Upon arrival, Jason re-evaluated the patient and determined there was nor a pulse or respirations and immediately resumed compressions with the help of one of the guests. Jason continued compressions while an AED and IV's were set up. Two shocks from the AED were administered and there was still no pulse or respirations. Jason resumed compressions until a spontaneous pulse and respirations returned after about 30 seconds. Staying with the individual, Jason then helped backboard him and attended to his needs until he was turned over to the town of Mesa's ambulance squad for transport to a nearby landing zone for Care Flight out of Grand Junction, CO.

The individual who received care has since recovered and Jason has been awarded with a Purple Merit Star. It is believed that because of the quick response of Jason and the guests, the individual is alive, well, and back at home today with his family.

Below is a letter written by the individual's wife, thanking NSP for aiding her husband.

What does a person say at a time like this? The answer I suppose is, what can a person say? Because of you, my husband has a second chance at life. Because of you, I have a husband to love and grow old with. Because of you, our son has a father to love him and teach him all that is precious in life. You saved our hearts. You touched our lives. We will be forever grateful. Love, perhaps that's the word you say at a time like this. We love all of you.

Andrea & Merle

About 300 yards from the Inn, the two men were driving down the road. They lost control of their vehicle, catapulting them and their Subaru into a small stream - flipping and hitting several large rocks along the way. One of the men was ejected from the vehicle, hitting his head and torso before slipping into the creek. Both of the crash victims sustained life-threatening injuries that, without immediate medical attention, could have quite possibly resulted in the loss of their lives. Jodie and 2 other bystanders were the first to respond on the scene. One of the bystanders elevated the ejected victims head out of the water. Soon after, Jodie and the other bystander soon came to aid in lifting the victim out of the water. Jodie called the Inn to have other patrollers notified of the accident. Then, she immediately started providing first aid to the crash victims. Within minutes, 11 ski patrollers with varying backgrounds and expertise were collaboratively providing Outdoor Emergency Care skills to the two men. The patrollers utilized the knowledge and skills gained from trainings such as: Scene Size Up, Initial Assessment, Bleeding, Hypothermia, Head Injuries, Spinal Precautions, and Shock, among many others. After about 30 minutes, local EMS arrived at the scene. A double Life Flight was on their way and arrived approximately 60 minutes later to take the men to nearby medical facilities. “All came together in an even flow and voices were low and calm,” stated first responder Jodie Jeffers. “Those looking on must have thought the patrollers knew each other well and have trained together often.” Little did they know that these ski patrollers had not met each other’s groups until that very morning. Still, they worked calmly and naturally as they proceeded to apply the lifesaving Outdoor Emergency Care skills they all knew. The knowledge and skills these patrollers possessed from Outdoor Emergency Care, combined with braveness and heroism can be considered a main contributor to the two men surviving. A special recognition goes out to all the ski patrollers who assisted these two individuals in need of emergency care. You are incredible individuals and represent true heroism to its full definition.
Thank You:
Washington Summit East
- Darel (Scotty) Meyer
Michigan- Boyne Highlands
- Mike Longfellow-Jones
- Bob Anderson
- Tim Ronda
- Don Smith
Oregon WyEast Region (Mt Hood)
- Terry Neidermeyer
- Margaret Usher
- Jodie Jeffers
- Larry Cahill
- Kathy Lee
- Jim Trett