SHOULDER DISLOCATION

Alberta, Rocky Mountains, Mount Throne

On August 24, 1988, five climbers were short-roping on moderate terrain on an intermediate rock climb as part of a warden service training climb. Just below the summit ridge, while one of the climbers (32) was making a relatively easy move, his shoulder dislocated. He tried several times to pop his shoulder back in place, but without success.

Another climber was lowered to him. He stabilized the shoulder, and both climbers were lowered to a level place. After resting for about ten minutes, the injured climber was able to relocate his shoulder. Since a radio call had already been made, and since the climber felt weak, he was evacuated by helicopter. (Source: Patrick Sheehan, Canadian Park Service, Jasper)

Analysis

This is an example of a group with self-rescue skills. Because the injured shoulder was properly immobilized and a rescue climber was able to assist the injured one to a level place, there was no further injury. (Source: Patrick Sheehan, Canadian Park Service, Jasper)