanks for sharing your story.
I'm glad that Garmin first reached out to SAR before talking to your emergency contact. This is fantastic info for anyone who owns an inReach, wants to buy one, or in any way needs wilderness help. It takes _courage_ to ask for help; thank you for sharing your experience.
I was a SAR Pilot/Paramedic for over 24 years that has performed @1000 rescues in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Thank you for sharing for your experience and you should ignore the keyboard “experts”. In the remote wilderness a simple twisted ankle or illness can and will lead to the inability for self-rescue. We have taken many fit adults with reported “not feeling good” out of the mountains with the start of HAPE (High Altitude Pulmonary Edema). Spot/PLP’s were a game changer for SAR, it eliminated countless hours of searching for the victim. From an aircrew perspective, it is still difficult to locating a victim even when we have their exact coordinates. Most of our victims assume we can see them from the air, we cannot, most people blend into the environment. I jokingly tell the victims it’s difficult to see them when they insist on wearing “REI earthen colors”. I would like to add a few recommendations: 1- always, always, always carry a signal mirror, learn how to use it. 2- Carry something bright, I carry a reflective nylon vest (like state troopers wear at traffic accidents), they are compact, light weight and reflect light. And/or carry fluorescent orange nylon streamers, you can tie them to nearby saplings and if windy they will move. From the air we notice colors and movement and the streamers will give the pilot important surface wind indications. More agencies are performing rescues at night using Night Vision Goggles. We can see light from miles away, keep as many lights on, or in strobe mode as possible. Safe future travels!
I do a bit of sea kayak and would second that you can never have too many redundancies when it comes to both long distance communication (PLB, mobile if you’re lucky enough to have reception, VHF etc) and short distance communication (strobe/E-flare, signal mirror, whistle etc)
I think it took a lot of courage to share this video & I hope you know how much your fellow backpackers appreciate it. You are helping others make a decision to push the button when it could save their life. Thanks for sharing this video. Today we are putting our garmin in reach insurance on auto renew. Sending you love and good vibes from NC!
The part with your Mother really identified with me. 2011, I was on a date hike in the White Mountains and missed a turn down to my car. We were heading on the Garfield Ridge instead of turning down to the car. We made it to a trail junction at North Lafayette before I realized what happened. I had always told my mother to call Fish and Game if I was late in posting since this predated my Garmin. She did just that. F&G called her every hour. They even looked at my Facebook and discerned that I had a lot of experience. I was packed for at least an overnight and my mother knew this. They were going to wait until morning but I got us down to the main road (Route3). We started walking back to our cars at the trail head 5 miles away. Well, because my mother had enacted a plan, the State police were also actively looking. Contact was made and we got a ride back to the trailhead. I worried my mother and aunt in North Conway NH that day but, my mother knew what to do and had confidence in me. Now, it was November which meant ice and snow up there in NH. I had fallen a few times, cut up my back and bruised myself pretty good. I was exhausted after driving to my aunts house past midnight and of course they were too waiting for me. But, all is well because I had a plan and it was activated. Yes, always push the button or in my case alert someone. Your life is worth way more than the cost of S&R. We joke about it now but at the time it was pretty serious. I remember having soup at my aunts house at 1am. It was the best! I never saw him again.
Great video; it addressed a lot of questions regarding the search and rescue process. If anybody thinks they wouldn't or shouldn't push the button when they're hiking alone, not feeling well, getting an A-fib alarm, and 20 miles from the car, they're kidding themselves. That was exactly the right thing to do. I appreciate you filming and sharing this experience.
Dixie, thanks for sharing all that you do. We have learned SO MUCH from you and have followed you from the start of your AT thru hike. The rescue crew is on standby anyway and they don’t have to pay for the gas so your SOS is not a problem for them (speaking from experience as the medic on an Army medevac helicopter). Thanks for info on Garmin insurance. I wasn’t aware of that. We only use our InReach a week or two each year but it’s wilderness and satellite is the only means of communication. Hope you have a rapid and full recovery. Love ya’ ❤
Dixie, you are precious to me and many others who love trekking! I’m so glad you’re ok. Thank you for posting this and documenting everything. Hopefully your video will help save a life one day. There will always be detractors, and there’s not much you can do about that. However, most of those who follow you know your true intent. You are such a professional and I love what you’re doing. Keep up the good work! I will pray for good test results in the days to come. Take good care of yourself and THANK YOU for being such an inspiration! ❤️
I appreciate the transparency that you have demonstrated in your videos. Beyond that I appreciate the gracious maturity you demonstrated in dealing with the ignorant, petty, and small-souled comments.
Props for clicking the SOS button, its awesome to know it works! Awesome to the two guys who helped you out and awesome to the InReach team + SAR team and awesome to mother who stayed strong through out!
Oh man. Your mama had me tearing up. Dixie, you are a beautiful soul. I appreciate you documenting your journey: the good, the bad, and the ugly. You have such a heart for educating us out here who are wondering about all of these things. I am so glad to hear “we” (the camera) could comfort you in the moment. I hope the Garmen coverage covers a lot of your expenses. I am sad to hear there are so many people judging you from their couches. You are wonderful and a treasure for us all. I am so glad you are safe and still giving us the scoop on so many things.
Thank you for sharing this experience, emotions shared and what to expect when one requests a bit of help on the Garmin…whewww. This is really important stuff for hikers. Again, thanks for sharing, being thoughtful and including us in your precious life. You have viewers who have grown incredibly fond of you and the family you have shared. From northern Kentucky
Two thoughts on this video: 1) This video is a keeper. That was a *terrific* walk-through* of what happens when you push the SOS button. I've carried an InReach for a few years on my hikes, but after watching this I'm going to update my list of procedures for my emergency contact folks. 2) I'm very pleased to hear you are doing OK and under the care of a good cardiologist!
So grateful I live in U.K. I am an experienced solo hiker, 70 years old and don’t carry an emergency beacon of any kind. However, I have been considering purchasing and now you have confirmed my decision. Before anyone comments thinking U.K. is a little country with no isolated trails, I have this year hiked a 180 mile trail and on one two day spell I spoke only to cows and sheep! Why am I grateful I live in the U.K.? We pay for our health care through contributions taken from our pay whether we use the medical services or not. Now I am retired I don’t pay contributions but am entitled full health care of any sort. Also, emergency services are free in the U.K. Rescue by helicopter or any other device won’t result in a bill! 🇬🇧 I agree with comments that Garmin should use your video as an educational aid and pay. I also agree with comments criticising negative views which obviously have been made prats! Take care. Love your videos. Love to your mum.❤
I'm from the UK. Knowing that people from a developed and wealthy country like the US are hesitating to call emergency services out of fear of rescue/hospital bills is unbelievable for me. Hopefully they will have a better healthcare in the future.
Agree totally. The only issue is that mountain rescue isnt funded and have to be carried out by unpaid volunteers, sometimes risking their own safety for ours and they rely on donations or fundraising for their kit. Whenever I see a collection box for MR, I always put some money in - figure I am 'paying in instalments' for a service that I hope not to need..!
@@robbrigham5926Despite healthcare being super expensive, search and Rescue teams (on the ground, not helicopters) are almost always volunteers in the US as well. They usually get some equipment funding from their county but the volunteers have to spend tons of money themselves in addition to volunteering their time.
Thanks for this video. I just purchased my Garmin IR2, mainly for being able to check-in when off the grid and, of course, its SOS capability. I skimmed right past the SAR Insurance part of the set-up, opting to not get it, but now after watching this, I never really considered the financial ramifications of a full blown rescue. And it's great that you can add friends or family to the coverage, as I sometimes have them with in the wilderness. Great video!
This is one of the most valuable videos I've seen in a long time. I am a hunter safety instructor and teach hundreds of people a year. We talk about what to do when you get lost in the woods, and if you have an emergency in a tree stand. This video gives me good insight and will help me be a better instructor. I would also like to note, that I am a long-distance walker. When I go out, I use Strava because it has a beacon receiver and my wife can follow me everywhere I go from a map on her phone.
