Clay's Corner: Better Rangers, Better Care

Rangers patrol some part of Lake James State Park’s 4,000 acres 365 days a year and on into the night on many occasions. While we try to get some sleep in the latest nighttime hours, at least one of us remains ready, 24 hours a day, to answer a call for help. We are often the first to arrive at medical emergencies in the park. If you have a life-threatening emergency while visiting the park day or night dial 911. This will get you in touch with the Emergency Communications Center for the county you are in. Provide as much information to them as you can about your location and the details of your emergency. They will immediately contact a nearby ranger to get help to you as quickly as possible.

For the past several years we have been increasing our medical response capabilities by having each ranger and maintenance mechanic in the park attend classes and certify as Emergency Medical Responders (EMRs). The EMR certification is the beginning of the medical certifications recognized and regulated by the State of North Carolina. The class involves 96 hours in medical training including: CPR and basic life support, first aid, overdose, anaphylaxis, cold and heat related emergencies, diabetes, burns, and bleeding control to name a few. Rangers can respond to emergencies on site with a defibrillator, emergency oxygen, first aid and bleeding control equipment, as well as two new options now available to us that came along with the EMR certification: Epinephrine and Naloxone.

Rangers have always received basic medical training to assist with emergencies within the park. Our job, then and now, is to stabilize and improve patients until higher medical care arrives and the patient can be transported to a hospital. Two emergencies we are confronting more frequently are anaphylaxis and drug overdose. Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction to a toxin or other foreign substance like a bee sting to which the body has become hypersensitive. This reaction often causes rashes and swelling that can complicate breathing. When this occurs, Epinephrine, also called adrenaline, can be artificially and safely introduced into the bloodstream to reduce that swelling and allow a patient to breath normally. Rangers now have training and immediate access to epinephrine right here in the park.

Sadly, drug overdoses are becoming a common occurrence in our area. Overdoses can occur from any type of illegal or prescription drugs and require immediate medical care. Of particular concern are a group of drugs called opiates including heroin, fentanyl and oxycodone. Overdosing on an opiate could result in the inability to breathe, or respiratory arrest. Rangers have recently been trained on and provided access to Naloxone for use in the park. Naloxone is a synthetic drug that blocks opiate receptors in the brain, reversing the effects of an opiate related overdose and allowing the patient to breathe again.

Over the past several years park staff have responded to hypothermia victims, drug overdoses, broken bones, anaphylaxis, cardiac problems, lacerations, vehicle accidents, severe intoxication and the occasional fishhook impalement. Having access to additional tools like epinephrine and naloxone at arm’s reach can be lifesaving. The advanced medical training we receive has made us better rangers and given us the skills to make sure you have the best and safest possible experience during your visit. Many of the areas in the park are quite remote, please plan ahead and be prepared for emergencies. For general questions call the park office at 828- 584-7728.