Search & Rescue Team Helps Injured Rock Climber at Lizard’s Mouth

By: Jennifer Beyer of Santa Barbara County Search and Rescue
Published: April 25th, 2023 @ 12:00 pm
Source: Noozhawk

Rescuers carry out an injured rock climber on Lizard’s Mouth trail. (Courtesy: Jim Frank)

The all-volunteer Santa Barbara County Search & Rescue (SAR) team recently responded along with AMR and County Fire to the Lizard’s Mouth area for a report of a rock climber with two ankle fractures.

A member of SAR and off duty-emergency room nurse, who happened to be nearby, responded quickly, locating the climber within minutes and making an initial assessment of the person’s injuries.

Once team members and other responders arrived, a plan was developed to extract the climber a short distance to the road for transport to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital for further treatment.

Coincidentally, the location of the incident was the same place where SAR team members had been training the previous day. Team members had trained to work in tight spaces between rocks, and familiarize themselves with the area and best access to popular spots for the adventuring public.

Santa Barbara County Search & Rescue is a professional, all-volunteer 501(c)3 organization that is community supported by donations to provide services to the county, under the direction of the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office.