[K38 Rescue]

David's blog: http://www.davidpuu.com/blog/?p=748#comments

Peaking, in Seconds and Feet


Shawn Alladio


Just got a call. A visceral scream was the first thing I heard. Someone unloading into their phone and I was the recipient. Confusion, alarm, concern, all the keywords one goes through when you know something bad has happened to the person on the phone with you, flashed my psyche as dread fell upon me.

I then realized that Shawn Alladio was the gutteral scream. She was in her car, naked for the most part, burned, bruised, in shock. We established a rapport and I began to talk her down.

It is 12:15 AM. I am now wired and beyond alert. Shawn had rung off as she reached her home in OC. I knew that she had just done a long day at sea with the military in an appreciation day that her company, K38 Rescue had just put on.

In her weary drive home she had rolled up on a flame wall on the 5 Fwy. She said that she had driven through it and that it looked like Armageddon. Pulling up to a burning car she got out and saw movement in the flames. Grabbing a prybar she broke the window and grabbed at the squirming flame ball that was a man. She said his hands had looked like candles as they burned.

There were bystanders and she screamed for help, but as sometimes happens no one moved and as she managed to gain control of the flaming man she began to pull him out and his foot caught in the debris. Screaming at the bystanders, they finally broke from shock and jumped the two. As they dragged the guy away, the car exploded.

“I smell David, I smell like fire and burning flesh, I think I fractured my arm, I am almost home”

Shawn thought that the car had punctured it’s tank in a collision with the guard rail, setting off the tempest. I am taking a sip of vodka right now. It burns and rasps my throat. I am worried about my friend. Emotionally peaking myself, because I love her and can do nothing. But knowing Shawn, I understand that she will be all right. Eventually. Someone lives tonight, albeit in agony, because Shawn was where she was supposed to be. It is her lot, this sort of thing. Lucky guy.

Shawn always lectures us that rescue (and life) is all about seconds and feet. You have seconds in which to assess and feet in which to react. Tonight once again she illustrated her point. Seconds and feet.

The images below are from the K38 Liquid Militia get together at Dos Pueblos Ranch on the Gaviota coast over Memorial Day weekend.

On first glance you would think it is a bunch of speed freaks and water gearheads going whack. You would be wrong. It was simply Shawn building esprit de corp, skill and teamwork with her tribe. You and I should be so lucky, that if we ever need a hero, any of them showed up. The thing with Shawn is, she always comes. Always faithful. The list of things that she has accomplished is so vast, and she is really so guarded about it, that I smile when I think about how in trouble I probably am, for writing this blog this morning.

What is a hero? Someone prepared to give all, with skills available that increase the odds of their success and you seeing your loved ones once again. I love the way the dictionary describes the term below. Funny really and incorrect in this case.

hero |ˈhi(ə)rō|
noun ( pl. -roes)
a person, typically a man, who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities : a war hero.

This first image below dropped into my in box in the wee hours. Shawn had shot it before the EMT’s took over. That is a couple who are covering the victim with a blanket. She walked back to her truck and drove away. I guess she maybe wasn’t sleeping either. Amazing.

This video was sent to me through Twitter. It describes Shawn’s life stance perfectly. I am blown away. It is all of us.



Recovery: On scene image C Shawn Alladio

[K38 Rescue]

I rarely do addendums. Here is Shawn’s letter to our team this morning. It says more, back to front than I could, right down to the signature at the page end. And after, some friends and fellow trainees, all of them more accomplished than you would ever imagine. Shawn enhanced their already impressive skill set in her courses.



Thanks All,

I finally got to sleep early this am, and I’m resting. I couldn’t get this man’s image out of my moments, I really don’t have any injuries to speak of. I think I was flushing a long exhausting day, lots of emotional connectors from 2 days of hard work, little rest, then this man’s situation, just topped me. I don’t have any pain at all, but last night was intense, I think most of it may have been emotional or ‘psyche’ driven. That’s an honest statement. I’m a bit banged up but cool. Will rest today and thanks for your thoughts. I did call Mark, Pirate, and Mike, and David, was trying to text to Ryan but I couldn’t make my fingers work. LOL I gave up on the texting and calls, I couldn’t get connections. It’s behind me now, but this man, it is forever. I am going to get dressed and go to Starbucks of course and get a double shot of something, then go over to the hospital to see if he is ok. I hope he has not lost his sight, that seems to be in my thoughts a lot. I will never forget, and we all should appreciate today with profound interest and joy. That is the message in this man’s situation, no crying…get out and about and change the world today, for surely you know not what comes next.

