1/n: Driving in remote+rural Montana yesterday, I came upon a serious rollover accident that had just happened. Was able to provide 1st aid supplies to off duty nurse/emt who stopped, while I drove uphill to get reception to call 911/EMS. Took 45 min to arrive due being so remote

2/n: There were 2 occupants, the 1st self-extricated, was pretty banged up. Probable concussion+other facial trauma, but he will survive. Driver was older man who was trapped. I thought he was dead. While I was away calling it in, passerby pulled him out. He was hurt, but alive

3/n: Their pickup had overshot a downhill curve and driven into a ditch on the oncoming lane side. The tire skids went through 100 feet of mud and debris field indicated multiple rolls. If not for mud arresting their roll, possibly into trees. They got very lucky.

4/n: Point is ALWAYS had a robust first aid kit in your vehicle. Even if you don't have much EMT training, passerby sometimes can. I will be doing wilderness first aid training now. A trucker also stopped with his med kit. Helped to slow bleeding till EMS arrived.

5/n: From accident to treatment at clinic, victims about 2 hours away. Even farther from an actual hospital. A nice afternoon drive turned into emergency response at drop of hat. Be prepared, expect the unexpected. Also, nobody had masks, and I had to give the nurse gloves.

6/n: Tips for calling in a rural/remote accident: - 1) Note mile marker or approx. distance from nearest down. 2) # of victims and estimate on condition 3) nature of accident if possible 4) use traffic vest, road flares, or strobes downscene if safe/possible to warn traffic.

*town - First responder friends, - any additional recs/best practices for passerby that come upon a recent accident in rural or remote areas?