Symposium presenters discuss injuries and illnesses.
Myers discussed heat illness and hyponatremia, a condition that occurs when the level of sodium in the blood is too low, at the National Park Service Preventive Search and Rescue (PSAR) Symposium last month at Grand Canyon National Park.
Other sessions included presentations from park staff about downhill injuries, risk assessment and personal preparedness, law enforcement, search and rescue efforts, radio communications and more.
Implemented in 1997, the PSAR program is made up of a team of volunteers from around the country who come to the Grand Canyon to serve as trail educators and support providers to hikers who have questions or need help. The program was established to combat heat-related illnesses. Officials say it also has eased stress on inner canyon staff members.
PSAR volunteers patrol the upper part of the Bright Angel and South Kaibab corridor trails at the South Rim Grand Canyon. They ask hikers how far they plan to go, how much water and food are they carrying and how aware are they about summer high temperatures. They also carry basic medical gear and radios to report emergencies. Last year, PSAR had an estimated 53,000 contacts with visitors.
Serving as a PSAR volunteer for at least 15 years, Flagstaff resident and former physical therapist Sel Wasson says he is involved because of the environment, meeting and talking to interesting people from around the world, and the opportunity to see wildlife. “My most memorable experience on the Bright Angel Trail was a bighorn sheep that walked right up to me on the trail and stopped just a few feet in front of me. It was one of the most awe-inspiring experiences I’ve ever had.”
Grand Canyon PSAR Supervisor Meghan Smith and Joshua Tree National Park Service PSAR Coordinator Anna Marini planned the symposium. “We had an amazing turnout and I’m so grateful to all the participants who made time in their busy schedules to come,” said Smith. “It’s just proof of how important PSAR is.”
Attendees totaled about 150, with 31 national parks and monuments represented, along with 45 PSAR volunteers, park rangers and park managers.
Grand Canyon PSAR volunteer Brandon Trapp said it was great to see people from different national parks across the country show up. “There were two tracks, one for managers to learn about how to start programs for their parks and the other for volunteers to learn operational procedures and how to interact with people and hone their skills. It was great to see both addressed.”
“This is an awesome opportunity to collaborate with other national parks at the Grand Canyon,” said Jennifer Proctor with the National Park Public Risk Management Program. “We pride ourselves in doing things really well and it’s super important for us to connect with other parks and places to get new ideas.” QCBN
By V. Ronnie Tierney, QCBN
Photo by V. Ronnie Tierney, Fresh Focuses Photography: NAU Regents’ Professor Emeritus Stan Lindstedt gave a presentation about preventing downhill injuries.
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