This wasn't the way I had seen this done, but it was effective. The bit had spurs on the outside and a flat bottom, and by carefully controlling speed and pressure I had made the required hole. I got lucky; I could see the blood draining. I set the drill down and changed gloves before using gauze and a wrap to hold it in place.

I could hear the helicopter but didn't say anything until the other guys noticed. "Snake used to be Army, he's got the flares and will guide it down," he said. I just kept working on Hammer as they landed.

A few minutes later, the EMT's...