The Development Status and Development Direction of China's Alpine Rescue

I. The rise of modern mountaineering drives the demand for mountain rescue

Modern mountaineering has been developing for more than 200 years. In 1786 , when Doctor Pacal and his partner ascended the Mont Blanc, he never thought that he should cure the sick and save him, and he also created a new area for saving people, that is to say, he found many for himself. "Source", these "sources" come from high mountains.

When the Alps movement was carried out in full swing, the casualties caused by natural causes and human factors continued. As a result, people began to rescue themselves with organized rescue from the spontaneous rescue.

In 1948 , the Austrian Mountaineering Association convened a conference in Wilden Kaiser , where highly experienced mountain rescuers from Austria, France, Germany, Switzerland and other countries established the International Commission for Alpine Rescue , the International Alpine Relief Organization ( ICAR ) for 10 years. Later, in the United States, Oregon, an international rescue organization called the Mountain Rescue Association ( MRA) was established . It is mainly composed of North American countries such as the United States and Canada. Generally, we think it is the United States’ rescue. association.

China's mountaineering began 50 years ago. With the popularization of mountaineering, mountain accidents have occurred from time to time, and casualties cannot be ignored. In 1991 , 17 mountain warriors were buried in Meili Snow Mountain and became the biggest mountain disaster in the history of the Republic. In 2002 , five members of the Mountain Eagle Society of Peking University dismissed Xi Xiabang Ma Xifeng. People began to think: The mountain disaster has occurred. Do something?

Second, the mountain rescue specific tasks and processes

ICAR is a worldwide cooperative organization composed of members and associations in the field of mountain rescue. Its main task is to promote international cooperation in the field of mountain rescue and provide effective help for injured climbers or climbers at risk, to avoid the further occurrence of mountain accidents. Specifically, ICAR has the following specific tasks:

( 1 ) Introduce and recommend mountain rescue equipment ;

( 2 ) professional evaluation and safety inspection and rescue equipment, and put forward suggestions for improvement;

( 3 ) Mountain accident analysis, accident research, prevention of mountain accidents, and accident statistics;

( 4 ) Recommended by the medical plan for mountain injury, sick person's first aid, and delivery;

( 5 ) Exchanges on special topics and archives related to mountain disasters;

( 6 ) Release information on mountain rescue and mountain accident prevention.

ICAR has a congress, an executive committee, a chairman, four technical committees, and an ombudsman. Among them, the four technical committees are: Alpine Rescue Committee, Avalanche Rescue Committee, Air Rescue Committee and Alpine Emergency Medical Committee. The technical committees have clear tasks, composition and working methods according to the work regulations.

The purpose of MRA is to establish a central organization to promote more effective mountaineering safety education through organization and coordination, improve the quality and efficiency of mountain rescue services, promote the free exchange of rescue techniques and rescue procedures, and share new achievements in the development of rescue equipment . Promote the standardization of mountain rescue work. MRA has a clear definition of the following two words:

( 1 ) Alpine Rescue Units: Refers to organizations that can conduct search and rescue operations in mountainous environments and can be proficient in search, technical rescue, and technical rescue in four different seasons;

( 2 ) Volunteer organizations: A volunteer organization must meet three conditions: First, it must have more than 80% of its members ' volunteers; second, the volunteers and the organizations they represent provide relief, 80% or more The third is that the rescue organization can compensate the actual expenses of the rescued object's responsible unit for the rescue, but it cannot obtain compensation from the rescued object and its relatives and responsible units.

In the MRA charter, each type of rescue must be carried out under a prescribed procedure. For example, the search procedure is:

( 1 ) Receive an alarm, determine the degree of urgency of the response, and issue an alarm;

( 2 ) to issue an alarm program;

( 3 ) Launch emergency procedures (fixed procedures) and local search work procedures;

( 4 ) Formulate search plans and strategies, including feasibility analysis;

( 5 ) Search strategies and operations, including line-based search, mesh search, etc.;

( 6 ) tracking;

( 7 ) Field orientation and marching;

( 8 ) Night search;

( 9 ) Radio communications;

( 10 ) ELT search;

( 11 ) GPS applications;

( 12 ) Suitable for local wild lifesaving and lifesaving techniques and equipment;

( 13 ) The application and safety of helicopters.

III. Alpine Rescue Mechanism and System

The above summary can be seen: the international mountain rescue generally includes three parts: search, rescue, and equipment, and the mechanism and system are always there.

