Yesterday, I shared the first part of my weekend hike along the Cowichan River near Skutz Falls. Today’s photo journal entry focuses on building and using stretchers in the wilderness. I hope you enjoy this creative adventure that is also an applied survival skill.
First, let’s take a look up river. While I am taking this photo one of the coaches is explaining that next term if the students choose they will jump in up river (with life jackets and helmets of course) and be rescued just below the bridge we are standing on at the moment. They don’t have to go in but it is a prerequisite for learning to whitewater kayak.
The senior students met us at the bridge and lead us back down the river on the north side to where they had made stretchers by cutting poles and stringing them with coats, backpacks and one with a tarp. There was also stretcher made with webbed rope made and a foam sheet used in kayaking – this showed what could be used when sea kayaking and poles may not be readily available.
Everyone formed teams and the senior students lead the groups through a series of off trail maneuvers as directed by the coaches.
Down the trail they come…
Stopping to check on how the patient is doing (a very vulnerable ride)
It’s getting dark and I have to use my flash as they go through the brush…
And on the home stretch(er)
Creativity is related to much more than the arts. Creativity is the product of our ability to imagine. Our imagination allows us to find connections and ways of doing things that we have never seen or experienced before. I can tell by the smiles of these students, as they take on what is actually a difficult task to carry someone through the brush on a homemade stretcher, they are creative beings and loving it – lucky them and lucky us. I feel very privileged to have been able to share their company for this one afternoon on the Cowichan River.
Sprout Question: Have you ever had to use your creativity to save your life or save someone else?
© 2010 Terrill Welch, All rights reserved.
Liberal usage granted with written permission. See “About” for details.
Purchase photography at http://www.redbubble.com/people/terrillwelch
Creative Potager – where imagination rules. Be inspired.
Creative Potager 
Sprout Question: Have you ever had to use your creativity to save your life or save someone else?
Someone Else
Not “creativity” so much as making use of the skills I have been taught: The Heimlich Maneuver (a man choking in a restaurant); CPR (as a teenage lifeguard); and a tourniquet on the thigh of a woman in a car accident (I was the first on the scene and she was bleeding profusely).
For Myself
Again not so much out of “creativity” as out of fear and strength. I was in a car with a soft top that went over a bridge and landed upside down in the Calapooia River in Oregon. Because of the pressure of the water, the doors/windows wouldn’t work. I had to kick/tear my way out the soft top so I wouldn’t drown.
Wow! Laurie these are quite the collection of experiences. I think figuring out how to kick your way out of the car in the river counts as creative even if you were terrified. Mind you, attitude always counts and I like what you do with your rough edges. (worth clicking the link – you will for sure laugh with rather than at Laurie)
Does using your art as a creative and positive force to help you through a turbulent period count?
Welcome Chiarina – I must say yes:) And from the snippets of your work shown on your blog, lucky for us. Congratulations on your January 9th solo show. Thank you for answering today’s Sprout.
Sprout question: Have you ever had to use your creativity to save your life or save someone else?
Someone else: Not so much Creativity, as I’d just refreshed my CPR course when it was needed, but feel Blessed that it worked 🙂
Myself: Yes, saving my life when Western medicine had given up on me and I needed to reverse damage done by chemo. The result was a newly lived life of joy & Gratitude; and I Love and appreciate each day at a whole new level 😉
Thank you for answering today’s sprout Antonia – that is an amazing story about how your creativity saved your life. I also want to congratulate you on your 100th blog post at Hittingsend. I have a ways to go to reach that milestone.