Pushing The SOS Button In The Sawtooth Wilderness

I'm not on telegram! I've been trying to block/report them as quickly as possible, but if you see someone with my picture trying to get you to text me on telegram IT IS A SCAM. It's only me if the name (Homemade Wanderlust) is highlighted and has a check next to it, like it is with this comment. Also for everyone asking, Chad, one of the fellas I met on the trail who waited with me, got the shot of the helicopter flying away and emailed it to me (I thanked him at the end of the video).

As an ER nurse and as a solo backpacker who never wants to hit the SOS, you 100% did the right thing. A new elevated HR that doesn't go down, repeated alarms for Afib, and feeling like crap is a combo that is definitely a medical emergency that you cannot fix on your own. Chest tightness or something sitting on your chest on top of it?! Absolutely, you did the right thing. I hope you feel better soon and are able to get to the bottom of it. Everyone should know, 3 hrs is a very fast response time for a wilderness rescue.

What kind words…thank you, Dixie. No one ever goes out planning to push SOS but we are all so grateful you’re okay. I loved being part of your time here in Idaho and can’t wait to welcome you back. 🏔️❤️

For all those saying negative things, I'm retired from a Wilderness SAR career, and as a solo backpacker in all seasons. She did exactly the right thing. SAR people WANT to be called out on missions. We absolutely live for this work. Considering all the times we are called too late, or recover dead people, it is an immense relief to find a wilderness traveler needing LESS help rather than more help. The mindset of a SAR person is very different from that of the armchair critic watching videos. We do not want to charge, we want to ease suffering and save lives. We are happy to be called out at all hours and in all weather. That's core, and telling someone not to call us unless they are at death's door is just plain ignorant. Especially as often, people in distress just do not know enough to fully and honestly assess their medical risk.

As a paramedic for 30 years and a hiker, climber and general lover of the outdoors I know how you were feeling. Second guessing yourself is a normal part of heart problems and even heart attacks, I am so glad to see you made the right call! As I tell my patients all the time “I would rather be here talking to you than being here and NOT talking to you. Be safe dear glad to see you made it home safely.

Hate seein you cry Dixie. You’re not stupid. This is exactly why you’ve got an SOS with you. ❤️

This should be the case study of when everyone does the right things. -Dixie asked for help -Trail bros got her to a safe place -Helicopter landed safely -locals helped out with a ride and a nice day. Good job, team. You've won being decent people for the day awards.

Dixie, worked in EMS and I can assure you people call first responders for total BS reasons. Having symptomatic A-fib in the middle of nowhere is a serious emergency. I’m sure your cardiologist has explained what could have happened. Most important thing is they came in, plucked you out of there, and you’re still with us to hike another day. THESE S&R guys are the best people out there, training day in and day out, hell I can guarantee they are far more skilled in wilderness Medicine than I ever was. Thanks to the pilot and crew, and all the volunteers who do this day in and day out!

As a 30-year veteran of Mountain SAR, including here in Idaho where you were hiking, you 100% did the right thing in pushing the SOS button! The worst thing you could have done would have been to wait until your condition worsened and the weather worsened. Don't second guess yourself for a second when things don't feel right.

"You want us to stay with you?" Thank you Chad and Tyler. You are true gentlemen. 🙏❤

Dixie: I am the old guy with the yellow lab heading out as you were heading in. You had an amazing adventure . I accused you of being the “great encourager”. I believe your newest adventure will save lives in the future and your clear thinking will help others act quickly and make the tough call. You encourage us all to step out , increase our agency, and share the benefits of community.

I am a 84 year old section hiker that has been hiking since I was 11 years old. I still walk 5.2miles on a local mountain 3 times a week. I have followed you for some time And appreciate your honest evaluations of equipment. I was shocked at your last post where you had to declare an emergency and hope that you are now ok and that your health will let you continue hiking. Please update us as to your health and future hiking plans.

Oh honey! You absolutely did the right thing! When I was on the WHW in Scotland in 2018, I felt exactly the way you described. I was having a heart attack. It was a harrowing day. I was airlifted to Glasgow for lifesaving angioplasty. It was a long road back, and I still suffer from ptsd. But I’m hiking again! That empty tank feeling that you described is exactly how I felt. It’s scary as hell. Sending all the good vibes your way.💕

Hey , to the two guys who stopped to help. The world needs more people like you. Thanks for being so kind and honorable. It makes me feel better to see that kind of kindness.

As a retired ER nurse , I feel you did the smart and prudent action by pushing the SOS button. Your symptom of shortness of breath especially with exertion could be due to Afib. Your family history is another good reason. Again it is a great thing you have the Garmin GPS. It's hard to see you cry! Thank you for sharing your experience as it may help others.

Again, thanks to the honorable guys who stayed with Dixie. It's very true that ppl like us, Hikers, Kayakers, Backpackers, are an awesome bunch of ppl and they embody that ethos of those that Adventure thru the natural world. 😊

You’re brave for putting the whole thing out there on YouTube. Glad you were okay and that you found support from all sorts of people in the community.

As someone who volunteers with Search and Rescue in the area you were rescued I first want to say that you 100% made the right call by pushing SOS. Any time working with SAR, time is so valuable and the more time we have, the better chance of a good outcome. I do want to point out to your viewers, whoever reads this, that 3 hrs from pushing the button to the helicopter arriving is probably the best outcome someone can ask for. If the weather window was different, and the air transport was grounded, it would take our team 3.5 hrs just to get to the trail head. The Garmin Inreach and like are such amazing products for so many reasons but I highly recommend everyone who purchases one truly understand what happens after you initiate an SOS and the time it takes for resources to arrive. Again, I'm really happy you got to see some of the Sawtooths and hope you come back soon!

Thank you for pushing that button, Dixie! The world is richer with you in it. Your tears broke my "mom" heart, and I was so relieved when the two hikers showed up that my own eyes filled with tears. Every concern and fear you felt is valid, and makes perfect sense. Thank you for sharing this experience; your sound decision is a positive example for us all. May God bless you and all who took care of you, dear Dixie! You are cherished more than you know.

Sending love 4 weeks later! In my first life, I was in the military, infantry, deployed overseas. You did the right thing. Safety first. That's why you carry an inReach. In my second life, I'm an avid backcountry runner and camper. You did the right thing. Safety first. 2,380 comments to date... all wishing you love and the best! Onward. The best is yet to come!