Scouting, Volume 62, Number 6, September 1974 Page: 88
112 p. : ill. ; 28 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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IF YOU
EVER
NEED
A FRIEND
BY BOB "BARRACUDA" BROWN
About 75 Scouters on our aquatics
f\ staff, were camped under the tail
pines of beautiful northern Idaho for
the 1973 National Scout Jamboree. It
was a typical and routine campsite:
two men per tent, lots of hard work
manning the waterfront, but lots of
great fellowship.
We had been pushing the maximum
swim load — about 5,000 boys a day.
By evening the strain was evident. We
all looked forward to returning to the
campsite where we could relax, swap
stories of past camping days and
share ideas of improving our opera-
tion. After a "cracker barrel" of
snacks, it was off to bed, a few good-
night remarks to your tentmate and
sleep.
I slid down into my sleeping bag, a
little more tired than usual. About 4
a.m. Sunday a strong gust of wind hit
our camp. A large tree broke and
crashed down onto my tent. It hit my
tentmate on the ankle but struck me
diagonally across the chest, pinning
me to my cot. So tremendous was the
impact that I grunted like a wild ani-
mal. I heard the voice of my tentmate
and old friend yell, "Hang on, Brown-
ie, hang on." Then I lost conscious-
ness.
When I came to, all was calm. I then
heard voices saying, "OK, lift togeth-
er!" I felt a great pressure leave my
chest, only to be replaced by a pain
that made me labor for breath. When
the tent was removed, fresh, cool air
swept over me like a giant air condi-
tioner. Suddenly the faces and voices
were clearer and more distinct. Calm,
firm, familiar voices were reassuring
me. First aid was being administered.
Having been a medical corpsman with
the Marines in Korea, I know good first
aid when I see it, and it was being giv-
en to me by experts.
Not just one runner went for help,
but two. One ran to the nearest phone
to call the Army medical team as-
signed to the jamboree. To make sure,
in case the phone was busy or out-of-
order, a second runner headed direct-
ly to the medical headquarters. Only
once for a brief instant fear grabbed
me, but a commanding voice from a
man I had developed great respect for
over the years, snapped at me. I knew
everything would turn out all right. A
secure, calm comfort settled into me.
The security and comfort grew as I
watched and listened to my friends.
I was moved by the Army medical
unit to a hospital tent. Doctors and
nurses took over, but my friends were
still by my side. After 20 minutes or so I
had so many tubes running in and out
of me that I felt like a plumber had
been at work.
True, my vital signs registered
shock, but I knew my friends had
moved quickly and expertly, and time
was on my side. I was placed in a heli-
copter and evacuated to a nearby Air
Force hospital. Here surgeons, x-ray
and lab technicians met me at the
door. They first suspected that I had a
ruptured liver, broken or cracked ribs
and a possible ruptured diaphragm.
But x-rays and further examinations
proved nothing broken, nothing rup-
tured. Yes, I would be very sore for a
few months to come. But 30 hours or
so later I returned to the jamboree and
was on my feet and among my friends
at the closing campfire.
There is another side to my story. Af-
ter my departure by helicopter, my
friends went right on working for me
as they offered up prayers for my well
being and recovery. Now this seems a
long way from first aid treatment, but I
think those prayers had their effect.
The doctor on the helicopter reached
down and checked my liver and with a
smile said, "Your liver has subsided.
You're going to be OK." That would
have been about the time those pray-
ers were being answered.
I was a witness to the Scout Motto. I
saw and was the subject of Scouting
skills in action. I had been affected by
the Scout Law. "A Scout Is Trustwor-
thy" — My personal effects were all
taken care of. Not a penny or dirty
sock was lost. "A Scout Is Helpful" —
Yes, he sure is. "A Scout Is Reverent"
— And I thank God he is. "A Scout Is
Obedient." Well, I could give
examples of all 12 points of the Law
from my ordeal at the jamboree, but
you have the message.
Many of my friends at home ask if I'll
still go camping or if I'll ever quit
Scouting after such a terrifying experi-
ence. My answer to the second ques-
tion is, "NEVER." These are the peo-
ple I want to be around. I can think of
no better friend than a trained Scout or
Scouter. ■
Editor's note: The "commanding
voice" mentioned in the story was that
of E. E. Hoisington, Manager, Schiff
Scout Reservation, Mendham, N.J. An-
other national staff member who ren-
dered first aid was Joe Nelson, Field
Representative, of our South Central
Region in Dallas, Tex.
88
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Boy Scouts of America. Scouting, Volume 62, Number 6, September 1974, periodical, September 1974; New Brunswick, New Jersey. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth353624/m1/88/: accessed April 26, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Boy Scouts of America National Scouting Museum.