Search and Rescue: A Wilderness Doctor's Life-and-Death Tales of Risk and Reward

by Christopher Van Tilburg

Search and A Wilderness Doctor’s Life-and-Death Tales of Risk and Reward is a thrilling collection of first-hand accounts of search and rescue operations from Oregon’s legendary Mount Hood and other exotic locations around the world, by wilderness physician Dr. Christopher Van Tilburg. The exciting tales offer a fascinating inside look at how SAR teams operate, as well as the importance of taking risks and how to mitigate outdoor accidents.

Search and Rescue combines hard science and a gripping narrative to analyze the relationship between risk and reward in the mountains, and in daily life. Author and mountain rescue doctor Van Tilburg’s tragic, sudden, life-altering accident on Oregon’s Mount Hood, where he has saved countless lives himself, provides the springboard for a deep, complex story on how risk is essential to success, personal fulfillment, and wellness in our lives. But it is also a cautionary tale, from a mountain rescue doctor’s perspective, on how to mitigate risk and maximize safety to avoid dire consequences.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction, Medicine, Outdoors, Survival, Mountaineering, Biography Memoir

248 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2017

Reviews

[Kristy · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 Stars

While I enjoyed the recounts of the rescues done by Dr. Van Tilburg and the Crag Rats, I felt myself skimming through the rest of the pages.

It made me crave a re-watch of Vertical Limit, a film I haven't seen in years, but am about to remedy that error.

[Liralen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read Mountain Rescue Doctor some time ago and low-key enjoyed it. Similar to that, Search and Rescue is a collection of rescue stories, this time focused more on the question of risk (and risk management).

And it's...okay. There are a lot of stories and they're pretty varied (as far as they can be while staying under the general umbrella of 'mountain rescue'), but it would have been really nice to see, for example, a 'bigger' story that carried all the way through the book; without that, it feels rather more disjointed.

It has made me ever so slightly terrified of tsunamis, though, never mind that there aren't actually any in the book...just a reminder that the western US is overdue for a Giant-Ass Earthquake and Subsequent Tsunami.

[Valerie Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

An exciting insider's look at the work of a Mount Hood search and rescue volunteer. Enjoyed the stories of rescues and how this work interfaces with the author's life. There were moments it felt a little disjointed, where the author was trying to force some greater overall message about risk and reward--that part didn't quite work for me. But the insight into being a Crag Rat was wonderful!

[Sheri S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recently read Dr. Van Tilburg's first book and thoroughly enjoyed it and wanted to read this one too. Dr. Van Tilburg writes about his further experiences as a Crag Rat and includes reflections on risk and reward. He tells interesting stories while at the same time encouraging readers to act responsibly and thoughtfully while pursuing outdoor sports.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clearly written. Interesting to me as a SAR volunteer.

[Tennille · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book as a First Reads book from Goodreads. The author is an ER doctor and avid outdoorsman. He writes about many rescues he's participated in, as well as how people end up in need of rescue.

I had trouble with the beginning of the book. The author makes a habit of repeating his points. He speaks multiple times about how rescues are inconvenient, often happening at night, in poor weather, as well as how great the rescuers were for being willing to volunteer for this. While I don't dispute that, it's difficult to find him likeable in these passages.

Thankfully, the pace of storytelling picks up and I was glad I continued. The author becomes more likeable when he's relating stories about the rescues. I appreciate straight forward storytelling. Most of the rescues take place in the mountains of Oregon, and they are good reminders of the difficulties that can occur, even on well travelled trails.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys spending time outdoors. It's good to have the lessons in this book in mind before heading out even for a simple day hike.

[Lance · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book in an interesting collection of rescue stories the author has done in his duties as a doctor on a rescue team. The situations that require a rescue are varied, some are harrowing, some are mild.

All the storied have potential, but the writing of the author comes off as too descriptive if that is possible. Everyone is wonderful (especially himself as he is always either echadted from exercise, working his regular job as a physician, or he had to put aside time for his children or new girlfriend to go on a rescue. Overall a decent read but not one I'll recommend to everyone

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was written by a doctor who is an avid hiker and climber himself. He has collected stories from around the world and starts the book with his own story of rescue and recovery. Many of the rescues sited are from Mount Hood in Oregon. The book talks about how SAR teams operate, and gives helpful hints about how to survive in the wilderness.

[Carianne Carleo-Evangelist · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this read, although he's definitely a better story teller than he is writer. The stories that he had to share were interesting and I was engaged enough to want to hear how they ended, but I felt that the book would have benefited from better editing to create a stronger narrative. It wasn't always clear at what point in the story a subsequent chapter was revisiting a prior rescue. That said, I like how he arranged them by theme and used an intro to share some related rescues. I also enjoyed the personal element of his own injury and his adventures with his daughters. A good read for those interested in the Hood River area and/or ski mountaineering and search and rescue in general

[Lance · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book in an interesting collection of rescue stories the author has done in his duties as a doctor on a rescue team. The situations that require a rescue are varied, some are harrowing, some are mild.

All the storied have potential, but the writing of the author comes off as too descriptive if that is possible. Everyone is wonderful (especially himself as he is always either echadted from exercise, working his regular job as a physician, or he had to put aside time for his children or new girlfriend to go on a rescue. Overall a decent read but not one I'll recommend to everyone