Colorado, Rocky Mountain National Park, Mt. Otis. (See accident report) The doctor in the climbing party applied a plastic pneumatic splint to victim Henry Monroe. At 4:00 P.M. a park ranger chanced upon the accident scene. The ranger and climbers alternately carried the victim by a rope harness consisting of a coiled climbing rope with the loops divided into two parts for the legs of the victim and the shoulders of the carrier. Using constant belays, they arrived at the valley floor 200 feet below at 5:00 P.M., where they decided to spend the night at the base camp. On the following day the remaining 4½ mile carry-out was accomplished by a National Park Service rescue team in 2½ hours.

Analysis: The pneumatic splint was excellent for immobilization and cushioning of the injury during transport, thus speeding recovery time. The wise use of equipment at hand and self-help by an experienced climbing party reduced a possible lengthy rescue to a short, effective effort.