[K3pzn-board] Ham Radio gives you an opportunity to possibly save a life. Don't under estimate what you can do as a young person!!!!!

[Douglas Kearney]

==>YOUNG HAM AIDS EFFORT TO RESCUE CLASSMATE

Jordan Webb, KI4AVG, of Knoxville, Tennessee, had a feeling he should take
his 2-meter handheld transceiver along on an April 30 field trip. Heading
off with his eighth-grade class to remote Abrams Falls in Tennessee's Smoky
Mountains, the 13-year-old decided to throw his handheld into his
backpack--just in case.

"I didn't think I would have to use my Icom V-8, but I packed it anyway,"
Webb told ARRL.

As it turned out, while swimming Vine Middle Magnet School classmate
Christopher Drinkard was pulled under the water of Cades Cove by strong
currents from Abrams Falls. Webb and another classmate, Zach Hubbs, jumped
into the water to help Drinkard when Webb remembered the radio in his
backpack.

Webb alerted a teacher that he had his radio and hoped that if he could get
to high-enough ground, he might be able to call for help. After scrambling
up a hill, he was able to contact Jim Bond, K6SPY, in Knoxville. Bond
alerted authorities to the situation, and emergency medical personnel were
able to respond relatively quickly to the isolated area. If someone had had
to hike out, it would have taken considerably longer. Unfortunately, despite
rescue workers' quick response, Drinkard did not survive.

Tennessee Assistant Section Manager David Bower, K4PZT, observed that the
incident occurred in a part of the Smoky Mountains where cell phones
typically don't work. "Ham radio was the means used to request help when
this emergency first happened," he said.

A ham for about one year, Webb is a member of the Anderson County Amateur
Radio Emergency Service, the Radio Amateur Club of Knoxville and several
other ham radio groups in the Knoxville area.

Anderson County ARES Emergency Coordinator Jeff Yawn, KF4UVT, said Webb has
spent Kid's Day in his shack, and he called him "a fine, upstanding young
man."

"I know he did all he could to help his friend," Yawn added.