Raising Heli. When We Had To Call Mountain Rescue

He was lying in a heap having stacked a turn on a technical slope and tomahawked down 100m with only one ski on. We were all hoping the same; Adrian would get up laughing, click in to his pin bindings and we'd continue on what had been a perfect backcountry tour down to a stunning valley in (mostly) spring snow, with another 5k ski back to the van.

But, although we didn't know the extent of the damage, it was obvious that Adrian wasn't going anywhere as he was unable to stand up let alone put his skis on.

So when you're in the middle of the mountains and a long way from a road, there's only one option. A heli.

As well-seasoned ski tourers, we all knew the drill, but had never put it into practice, as in making the call.  Sure, we'd had backcountry accidents, including a pulled calf muscle and fractured knee cap in Japan, but always managed to limp back on skis, except for Gav, who, when he ruptured his ACL out in the boondocks, had more first-hand experience of what was involved, though back then it was the guide who called in the heli rescue, but not before the guide tried to get him off the mountain with a makedo stretcher.

For anyone who might find themselves in a similar situation, here's how the rescue unfolded:

Calling Mountain Rescue

Phew, we had phone signal. Gav who had the PGHM in Briancon (20k away) saved on his phone gave it to Ken, as he had the best command of French. And it really helped as the first operator didn't seem to have much ability (or desire) to speak English. 

Ken related our coordinates from the GPS on the phone, and the fact that one of our crew was injured. The operator wanted to know his injury (Ken thought possible broken leg) and his pain out of 10 (Adrian bravely said 6 but Ken upped it to 8). He also added that Adrian is 76 years old, which seemed to speed the conversation along to the next level.

Ken had to hold the line and repeat the info twice more as he was passed to appropriate handlers, the third and final one obviously being the actual Briancon PGHM helicopter call out. They then told us to wait 15-20 minutes.

Calling Mountain Rescue Tips:

If we'd been in a phone signal desert, Ken's iPhone has an emergency satellite connection and Gav has a Garmin inReach for an SOS. Make sure someone in your group has similar.

Putting the direct number for PGHM (High Mountain Gendarmerie Platoon) Mountain Rescue for your area on your mobile home screen by-passes 112, helping when you're in bright sunlight and it's difficult to see the screen. Just press the PGHM phone icon. That said, since the "incident" happened, there does seem to be some debate as to what the best number to call is, and how others have also heard of issues when calling in, obviously 112 works, but you might find yourself being passed through to others.

Obviously, the vast majority of Mountain Guides carry radios with them where they can contact the PGHM rescue directly, which goes some way to alleviating this issue.

Have your reading glasses (if you need them) available for reading your screen and GPS coordinates, as even prescription sunnies can be too dark.

Use your sports watch eg Garmin for GPS so you can be on the phone and see the coords on your wrist rather than trying to talk on the phone and read them out at the same time (or ask someone else in the group to call the numbers out).

Arrival Of The Helicopter

Almost bang on 20 minutes later we heard the whirling of rotor blades before the helicopter came over the ridge. Ken stood with both arms in the recognised Y for help above his head as the pilot did a couple of fly pasts, assessing the terrain.

He then flew in right behind us to drop off the two mountain gendarmes and a medic. The downdraft was immense, sending Steve and me cowering from the flying snow shrapnel created by the rotors, like a scene from Apocalypse Now.

Fortunately, Gav had foreseen this possibility so our skis were well wedged into the snow and anything else likely to move was weighed down. He, also, planted Adrian's skis in front of where he was lying in case the blast from the blades caused him to slide even more.

Airlifting The Patient

As we were still on a 25° snow-covered slope, the gendarmes used one of our avalanche shovels to make a flat shelf in the snow to lie the stretcher on, while the medic assessed Adrian's injury, gently removing his ski boot. Having determined his leg might be broken (it was, in three places), they splinted his leg, tucked him in a padded cocoon-like bag and administered appropriate pain relief (nitrous oxide).

They bundled him up with his skis, backpack, boot and poles, and just before we left, they checked that we had our van keys in case they were with Adrian!

It was then suggested that we leave the site while the heli returned to pick them up and we happily traversed a couple of hundred metres rather than brave the full blast of the overhead blades again.

Within minutes Adrian was spinning below in his cocoon, before rising into the helicopter for his journey to Briancon hospital.

How Much Does The Heli Rescue Cost?

Although we all have ski and ski touring insurance, when it comes to mountain rescue via helicopter in France the cost is rien. Nothing. In France backcountry rescue, if genuinely needed, is still free so long as it is not in an area accessible by gravity from a ski lift.

Et merci, for that.

And what was the outcome for Adrian?

Well, it was a serious break(s). Two breaks on the Fibula and a 27-degree fracture of the Tibia, he was operated on very quickly with the Tibia being plated, etc. Interestingly, he was not put in a cast, and only light dressings, which are there for the staples/stitches, which are changed every two days.

Edit 30/04 has been nigh on six weeks now, and he's moving around on crutches as he still can't bear weight.

Watch all the action, here: