A popular motivational saying circulating online goes: “Life always gives you a second chance, and it’s called tomorrow.” But a lack of safety knowledge may prevent many from ever seeing that tomorrow. To promote outdoor safety awareness and basic knowledge, the “National Outdoor Safety Education Program,” the first systematic national campaign in China to raise awareness about outdoor safety consciousness and common sense, organized by the Chinese Mountaineering Association and hosted by the Gore brand, has recently held public lectures in cities such as Shenyang, Shanghai, Chengdu, and Xi’an. At these four stops, Wang Yunlong, Acting Director of the Training Department of the Chinese Mountaineering Association and leader of the “National Outdoor Safety Education Program” team, Sun Lingye, instructor from the Wilderness Medical Associates (WMAI), and Wang Xin, a Gore Outdoor Hero, captain of the Mountain Rescue Team at the Emergency Rescue Promotion Center of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, and Secretary-General of the Beijing Mountaineering Association, shared healthy outdoor philosophies such as “Safe outdoor adventures, enjoy nature to the fullest,” “Scientific, safe, and environmentally friendly,” and “Be prepared before you go.” They also passed on practical experience and outdoor knowledge accumulated through their own activities. Their vivid and systematic presentations not only enhanced outdoor enthusiasts’ safety knowledge but also gave them added peace of mind.
On April 27, the first stop of the “National Outdoor Safety Education Program” 2014 public lecture tour in Shenyang attracted a large audience.
Looking back at the “National Outdoor Safety Education Program” 2014 public lecture tour, each stop was thoughtfully designed to deepen participants’ impressions and make outdoor knowledge easier to absorb. At the first stop in Shenyang, interactive zones were set up for outdoor sports such as rock climbing, rappelling, and slacklining. Under the guidance of professionals, attendees experienced firsthand the appeal of outdoor sports—combining visual excitement, fun, and participation. Sun Lingye, an instructor from the Wilderness Medical Associates (WMAI), explained basic wilderness first aid knowledge in an easy-to-understand way. In Shanghai, the venue was chosen at the East Asia Exhibition Hall in the Shanghai 80,000 People Stadium (the climbing gym inside the stadium is currently the largest indoor climbing facility in China), and world champion rock climber Zhong Qixin was invited to talk passionately about his favorite sport and the safety issues that should be considered, sparking a small climax at the event. “In 2007, 11 hikers got lost while climbing Mount Ling, and team member Xia Zi died of hypothermia on the mountain at just 23 years old…” At the Chengdu stop, Wang Xin, a Gore Hero and captain of the Mountain Rescue Team at the Emergency Rescue Promotion Center of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, opened with this story. Focusing on the outdoor philosophy of “Be prepared before you go,” he taught the audience about outdoor safety concepts and practical skills, leaving the mostly student audience in stunned silence. At the Xi’an stop, the lecture even brought together Luo Shen, Director of the High Altitude Exploration Department of the Chinese Mountaineering Association and head coach of the National Mountaineering Team, Hou Shengfu, the only Han Chinese member of the 1975 Everest summit team, and Cheng Tianliang, former captain of the Tibet Mountaineering Team—veteran mountaineers who have climbed Mount Everest multiple times—to share their stories and experiences on the world’s highest peak. Drawing from their lessons and experiences, they conveyed the outdoor philosophy of “Climb with caution, reject complacency,” giving attendees a vivid sense of being on the mountain themselves.
At the Shanghai stop, Wang Yunlong, Acting Director of the Training Department of the Chinese Mountaineering Association, interacted with “young outdoor enthusiasts” on stage in a waste sorting activity.
Across the four stops, the lecturers not only shared safe and healthy outdoor philosophies based on their rich experiences, but also taught about safety concerns in hiking, rock climbing, and mountaineering. Drawing on recent outdoor safety incidents, they provided specific guidance on risk prevention measures and basic wilderness first aid, offering practical travel advice and safety tips for outdoor enthusiasts. It is reported that starting from the first stop in Shenyang, the events in Shanghai, Chengdu, and Xi’an all received strong support from the Gore brand, with over 2,000 participants in total. Through coverage by print and online media, the course content reached even more outdoor enthusiasts.
In addition, it was learned that in addition to promoting outdoor safety knowledge at the “National Outdoor Safety Education Program” 2014 public lecture tour, the Gore brand has also invited lecturers to share experiences and insights on outdoor safety at events such as the Gore Outdoor Lecture Hall during The North Face® Outdoor Festival and the “Wilderness First Aid and Risk Management” training sessions. Zhang Jingwei, General Manager of Gore Beijing Branch and Market Director for Textiles in China, stated: “We hope that through these activities, more people will learn outdoor safety knowledge and skills, so that they can safely and happily enjoy the endless fun of outdoor sports.”