Mountains hazards
While hiking, you need to be aware of the fact, that the emergency situation might occur. Moreover, you might be forced to spend the night outside. The weather in the mountains may broke down swiftly. In such conditions, you may be immobilized at a considerable height and be unable to go down to the hut without the help from the outside. Due to the specifics of the terrain, help may come after many hours.
Before
• Always check the current and forecast weather conditions before leaving. Wait and don’t leave if there’s any doubt
• Dress appropriately when going up in the mountains, use thermal clothing, put on good socks and comfortable shoes. Take a raincoat, sunglasses and a headgear
• Remember to charge your mobile phone
• Introduce your roadmap to somebody, tell them where you’re heading to and what alternatives you have in case of the weather breakdown
• Report the planned returning time or the time by which you’ll let somebody know that you’re safe – some of the TOPR actions are less successful due to the difficulty in deciding whether to call for help when someone didn’t return yet
• Remember that the passing time and disinformation affects the victim
• Prepare a mountain backpack, equip it with a warm drink, chemical heater, hat, gloves, extra warm clothing, headlamp, high-energy bar, low-weight food, first aid kit and a NRC film
During
• If it’s already night and you’re in the mountains, or if you’re injured, call for a professional help
• If you’re injured, try to assess your condition. Apply first aid rules while waiting for help. It may not appear quickly, as helicopters don’t fly at night and in strong wind or fog
• If you happen to be forced to spend a night in the mountains, find a sheltered place to camp. In winter, you can dig a snow cave. Take your time. The longer you prepare your camping, the less time remains till dawn
• Keep yourself warm. Isolate yourself from the ground and surrounding. Use NRC film. Put on all your clothes and empty your backpack – you can put your legs into it to keep warm. If you’re not alone, hug the other person – mutual heating can be beneficial. Focus on heating your solar plexus – cross your arms on your chest, put your hands under your armpits. Drink something warm, replenish your energy supply. Don’t struggle with convulsions, rather beware of the state of apathy, which is much more dangerous when it gets cold
• Think positively despite the difficult situation you are in. Don’t lose hope
After
• After a night spent in the mountains, inform the place you stayed in before that you are safe
• If you don’t feel well after a night in the mountains, don’t continue your hike’s plan, turn back and go down to the shelter safely
• Contact a doctor if you feel alarmed by your health problems
• Once you’ve received a help and the helicopter has transported you to the hospital, inform your family about the situation and ask them to notify the shelter you stayed in, that you’re already safe