First aid tips for surviving high mountains

Reading time: 2 minutes – spotted National Geographic

Every season has its share of accidents. If mountaineering leads to the deaths of many climbers, both in summer and winter, summer vacation remains an opportunity for amateurs to try their hand at the mountains. However, this terrain and its associated sporting activities could not be invented: at the slightest change in the weather, the peaks transform into a steep and hostile environment.

However, there are good practices to take your adventures outdoors and quench your thirst for adventure. Defines National Geographic The main advice for rescuers in the mountains.

Surround yourself, prepare yourself, adapt

Solo adventure is tempting. For emergency services, however, it is the first counter-example of risk reduction. “The most fortuitous scenario is that of the traveler who returns to the beginning of the path before the others.”And says Scott Hillson, senior member of the Pacific Northwest Search and Rescue Service in the US. “He finds himself in difficulty, but he no longer has help from the group.”. “If you get lost, be as visible as possible and stay in one place.Advise.

A hike in the mountains is not to be taken lightly. Hikers need warm and waterproof clothing, and they should adapt their routes to their abilities, especially not to underestimate the duration. Rebecca Wilson, a spokeswoman for the New Zealand Mountain Safety Council, laments the impact of social networking, which instead invites users to “Choosing a trip because it looks great on Instagram, and not realizing it’s beyond their capabilities”.

In any case, start your excursions early in the morning to avoid surprise at the end of the day, on a mountainside, in the dark. It is also recommended to leave a note on your vehicle detailing your itinerary and expected departure and arrival times. Don’t try to stick to your vacation program at all costs either: to go to the mountains, first look at the weather forecast.

Leave it with a first aid kit, sunscreen, a head covering and above all, plenty of water. You should have enough for your itinerary, and for several hours if you get lost: you are thought to need a pint an hour when the temperature is mild, and a liter an hour when it is hot.

For rescue workers, the best safety tool remains the distress beacon, which allows coordinates to be sent to rescue teams. “Last year, 90% of emergency beacon rescues were completed within eight hours.”says Tanya Seward, senior advisor to the New Zealand Search and Rescue Service. “Without a beacon, this deadline has risen to six o’clock in the evening..”

Nowadays, it is also necessary to take into account the changes associated with climate change. In addition, few places in the world are now safe from the prolonged fire season. Mark potential shelter points on your map., recommends a spokesperson for the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services, Australia. If you encounter a forest fire, “Don’t panic and don’t try to escape from the fire”they warn. “Go to areas of natural fire outbreaks, such as rocky areas, creeks, or roads.”

Natural disasters do not deter tourists. Dan McCall, an associate professor of tourism at Michigan State University, believes the attraction will still be important in popular areas like California, even if they are prone to severe weather. “Tourism tends to pick up very quickly, often in just under a year [après une catastrophe naturelle]»– comments the specialist.