The scenario keeps changing.Originally it was in a car alone, five minutes from a hospital...now its a float trip with a pro guide in the wilderness...
I had an occasion while I was fishing once where I thought I might have been in some "trouble". I was by myself and a long way from "help" of any kind. It's really odd what goes through your mind when these things pop up. I came to the conclusion that day, that if my time was coming to an end in a hurry and my heart gave out, standing in a creek with my fly rod was an OK way to go with me. It's weird how real peace falls upon you in a place like that. I can't think of a better way to go. It is an acceptable risk that I accept every time I go out in the bush alone.
It's not me I worry about. (helping the family cope is another topic)
As for being on a drift boat in Yellowstone... Carry aspirin, cough if you want...what ever floats your boat. At least the other guy will know your still alive if you're conscious enough to cough....and he can keep rowing. Just remember that this will tire you and your heart out faster. How long can you cough for?? If your heart stops...hopefully your deck partner would have accessed a cell phone tower by now, but in the middle of Yellowstone ????. Lets assume you know your guide and he knows CPR as he should...but hopefully he has one more very important trick up his sleeve or you won't need to worry about it.
I was a wilderness first aid instructor for many years. I still keep my CPR training up to date, so the other guy would get the best available...but CPR has it's limits. #1 - The human at the giving end can't do it forever. #2-It's very rare to get a heart started with just CPR alone. It's only a step in the chain of events that need to happen in order for someone to survive cardiac arrest. Realistically, one needs to have a defibrillator in close/timely proximity...or its all over.
In this day and age of affordable portable defibrillators, I'd suggest professional guides think of them as part of their first aid kits and have one on deck. It's really the only chance you have out there if your heart decides to stop. Believe me...You won't be five minutes away from an ER. IF your really worried about it...get one of your own and take it with you on those floats and make sure you show your partner.
If the risks of going out in the wilderness seem unexceptionable, ...ie; yes, you will most probably die if you suffer a cardiac arrest out there, then that sort of adventure is not for you. If that's a risk you're able to accept...you'll feel like I did that day on the river. If it's going to happen...I can't think of a better place than on the Yellowstone.
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