VISAR Rescued Me “Casualty” Traci is safely transported from the beach to the rescue boat. Photos by Dan O’Connor.
By Traci O’Dea
22
The Virgin Islands Search and Rescue boat sped across the
“whoa is me” acting skills, sank into the sand and waited for the
Sir Francis Drake Channel toward Salt Island to conduct a
VISAR volunteers to come to my rescue. Paul soon crouched
training rescue on an acting casualty—me. As the 29-foot,
beside me and asked about my injury while Abi Hillman and
bright orange RIB bounced and bounded through the mildly
Russell Willings approached with the stretcher and first-aid kit. Their
choppy water at 45 knots, volunteer crew Paul Hubbard
professionalism and directness quickly made me forget that I was
asked if I was comfortable with the speed. “It’s fine,” I lied.
playing a role, and I answered Paul’s questions as if I were actually
I wanted to experience a true rescue mission which meant
wounded, candidly recounting past surgeries and broken bones.
appreciating that the time factor was crucial in saving lives in
While Paul assessed my status and my history, Abi took my pulse
remote locations. The Virgin Islands are lucky to have VISAR.
and blood pressure, and Russell administered oxygen after
The boat soon docked at Salt Island where the crew instructed
securing my head and neck. The VISAR crew treated my faux
me to walk down the beach and feign injury. I put on my best
injury of a sprained ankle with a vacuum splint then strapped
VI PROPERTY & YACHT
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