All About Jon Davidson
Donation protected
Hi everyone!
As many of you have heard, our friend Jon and Kathleen need our help. I have reached out to them, and they have put down in words, what happened the day of Jon's accident.
Dawn Patrol Coffee and Labrewatory will be hosting a fundraiser on July 13th from 12-5 and will have vendors around town that will be donating their time and products. Email [email redacted] if you'd like to get involved or visit allaboutjonn.com for more info!
From Kathleen and Jon:
On Monday, June 24, 2019, our friend, Jon Davidson and his girlfriend Kathleen set out to hike and climb Volcán de Tequila. Driving by car up the 18 km cobblestone road (about an hour drive) they arrived at the starting point, a locked gate.
After a walk of about 1.5 kilometers, a trail appeared on the left, and taking the directions of a TripAdvisor review, they followed it uphill. There they found themselves perched on the crater rim, with the tall volcanic plug, popularly called La Tetilla, looming above them. Following the trail, they ended at the base of the plug, which was pushed up from the center of the crater about 200,000 years ago when it stopped erupting.
After arriving at the plug, they began the scramble on up. After tackling the first small scramble with teamwork, it was time for the second, and at the top of the second, the third, which proved to be much more difficult. After trying a few different routes, it became clear that it was too much for Jon's hands, and it was time to turn around.
Jon doesn't remember much from this point.
He had grabbed onto a boulder for grip and then it broke loose, taking him with it, past the cliff ledge they were just on, and back down to the base of the first cliff, at least 60+ft below. Kathleen would prefer not to go into detail of what she saw, but she knew she had to get down there fast. Sliding quickly on her butt, with enough care to not also get injured, she met Jon within seconds at the bottom of the very first scramble.
Again not going into the details, it was clear Jon was seriously hurt, and she immediately took off her shirt and wrapped his head. Knowing they barely had cell service, the length of the hike in from the car, and the road they drove on, she recognized they needed to move quickly. Making sure he could stand, they began the slow rocky trek back to the trail.
After 15 minutes, she found enough service to make calls, but did not know the emergency number to call....911 does not work in México, incase you were wondering. Trying to search for numbers wasn't working, and Jon was in pain, a lot of pain. She called her mom and Jon's parents immediately, asking them to find the right numbers. They got in contact with the consulate, and within minutes a women named Paloma contacted Kathleen to tell her she had contacted the first responders in Tequila, Jalisco. They were sending a crew. Knowing it would take time, Kathleen tried to get Jon as close as possible, but did not make it far. Trying to stop the bleeding, hold Jon up, and move was too much, and his back pain was unbearable. Then began the wait, and keeping Jon awake.
From 3:30 until 6:45 pm, they waited. Kathleen called, tried to pin their location, yelled, listened, tried to ease pain and keep Jon awake. It just so happens if you keep telling someone help is coming in 20 minutes, eventually they will show in 20 minutes. Then they finally heard them. Three first responders had arrived from Bomberos de Tequila. Heroes. Angels.
From 6:45 to 11:15 pm, the responders wrapped Jon's head wounds and other open wounds on his leg, strapped him to a stretcher, and the three of them and Kathleen started carrying him out. The best way out, in order to go straight to the ambulance, proved to be its own challenge. Carrying a stretcher is no match for steep and rocky trails. It involved switching positions for tired arms, scouting the trail, pushing large rocks out of the way, and oxygen breaks, all while Jon, in unbearable pain, stayed conscious.
As it began to get dark, they knew they needed more help. More responders arrived, getting them the rest of the way to the ambulance.
If you're wondering if an ambulance can get you down a pot-hole filled cobblestone road as fast as on any other road, it can't.
From 11:15 pm-2:30 am, Jon was in an ambulance making his way back to Guadalajara, to a hospital that could treat him. The only stops were to rewrap wounds and drop off their rental car at the Tequila fire station.
At 2:30 am, they finally made it to the hospital, almost 12 hours after the fall.
After arrival and getting checked in, it was time for x-rays and CT scans, focusing on the head, neck, and torso.
No brain bleeds or face fractures. Only cosmetic fixes on the head itself.
No broken ribs, but air in the chest cavity, and blood around the lungs, which meant a chest tube.
Following up with more images, the doctors found that Jon’s left lung had collapsed and the chest tube was needed immediately, and immediately it happened. That is, it happened after a 40,000 pesos deposit...because just like 911, United States insurance doesn't work in Mexico.
Next in line, the head wounds. Honestly, there are too many stitches to count (the one on his forehead has 12 just on the surface), and they cover 4 separate wounds.
Next came waiting for a hospital room, about a 6 hour wait...
They are now in the hospital room and it turns out Jon does have 2 broken ribs. That combined with the chest tube and him not being able to move at all on his own because of the pain, air and blood in the chest cavity, the bruises and lacerations all over his body, and the need to monitor head wounds for infection, has him in the hospital for at least 2-3 more days.
A very special shout to
Protection Civil y Bomberos de Tequila: José Alfredo Hernández Robles, Gilberto Arellano Luna, Juan Humberto Ponce Reyes, Marcos Abraham Pasillas Jimenez, Gerardo Ramírez Murillo and Paloma at the consulate. The teamwork you put in, and not giving up on getting Jon out of there, literally saved his life. We thank you.
The staff, nurses, and doctors at Hosptial Arboledas, your continued care and monitoring to get Jon on the road to recovery is above and beyond.
