Michael Miller, KH6ML, had just logged his 11th QSO while doing a POTA/SOTA activation on September 16th on Hawaii's Diamond Head when he got his 12th contact unexpectedly -- right there on the summit: a visitor approached, asking him to help a woman who'd just collapsed inside the summit's observation bunker after hiking the trail.

Michael called 911 and then, heading down to the bunker where cell service was uncertain, used his HT to ask hams listening on local repeaters to stand by in case they were needed. The hiker in distress was a woman in her seventies from Japan, a tourist visiting Hawaii with her husband and their adult daughter. As the Honolulu Fire Department personnel made their way there, Michael passed information from the family on to the emergency dispatchers. The fire personnel sent the department's helicopter as it would have been difficult for rescuers to navigate the steep terrain while carrying the woman. With the woman transported for medical assistance, Michael accompanied her daughter safely back down the trail to meet up with her family. He later learned from them that the woman was cared for and doing well.

While there are no emergency-preparedness drills that follow this real-life scenario atop a summit, Michael said he was ready. His many off-the-grid and off-the-road venues where POTA and SOTA takes him gave him options to make important connections. His responses also drew on his training as part of Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service for the City and County of Honolulu, which he serves as deputy coordinator. He is also a member of the Emergency Amateur Radio Club in Honolulu.

As he says in his YouTube video about the experience, [quote] "It wasn't the day that I had planned but it was still a wonderful day to make contacts and my best contact all day was helping somebody in need." [endquote]

To hear Michael's account of the rescue and view the YouTube video, follow the link in the text version of this week's newscast at arnewsline.org