A room full of flaming, orange-dressed volunteers from Tonto Rim Search and Rescue arrived one weekend to sharpen their wilderness medical help skills.

That was where I was introduced to the “Burrito”- a way when no first aid help is available, one can use a

Burrito Wrap to transport an injured person out of the wilderness.

  When someone is injured, and there is no immediate medical aid, you may have to carry them out of the wilderness for help. This method is simple and quite comfortable for both the injured person and the helpers.
Here are the steps to take:

1. Lay a rope pattern down. Leave the end with the loop loose. Make the rope pattern wide enough and long enough to extend beyond the head

2. Lay the tarp over the rope design. Open and leave enough on the outer side to be able to cover the injured person when you place them on it. Also, leave enough tarp to cover the other side of the person.

3. Place some firm straight objects on the tarp to support the burrito carry out. This can be hiking poles, paddles, tree branches, or even a frame-style backpack. 

4. Next, place an opened sleeping bag on top. 

5. Lay the injured person down on the sleeping bag around the person and cover it with the tarp making sure the side is covered also with the tarp ?

6. Starting at the end with the loop of the rope, link side ropes into the loop and have the person on the opposite side find the rope under the burrito that has some give and tighten it up. Pull through. Continue this daisy chain until you get to the other end where the person’s head is. Tie it off.

7. Make sure the person’s face is visible, perhaps cover the top of the head and shield them from direct sunlight as they are transported. Also, keep a check on the person. 

8. While transporting an injured person, have one person direct the move; it may be the one at the head of the bundle. The number of people helping to carry the injured person out should be evenly distributed on both sides. You can all lift to knee level first together, then to the standing position. The person in charge of carrying out can say, “On the count of three…”, then, count up to that number so you will all be even in the lift-- a very comfortable way to help an injured person get out of the wilderness if no medical aid is readily available. 

  Here are some other helpful tips I learned at our two-day training in Payson:
How to secure a person with a pelvic fracture, how to use your jackets tied together at the arms to help support under the person, how to use your hiking sticks for stabilizing a femur fracture, a simple technique for someone who has a dislocated shoulder, how to stabilize a sprained ankle so that the hiker can walk out on their own. And, what simple things can you do for dehydration, how to use a SAM splint for a broken arm, how to fashion a neck brace with the same type of splint, multiple ways of how to build a dependable fire in any weather, making a shelter out of a foil back tarp, Could this be a list?

  At the end of the training, we were divided into several groups. Each group was given a situation to discuss among ourselves and we then presented to the entire group what steps we would take to care for the injured person or persons. A very practical exercise.

  I am honored to be part of this group of Tonto Rim Search and Rescue. I have found them to be genuine, smart, caring, and devoted to helping those in need. They demonstrate strengths of physical, mental, emotional, and heartfelt kindness.
  Monthly meetings are at 7 pm held presently at the American Legion Building on Hwy. 260 in Payson. The areas of expertise are varied. They welcome visitors who are interested to understand what they do to make our local citizens safe in the wilderness.


  Some of the teams areas are: Ropes, Man Tracking, Swift Water, Dog rescue and tracking, Canyoneering, Equine Team, Heli, Drones, EMTs, and ATVs. You can also visit the website - www TRSAR.org
  And a final note, just remember that the Big Burrito cannot be eaten, but it is often more valuable than food!