As the weather warms up, more and more people are choosing outdoor activities such as hiking, and every year, fire rescue incidents triggered by hikers getting into trouble in the mountains are not uncommon. Due to the complex environment, not only are hikers' lives at risk, but rescues are also very difficult. Yesterday, firefighters in Qinhuangdao summarized some hiking precautions based on past rescue cases to remind hikers.
Take your limits into account and avoid overexertion that may trigger latent heart conditions. On March 15 this year, near the Jiukoumen Scenic Area in Huangtuling Village, Shimenzhai, Funing County, Qinhuangdao, a hiker in his 50s felt unwell while climbing to a mountain slope about 500 meters high. By the time firefighters received the distress call and arrived at the scene, the man had unfortunately passed away due to the lack of first aid medication nearby. According to his family, the man had no previous symptoms of heart discomfort, so he did not carry any emergency medicine. Unexpectedly, this hike revealed his latent heart condition. A similar case also occurred with a middle-aged man from Xingtai. Last summer, the man suddenly felt unwell while hiking in the western mountainous area. Fortunately, he encountered members of a professional outdoor rescue team who were also in the mountains. They carried him down to a village clinic in the valley, where he received timely treatment.
Among the rescue incidents involving hikers in distress, some accidents were caused by hikers accidentally falling off cliffs while climbing. However, some were caused by hikers deliberately taking unconventional routes. Last May, at Dongshan Park in Changli County, two young men entered the park early in the morning to climb. They deliberately avoided the planned trails on the mountain and instead chose to challenge themselves by climbing a steep, pathless side of the mountain. As a result, when they reached the halfway point, they found themselves stuck, unable to go up or down. Firefighters arrived and used safety ropes to rescue the two men and bring them down the mountain. Last August, four hiking enthusiasts were climbing in an undeveloped area of Xiaowutai Mountain in Yu County when one of them got separated from the group, and the other three also lost their way. The Yu County Fire Brigade searched for eight hours and finally rescued all four safely.
Firefighters in Qinhuangdao remind “hikers” that before heading outdoors, they must do their homework in advance, pay attention to the weather conditions, bring enough water, food, clothing, lighting tools, and first aid medicine, and master necessary survival and self-rescue skills and learn how to use some basic equipment. When choosing gear, opt for safe and professional outdoor equipment. Have a correct estimate of your own physical strength, act within your limits, avoid going alone, and certainly don’t take risks. Don’t leave established mountain paths to casually walk into grass or woods, and don’t cook in non-designated areas to avoid causing fires. Try to choose well-marked main trails for hiking routes. In case of an accident, quickly move away from the danger zone and use nearby items flexibly for self-rescue.