I cannot thank you enough for sharing these last two videos, Dixie, even though they broke my heart. Your gentle admonishment to the armchair quarterbacks is the least that they deserve! 😡 I am so grateful for your wise decision to call for help; your videos are like spending time with a precious, irreplaceable friend, so you would be terribly missed were something to happen to you. Please try to ignore those naysayers; they have no idea what they are talking about. Sending prayers for ultimately a good report. 💗
I'm a 70 year heart attack survivor I've been wanting to go hiking/packing again but have been worried about the risks or doing so. This video of your experience and the supporting information you provide has been extremely helpful and useful. As others have said, sharing your experience will probably save many lives. Please know that sharing your experience has made the world a better and safer place. Also, to all the SAR folks out there, thank you for doing what you do!
This is why you have the SOS. I carry my inreach and have always thought that I would hesitate if I ever had to push the button. I'm 60 years old and hike all the time. Often times I have been more than a half days hike back to any civilization. If I got into trouble I would really have to use this SOS. So hearing your experience tells me that it's OK to do so. Thank you for an EXCELLENT video!
Thank you so much for making this video! This summer I'm leaving on a 3 month road trip to camp and hike the lower 48 states. I just purchased a Garmin inReach mini 2 just in case and this is exactly what I needed to watch. I definitely overlooked the SAR insurance and will be adding! I'm sorry you had to go through this but you are helping so many others with your experience!!!
Thank you for doing this video. You are the reason I carry an In Reach. After watching your videos years ago, I decided that at 68, mostly hiking alone and with Afib that comes and goes I should probably carry something in case of emergency.
You know this is 21 century stuff. You can present content of actual events and be able to reflect and provide commentary is amazing. Looking forward to your adventures, reviews and thoughts. Prayers for your health and healing.
Thank You!! Thank you for sharing such a personal experience with us. To often people do wait too long to ask for help. Don't ever try to be your own hero. It is OK to ask for help, even if you are not sure you need it. I would also like to thank you for pushing that button and saving your own life. You'll never know if you in fact did save your own life, but I can assure you.. You will never get thanks for that, so I will thank you.. I'm sure your mom thanks you too. You're alive, still with us and able to share so much. Thank you, I'm glad you are here still!
Dixie!!! First, glad you’re ok! Second, thank you so much for this information and sharing your, and your mom’s experience. This is invaluable information for those of us that venture off the beaten path, and will, no doubtedly help others and will make all of us more efficient with our communications in such an emergency! Again, thanks so much and glad you made it out safely…:oh, and the insurance thing too!!!
Your mom's perspective is SO HELPFUL!!! This is one of the most helpful backpacking videos dealing with an emergency probably on TH-cam. Thanks so much!!
I can't believe how many negative comments you have recieved! All the implications that you are some sort of drama queen or attention wh*** are completely ridiculous! I have been watching your videos since you first hiked the AT and you are so genuine. I thank you so much for sharing your experience and your mom's experience too. You are a blessing, and anyone who says otherwise can just go... elsewhere.
Anyone that said you were selfish or a baby or weak has never had to do a search on someone. I spent years in a SAR team in the PNW during the 90s. These PLBs are amazing. I would rather someone push the button and sent us on a direct path for rescue than having to do a full blown search and end up on a recovery mission. Thank you for this video.
For qnyone unfamiliar with SAR vocabulary, "recovery" means retrieving the body of someone who didn't survive.
As another who did SAR in the PNW in the 80's and 90', this hiker did the right thing. I would rather have a person talking while having a cardiac incident than doing another recovery. These PLBs would have been a boon to SAR personal back in the day.
Anyone criticizing doesn't actually understand the toll to those who do the recovery. Cardiac incidents in the back country are not a joking matter. CPR while packing someone out is bloody hard and painful. Also rarely successful.
Anyone who would say that is just a troll anyway, the a-holes of the interwebs never sleep
The PLBs, Inreach Explorers, etc. make SAR so much easier. My grandfather flew PBYs in WWII searching for downed airmen in the Pacific. Although some used devices such as the Gibson Girl, many did not. In one incident my grandfather, being the pilot, and his crew flew around in an area of the Pacific for 8 hours, and found the downed airmen in their final pass.
This is a learning experience for all of us . . .
Since she did mention them . . . the only real *criticism* (or scolding) for Dixie was that she had no insurance as she said it was going to start in a few days(?) Why was there a laps in coverage?
As far as the decision to push the button . . . She pretty much had to call for help because trying to walk out alone she might have gotten too dizzy and fallen even if someone else was carrying her pack. Falls are the #1 cause of death for hikers.
Most SAR operations are not charged in the USA so I wonder if it had something to do wither her being a professional TH-camr. As a professional you kinda also need to have LIABILITY insurance to do anything in this day and age. That fact that Dixie is not rich or even a homeowner might help get a better negotiated price for the helicopter ride
My own coverage is lapsed, I'm not backpacking right now so I'm reactivating my SAR insurance today because someone might talk me into a backpacking trip on short notice and I might not think about it in time so I better have it all the time at the price of a single dinner and beer in a restaurant.
Dixie, old retired fireman and SAR guy says you MUST take care of yourself and you shall feel no guilt for mashing the button. Those that criticize have a comfortable seat to sit back and share uninformed foolishness. Armchair Quarterbacks will always speak out. You are wonderful and we wish you a speedy recovery and back on the trail.
Bur she shall avoid some situations as well. Running trails at night, sliding down steep hills, ... maybe fun, but shall not be done at remote places.
She's not getting younger. She has to do shorter steps with her medical history. Who cares, if she needs one or two days longer. I watch her channel because of the great nature footages. Not because she is fast. She has problems to breath. This affects the heart rate. And the other way around. So she has to learn quickly what her body is able to do.
Accidents can happen. But you can avoid many of them. Especially if you are alone at remote places. Same for heart/breathing problems. Outdoor activities are a great therapie for them... if you set your targets well.
@@crumblethecookie6118 She has hiked already all of the longest hikes in US - and if she doesn't know her body by now - she never will....
There is only one unpredictable thing that affects us all - change....
@@istra70 you can be trained to ignore what you are hearing.
Great to get you out of such situations. But sadly it get you most of the time into them.
Hi Dixie, thank you for helping educate us from your experiences (even the really tough ones). Your original and this Garmin SOS update video is most helpful. Garmin, search & rescue and the hospital should assist and endorse your efforts to educate “we the people” using our state and national parks and how/when to best use their services when needed. I am planning to thruhike the JMT Aug/Sept 2024 (assuming proper permit approvals) and have looked into Garmin messaging and insurance. Sound advice. I think the only question I have is that (I think) Garmin search and rescue insurance requires an active messaging subscription from the same subscriber (one cannot buy the Garmin insurance and then use a friends active messaging subscription). I would appreciate any clarification you have on this as we plan to thruhike the JMT Aug/Sept 2024 (pending permits approvals).
@@crumblethecookie6118 do you like lecturing and trying to be right.....
Hey y’all!
After I get my heart monitor off and my testing is all complete, I’ll do a more detailed video of all the medical stuff that happened on trail and give y’all an update with my results. Thank you for checking in on me ♥️
Update: GOAL WAS REACHED! I can’t thank y’all enough 😭
For those of y’all who asked how you can contribute to costs of search and rescue, here is the link to do so: www.gofundme.com/manage/dixies-wilderness-emergency-fund
I'll pray for you 🙏
I'm from Auburn, AL, originally (shared connection with ya I guess Dixie) and my granddad told me if you don't have to be carried off the field on a stretcher then you better walk off or keep playing. I think this mentality is great in that it encourages us to be brave, dedicated and strong but also can be tricky if we don't use nuance. I have learned this myself with my health and not knowing when to go to the hospital bc I didn't have insurance and I made things much worse on myself. anyhow ty for making this series I have a garmin and I won't go outside without it, i even take it on road trips for times when I'm not in service and I need help. I'll be getting that insurance too for my wife and myself since we both adventure. GPS chips are gonna be in phones soon and I think that's great, I'm sure there will be an additional plan but it's well worth it. Also a note about GPS reception is that you need 3 satellites to triangulate your position so that ridge next to you we could see during the event probably was blocking a satellite which would definitely affect message transmission times. I generally think the garmin is slow AF in terms of messaging so it may just be a slower tech when we are used to gb of data but I'd say that tech via satellite is coming too. hope this helps someone out there. cheers.
