Wang Shi believes that establishing an emergency rescue system is very important, and such a system must meet three basic conditions──
First, there must be people — a team with rescue knowledge and capabilities.
Second, there must be a communication system capable of receiving information immediately and ensuring uninterrupted command and communication during rescue operations.
Third, there must be essential equipment, including transportation vehicles, mountaineering gear, and rescue apparatus. The system must be able to reach the rescue site as quickly as possible; access the necessary heights and challenging locations during rescue; and provide the rescued with the best possible aid as soon as possible to minimize injuries and losses from accidents.
How to Become a Rescue Volunteer
To become a mountain rescue volunteer, one must undergo rigorous training, such as completing 45 hours of practical training and a two-week course each year. The rescue courses include: how to communicate and use communication equipment; how to use satellite positioning systems and other navigation tools; the most basic principles and plans for self-protection, self-rescue, and aiding others; the operation of various types of equipment; troubleshooting for devices like ascenders and descenders; basic weather and forecasting knowledge; fundamental medical knowledge; and specialized terminology for coordination among team members and departments.
However, apart from Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau, there is currently no dedicated organization in mainland China for volunteer registration and training. If you wish to become a mountain rescue volunteer, you can directly contact Ma Xinxian from the National Mountaineering Team of the Chinese Mountaineering Association. The contact number is (010) 69647564.
Expert Tip: What to Do in an Emergency
When participating in mountaineering or outdoor activities, accidents often occur due to weather, terrain, getting lost, injuries, and other reasons. Experts from the Chinese Mountaineering Association, Li Shuping (a chief physician who has long been responsible for treating mountaineering-related injuries) and Yu Liangpu (editor-in-chief of Mountain Wild magazine and former secretary-general of the Chinese Mountaineering Association), have proposed four guidelines for emergencies for the reference of mountaineering enthusiasts:
1. The most important thing is to stay calm. Carefully assess your surroundings and judge whether you can resolve the situation using your own abilities. Try to move away from the dangerous area to prevent further incidents; promptly treat injuries with medication and bandages to minimize harm; find a safe place to rest or hide. If you can return on your own, the safest method is to “retrace your steps,” meaning to go back the way you came. If you cannot return or handle the situation yourself, seek rescue.
2. The first priority when seeking rescue is to determine your location as accurately as possible. Use available equipment such as a GPS device, altimeter, or map. Without equipment, judge your relative position based on obvious terrain features such as mountain peaks, river shapes, or large trees, so rescuers can locate you.
3. Use available communication equipment to send out distress signals, such as mobile phones, walkie-talkies, or radios. If no equipment is available or communication fails, send someone to seek help. If no one can be sent, use any means to signal for help, such as using a small mirror or reflective object to send light signals, creating rescue signs in open areas with available materials, or using smoke during the day (while being cautious of fire) and light signals at night, which are highly visible.
4. While waiting for rescue — or if rescue is delayed — take self-rescue measures. For example, check your food and water supplies and ration them wisely; set up shelter or overnight facilities in safe, wind-sheltered spots.