Cautionary tale or happy ending? Factors that make a difference in difficult mountain rescue efforts

Urging climbers to rope up for glacier travel in areas with known and possible crevasses.
Making sure that any rescuers who descend into crevasses are continuously observed by someone who remains on the surface and has radio contact to call for immediate assistance.
Recognizing that respirations are often more easily detected than pulses.
Trying unorthodox extrication methods when necessary.
Ensuring that rescue teams deployed for crevasse rescues carry kits with a pneumatic hammer-chisel (important for extrication), a tripod and winch, a hypothermia wrap made of a sleeping bag and chemical heating blankets, onboard oxygen supply with an adapter that connects to nasal prongs or a patient’s mask, a mechanical chest compression device, an automated external defibrillator, and IV saline with a fluid warmer. The Denali National Park and Preserve mountaineering rangers now include such kits in their rescue aircraft.