Love to all my friends,

shawn



“The darkest places in hell are reserved for those who maintain their neutrality in time of moral crisis”

-Dante Alighieri
(Italian Florentine Poet)

http://www.K38WaterSafety.com
The Life You Save May Be Your Own

Esprit Des Corp

Team

Team

Team

Leader

Shawn Arcs

Shawn Ramps

Alive

Matillija Memory

Post night ops, Military Class

When you are the boss

Shawn, Brad Colbert and the boys. Yesterday !

The boys. Military Ap day. K38

[K38 Rescue]

Friday, May 29th, Oceanside Ca. Vehicle Fire



http://www.flickr.com/photos/k38shaw...7618910007653/

Shawn and Ryan Mugging



Left Mike Alpha at Camp Pendleton, Brad went home, Pirate stayed later, we cleaned all the gear and stowed it to dry. It was late at night, heading back from a long day for Gunny Colbert's platoon for our USMC Recon Appreciation Day, which was a great time. Ryan Levinson Pirate, Mike Alpha, myself and John Donaldson from Kawasaki along with PWC industry supported donations for the Devil Dawgs, fielded a barbecue, training and Jet Ski rides offshore on the Kawasaki Ultra's.

John Donaldson, Mike Alpha and Ryan Levinson



I had called Brad earlier in the morning once I received a message from Mike about the deplorable weather conditions, which were deteriorating. In step with Brad's steady style, he texted back, he was confident his men would suck up to the weather. True to the call, it was a miserable dreary day. But we had fun.


Brad, Shawn and the Dawgs

At the end of this great day, I was a tired and mentioned this to Mike. I decided I would not drive with a trailer pulling the Kawasaki's, so I would come back and ride on Sunday and pick up the trailer and extra gear then. Driving home northbound on the I-5 the traffic was fashionable Friday night thick. I stayed in the #2 lane so I could creep along slowly, no rush, as I was fatigued and my driving reflected my mood.

Passing the Oso Pkwy exit, the freeway trackline began to bow on the turn northbound. The center divider was a high concrete wall. I was cruising at about 60 MPH and fading. I was focused ahead on the traffic flow with visuals, and I was alert. In a sudden burst a flurry of golden amber color expanded in concert with an explosion resulting in a ball of flame wallowing upward. It hovered and didn't dissipate readily, lots of fuel obviously had ignited.

Instantly a secondary plume of what looked like the behavior a flame thrower, a stream of burning fire flared in a cascade like a thrown bucket of water. I imagined 3-5 vehicles in a collision or perhaps a fuel tanker. In my momentary lapse of evidence, I made my decision.

From what I witnessed I believe people would be burning or unconscious in their vehicles. I was going to check on survivors. I estimated many drivers would be stopping to help since the traffic flow was heavy. I probably wouldn't be needed. I weaved through the traffic to the left as others pulled to the safety of the right. I fumbled for my phone and discarded it, keeping my eyes on the fire line for movement. Let others call, it will take up precious time I said to myself.

The traffic flow was miraculously out of harm's way. I witnessed from 3/4 mile away the 'gate keeping' red flash lights of hard braking. I saw a pile of about 7 vehicles come to a complete stop without hitting one another in front of the spewing flame line, braking very hard, amazing and impressive reactionary driving. I sped up to 70 MPH and weaved traffic, ran along the fire line crossing it and pulled to the forefront of clear air from the flames and smoke.

There was debris strewn I expected to see several vehicles. I looked back and saw only SUV one broadside in the 4th lane? It's windows were up and it's doors closed. Did they already walk away I thought? The carpool lane was clear to the dividing wall but fire was blocking it's route. When I pulled up I noticed 2 vehicles about 100' feet ahead and on my right 2-3 that were pulled over and slow moving traffic. People were standing outside of these vehicles looking perplexed. I scanned and could not find anyone else that looked injured and no other vehicles on fire. I was looking for other vehicles or victims. Nothing that looked significant, odd I thought.

