The final stop of the 2013 China Mountaineering Association’s “National Outdoor Safety Education Program” public lecture tour was held yesterday at China University of Geosciences. Reporters learned that from 2001 to 2012, the number of fatalities in mountaineering and outdoor sports in China reached 298, nine times the total number of deaths in the previous 44 years.
According to statistics, from 1957 to 2000, the number of fatalities in outdoor sports such as mountaineering was 33, but in the past 11 years, the number of outdoor fatalities has surged to 298. The vast majority of these were caused by a lack of outdoor knowledge, insufficient awareness of risks, inadequate preparation, or improper responses when problems arose. In the first nine months of this year alone, the number of fatalities reached 25.
How can one experience the allure of outdoor sports while ensuring safety? Ma Xinxian said that outdoor sports enthusiasts should be well-prepared and learn to avoid risks. Before heading out, they should assess their mental and physical conditions, acquire relevant knowledge, prepare appropriate gear, and develop plans and strategies—avoiding disorganization.