As many of you have heard, our friend Jon and Kathleen need our help. I have reached out to them, and they have put down in words, what happened the day of Jon's accident.
Dawn Patrol Coffee and Labrewatory will be hosting a fundraiser on July 13th from 12-5 and will have vendors around town that will be donating their time and products. Email [email redacted] if you'd like to get involved or visit allaboutjonn.com for more info!
From Kathleen and Jon:
On Monday, June 24, 2019, our friend, Jon Davidson and his girlfriend Kathleen set out to hike and climb Volcán de Tequila. Driving by car up the 18 km cobblestone road (about an hour drive) they arrived at the starting point, a locked gate.
After a walk of about 1.5 kilometers, a trail appeared on the left, and taking the directions of a TripAdvisor review, they followed it uphill. There they found themselves perched on the crater rim, with the tall volcanic plug, popularly called La Tetilla, looming above them. Following the trail, they ended at the base of the plug, which was pushed up from the center of the crater about 200,000 years ago when it stopped erupting.
After arriving at the plug, they began the scramble on up. After tackling the first small scramble with teamwork, it was time for the second, and at the top of the second, the third, which proved to be much more difficult. After trying a few different routes, it became clear that it was too much for Jon's hands, and it was time to turn around.
Jon doesn't remember much from this point.
He had grabbed onto a boulder for grip and then it broke loose, taking him with it, past the cliff ledge they were just on, and back down to the base of the first cliff, at least 60+ft below. Kathleen would prefer not to go into detail of what she saw, but she knew she had to get down there fast. Sliding quickly on her butt, with enough care to not also get injured, she met Jon within seconds at the bottom of the very first scramble.
Again not going into the details, it was clear Jon was seriously hurt, and she immediately took off her shirt and wrapped his head. Knowing they barely had cell service, the length of the hike in from the car, and the road they drove on, she recognized they needed to move quickly. Making sure he could stand, they began the slow rocky trek back to the trail.
After 15 minutes, she found enough service to make calls, but did not know the emergency number to call....911 does not work in México, incase you were wondering. Trying to search for numbers wasn't working, and Jon was in pain, a lot of pain. She called her mom and Jon's parents immediately, asking them to find the right numbers. They got in contact with the consulate, and within minutes a women named Paloma contacted Kathleen to tell her she had contacted the first responders in Tequila, Jalisco. They were sending a crew. Knowing it would take time, Kathleen tried to get Jon as close as possible, but did not make it far. Trying to stop the bleeding, hold Jon up, and move was too much, and his back pain was unbearable. Then began the wait, and keeping Jon awake.
From 3:30 until 6:45 pm, they waited. Kathleen called, tried to pin their location, yelled, listened, tried to ease pain and keep Jon awake. It just so happens if you keep telling someone help is coming in 20 minutes, eventually they will show in 20 minutes. Then they finally heard them. Three first responders had arrived from Bomberos de Tequila. Heroes. Angels.
From 6:45 to 11:15 pm, the responders wrapped Jon's head wounds and other open wounds on his leg, strapped him to a stretcher, and the three of them and Kathleen started carrying him out. The best way out, in order to go straight to the ambulance, proved to be its own challenge. Carrying a stretcher is no match for steep and rocky trails. It involved switching positions for tired arms, scouting the trail, pushing large rocks out of the way, and oxygen breaks, all while Jon, in unbearable pain, stayed conscious.
As it began to get dark, they knew they needed more help. More responders arrived, getting them the rest of the way to the ambulance.
If you're wondering if an ambulance can get you down a pot-hole filled cobblestone road as fast as on any other road, it can't.
From 11:15 pm-2:30 am, Jon was in an ambulance making his way back to Guadalajara, to a hospital that could treat him. The only stops were to rewrap wounds and drop off their rental car at the Tequila fire station.
At 2:30 am, they finally made it to the hospital, almost 12 hours after the fall.
After arrival and getting checked in, it was time for x-rays and CT scans, focusing on the head, neck, and torso.
No brain bleeds or face fractures. Only cosmetic fixes on the head itself.
No broken ribs, but air in the chest cavity, and blood around the lungs, which meant a chest tube.
Following up with more images, the doctors found that Jon’s left lung had collapsed and the chest tube was needed immediately, and immediately it happened. That is, it happened after a 40,000 pesos deposit...because just like 911, United States insurance doesn't work in Mexico.
Next in line, the head wounds. Honestly, there are too many stitches to count (the one on his forehead has 12 just on the surface), and they cover 4 separate wounds.
Next came waiting for a hospital room, about a 6 hour wait...
They are now in the hospital room and it turns out Jon does have 2 broken ribs. That combined with the chest tube and him not being able to move at all on his own because of the pain, air and blood in the chest cavity, the bruises and lacerations all over his body, and the need to monitor head wounds for infection, has him in the hospital for at least 2-3 more days.
A very special shout to
Protection Civil y Bomberos de Tequila: José Alfredo Hernández Robles, Gilberto Arellano Luna, Juan Humberto Ponce Reyes, Marcos Abraham Pasillas Jimenez, Gerardo Ramírez Murillo and Paloma at the consulate. The teamwork you put in, and not giving up on getting Jon out of there, literally saved his life. We thank you.
The staff, nurses, and doctors at Hosptial Arboledas, your continued care and monitoring to get Jon on the road to recovery is above and beyond.
Organizer and beneficiary
Rachel Faye Wilson
Organizer
Portland, OR
Jon Davidson
Beneficiary