Before engaging in outdoor activities, participants should be informed about possible emergencies such as floods, mudslides, and injuries, and should be prepared.
“Outdoor activities have two sides. Admittedly, the spirit of outdoor exploration is commendable and beneficial for enriching life experiences. However, outdoor activities that disregard safety protocols can have terrifying consequences.” Yesterday, after our newspaper reported that 110 hikers were trapped in the mountains of Tong’an and were rescued with great difficulty, some of whom showed an unusually indifferent attitude, the safety of deep mountain exploration sparked heated discussion among readers. Officer Wang from the city’s 110 Command Center said that many outdoor activities lack a “risk disclaimer,” turning exploration into adventure.
Many outdoor activities
lack a “risk disclaimer.”
On May 27, thick fog enveloped the Shanji Nei area of Tong’an, trapping 110 hikers—the highest number of hikers trapped in a single incident in recent years. The Blue Shield Mountain Rescue Team from the Tingxi Police Station in Tong’an quickly and safely rescued the hikers. However, some hikers were unwelcoming toward the rescuers and even criticized the hiker who made the emergency call.
Regarding this, Officer Wang from the city’s 110 Command Center, who has long been involved in promoting public rescue efforts, analyzed that the hikers’ indifference is likely an isolated incident, as most hikers do express gratitude toward the rescue team. The main reasons for such behavior are twofold: first, the organizers, faced with a large number of trapped hikers and the failure to ensure a safe exploration, may have their capabilities questioned and feel embarrassed; second, with so many hikers trapped and police intervention, organizers may worry about bearing corresponding responsibilities, hence showing resistance to the rescue operation. Of course, individual emotional responses from hikers cannot be ruled out either.
Officer Wang believes that compared to outdoor activities abroad, the most common issue domestically is that both organizers and participating hikers lack sufficient awareness of the risks involved in outdoor activities and do not receive necessary prior training or risk prevention preparation.
Officer Wang gave an example: many outdoor activities lack a “risk disclaimer,” and organizers fail to fulfill their duty to inform participants of potential risks in advance—for instance, warning hikers about possible encounters with floods, mudslides, injuries, and other emergencies, so they can mentally prepare for safety. Without prior risk assessment, the adventures of these hikers, who gather online and are often strangers to one another, turn into dangerous ventures.
Organizers may have hidden profit motives
and try to distance themselves when accidents happen
and try to distance themselves when accidents happen
It is understood that currently, some hiking group activities in our city appear to operate on an AA basis on the surface but are actually semi-commercial or commercial in nature. The commercial aspect can be hidden—for example, organizers may profit indirectly through third parties, such as taking kickbacks in group meals or chartered transport arrangements.
“Once an accident occurs, organizers can easily absolve themselves of responsibility, arguing that everyone participated voluntarily, they didn’t make any money, and it’s not their concern,” revealed Ms. Guo, a seasoned outdoor enthusiast, exposing the truth.
Ms. Guo said that hikers often act on impulse, and once they get into trouble, the social public cost increases significantly.
“We must take a responsible attitude toward life and raise the safety awareness of both hikers and organizers,” said Officer Wang from the city’s 110 Command Center, emphasizing the necessity of implementing an outdoor activity registration mechanism.
They didn’t know where they were going before setting off
nor did they check the weather forecast
nor did they check the weather forecast
Yunding Mountain, Shanji Nei, Xiaoping Mountain... The vast mountainous areas of Tong’an have become a top choice for many local hikers, making it a high-risk zone for hiker rescues. “There are always several incidents every year, each one taking up an entire night. Sometimes I really want to shout—do these people have nothing better to do?” said Xiao Guo, a veteran hiker who frequently participates in public rescues and occasionally can’t help cursing.
“They don’t know the weather conditions, are unfamiliar with the terrain, don’t bring proper outdoor gear, and haven’t hired local guides. No wonder people often get trapped while hiking. Ignorance is the worst problem,” said a local from the Tong’an mountainous area. The ignorance of some hikers and organizers, who make no preparations in advance, often turns simple situations into complex ones.
Reporters have also witnessed trapped hiking groups up close on multiple occasions. Each time hikers are trapped, it’s either due to foggy weather or rainy conditions with extremely low visibility—weather that outdoor activities should generally avoid. Yet, one hiker who got lost in the mountains and was later rescued admitted: “We didn’t know where we were going before setting off, and we didn’t check the weather forecast.” Faced with such an answer, the rescue team was left speechless.