I fumbled for my screwdriver as I recall a long time ago in 2 other car accidents I couldn't get the doors open from being jammed. I started to run towards the vehicle, it looked white or beige in color on the door panel and the front and rear ends and the south side were engulfed in flames that were flaring. Behind the plume of fire continued to glow orange and burn. I looked at the front windows and squatted a little to see if I could get light through the smoke for any human movement or shadow. Traffic slowed to a crawl and faces peered out of windows, where was the help?

I scanned for debris or fuel on the ground, it appeared the fuel spill that was ignited was burning on the south side from the vehicle downward. Soon those fuels would be exhausted but the vehicle would be consumed. I remember my burn blanket I left back at Camp Pendleton. I had it in my hand when Mike and I were unpacking the gear and I put it back 3 times. But I removed everything else and brought 2 fire extinguishers with me. I heard a man's voice from my left side yell out 'Did everyone get out of there?" His voice jump started to me. I never took my eyes off the vehicle looking for movement inside, I ran forward.

I thought that since nobody was there around this vehicle, they go out, but I didn't see anyone near this vehicle or the perimeter standing around. I ran to the SUV and looked into the footwell area in the front. Smoke was filling up the cab making it difficult to see. I had to press my face near the hot glass, I saw nothing, so I thought they had gotten out, I was immediately relieved. 'Look in the back seat Shawn', inner voice led.

I moved to the rear passenger side window, the flames at the back end were growing as well on the front end and side opposing me, It was very hot and pluming smoke, smelling horrid. I looked closer and it was very hard to see anything inside the SUV. I peered through the lower corner window and saw the shape of a man's head! Oh FOK, fok! I yelled out to myself. Now I was committed.

I looked at the windows and doors, locked. Windows were all the way up in the closed position. I took my fingers and tried to pry the door with my screwdriver and foot pressure, but it was crushed and the metal had grinded together, I couldn't budge it. I looked to the cars and faces and nobody was coming. I took the screwdriver in my right hand and crouched down, but first I looked around because I expected a lot of people to be running over to help. I just saw blank faces staring from their rolled down windows as they slowly passed by.

I hit the window in the lower right hand corner, nothing happened. I turned my face and hit it harder. I looked over at the traffic, still nobody was coming. I crouched because I was afraid the rush of air would lick fire at me, I didn't know what to expect or how fire behaved. I leaned back up and the window was gone. There in front of me was the head of a man in the footwell of the back seat his body was in the down position, with his head facing upwards. He was on fire. He wasn't moving at first but moaning and grunting. I looked for a second body and didn't see one. I looked over at the front seat, the steering wheel and console were on fire and it was starting to take over the seats, the roof was curling smoke and flames, the back end was going off.

There was a small pocket of no fire in the center, but the south side was burning. His shoe was on fire, his hands, face and shoulders were on fire. I watched flecks on his clothes start to ignite. He looked like he was burning, as if a candle. Yellow flames, extended from parts of his bodies, especially his hands. I tried to grab him, but the heat drew me back. I felt so hopeless. I looked over to the cars, and still nobody was coming, I yelled for help, but didn't step away. I was within a foot of this man, the door and fire separated us. I was so close.

I turned back to the man after not seeing anyone coming, and I said: "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, please forgive me, I'm so soo soo sorry, Oh God I'm so sorry'...I repeated this like a mantra because I thought I was going to watch this man burn to death in front of me, the fire was growing on his body rapidly. The opening of the window was so small and I am not strong enough or tall enough to pick him up on this angle. I tried to pry the door open one more time quickly, no response. I dropped the screwdriver it was pointless.

I tried to reach in to grab him but the flames around his face and shoulders were too hot. I thought my hair would burn up. and I resigned to getting burned badly myself at that moment. It just seemed inevitable due to the amount of flames and heat. I didn't want to burn as fast as he was and I had nothing else to use to put the fire out so I unzipped my Liquid Militia hoodie I just got and thought wow, I'm going to loose this. Funny the stupid things I was thinking. I thought that no clothes would be better and then if I burned it was my skin and I wouldn't have to bother with dropping to roll in clothes, maybe it would buy me time.

