07/15/2025
Recently one of our crews along with Bridger Canyon Fire Department and emergency room staff had a unique opportunity to reunite with a strong young man, Louis. In April, Louis, fell into a septic tank and experienced a drowning event. Louis was heroically rescued from the inside of the septic tank by his father and a neighbor, once extricated, he received immediate CPR. BCFD quickly made it on scene and continued to render lifesaving basic life support. As our AMR crew arrived onscene, which was approximately 7-8 minutes, BCFD had obtained a return of spontaneous circulation. An increadible hand off report from BCFD allowed for a short onscene time, BCFD crews rode in with our AMR crew to assist the Paramedic in providing Advanced Life Support. Thanks to our partners at BPD and GCSO, who gave us an es**rt, Louis arrived quickly to ED where he was further stabilized and eventually transferred to Utah where he’d receive the best care for his circumstance. After a long fight, Louis has fully recovered without deficits. Crews and ED staff were amazed by the miraculous recovery Louis made describing it, “as if the call never happened”.
Louis’s family has asked that his story be shared as far and wide as possible. Through this experience they have discovered that Montana does not require for septic tank lids to be secured in anyway to prevent these situations from occurring. Through this discovery they also found that catches are made for septic tanks to prevent this from happening; indicating this has occurred in the past, which further affirms the need for change here in Montana. Their hope is that by sharing his story, meaningful change comes from it so that no other family ever has to experience the near tragedy they endured.
Thank you so much to Louis family for inviting us to the reunification. It’s rare we get to see the other side of an emergency, we’re always grateful to know that our patient’s make it to the otherwise of recovery.