DISLOCATED ANKLE WHILE RAPPELLING

California, Joshua Tree National Monument

Richard Riley (22) dislocated his right ankle on October 25,1986, on Cyclops Rock, near Hidden Valley campground, while rappelling down the west face of the rock formation.

Riley was rappelling with a belay from the summit when the injury occurred. At first Riley believed that he had sprained his ankle, but when he looked down at it the deformation was obvious. Riley said that he was rappelling slowly when the incident took place. Riley’s belayer lowered him to the ground.

Ranger R. Guerrieri arrived at the scene at 1355 and performed the initial patient survey. He asked that an ambulance and litter team be sent to the scene. Shortly after Guerrieri arrived, an ambulance from Joshua Tree arrived followed by volunteers James and Barbara Munro and Rangers Arrington and Taber. The subject was transported via litter to the ambulance. (Source: Richard Guerrieri, Ranger, Joshua Tree National Monument)

(Editor’s Note: Proper technique, including the back-up belay, spared the victim additional trauma.)