Liberty Ambulance Off – Road Medicine

Off road rescues and medical emergencies are a regular part of the work Liberty Ambulance EMS staff experience on a regular basis. When the desert fills up it becomes another city as thousands leave their homes to enjoy and experience the multiple recreational areas nearby.

Recently, EMT Brian Lanterman and Paramedic Brad Goodwin were working EMS Station 73 in Inyokern when a 9-1-1 call for a medical emergency in the Dove Springs Campground area was received. On the way to the call an update that this could be a stroke patient prompted the EMS crew to place an air ambulance on-call. Unfortunately, bad weather and high winds prevented the use of the air ambulance.

Arriving on-scene the EMS crew found a man in his 60’s with signs and symptoms of a stroke. Given the fact that the patient had no prior history of a stroke and the location of the call the decision was made to transport the patient to a designated Stroke Center in Lancaster. Immediately upon arrival in Lancaster the Emergency Room physician confirmed the EMS Crew’s decision was the correct one, and the hospital activated its Stroke Team.

Within minutes the patient was given a CT scan and thrombolytics administered with positive results. In a short period, the patient’s condition had improved, and the symptoms of a stroke were gone. The patient remained in the hospital for a few days but returned home.

In addition to a fleet of four-wheel drive ambulances, Liberty Ambulance also utilizes specially designed off – road vehicles capable of reaching remote areas. Each unit is equipped with paramedic supplies and equipment, GPS tracking and guidance and radios capable of communicating with a wide variety of agencies.