I took off my clothes and used them to first put the fire out on his face and shoulders. I leaned into the SUV from my chest over his head and began swatting the fire on his body very fast and furious in fast rapid bursts. I could feel the heat as I was reaching back to try to get the fire on his shoe. It wouldn't go out so I gave up quickly as I was pressing against his head. I wadded up the hoodie material and lunged for other areas but I couldn't reach them either. I wanted to protect his genitals, hands and face, in that order. I was able to snuff out fires on his legs. I was surprised this was happening. Each swat and rapid bursts of successive force was stopping flames. This gave me confidence.

Because of how he was sitting and how much reach I had I could only do so much, and my hoodie was slowly getting smaller. I remember all the details inside the vehicle, the debris, the seats, the lighting. I had a thought to look for his wallet for his ID, what a silly thought. The fire was growing close to my shoulder now and the interior was lighting up fast. I thought that would happen once it got oxygen. The truck was making popping and cracking noises. I think a tire blew on the other side of the truck because I felt something hit my legs.

(Later when I got home I saw my pants were torn up and I had blood on the tears. I asked my daughter to look at see if it was bad, and we laughed in the kitchen as I stripped down to my underwear, because I only had a few little cuts. My favorite cammo pants as well. LOL)

I tried to roll him over, but it was too difficult. I couldn't get him to bend at his pelvis. It was discouraging. He started coming to, and became extremely agitated and combative. It was difficult to work with him. I wasn't able to rotate him, but I knew I could drag him out if I could bend him at his pelvis and fold him out over the door. I couldn't do it.

I was still expecting somebody to come over and help, actually I was expecting a lot of people. I started to get very angry. My emotions began to rise as the flames increased. His body was starting to just flare with fire, like little hotspots, his hands kept re igniting. I couldn't keep them from burning. I think the little pieces of hanging flesh was catching fire over and over like his clothes were. I had to let go under his armpits and lunge again to try to put some of the flames out. My shirt was no longer any good as it caught on fire, so I kept using the last of my sweatshirt, and would have to beat the fire out of it against my thigh or the truck door and swing back inside. It was getting too hot. And after that I didn't feel heat anymore but I was aware of the sensation of heat, my senses were changing. Sense of time was focused, and stop framed of each movement, it seemed like I was there for a long time, but I think it was only 2-3 minutes total.

[K38 Rescue]

I grabbed again under his armpits and I started pulling hard. I put my foot against the door and he didn't budge. Then he started kicking and stamping his feet, his arms were flailing, he was swatting the air. I decided I would use my forearm against his back to try to leverage his back to get his shoulder blades over the door frame. This worked to some degree, giving me a few inches of lift. I looked over at cars frantically screaming for help 'Help me HELP ME, somebody HELP ME! I just saw shocked faces looking back at me, mouths gaping, eyes big but nobody was hungry to move.

I thought a man would stop at this half dressed crazed woman and run over, I guess my boobs don't stop traffic anymore! LMFAO I knew if any of Brad's Devil Dawgs were there they would have done the job. I started to panic because everything was burning faster and the flames were closing in on his body. Everything was intensifying along with my emotions. I was peaking.

I was tugging as hard as I could and only getting 1/4" movement or 1/2" movement with his body, far too slow a response. When he kicked I tried to time it with his kick to yank on him. I started to get his torso out and was worried about the pressure on his spine because he's airway up and this is not the right way to extricate someone without support. the SUV is lighting up fast and I hit a reality. I am not going to leave him, I am not going to let him go, but how much fire will he take before I can get him out or get burned with him?

I look over at a vehicle and I see the face of a young man with blonde hair. I make eye contact with him I hope. I yell "I NEED YOU TO HELP ME, PLEASE HELP ME, You need to come help me." I didn't see him move, could anyone hear me? Then the flames flicked on one side and I started screaming a very horrible high pitched tone 'somebody ******* help me, fuck, for god's sake help me, help me.....' I don't even want to remember how that sounded. Just writing these words do not describe the terror I filled in them.

I see the young man with blonde hair lunge out of the car and I felt immediate relief. I hear another man's voice and I see hands' grab the burn victim, I think 3 sets of hands along with mine, maybe 2, I cannot recall. These people are behind me so I don't see their faces, I'm facing the man in the SUV and I can't take my eyes off of him. We yank him out of the window frame and drop him about 5 feet I think from the door frame. I start clawing at the clothes he had left that were burning him trying to get them off his skin. I could see his burn patches now, as before I was looking for his head down, now I could see him face up.