I appreciate your vulnerability with all of this. I was shocked (not sure why) to hear that you were getting ripped on for the rescue. I watched my husband pass out in front of my from A-fib, turned out his CPAP settings were not right. He has emergency meds for that now. A-fib is no joke and for the people who called this a panic attack, that is entirely different. When he was in the ER they were going to shock him if his heart rate didn’t return to normal. I have panic attacks and no one suggested getting the paddles out for that. Thank you for you bravery and hugs to your mom!!
It's not as if you're an amateur. My God, you're a triple crowner 👑. I know you would have only used the SOS if you absolutely needed to. Don't listen to the haters Dixie.
Dan Becker here on TH-cam also had to push SOS. There is no shame in any of this. I believe that you did the right thing. Your channel educates all of us and gives options for problem solving! PS. I somehow got unsubscribed from your channel. Human error 🤷🏻♀️🤣I thought it was odd that I didn’t see videos. The SOS video was in my recommended list of videos. Thank you for all you do 💕🙋🏻♀️🏔️
I saw a video about a guy (Jon Conti) who pressed the SOS button when he was hiking in the snow. His location was near a frozen lake, with mountains all around and very deep snow in every direction. His route back to his starting point was all but impossible in his condition. He had plenty of supplies but had run out of gas to cook with, and there was no dry wood to burn. He didnt think he was able to make it out in his current condition so he called in SAR.
Garmin SOS, delegated to SAR, SAR delegated to the local country sherifs who drove out on snow mobiles to the nearest trail head that on the map was at the top of a VERY steep hill and looked all but impossible for him to get to on foot. They then walked down to him via a trail that wasn't clearly marked and proceeded to take the piss out of him. Took selfies, and posted his name and details on their facebook page shaming him for pressing the button.
When you watch the video from his perspective I think anyone else would have pressed it too. The local serifs were just total dicks about it.
SOS is not just a immediate life or death thing. It can also be psychological. It can also be pre-emptive. As you say, if you think you need to press it. Press it. Humans generally have a pretty good gut instinct about impending life or death situations.
I've seen the same video. He was found just down the hill from a trail.
@@rfcbass6810 but if you look on his map, the route from where he was to the trail looked like a significant slope. Traversing that in very deep snow, with no supplies to hunker down with if he runs into more issues, and no idea what conditions lay ahead, is foolish. He was also miles from his original start point in the other direction, so even if he made it to the trail he would still have to trek out without any food due to the lack of fuel.
Regardless, if he felt he was not capable of making it out then he was justified in pressing the button. They were not, however, justified in taking the piss out of him, and publicly DOXing him. They are supposed to be professionals.
I was actually just thinking about that video when I saw this. Without being a quarterback. As far as I'm concerned what they did was it completely unacceptable. Even if it's not your emergency, it's somebody's emergency it should be treated as such.
@@AdrianBawn all I said was exactly what happened. He was found not far from a trail. That's it. Never inputted anything else.
@@rfcbass6810 You used the word "just", minimizing his situation. "not far" from the trail is extremely relative depending on experience and circumstances.
If you are warm, prepared, know the topology well, and have just ridden a snow-mobile most of the way, and are full of energy, a mile hike down hill is nothing.
If you are stressed, cold, in hostile conditions, with limited resources, on unfamiliar terrain, and with low-accuracy paper maps, the same hike up hill is an entirely different ball game.
As a First Responder, you absolutely did the right thing calling for help. The macho non baby tough talking idiots are the recoveries vs rescues we go on.
I was in SAR for 26 years. This individual did absolutely the right thing. And having the Garmin give exact coordinates is such a blessing for the SAR teams. Makes them much more efficient. I never hike or ski anywhere without mine! Shit happens.
When Dan Becker got rescued earlier this year, he said something I wouldn't have thought of. His motivation for filming his experience was so that his family would understand what happened to him in the event he didn't make it out. Even though it would be absolutely devastating to watch, your family and friends would have appreciated being able to hear and see you talk about what you were going through. It would have answered a lot of questions for them. So, yeah, not that you needed encouragement about your choice to film, but just one more reason why that choice was the right one.
I just watched Dan’s video you mentioned. Another very scary situation that happened to someone that I consider am expert. As someone just getting into hiking myself these videos are valuable information.
I couldn't agree more, it also helps in cases that remain unanswered as to what some people face. It might not seem like it but it does help in cases. absolutely . thank you.
I do searches with human remains detection dogs sometimes months and years after someone disappears. After that length of time, we are finding scattered bones. Family are looking for any answers they can get. A note or video in that context makes total sense.
Two months ago, I had to use my ZOLEO to end a hike in Colorado after 5 days. After 50 years of hiking and backpacking I had to get out because of what turned out to be altitude sickness which contributed to rhabdomyolysis. Your experience was so familiar, down to the type of helicopter. Your video helped me stop beating myself up about bailing out. Thanks so much.
So glad you’re okay!
Rhabdo is no joke. Doctors thought I was in sepsis. Spent a week in the hospital.
Thanks for hitting that button searching for older hikers sucks
Rhabdo is extremely dangerous. I am so glad you called for help. Don't ever think twice again about this! God bless!
It is a brave and wise person who can set emotions aside and make difficult decisions. I hope I have the same wisdom and courage if/ when I am in need of help! You did the right thing!
A treat for your mother! For the all of the worries….
As an active member of search and rescue you did the right thing!! Its sooooo much easier to find you if you can talk to us! 4hrs to hospital is GREAT response time! Those teams have got it dialed in! Good job all the way around!
It is ! I got my hand broken in a sky slope in the Alpes, I was in a town. There was a doctor who made xray of my hand. But it tooks 4 hours to go the hospital to go to the OR !
"More compassion and less judgement" is a life time motto for how to live. Thank you Dixie!😘
Great motto!! Not over done, it's the way to live!! Thank you for this helpful (!) video!!! 👃✌️🥰🇨🇦
AMEN!
From a backpacking guide and former fire rescue professional of 14years, good on you for handling this situation the way you did and for sharing this information with others. From my rescue experience I tell people All The Time that we’d rather be called for a “lower risk situation” than to not be called, or worse yet, called too late. From my backcountry guide experience I’ve learned that education and sharing of experiences, like you’ve done here, can absolutely save lives. At the very least it provides peace of mind for those heading out on their own adventures.
Yes it does ❤
As a 20 year SAR volunteer, I can assure you that you did the right thing. I agree, if you are questioning whether to push the button, then it’s time to do it.
Sometimes a helicopter is not available and the team may have to hike to you. Also, most teams are volunteers. As result, it takes time to gather and start into the field. I don’t think most realize that it can take a lot of time.
absolutely, even to coordinate a helicopter take time.
Really good points. It isn’t like a cartoon where a Ranger drops in via hot air balloon. Real humans have to gather and arrange transportation.
Thanks for the insights. Do you also have an idea, why Dixie was changed the 60k for the helicopter lift? I know it is a highly specialized helicopter and they had to fly twice, but still it sounds like a lot.
It varies by state and I only have experience in New Mexico. If a helicopter is required, we try to get either the State Police, the National Guard, the Border Patrol or Army helicopter to respond. They will not charge the subject. If they are not available, the last resort is a commercial medical response helicopter. My understanding is that these charge a minimum of $10,000. Time and distance impacts the price. Helicopters are expensive beasts to operate.
