Emergency Medical Services Near BLM Panoche / Tumey Hills

[BigBlueBoy]

Hello - This post is intended to prepare myself & the folks I take out to Panoche BLM this coming Presidents Day long weekend...This will be my first trip to a BLM!

Although I always carry to ranges a fully stocked trauma kit (36 pieces) & trained to use it from my "former" life, I'd like to know how folks using BLM Panoche or Tumey Hills would react if there was a medical emergency.

1. Is there good/decent cell reception to call 911? If there is cell reception, would you just wait for these services to arrive at your location? (seems like a risky option - many things could go wrong)

2. What's the closest Hospital w/ Emergency services? Based on google maps/search, the Memorial Hospital in Los Banos seems to be the closest. Is there a closer hospital that I overlooked?

Memorial Hospital Los Banos
520 W I St, Los Banos, CA 93635

Thanks in advance!

[kevman0154]

Just went this past weekend.

Def no Cell phone service out there. At least with T-mobile. The further you go back the worse it gets too. Maybe invest in a some kind of Radio, like a baofeng or something.

Either way its a fun time. clean up after yourself and have a great time!

[dC0m]

Can't speak for Panoche Hills, but as someone who travels to BLMs often, operate as if there is no EMS/easy exfil. It will be hard to get cell reception, let alone pin point your exact location to first responders.

I travel to out-of-state BLMs and cell reception can be spotty (even with Verizon). Don't keep your head buried in your phone and keep situational awareness of 1 click out in all directions.

Your best bet is to keep situational awareness of your surroundings, carry enough TQs for each person in you party, and bring a well-stocked trauma kit for when SHTF. Be safe, have fun, and make sure to pack out more than you brought in!

[BigBlueBoy]

Originally Posted by dC0m

Can't speak for Panoche Hills, but as someone who travels to BLMs often, operate as if there is no EMS/easy exfil.

You are 100% correct, dC0m! I was finally out at Panoche over Presidents weekend and can attest to the fact that if there was a gunshot injury or any other serious injury, you would need to take care of it on your own ASAP.

The amount of travel over the single gravel/semi-dirt road to get to the public lands at Panoche is a few miles and you need to drive slow (<20-25 MPH). It's a bit of a journey from I-5 all the way to getting to your shooting location at Panoche.

As mentioned earlier by others, you just need to play safe and be aware of your surroundings.

[Mtndewking]

If its truly remote. No one is coming to save you. Treat on scene and evac to cell reception.

[NorCalBusa]

1. Get a CALSTAR Membership- they have the four closest bases (= fast response time).

2. Get a Garmin In-Reach device https://discover.garmin.com/en-US/inreach/personal

[NorCalBusa]

Just in: Federal agency to close Panoche hills to vehicle traffic starting March 1

https://benitolink.com/federal-agenc...o3lXX7Gd1ajM3Q

[SilveradoColt21]

Originally Posted by NorCalBusa

1. Get a CALSTAR Membership- they have the four closest bases (= fast response time).

2. Get a Garmin In-Reach device https://discover.garmin.com/en-US/inreach/personal

Interesting, I didn't know these 2 options existed, will consider getting either or for when I go to Panoche.

[NorCalBusa]

Originally Posted by SilveradoColt21

Interesting, I didn't know these 2 options existed, will consider getting either or for when I go to Panoche.

The CALSTAR thing is a financial product, to pay your out of pocket for a needed helicopter evac. If someone is hurt and needs to be flown out, emergency services will put the patient on a medical helicopter in any case. This helps when the bills start rolling in w/helo rides +/- $40,000. The membership is good anywhere the GMR fleet of >300 helicopters serve across the US. In California, the CALSTAR and REACH brand have many bases, and being close to Panoche with so many, likely to get the call.

[SilveradoColt21]

Originally Posted by NorCalBusa

The CALSTAR thing is a financial product, to pay your out of pocket for a needed helicopter evac. If someone is hurt and needs to be flown out, emergency services will put the patient on a medical helicopter in any case. This helps when the bills start rolling in w/helo rides +/- $40,000. The membership is good anywhere the GMR fleet of >300 helicopters serve across the US. In California, the CALSTAR and REACH brand have many bases, and being close to Panoche with so many, likely to get the call.

Yeah I agree, I'll admit that I've never been to Panoche before but I've seen pictures and my buddies have went and they describe it as that you're basically in the middle of nowhere if you go deep enough in with no cellular service and only yourself to save you if SHTF.

[cz74]

Never been to but always wanted to go Panoche Hills, looks like too late for this season they are closing on March 1. I think Garmin InReach and the in-app emergency paid services are good choices for trauma situations stuck in middle of nowhere without any cell or radio service. A budget option will be get a cheap Baofeng radio and an extended Diamond antenna (better reception than the rubber ducky). Go to "repeater book" and "radio reference" websites to verify the nearby repeaters in that location and program the frequencies into your Baofeng. Even if you are not a ham licensed, in extreme emergency, you can broadcast on the repeaters. Also get a portable GPS if you don't have the InReach. A trauma kit that has chest seals and tourniquets and train to use them.