In early October, Brenda and her group set out on a canoe trip in Killarney Provincial Park. They decided to bushwhack up to a ridge to take in the views. When it was time to head back, they “found a treeless, rocky hillside which was steep but, with enough foot holds to complete the descent safely” Brenda recalls. Unfortunately, halfway down, Brenda tripped and fell headfirst into a shallow depression filled with rocks and juniper bushes.
 
“Our group responded quickly and applied their knowledge of first aid to assess me,” Brenda explained. Despite their efforts, Brenda passed out twice, and her group knew they needed professional help. They contacted search and rescue who then connected them with Ornge.
 
When the helicopter arrived on scene, the pilot “flew over us several times” but could not land on the rocky terrain. Instead, they landed on a small rock island offshore, and Brenda’s group shuttled the Ornge paramedics and their equipment to the accident site using their canoes.
 
Dorothy, paramedic, provided immediate care. “Her competence and compassionate manner put me at ease,” Brenda says. Despite her fit and active lifestyle at age 79, Brenda was concerned about undetected injuries. She was relieved to have team Ornge there.
 

“They had sensors on my body monitoring my vitals which were in the safe zone. They stabilized my neck as a precaution and I was reasonably comfortable, felt safe, and secure in their care.”

 
After stabilizing Brenda, Ornge coordinated with a military helicopter from Trenton Airbase for a night rescue, as it was too risky to move her down the hillside. Brenda was safely lifted by basket and winch, while the paramedics remained by her side until the military team arrived.
 
Reflecting on the ordeal, Brenda expressed her gratitude: “I am so grateful for the amazing care, compassion, and diligence of this Ornge team, and I cannot thank them enough.”
 
Brenda is now recovering well and, thankfully, had no broken bones. Brenda’s successful rescue wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible teamwork of everyone involved. Special thanks go out to paramedics Dorothy and Todd, pilots Jean-Luc and Glenn, and the Operations Control Centre (OCC) team for expertly coordinating the mission. It’s thanks to their dedication and professionalism that Brenda received the help she needed.

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• Patients and Families