@@jeeptrekker Thank you very much for the details! I did not thing about commercial available helicopters. But yes - I could imagine: this is a specially equipped helicopter with very expensive maintenance and highly trained specialists operating it. And they had to come twice.
I'm an InReach owner who carries it with me into remote (Sometimes about as remote as it gets) trips in Southeast Asia and I've always wondered how good Garmin would be about delegating a rescue. I'm sure it would be different communicating with SAR efforts in a different country, but it's great to know they're responsive and quick to arrange communications with rescue and your emergency contact. Glad you're ok!
I got really sick once, and probably would have died if I was alone. My condition deteriorated from laughing and hiking to expelling all the liquid in my body and loosing 100% of the feeling and function in my hands and feet within a minute or two, so anyone who's hating and saying you wasted resources has no idea what they're talking about.
I am only ~99% certain, but I believe that the Garmin inreach uses two different types of satellite signals, the first (and the reason you have to pay a subscription) is for commercial communication satellites, for the "friends and family can track you on a map" and the "honey I finished my hike, but my car won't start because the lights were on, and I'm out of cell range, so please bring some jumper cables" features, and a 406MHz Copas-Sarsat signal, for the "I'm really fucked, please send everything, and sent it yesterday" signal that every modern PLB, ELT and EPIRB uses.
I'm only 99% sure, because I haven't explicitly researched the inreach, and sometimes companies do stupid things in the name of cost cutting.
@@cameronwebster6866I believe the inreach is not compatible with SARSAT
@@cameronwebster6866 no Inreach doesn't use the Cospas-sarsat network it's just GPS and iridium that they use, the signal isn't picked up directly by the rescue coordination centres like PLBs are so you are relying on Garman to forward information onto them instead
@@cameronwebster6866No. The Inreach devices MUST have an active subscription to send an SOS.
If you really need to be found, a PLB is still your best bet. Thr inreach device can be used for lesser emergencies or to communicate the nature of your distress to the SAR team.
Being a nurse in cardiology, I do think that you did the best thing pushing the help buttom. When you know you've trained, you know your health status, you've been hiking for so long. Something was off. Take care of yourself and hope you'll be back on the paths real soon. Greetings from Switzerland. And yes, good insurance when you go hiking is a must, even if like me it's not in the wild.
I'm a full time Paramedic for my county, and you most definitely did the right thing. Pushing yourself harder could have caused some serious cardiac issues, possibly even an MI. Now, if someone had called me at 3am because they haven't pooped in 4 days then we'd have a problem.
Send them to a Taco Bell drive-thru if they ever do call.
I’m a paramedic in the UK. The amount of times I’ve gone to that particular 3am job is insane.
You will almost certainly save lives with these videos. As a fellow solo backpacker and inReach carrier, I thank you. People who are criticizing you here don't understand heart problems, period. Or empathy, or how to be good humans.
This. A-fib killed my boyfriend 5 years ago. He was fine until he wasn't and a few days later he was gone. He was in his 30s and relatively healthy. You think it cant happen, but it can.
Hey Dixie, As a person old enough to be your parent, I am very glad that you pushed that button. I am so glad that there are so many keyboard warriors that know your body and medical issues so well that they can reccommend the proper response for your medical needs. Dont let all these fools bother you or slow you down. I have followed your channel since the AT, sharing your life through a camera is what you do. Please never stop, and always follow your adventurous heart. The best of luck figuring out the issues so that you can get back on trail. Keep smiling.
Very well said👏👏👏
Another father aged watcher here. I agree with pawpaw 💯
Wow, what's up with people?? You have nothing to be embarrassed about, and shame on those folks who feel compelled to hate on you. Your video(s) are extremely educational and spot on. Someone such as yourself, who has spent time on the trail has accumulated a vast understanding of your body and how it responds to stress and recovery, so you know what feels right or wrong and wouldn't make an important decision lightly. Keep up the good work.....
$60,000 that's why.. who has that much money. You can literally buy yourself a helicopter for that price
This should be required viewing for anyone with or considering these devices! Props to the SAR team and to Justin at Garmin for being amazing at his job! Great video!
I had a "cardiac event" 3/4 of a mile in, while bow hunting by myself, and no cell signal. I had no history or signs of heart problems. I carry a " O- SHIT " bag I kept emergency gear in. One of the items was a Altoids tin with misc. pills. The handful of baby aspirin i took, and not panicking, saved my life. A 4-1/2 hour walk, 30 feet at a time, got me to my truck. 4 days later, a triple bypass. Best wishes and a speedy recovery from S.E. Ohio and a few hundred yards away from the Buckeye Trail !
Omgosh. So thankful you made it! Scary.
I had a cardiac arrest last year during hiking in Australia, a team of over 30 people from local GoodSAM Responder Pete, AV Paramedics, Victoria State Emergency Service (SES), Country Fire Authority (CFA), Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV), and Victoria Police came for the rescue, I was extricated from the reserve and taken to a waiting ambulance where he was transported to Ballarat Hospital. so lucky to be still alive.
I cannot believe that anyone would criticize you for seeking help. You were having heart issues for god's sake, along with shortness of breath and fatigue. You did the right thing. Shame on anyone who thinks they know how you felt and what you should have done, for all you know you were saving your own life. They are the same people who would be super upset if it was them and SAR wasn't there in 5 minutes because they just know it all, right??
I was thinking the same thing. For anyone who has been in A-Fib, it is a very scary feeling.
My feeling is this. No one is making them watch. Unsubscribe and leave her alone. If one cannot say something positive, please walk away.
Having cared for someone who had a-fib for over a decade, I can concur - people who think they know what is best for you are the worst. You did exactly what you should have. And yes, the worry that you are bothering someone or embarrassed to ask for help before its almost too late is real, but never let it stop you fro pushing that button. It matters more than I hope you will ever know.
@@rifleshooterchannel208, you seem to be ignorant about cardiac issues. Rather to be rescued in reasonable condition than to be found unconscious or dead. Maybe you should study medical facts a bit more.
@@rifleshooterchannel208 Hey everyone, here's someone with zero experience with cardiac issues teaching us all about cardiac issues. Maybe you should read the comments from EVERY SINGLE paramedic and search and rescue person in here that is saying she did exactly the right thing and THANKING HER for doing so. Don't you think it's a bad idea to wait until you can't move or talk to call for help?
$12,000 is still crazy, but so much better than $62,000. Thank you for sharing all the insurance stuff! So helpful!
I work on a medical helicopter and most people don't understand the billing, because nobody explains it. A small helicopter can cost $5 million. Salary for the Pilot, Mechanic, Flight Nurse, Flight Paramedic and management can cost $1 million per year, and maintenance and fuel on the helicopter can cost over $1 million per year. Housing, travel to work and ground vehicles can cost hundreds of thousands a year. Now the revenue: A helicopter can't fly if there are too many clouds in the sky at certain elevations or if there is fog, or certain rain and most snow conditions. There are weather issues, staffing issues and bill collection issues. Insurance often pays a fraction of the bill or refuses, then the Patient can refuse and now the bill is ZERO. So there is often limited money coming in and massive amounts of money going out as the crew doesn't take very many flights over the course of the year because of weather and no staff. And thats why so many helcopter bases are shutting down. Way more money to operate than there is money coming in.
@@adamr8628 thanks for this info. Curious, do you think there’s a way to cover the costs through membership? I bought helilift insurance $60/year and thought that was seriously reasonable. I’m curious if it just needs marketing/awareness to become a common sense tool for hikers to have. Best part, it weighs nothing in the pack.
$12,000? I might have to figure it out on my own lol
I had a cardiac arrest last year during hiking in Australia, a team of over 30 people from local GoodSAM Responder Pete, AV Paramedics, Victoria State Emergency Service (SES), Country Fire Authority (CFA), Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV), and Victoria Police came for the rescue, I was extricated from the reserve and taken to a waiting ambulance where he was transported to Ballarat Hospital. so lucky to be still alive. There was a helicopter were stand by in the air, but it is unsafe to use, end up I was getting away from the helicopter bill (about AU$10000), but just $2000 for the ambulance, also without any expenses for that month long hospital and install a pacemaker.