I saw for the first time his face and the look on his face, I couldn't recognize his identity, was he Asian or Hispanic? I remember he had remnants of a white t-shirt on and I picked at burned remnants of clothes that had singe burns like how a cigarette looks when its burning. I started to pull the neck ring and noticed burnt skin patches on his throat and face, and left it alone, like a collar necklace. I was afraid to hurt him any more. The ground was black and misty, there was debris, the colors were flashing from the SUV, it made a popping and jumping sound.

The older man's voice took control, he said 'let's move him over here where its clear for the ambulance'. I grabbed his right leg and we moved him in front of a white van with it's headlights on. The van was on an angle and it was below my truck. I remember a woman coming over, no two women. A cute little brown haired gal and an older very kind woman. Those who responded have character.

I saw the blonde haired kid, for some reason I think he didn't have a shirt on, but I'm not sure. I remember there were eventually a total of 6 people. I looked at his swollen face and how he was holding his hands and my mind blew, I lost my mind. I walked back over to the back of my truck and dropped to the ground on my knees and curled over. Not really crying, not really anything, just yelling out and upset, angry.

A man checked on me, then a woman asking if I was alright, I got up and started to cry a little and said 'yeah I'm fine'. I walked around in circles for a few minutes talking out loud in anger because nobody stopped and I was dumb enough to expect it. Then I got out my cell phone and snapped a pic and sent it to Brad. I left him a very emotional voicemail, his phone was turned off. I tried to call Mike and Pirate and Gerner but none of my calls would go through, so I put the phone away.

Picture I sent to Brad



Cars started speeding up in front of my truck at a high rate of speed in the carpool lane, like a race was on. It was so surreal, and disrespectful, the fuel had burned out it's streaked plume so the only thing on fire now was the vehicle itself. So these cars stuck in traffic started a rush. The cars were moving fast and ripping debris, dragging it with them. The older gentlemen came to me to shield me because I wasn't dressed. He put a moist towel on me, I asked him to go to the other side of my truck and get me any t-shirt out of the box over there, which he did straight away. Funny how smart he was, he brought out the white long sleeve AWA K38 Safety Day Shirt, as the towel was damp and I was getting cold.

He said put your emergency lights on because of the crazy drivers, he was upset about that and rightly so. People just do not utilize common sense, they become more dangerous than the incident itself. I tired but couldn't get my fingers to work the knob. I walked over to look at the patient and his hands were in the air, there was a slight mist discernable in the headlights of the van, his hands looked eery, shaking uncontrollably and with skin hanging from his form, I turned and looked away and started to cry and wince. It was a surreal sight. It was a dark night because the cloud ceiling was so low and it has been drizzling all day long, everything reflected black with lights poking through the mist. Made me find a much deeper appreciation for CHP officers and EMS who have to deal with this on their job. I know they can do the job they are trained for, but the civiliain reaction is scary and unpredictable, if not a lot of compounded stupidity during a crisis.

I tried again to put my emergency blinkers on and gave up, as this man asked me twice, trying to make the scene manageable. I think he even tried himself. Then a tire blew on the SUV, he turned to me and said not to worry. He asked if I was hurt and I said no not bad at all. He went around and kind of took control of the scene. I'm not sure if he asked me or someone else asked me why I was so upset. I found it hard to describe why I was upset, many reasons why. Foremost, anger.

I had a premonition about this and I acted off that premonition and that disturbed me along with the fact I had such minor injuries. How can you talk about premonitions to people? I could not understand why I didn't have more significant burns and I had a hard time accepting that in those first moments. I grabbed my camera and snapped a few pictures then put it away.

I circled back to the man on the ground, I heard a man's voice say 'why is it taking them so long to get here'. He was frustrated a little bit. I heard a woman say the same thing moments later. The man was wrapped in a flower patterned blanket fro head to toe. Only an opening for his face appeared, his form looked like a mummy on the ground with people doing their best to comfort him. I understand this man was dealing with not only pain, but the shock and reality of his situation was probably compounding as he struggled to breathe and all these strangers around him. Funny how the world is made right with LE and EMS arrive, we all breathe a sigh of relief as if the problem is solved, its true, we do.

