Instead of a hypothetical answer, here is a real life example:
About 30+ years ago, when I was with Inyo SAR, a climber suffered a broken hip on Starlight Peak, in the Palisades, at about 14,200 feet, after being struck by rock-fall. The injured man was immobile and in pain. His partner down-climbed and hiked out to find the wilderness ranger (there were still seasonal rangers then) and reported the accident.
The ranger used his radio to call for assistance and Inyo SAR was contacted by the Inyo Sheriff.
In the meantime, the partner climbed, in the dark via the U-Notch, back to his injured friend and made sure his friend stayed warm through the night.
The next day and night we accomplished a successful rescue.
The injured man's partner did all the right things: 1)made sure his friend was in a safe place, 2)went for help, and 3)returned to guide the rescue team to his friend and maintained vigil with his injured partner until help arrived.
Last edited by Bob West; 09/03/14 11:26 PM.