@@adamr8628 In Canada It's free. Paid for by the government. Your helicopter fees sure cost lots of money. But the government needs a search and rescue and they need training exercises and to use the helicopters. Else the helicopters just sit there doing nothing. Think of this as a training exercise. I think in emergencies it should be paid for government, but if there service is abused then they should charge.
New subscriber...this is my 4th video I've watched. I will be a fan for life. Your doing important work, don't stop!
Great video. It gave me a few things to think about.
A trick for using a signal mirror:
Put you finger near the target and move the reflected light over it, back and forth, moving it towards the target. Or you can create a V with your fingers in a similar fashion, and place the target inside the V. Of course this only works when there is enough light.
You can use this aiming technique with a bright light or laser, if there isn't enough sunlight to get the job done.
Best take away from this video, besides bringing the SOS capable device, would be to always carry a bright, contrasting piece of material, to use as a signal. It can also be used to mark you trail, or campsite, should you have to deviate for some reason (i.e. using the Latree).
I, too, had a recent emergency requiring evacuation from the back-country. Garmin's team were wonderful at letting my family (my emergency contacts) know, step by step, how the rescue was being planned and executed. Their calm voices went a long way to keeping my family calm through several worrying hours. Having the capacity to call for help was the most crucial piece, but now knowing how the process unfolds we feel even more how valuable the service is.
I glad you are OK!
Thank you for this video and the way you’ve made the negative comments a teaching opportunity. I’m a physician and I can tell you we much prefer it when patients can speak with us about their health issues rather than being farther along and unresponsive. Best wishes with everything yet to come.
That’s maybe the best part, having people speak up before it’s worse than it needs to be.
( from Valerie E.)
Thanks for giving us your mom’s perspective. It really helps with information we should share with our emergency contact (s).
I bought a garmin earlier this year because of you. I always have it with me when I'm out in the woods, hiking or biking. So glad that you are still hear with us, and never second guess asking for help. It's first responders jobs to help and we love what we do.
My wife and I have had many wonder adventures in the backcountry, including the Sierras, thanks to the guidance and encouragement you provided via your videos over the past several years. I purchased a Garmin mini for backpacking after watching one of your videos. You really never know when an unexpected emergency will occur. Recently my wife fell and broke her arm on a XC course and on a different occasion I suffered a ruptured quad tendon on a local trail and was unable to walk. We both required emergency assistance. Thank goodness we were in an urban area and did not need to hike a day or more out. Glad you made it out ok. Thanks (again) for sharing. More lessons learned for all of us.
Excellent video. Safety first !! As a cardiac nurse , Atrial Fib can be very dangerous. You could have thrown a clot to your heart , brain , lungs ect and that’s game over in the woods. I’m so glad you pushed that button. Showing us what happens when you do was excellent. Thank you Dixie.
You did the right thing. One suggestion…after you straighten out the insurance, make sure you call the hospital and the air ambulance company and try to negotiate the bill down to something more manageable. I had a couple of emergency room visits the last couple years and was able to negotiate the bill by almost half on both occasions.
Some hospitals will give you a "cash discount" or a "self-pay discount" but you HAVE to ask. The staff aren't allowed to tell you they have it unless you ask. I had one sort of coach me into asking and she sounded so relieved when I did- you could tell she wanted to tell me but couldn't offer the discount until I asked.
Yes! You are exactly right. Most people just don’t call. My wife has done this several times.
You and Dan Becker should totally do a collaboration on getting rescued on the Trail. Thank you so much for this video and for having the presence of mind to videotape the whole event and this follow up. It helps us all know what to expect. You absolutely did the right thing by pushing SOS.
As a SAR medic here in the bighorns of WY, we always tell people we interact with either in public or in searches; call soon and early. Nothing worse than getting a call at 11pm for something that’s been going on all day. Not in the gotta respond to this call at 11pm, cause we love call outs no matter the time but in resources and patient comfort. As an augment of the Sheriffs office, we don’t charge for rescues including medical treatment we provide. Now private medical services will charge in the case of a helo transport/care and our integrated private medics we have on our team won’t charge for care in the field unless they transport to the hospital. We also utilize National guard and they don’t charge in these circumstances
Just realize that it takes time to get to you even if we have your exact location. Fastest I’ve ever gotten to a patient was 45 minutes and he was right on the east side of the mountains.
Call soon, call early and don’t ever feel bad for calling us out. Most SAR teams are volunteers and it makes our day to help out our fellow humans in their time of need.
Thanks for putting this out there.
Hearing Mama Mills get upset, is heartbreaking. Im glad everything is ok, and you had the garmin to begin with. Great video Dixie! This was extremely informative!
Oh, that was awful. As a mom, I got teary myself. Hard to watch, but what a great video!
I'm a backcountry canoe camping in Canada. This and the previous video are absolutely invaluable! It's incredible Dixie was able to capture such an event. We often talk about it the what-if scenarios that could result in th eneed for an evac and what it would all entail. There isnt a lot of good info on this. From my perspective as someone who does this kind of activity, these video's are invaluable and incredibly helpful and in some ways maybe even life savings if not saving a lot of money. that added up to about $100k Canadian! Thanks for sharing everything Dixie!
Well said and I completely agree. Dixie is a treasure and the content she shares with us all is invaluable. Being prepared and having a good idea what to expect when "something" does happen can make it a better outcome and possibly even save a life!
THAT WAS SMART TO FILM YOURSELF. Murders have been solved because ppl had the foresight to take a picture or video. I am so glad you are okay and that you found ppl to stay with you. You had a medical crisis, never feel bad about asking for help.
Thank you ♥️
That was an excellent follow up video! I’ve been an outdoor guide for over 40 years and I have trained thousands of people on how to handle emergencies like yours. A team of Hollywood writers could not have written a better script than you did for that video. Considering your video was a better public safety announcement than the government could produce, the cost of your rescue should’ve been waived due to special circumstances. Thank you for promoting safety in the great outdoors!
As always, Dixie, nothing but respect for you. I have no doubts about your sincerity or motives. A strong moral compass is evident in all of your videos, and in sharing the good and bad in all that you do. That honesty is commendable and rare. I also want to thank you for sharing all aspects of your experience in using an SOS device. The hesitation in pushing the button and the doubts and possible guilt afterwards is palpable in your presentation and it is important to understand that possibility from the viewpoint of the person being rescued. Thank you for that.
The video of the rescue, along with this after-the-fact synopsis, is a valuable teaching moment and we are in your debt for having shared it. Finally, pay no attention to the naysayers who, sadly, will always be an element in all aspects of life. Put them behind you and go forward (as I know you have/will).
As always, thanks so much for sharing.
Steve
Garmin didn't publish this... but they should have. Garmin should be paying Dixie for the over-the-top content that is so valuable to anyone that goes out into the wilderness. Thanks Dixie!!
Dixie would be an excellent spokesperson. I guarantee after these videos, they are probably making big profits from her.
I bought my garmin because of Dixie!
@@travellingtash1380ditto!
You are so right
We are now in talks.
I'm a nurse and think this is a fantastic video. You literally covered everything I wanted to know about this experience. Thank your mom for her imput, and so glad you are feeling better, and had some coverage for that helicopter ride!
Thank you Dixie. I’m an older backcountry hunter with ongoing health issues and I’ve always had questions about what I could expect should I ever need to hit the button. You’ve addressed most of them here and I feel a lot better about things and many of my doubts are allayed.
My philosophy has always been that it’s always better to get help BEFORE you’re immobile or before your condition has progressed to the point where you can’t help the people who are trying to help you. You made the right choice.
