Two Trail Rescues
updated: Oct 15, 2012, 4:24 PM

Source: Montecito Fire Protection District

Hot weather and physical activity can be a dangerous combination which can result in heat illness and exhaustion. Many people underestimate the effects that high temperatures can have while exercising or while having other increased levels of physical exertion.

Earlier today, the Montecito Fire Protection District responded to two victims of heat illness on our front country trails.

The first victim was reported at 9:55 am, approximately 1 mile up from the Romero Canyon Trailhead. Montecito Fire arrived to find a 51 y/o male who had been mountain bike riding. Montecito Fire made contact with the patient at 10:26 am, and transported him down the trail via a pick up truck. He was then taken to Cottage Hospital by AMR.

The second victim was reported at 1:16 pm approximately a half a mile above the water fall on San Ysidro Trail. The 65 y/o female had been hiking with her husband and began to feel what she reported to be heat stroke. The hikers had a cell phone with them, but there was no service where they were. A hiker who was passing by ran further down the trail and called 9-1-1 once they were able to receive a cell signal. The patient was located at 1:53 pm and transported to Cottage Hospital via Santa Barbara Helicopter 308.

Responding equipment included Montecito Fire, Los Padres National Forest, Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department, Santa Barbara County Search and Rescue, and AMR.

Nelson Trichler of SBC Search and Rescue, Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department, reminds hikers to consider the following safety tips when hiking on our front country trails:

1) Know where you are going. Know the name of the trail you will be hiking.

2) Tell someone where you are going and when you will be back.

3) Hike with a buddy. Hiking alone, while peaceful and solitary, can cause difficulties should you become lost or injured

4) Take communication devices. A cell phone and a whistle are excellent forms of communication. Whistles are heard over greater distances than shouting and do not wear out your voice.

5) Take the 10 Essentials: The Essentials

· water (1 quart per hour)

· food

· map and compass

· hiking plan left with a friend or in your car

· flashlight

· waterproof matches

· fire starter

· extra clothes (Stay away from cotton clothing, including socks, as it will absorb your sweat and stay wet longer. Synthetic materials that have "wicking" characteristics are a good choice for your base layer.)

· whistle

· cell phone

· knife

· sunhat, sunglasses and sunscreen, lip balm

· lightweight pack to comfortably carry everything.

6) Hiking with Dogs - Dogs can be wonderful trail companions but remember they need just as much, if not more, attention than humans and they can overheat faster because they do not sweat. Take extra water for canine hiking companions, hike in the morning or evening, and be sure to rest the dogs if they show signs of overheating.

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