My dirt bike group does a lot of single track in baja. Some trails are in very remote areas not able to be accessed by trucks.
I am trying to find out if anyone knows a service that has coordinated a field rescue in Baja. Specifically, a helicopter extraction.
I talked to Global Rescue, a company that people can pay for a service ($350 a year) that organizes and covers the cost of field recuses. They told me
the only helicopters available for field rescues down there would be military helicopters, there are no medical helicopters down there like in the US.
They said they would have to coordinate the field rescue with the military, but that they had never actually worked with the Mexican military before.
Their response left me a little unconfident.
So I thought I would make a post and see if anyone is aware of a helicopter field rescue that has happened in baja. If so, was there a service used to
help coordinate it? Or is helicopter rescue just not something available down there?
I am familiar with this happening during the Score races, but those are coordinated by the race companies. I am trying to find out if any individuals
have any experience with this.
Thanks
TMW - 6-22-2021 at 05:14 PM
Talk to Binational Emergency Service. Celia Diaz is the Executive Director. 619-425-5080. They facilitate getting people out of Baja on an emergency
basis. They may have answers to your questions.
Also you could call DAN at 1-800-446-2671. They also provide emergency evacuations. Maderita - 6-22-2021 at 05:19 PM
I can only address your question as to the state of Baja California, not BCS.
The situation has improved greatly in recent years. I try to keep current due to my involvement with wilderness activities in BC, including technical
climbing.
The protocol now includes dialing "911". An English speaking dispatcher is supposed to be available. The dispatcher can/will then notify the
appropriate agencies. Protección Civil is the main agency coordinating serious SAR (Search and Rescue) operations. There are Rescue teams "Rescate"
from various locations, including Tijuana, Ensenada, and Mexicali municipalities. Helicopter rescues have been arranged when needed with the military
"Marineros". Of course the helicopter must be in flight ready and the weather/daylight must cooperate. Difficult air evacuations have been done at
Canyon El Tajo and Picacho del Diablo in the past 5 or 6 years over problematic terrain (steep canyons with granite cliffs). Howard - 6-22-2021 at 05:23 PM
I agree, call Celia. I would think she would have the current answers.TMW - 6-22-2021 at 05:24 PM
Good info Maderita, thanks.Maderita - 6-22-2021 at 05:30 PM
I carry these lists with me in each vehicle. Remember that your group has to have a mobile phone which works in BC. I have a Garmin inReach which has
satellite SOS and text capability. I don't know what Garmin's protocol is if they receive an SOS from Mexico. ? I rely on being able to contact
capable friends.
If you are involved in a rescue and need to coordinate with air or ground crews, you can use the ubiquitous FRS (Family Radio Service frequency)
radios (such as, Motorola "Talkabouts"). Use Channel 7, subchannel 7
Your range is likely only a mile or two, line-of-sight. Much less if obstructed by hills or cliffs.
4x4abc - 6-22-2021 at 05:47 PM
a few months ago there was a helicopter evacuation (military) of an American biker.
crashed somewhere around Las Pocitas
used InReachMaderita - 6-22-2021 at 06:01 PM
2016 air evacuation at Cañón el Tajo, Sierra de Juarez. Compound fracture. Terrain precluded possibility of ground evacuation by litter. Wind and
darkness prevented evacuation until the next day. The patient survived, but the leg was amputated.
Compound fracture. I don't know the details of the treatment subsequent to the helicopter flight. But sharp bones which protrude through the skin have
a tendency to tear veins and arteries, disrupting blood supply. The risk for infection is serious. That the patient had to bivouac overnight was a
major factor in the outcome.Maderita - 6-22-2021 at 07:06 PM
TMW, You're welcome. Hope you never need to use that info! advrider - 6-22-2021 at 07:08 PM
Good topic, I ride many of the same trails and have wondered just how things would go. We always try to ride with a little more caution in Baja but
anything can happen. About ten years ago I severed my ACL down in the seven sisters area but was able to ride back to the border with my friends
kicking my 650R every time we stopped. It took a few days but I was lucky to be able to get myself out.
I know several years ago Antonio from Baja cactus helped rescue an injured (broken leg) after the ridder used an Inreach kind of device. BajaTed - 6-23-2021 at 06:49 AM
Heli Baja is a local helicopter I see flying around the region. David K - 6-23-2021 at 07:19 AM
The Garmin inReach device is a wonderful satellite communication tool, plus you can exchange text messages so the nature of your emergency can be
determined. inReach uses the Iridium satellite network which has superior coverage of Baja over the Globalstar satellite network (used by Spot).RFClark - 6-23-2021 at 08:45 AM
David,
We carry one of the Zoleo units which uses the Iridium network when cell or WiFi service is unavailable. Basic Service is $20/Mo. Cell and WiFi
messaging are free. It uses the same SOS service as Garmin. There’s a phone App and it runs for 3 days w/o charging.
Not all helicopters are "rescue helicopters"
AKgringo - 6-23-2021 at 09:12 AM
In fact, very few, other than government agencies are able to lower first responders, or hoist patients from steep or heavily vegetated terrain.
While speed is essential in improving the outcome of any trauma, transporting the patient to a landing spot could be the most hazardous part of the
recovery.
A femur fracture (even if it is a closed fracture) can put jagged bone right next to one of the largest blood vessels in your body! Waiting for an
airlift vs. moving to an accessible spot for EMS is a tough call given all the variables involved!
I have only worked one rescue involving a femur fracture during a ski competition, and we were already staged for a rescue, so the outcome was good/
We had to haul the patient down the slope to a landing zone.
bottom line - no mater what service you use to raise help, in the end it will be the Mexican military who responds to your SOS
they love to do this kind of stuff if the call makes it down the chain of commandwillardguy - 6-23-2021 at 09:41 AM
well I wonder if the american military would still get involved in an emergency, remember this looong heated thread a decade ago?
U.S. citizen airlifted from B. Gonzaga to Yuma by U.S. Coast Guard
January 23, 2010
(A) Coast Guard crew picked up an ill U.S. citizen in Mexico�s Baja California, said Petty Officer 2nd Class Jetta Disco...
...a member of the Binational Emergency Medical Care Committee notified the Coast Guard that a 67-year-old U.S. citizen was suffering from an
undisclosed, potentially life-threatening illness, according to Disco.
He was inland from Bahia de Gonzaga, a bay about 230 miles south of Mexicali in Baja California, Disco said. The man was taken to Yuma Regional
Medical Center in Arizona, Disco said.
[Edited on 6-23-2021 by willardguy]brumsky - 6-23-2021 at 10:33 AM
Thanks a ton!
This is very useful information.
Much appreciated4x4abc - 6-23-2021 at 11:18 AM
US operation in Mexico?
Once every 100 years.PaulW - 6-23-2021 at 01:30 PM
Do not dither just get an Inreach Explorer and use it.
Of course an chase truck with competent guys in side is pretty good.
Both is best.4x4abc - 6-23-2021 at 02:35 PM
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