Thank you for telling us about your experience and I’m sure as hell glad you got out of there ok
I appreciate you posting this so much! I have an inReach and know I can press the SOS button, but as you said - seeing the process helps reduce the fear of the unknown. And I'm glad you did the right thing and are taking care of yourself. Thank you.
SAR Manager here. You did good. You trusted your body, your body-worn unit, and your smart watch when they all sensed an issue. You wisely paid attention to status and recognized that things were not getting better. I am proud of you for ensuring you called before it became a urgent. Thank you for getting the message out., teaching people how to be a "good subject" and ensuring they know that SAR teams are not going to judge you! Your fear of cost is a real problem, and it causes people to not call for support when they feel there is a chance of financial penalty. In my jurisdiction there are ZERO FEES for service.
I had to be transported to the hospital via helicopter before. I did have insurance. Receiving the bill was still about $50,000 and insurance was only willing to cover $4,000. After about a year of talking with insurance and the helicopter company, I ended up paying about $8,000 out of pocket. I hope this information helps. Glad you made the decision to push the SOS!
My husband and I were trapped by a massive landslide in Marlborough Sounds in New Zealand in 2021 and despite a terrifying experience we still felt embarrassed about sending out an SOS. We had to wait out the night because it was a weather event and we chose not to put any searchers lives at risk but the relief when a very muddy fireman arrived in the morning to help us get out and the easing of the mental load was immense. So many people helped us that day it was truly humbling. In NZ the government pays for all search and rescue costs and we have a free hospital service. We are very lucky here and hey the hiking is great here too.
❤
Great to know about the AAC and Garmin options. I was evacuated from the JMT a few years ago with displaced fracture in my arm and I felt stupid about calling for help. I kept saying I could walk, for crying out loud, and we were only about 15 miles from a TH. It's a huge macho issue for many, to be self sufficient and not need help. Lot's of mountaineering stories about suffering and toughing it out help perpetuate the feeling that you shouldn't call for help unless you are at death's door. Fortunately my brother in law made the call on his Garmin when I went unresponsive after the accident for about 10 minutes so by the time I was able to argue it was a moot point. I feel also fortunate that I was in a NP. I was very afraid of a huge bill for the helicopter, but never got one. My understanding (anecdotal) is that NP's would rather you call for rescue than try to tough it out because of the cost. Seriously bad situations are a LOT worse for S&R and they would rather do a bunch of routine transports than have to do a multi-day search for a body.
Glad you are OK, and best wishes on managing your A-Fib.
I think people are afraid to lose their lifesavings in America over health issues...that's why they try to toughen up, not to look macho on Facebook or TH-cam...
When in doubt always push the button.any SAR member will tell you it is easier to rescue than search and RECOVERY
I always carry a EPRIB
Glad you are safe and sharing your experience. One other thing to consider is if the helicopter cannot land and you need to be winched up you will most likely have to leave your pack behind.
Thank you so much for sharing your experience. I learned so much, especially about educating my emergency contact & making sure they're aware of my situation.
I am an 84 year old hiker that has been hiking since I was 11. Thank you so much for updating us on your present health condition and be sure to follow your cardiologist advice on not hiking until you have had a complete work up. I recently had 4 stints but I am back to hiking 3 days a week on a local mountain. You did do the right thing by pushing the button. God Bless You.
PLEASE please please share this with as many EMS/Fire/ER staff/etc... out there around the world. Seriously, this is a wonderful education tool. Grats on being an amazing human!!! Your mom did a fine job.
As a 15 year firefighter/paramedic, and given her specific situation, pushing the button was the smart choice.
I don't think it was, she clearly panicked, but she knew the drug she was taking was the potential cause. She should have rested in the tent, stop the medication immediately, eventually regained her strength, and walked back the day after. She pressed the button because she panicked. She would not have pressed it, if she knew how much that would have cost her. Lucky for her, she is at least partially covered. What she did is legit, but not necessarily a smart choice.
@@biomorphic She was presenting a-fib with tachycardia and shortness of breath and fatigue. That's a 911 call and a paramedic transport in any situation.
@@biomorphic Perhaps you missed the part in the first video where she said her biological dad died in his 30s from heart disease. That adds quite a different dimension to the medical side. I don't agree she panicked; I think she was fairly thoughtful given the situation. As a person in a medical field, I can attest that it's much better to call early and not wait until it's starting to get dark and substantially add to the task for SAR.
I definitely missed that part to be honest.@@cynthiastandley5742
@@biomorphic two words, "don't watch" hope your not in the 911 field.
Thank you for sharing your experience. Being 67 year of age and enjoy getting into the back country, I appreciate knowing how your situation was resolved because all of us may need help at some point.
SINCERELY, thankyou for pushing that button. I have 2 heart conditions I was born with and I exercise to improve my heart health.(I love hiking) This could be me one day and knowing what to expect is amazing! Thank you thank you thank you x1000.
As an EMT and now a paramedic student. I am also someone who hikes. Thank you for pushing the button. If you had tried to walk out, things could get a lot worse really fast, possibly to you not being able to puch the button. You did the right thing.
I cannot emphasize enough how vital this video is for all outdoor enthusiasts. Thank you so much, and stay safe! And wow, those critical comments lacked thorough reflection. Heart issues are not to be taken lightly in an urban environment, let alone in the wilderness while carrying a heavy pack on uneven terrain. You definitely made the right choice.
I'm in Canada and I've been using a Zoleo communicator while I'm out camping for 2 years and I'd highly recommend it. More or less equivalent to the Inreach for a lower initial and significantly lower ongoing cost. They both use the Iridum satellite network, which Spot does not. The Zoleo has a dedicated check-in button, so you can send your coordinates and an OK message to your specified contacts. I"m also not sure about the negative app experience. I have an iPhone and I've never had an issue with it. Typically, when I'm using the Zoleo I treat it as regular SMS, so I easily rack up ~500 messages per trip. I might sound like a sales person, but I have no connection to Zoleo, it's just a great product for the price.
Also glad you pushed that button and are safe!
Retired, USAR Medic and firefighter, you did EVERYTHING right. Good for you. I’ve been a great fan of your videos and this one is probably the best and most useful one that I’ve seen. So many want to know what happens when you pop the button. Thank you for continuing to post some of the best content on packing available anywhere.
I've carried an inReach for over 10yrs now. This is an excellent video for other's carrying these devices. Good on you for carrying such a device. I always watch that show 'I Shouldn't Be Alive'. Having a way to signal rescue is the next most important thing to carry. Flares, bright colored e blanket, whistle, mirror, etc... is a must!
This video is sooo valuable. I am not an overnight backpacker/hiker that explores remote areas. But I am getting older, I am out of shape and I enjoy short hikes and kayaking ... both often solo. The kayaking I do is generally on State Park reservoirs that have decent traffic, but as soon as I disappear into a cove no one is likely to see or hear me if something goes wrong. The are a lot of scenarios that could leave me stuck/immobile. Even though I'm in densely populated Ohio it's VERY common for me to not have cell coverage on the water. I keep my InReach clipped to my life jacket (as well as my cell phone) in case I get separated from my boat. I hope to never have to use it of course, but it's good to know that it DOES work. THANK YOU for sharing your experience.
Dixie, to hell with those trolls that found it necessary to make rude comments on your video. You did do the RIGHT thing by calling for help!! It’s better to be safe then wait to late to call. I always enjoy your videos so much. Thank you for doing what you do. Your in my prayers…
In my opinion, your last two videos are the most important and informative backpacking videos I’ve seen. Thank you so much for documenting this. You are saving lives here. And if people have something negative to say about it, they can go back to watching condensation videos.
As someone who is a hiker (AT thru 2019) and also someone who suffers from occasional bouts of afib I can speak to how scary it is and how helpless you feel if you have symptoms in the wilderness. I can only imagine how much worse it would be if you were having symptoms for the first time and didn't know what was happening and were a really long distance from the nearest trail head. Thanks for sharing, you are awesome! I will buy the insurance next time I head out on a multi day trip.
