I agree with you that the NPS staff are likely well trained and experience for handling emergencies. Any park with sufficient numbers of visiors will have a wide variety of emergency situations during the year. I just wish their web site offered a little more information so I can be better prepared, both or my son's condition as well as for the rest of the group. As a leader, we have the responsibility of other parent's children as well.<br><br>>>> ... they have people at both Rock Harbor and Windigo(east and west ends). <<<<br><br>We will likely have enough boys for 2 to 3 groups (limited to 10 people). When we plan our itinerary, we may work one of the groups in a loop on the west end to stay reasonably close to Windogo, where I would stash his electronic nebulizer. We haven't even discussed any details yet, so it's very early in the planning stages, which is why I'm trying to gather as much information beforehand so I'm ready when we do get down to the brass tacks!<br><br>>>>...email or call the Chief Ranger <<<<br>I did email the park and received a reply, although it was not signed so I don't know who it was from. The email did provide some information, such as the use of marine radios for reaching park staff. There is the possibility for a helicopter aitlift to Thunder Bay in an emergency, but the reply stated that the few times this was neccesary the weather prevented it. It did say what the outcome was in those situations. :-( I read on the web site that the float plane service is going to be reinstated this year, which would provide another option.<br><br>Again, I seriously doubt that there will be a need for any action of this magnitude. My son isn't a frail, near-death weakling. He's a normal, reasonably fit young man. But if some allergin triggers a reaction, the result can be fatal. I don't expect anything on the island that would trigger such a reaction. The worse situations he's run into to date were the church basement sleep-in I mentioned, and campfire smoke. Camporees are especially hard becasue of the large concentration of troop, each with their own campfires.<br><br>Anyway, my initial thoughts are as follows:<br><br>1. Stash his elecytronic nebulizer at the ranger station.<br>2. Plan an itinerary that's within reasonable distance form this station.<br>3. Obtain and carry an small oxygen cylinder to drive a nebulizer treatment, or get a portable, ultrasonic nebulizer (expensive and relient upon batteries, but lighter than a cylinder)<br>4. Carry a marine radio for emergency contact.<br>5. Carry a heat sheet of ferry schedule and drop off points<br>6. Have a great time!<br><br>I just had to add the last item because my hope is that's the only point that will get used!
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Willie Vannerson
McHenry, IL