Waiting for the EMS through blocked traffic


When I looked at the traffic jam south of us, I thought that these nutty drivers were selfishly blocking the EMS access resulting in the delayed response. Everyone wants to get home or get there, but here a man was struggling and they weren't. Their actions places other lives at risk and increase the odds of another incident. People need to stay steady. The freeway had locked up. It did seem like it took forever for help to arrive. I think drivers need special education to get them to show some respect during emergencies and use some common sense. It just doesn't seem to exist as if everyone has forgotten the golden rules of safety. I feel for EMS and law enforcement when they have to respond to an incident, I can imagine if only they could tell the real truth about drivers, without repercussion or the result of another stupid lawsuit against the truth.

The first person is a fireman who comes to check on me. I don't remember what I said, except he asked why I was so upset. The EMS quickly took control, and I mean quickly in concert with the CHP. They first approached form the south side and I'm not sure they realized there was a patient on the north side, they attacked the fire and put it out extremely quick.


EMS attending to the patient

A CHP officer came and asked me if I saw the accident itself, which I did not, I only saw the explosion. Another came, and a person walked over to us at my truck and said the commercial truck ahead of me had a possible leaking natural gas tank. So they wanted to secure that potential as well. Then Steve the fire captain walked over and pulled out his clipboard and began his questions and observation of any injuries. He was quick, efficient and exceptionally kind, a very calming presence.

Fire trucks on scene


I spoke between Steve and the tall CPH officer, and retrieved my DL. An officer came over and said 'are you the one who pulled him out?' I said yes, he said 'you saved a man's life tonight'. I replied I didnt' want to take credit for that, he quipped seriously 'he'd be dead if you didn't.' He was strict and to the point, and obviously dealing with a huge mess here.

Steve completed his assessment, and 2 other officers came over and said I saved that man's life. I'm not sure but I think Steve came back one more time and said I was very lucky and so was that man. I asked him or someone if I had to stay longer, and I was assured to wait until the LE dismissed me. I stepped around my truck to look at the man again. The attending firemen had an IV drip going on him, I didn't go very close. I was afraid to look again.

My little burns were starting to hurt now, and my wrist was increasing in pain. I can only imagine what this man was suffering with. Steve asked me if I wanted to go to the hospital and I declined. I didn't seen enough significant damage to require it, but I had expected it. I wanted to just cry because there wasn't enough damage relative to the situation and that alone for me was scary to think about, I should have more injuries I surmised.

An officer came and told me to leave they wanted to clear the site. I drove away cautiously, I was not far from home. I called Mark a few more times, no connection. and then he called back, we talked after I unleashed a volley at him about how weak people are and how angry I was because of this This man would have had less burns if people has any balls. After that call I got David on the line. I just let go a little further. My own debrief so I could go home square to my kids and not bring this energy into the house. I spent time talking to both of them until I had leveled enough to be steady. I pulled up to the curb at the house and talked a while so I would be calm, that is what I wanted. 'steady as she goes'.

I rang the door, not wanting to struggle with keys as my hands were throbbing, Pancho barked I heard movement, relief. Kyla answered the door, I was simply drained. I could smell everything on me. I showered, Kyla put my clothes in a plastic bag for the garbage. I scrubbed and washed my hair, cleaned my fingernails and brushed my teeth vigorously. I couldn't brush me hair so Kyla did it for me and found me some loose clothes to wear.

She asked me if I wanted any ibrprofen, I said no, I'll have a beer instead, we both laughed because I do not drink much at all. I recall the Captain making a cute remark about relaxing and it was good and gentle advice. Ryan got up and they helped unpack my truck immediately and anything else I wanted, they did. Kyla and I sat in my bed for a while and talked about the day, while I drank a beer that Ryan Levinson had brought to the USMC gig, a Pacifico, amazing the Dawgs left a few for me! We talked about many things. I drank 2 of them, once relaxed I fell asleep but it didn't last long, I was up until 5am, then fell into a deep sleep that was interrupted with his body catching on fire and the interior of the truck flaring. Normal responses, to be expected, not uncommon and yes I am alright.



_______________________-

June 2, 2009
He is in the ICU at a burn center. The burn patient will be hospitalized for 4-6 weeks and is suffering from being burned over 25% of his body with third degree burns to his arms and hands. The nurse said he has some respiratory burns. He is expected to survive. His family is arriving shortly from Japan