Thanks for sharing. Very informative.
You are so sweet-remaining polite and respectful in addressing these trolls. This has been a very insightful and informative video, and why would you NOT have recorded this. As an In-Reach owner who has fortunately never had to press the SOS, I now know what to tell my family to expect to happen if I do. Glad you’re safe!
You and your family are in my thoughts. Thank you for the extreme emotional effort it must have taken to make this episode. I'm sure this will help many folks as they face their own unforeseen challenges. Be well
I've experienced tachicardia on trail. Heart rate was north of 145bpm and I was nearly taken to my knees from it. I wasn't very far from my car so I chose to go for it because I didn't have a Garmin. It requires lots for discipline to remain calm and it's extremely stressful and frightening.
Dixie did a great job of containing her fear and using good judgement. It helped having other people come across her and remain with her.
Happy ending.......
Comments like this always put into perspective for me how bad my condition is... 145bpm to me is a pretty normal 'oh, I over did it a bit today, I should sit down.' rate.
I don't start fretting until it hits at least 160, and my record is 189... I've never been to the hospital for any of those incidents, because they clear up pretty quick... but this reminds me that I AM disabled. This is a serious condition. It isn't normal to have a heart rate of 120+ all the time.
Being alone on a trail with this condition makes it a more serious concern. At the time I didn’t know if I was about to have a heart attack. Tachycardia was diagnosed by a cardiologist after the incident.
A heart scan showed that I had a scar more likely from the AFib.
I’m late to the comments party…
Dixie, this and the earlier video about your medical issue and rescue are both excellent. Your honesty, vulnerability, and sharing with us are all incredibly wonderful and informative. True character shows up under pressure and the Dixie we know in all the easy times is the one who showed up under the stress of this situation. You are the real deal!
SAR loves it when someone sends an SOS right away. It keeps options open, especially if bad weather and/or darkness are coming, or a medical condition worsens without warning. It also dramatically increases the chances of a successful outcome. First responders and SAR love a successful rescue (live person), and are torn up by having to do a recovery (body). (Don’t ask me how I know this.)
You did the right thing. If anything, one might suggest that you have sent the SOS even sooner, but you still did it timely, which is great.
Now for the trolls with their head up their @$$ saying you weren’t in bad enough shape to call SOS:
1. Anytime the outcome of the activity is in doubt, it is time to call SOS. Your situation CLEARLY met that threshold.
Is everything fine?
- Yes? Good! No SOS.
- No? Outcome in doubt? Yes. Send SOS immediately.
2. Atrial Fibulation won’t kill anyone - directly. HOWEVER, a resultant blood clot will. That is the number one issue with afib. The nurses and doctors don’t mess around. Afib sets up a situation where there is an incredibly high risk (really, just a matter of time) of clots forming in the atrium. When a clot gets to your brain or lung… it ain’t pretty. Stroke or death.
Dixie did exactly the right thing calling SOS. Period.
--
A note about satellite communications. There are different networks with different coverage and different dispatchers. Know what you are getting as you evaluate devices.
Test your device if it has that capability. Test the actual network if it offers that capability.
With Garmin InReach, I scheduled a test with them (72 hours or more in advance), received approval, and at the appointed date and time I sent the SOS. I was under about 3/4 coverage tree canopy. It took a couple of minutes and I received the first message from them. A couple more minutes and we had completed exchanging a couple more messages.
Your times may vary. Be sure your InReach antenna is pointed straight up.
Then they called me (a planned part of the test protocol) and we had a short conversation and he asked if I had any questions.
I mentioned that I also had an ACR 400 mHz PLB. He said that was great because sometimes SAR has difficulty locating the person and will request the PLB also be activated.
The gentleman who called me was very friendly, professional, and knowledgeable.
Happy Trails to you!
Thank you for such an honest and candid video! I'm so glad that you're ok and that you planned ahead with having such amazing technology! ❤
Thank for posting this. I backpack and backcountry ski almost every single weekend in the colorado rockies. I carry my inReach with me every time, but this included some key information about updating emergency contact information and carrying reflective gear. Fantastic video.
I guess the bright side of the naysayers is that it allowed you to really explain in detail many of the things that help us understand exactly what happened and exactly what you did and needed to do during this situation, I think you did the right thing and I appreciate you showing us what you did and how you did it.
Such good info! I'm 73 and carried my Inreach as a "security blanket" for years..so much better to have it and not need it than the other way around. So glad you're ok and thanks for sharing your story.
I'm glad that Garmin first reached out to SAR before talking to your emergency contact. This is fantastic info for anyone who owns an inReach, wants to buy one, or in any way needs wilderness help. It takes _courage_ to ask for help; thank you for sharing your experience.
I was a SAR Pilot/Paramedic for over 24 years that has performed @1000 rescues in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Thank you for sharing for your experience and you should ignore the keyboard “experts”. In the remote wilderness a simple twisted ankle or illness can and will lead to the inability for self-rescue. We have taken many fit adults with reported “not feeling good” out of the mountains with the start of HAPE (High Altitude Pulmonary Edema). Spot/PLP’s were a game changer for SAR, it eliminated countless hours of searching for the victim. From an aircrew perspective, it is still difficult to locating a victim even when we have their exact coordinates. Most of our victims assume we can see them from the air, we cannot, most people blend into the environment. I jokingly tell the victims it’s difficult to see them when they insist on wearing “REI earthen colors”. I would like to add a few recommendations: 1- always, always, always carry a signal mirror, learn how to use it. 2- Carry something bright, I carry a reflective nylon vest (like state troopers wear at traffic accidents), they are compact, light weight and reflect light. And/or carry fluorescent orange nylon streamers, you can tie them to nearby saplings and if windy they will move. From the air we notice colors and movement and the streamers will give the pilot important surface wind indications. More agencies are performing rescues at night using Night Vision Goggles. We can see light from miles away, keep as many lights on, or in strobe mode as possible. Safe future travels!
I do a bit of sea kayak and would second that you can never have too many redundancies when it comes to both long distance communication (PLB, mobile if you’re lucky enough to have reception, VHF etc) and short distance communication (strobe/E-flare, signal mirror, whistle etc)
I think it took a lot of courage to share this video & I hope you know how much your fellow backpackers appreciate it. You are helping others make a decision to push the button when it could save their life. Thanks for sharing this video. Today we are putting our garmin in reach insurance on auto renew. Sending you love and good vibes from NC!
The part with your Mother really identified with me. 2011, I was on a date hike in the White Mountains and missed a turn down to my car. We were heading on the Garfield Ridge instead of turning down to the car. We made it to a trail junction at North Lafayette before I realized what happened. I had always told my mother to call Fish and Game if I was late in posting since this predated my Garmin. She did just that. F&G called her every hour. They even looked at my Facebook and discerned that I had a lot of experience. I was packed for at least an overnight and my mother knew this. They were going to wait until morning but I got us down to the main road (Route3). We started walking back to our cars at the trail head 5 miles away. Well, because my mother had enacted a plan, the State police were also actively looking. Contact was made and we got a ride back to the trailhead. I worried my mother and aunt in North Conway NH that day but, my mother knew what to do and had confidence in me. Now, it was November which meant ice and snow up there in NH. I had fallen a few times, cut up my back and bruised myself pretty good. I was exhausted after driving to my aunts house past midnight and of course they were too waiting for me. But, all is well because I had a plan and it was activated. Yes, always push the button or in my case alert someone. Your life is worth way more than the cost of S&R. We joke about it now but at the time it was pretty serious. I remember having soup at my aunts house at 1am. It was the best! I never saw him again.
In all of your videos of all you’ve experienced, I’ve not heard as much terror in your voice as that day.
I’m so glad you’re OK.
Great video; it addressed a lot of questions regarding the search and rescue process. If anybody thinks they wouldn't or shouldn't push the button when they're hiking alone, not feeling well, getting an A-fib alarm, and 20 miles from the car, they're kidding themselves. That was exactly the right thing to do. I appreciate you filming and sharing this experience.
Great video...don't pay attention to the haters. This is very useful info and I carry my InReach all the time for just such a thing. Thanks Dixie!
Dixie, thanks for sharing all that you do. We have learned SO MUCH from you and have followed you from the start of your AT thru hike. The rescue crew is on standby anyway and they don’t have to pay for the gas so your SOS is not a problem for them (speaking from experience as the medic on an Army medevac helicopter). Thanks for info on Garmin insurance. I wasn’t aware of that. We only use our InReach a week or two each year but it’s wilderness and satellite is the only means of communication. Hope you have a rapid and full recovery.
Love ya’ ❤
Dixie, you are precious to me and many others who love trekking! I’m so glad you’re ok. Thank you for posting this and documenting everything. Hopefully your video will help save a life one day. There will always be detractors, and there’s not much you can do about that. However, most of those who follow you know your true intent. You are such a professional and I love what you’re doing. Keep up the good work! I will pray for good test results in the days to come. Take good care of yourself and THANK YOU for being such an inspiration! ❤️
I appreciate the transparency that you have demonstrated in your videos. Beyond that I appreciate the gracious maturity you demonstrated in dealing with the ignorant, petty, and small-souled comments.
Props for clicking the SOS button, its awesome to know it works! Awesome to the two guys who helped you out and awesome to the InReach team + SAR team and awesome to mother who stayed strong through out!
Oh man. Your mama had me tearing up.
Dixie, you are a beautiful soul. I appreciate you documenting your journey: the good, the bad, and the ugly. You have such a heart for educating us out here who are wondering about all of these things. I am so glad to hear “we” (the camera) could comfort you in the moment.
I hope the Garmen coverage covers a lot of your expenses. I am sad to hear there are so many people judging you from their couches. You are wonderful and a treasure for us all. I am so glad you are safe and still giving us the scoop on so many things.
Thank you for sharing this experience, emotions shared and what to expect when one requests a bit of help on the Garmin…whewww. This is really important stuff for hikers. Again, thanks for sharing, being thoughtful and including us in your precious life. You have viewers who have grown incredibly fond of you and the family you have shared. From northern Kentucky
Two thoughts on this video:
1) This video is a keeper. That was a *terrific* walk-through* of what happens when you push the SOS button. I've carried an InReach for a few years on my hikes, but after watching this I'm going to update my list of procedures for my emergency contact folks.
2) I'm very pleased to hear you are doing OK and under the care of a good cardiologist!
So grateful I live in U.K. I am an experienced solo hiker, 70 years old and don’t carry an emergency beacon of any kind. However, I have been considering purchasing and now you have confirmed my decision. Before anyone comments thinking U.K. is a little country with no isolated trails, I have this year hiked a 180 mile trail and on one two day spell I spoke only to cows and sheep!
Why am I grateful I live in the U.K.? We pay for our health care through contributions taken from our pay whether we use the medical services or not. Now I am retired I don’t pay contributions but am entitled full health care of any sort. Also, emergency services are free in the U.K. Rescue by helicopter or any other device won’t result in a bill! 🇬🇧 I agree with comments that Garmin should use your video as an educational aid and pay. I also agree with comments criticising negative views which obviously have been made prats! Take care. Love your videos. Love to your mum.❤
I'm from the UK. Knowing that people from a developed and wealthy country like the US are hesitating to call emergency services out of fear of rescue/hospital bills is unbelievable for me. Hopefully they will have a better healthcare in the future.
America desperately needs a single payer healthcare system!
Agree totally. The only issue is that mountain rescue isnt funded and have to be carried out by unpaid volunteers, sometimes risking their own safety for ours and they rely on donations or fundraising for their kit. Whenever I see a collection box for MR, I always put some money in - figure I am 'paying in instalments' for a service that I hope not to need..!
@@robbrigham5926Despite healthcare being super expensive, search and Rescue teams (on the ground, not helicopters) are almost always volunteers in the US as well. They usually get some equipment funding from their county but the volunteers have to spend tons of money themselves in addition to volunteering their time.
Uk mountains are so hard even the sas have died!
Thanks for this video. I just purchased my Garmin IR2, mainly for being able to check-in when off the grid and, of course, its SOS capability. I skimmed right past the SAR Insurance part of the set-up, opting to not get it, but now after watching this, I never really considered the financial ramifications of a full blown rescue. And it's great that you can add friends or family to the coverage, as I sometimes have them with in the wilderness. Great video!
This is one of the most valuable videos I've seen in a long time. I am a hunter safety instructor and teach hundreds of people a year. We talk about what to do when you get lost in the woods, and if you have an emergency in a tree stand. This video gives me good insight and will help me be a better instructor. I would also like to note, that I am a long-distance walker. When I go out, I use Strava because it has a beacon receiver and my wife can follow me everywhere I go from a map on her phone.
That was really smart to check your Garmin coverage! Glad Aaron sent you that screenshot to jog your memory.
I cannot thank you enough for sharing these last two videos, Dixie, even though they broke my heart. Your gentle admonishment to the armchair quarterbacks is the least that they deserve! 😡
I am so grateful for your wise decision to call for help; your videos are like spending time with a precious, irreplaceable friend, so you would be terribly missed were something to happen to you.
Please try to ignore those naysayers; they have no idea what they are talking about. Sending prayers for ultimately a good report. 💗
I'm a 70 year heart attack survivor I've been wanting to go hiking/packing again but have been worried about the risks or doing so. This video of your experience and the supporting information you provide has been extremely helpful and useful. As others have said, sharing your experience will probably save many lives. Please know that sharing your experience has made the world a better and safer place. Also, to all the SAR folks out there, thank you for doing what you do!
This is why you have the SOS. I carry my inreach and have always thought that I would hesitate if I ever had to push the button. I'm 60 years old and hike all the time. Often times I have been more than a half days hike back to any civilization. If I got into trouble I would really have to use this SOS. So hearing your experience tells me that it's OK to do so. Thank you for an EXCELLENT video!
Thank you so much for making this video! This summer I'm leaving on a 3 month road trip to camp and hike the lower 48 states. I just purchased a Garmin inReach mini 2 just in case and this is exactly what I needed to watch. I definitely overlooked the SAR insurance and will be adding! I'm sorry you had to go through this but you are helping so many others with your experience!!!
Thank you for doing this video. You are the reason I carry an In Reach. After watching your videos years ago, I decided that at 68, mostly hiking alone and with Afib that comes and goes I should probably carry something in case of emergency.
You know this is 21 century stuff. You can present content of actual events and be able to reflect and provide commentary is amazing. Looking forward to your adventures, reviews and thoughts. Prayers for your health and healing.
Thank You!! Thank you for sharing such a personal experience with us. To often people do wait too long to ask for help. Don't ever try to be your own hero. It is OK to ask for help, even if you are not sure you need it. I would also like to thank you for pushing that button and saving your own life. You'll never know if you in fact did save your own life, but I can assure you.. You will never get thanks for that, so I will thank you.. I'm sure your mom thanks you too.
You're alive, still with us and able to share so much. Thank you, I'm glad you are here still!
Dixie!!! First, glad you’re ok! Second, thank you so much for this information and sharing your, and your mom’s experience. This is invaluable information for those of us that venture off the beaten path, and will, no doubtedly help others and will make all of us more efficient with our communications in such an emergency! Again, thanks so much and glad you made it out safely…:oh, and the insurance thing too!!!
Your mom's perspective is SO HELPFUL!!! This is one of the most helpful backpacking videos dealing with an emergency probably on TH-cam. Thanks so much!!
I can't believe how many negative comments you have recieved! All the implications that you are some sort of drama queen or attention wh*** are completely ridiculous! I have been watching your videos since you first hiked the AT and you are so genuine. I thank you so much for sharing your experience and your mom's experience too. You are a blessing, and anyone who says otherwise can just go... elsewhere.