1 , search

Correctly determining the location of the wounded is a prerequisite for rescue. Now some of the foreign mountaineers and skiers know that they must carry a Beacon , a wireless signal transmitter, before departure . When an avalanche is encountered or assistance is needed, the transmitter switch is turned on, and a pulse signal can be emitted. According to the strength of the signal received by the hand-held receiver, the rescuer can find the strongest direction and gradually approach the rescue area. At the second World Mountaineering Ski Championships (Spain), the athletes must each have this device on their back before they can participate in the competition.

Another effective method is to search for and rescue dogs. Foreign aid organizations basically have search and rescue dogs. After training, this dog can accurately find the life buried in the snow. In foreign countries, the search link for Alpine Rescue has received extensive attention. In many countries, the name of the rescue organization is “ Search and Rescue Team ” (search and rescue team). For search, they have developed a lot of professional equipment, such as radios and animals introduced in the previous article. At the same time, there have been some achievements in search theory, such as line search, grid search and so on.

2. Rescue

Including emergency emergency treatment in the field and delivery of the wounded. The transport of the wounded is very scientific. First, we must determine the wounded position and injury of the wounded, and then determine how the wounded will be transported. The drills we see are generally rescued from the complex topography of cliffs and valleys where the wounded cannot move. This requires professional rescue measures and techniques. In Poland, we saw rescuers using simple metal stretchers, ropes and various climbing and rescue equipment, such as ascending devices, descenders, and pulleys, to steadily stretch the stretcher from the cliff or to stretch the stretcher from the bottom of the valley. Pan to a convenient location. In some developed countries, helicopters are an essential rescue transport tool.

3 , rescue equipment

Professional rescue equipment is the material basis for relief. In foreign countries, this has formed an industry where specialized manufacturers research, manufacture, and sell rescue tools. As a result, rescue tools have developed rapidly. For example, when we met in Poland, we discovered a new tool. On the surface, it was a simple backpack. But when an avalanche was encountered, the backpack took a switch and the backpack immediately flushed. Like a large airbag, the avalanche air waves push backpacks and people forward, avoiding burying climbers under the snow. In fact, it has been out of the rescue category and has gone into avoiding dangerous areas. This shows that foreign countries have begun to study the tools to avoid the mountain. Professional equipment is one of the professional, independent and mature signs of the industry.

4 , mechanisms and systems

This is where we should focus now. Most of the foreign aid organizations are built on the basis of the region. It is usually the protected area management, or local volunteers, who make up the aid organization, while the government, companies and social groups provide assistance. Such as police stations or other agencies provide helicopters, ambulances and other rescue equipment. Relying on the region as a rescue, it has played a timely and accurate role, and the success rate of saving people is also high.

Because they are close and familiar with the terrain, they are able to get to the scene of the accident the first time. The rescue information is often transmitted to the rescuers through the government's network. When we were in the United States, we were visiting a friend’s friend’s home. Suddenly his phone rang and he said there was a rock climber falling from the cliff. He immediately informed the person that a helicopter soon flew over our head and he told us that the wounded had been shipped to the plane and could be sent to the hospital immediately.

Fourth, the development status and development direction of China's mountain rescue

There is almost no organization, technology and equipment for mountain rescue in our country. This is a sad reality. The gap with the international mountain rescue is obvious. But with the increase in the number of climbers, we are already considering and studying this issue. With the vigorous development of outdoor sports in mountainous regions in China, more and more people are now considering the issue of mountain rescue:

The domestic mountain rescue has been “screaming” for several years, but the current progress is almost zero. The reason is:

First, because mountain outdoor sports have only just begun to enter the lives of ordinary people, people are busy understanding what is called mountaineering and outdoor sports. They have not paid attention to the dangers behind them and ways to resolve the dangers;

The second is the misunderstanding of the "Alpine Rescue". Some people, including some professional mountaineers, think that mountain rescue is only a branch of mountaineering, but it does not recognize that this is a new and independent field;

The third problem is the national conditions. Without understanding the importance of mountain rescue, it has not received the support of the government and society.

So, there are no good ways to solve the above three aspects?

1 , can start from mountain rescue drills and competitions to promote and popularize the concept and common sense of mountain rescue

Although the domestic mountain outdoor sports have been more and more people's attention and likes, it should be noted that the current domestic mountain outdoor sports in our country is still only a start. Many people just know that this sports program is fun, fun, close to nature, However, there is a lack of necessary understanding of the dangers and the lack of countermeasures after the occurrence of danger. Except for a few people who specialize in outdoor sports in the mountains, most of the rest are outdoor sports enthusiasts. There is a clear blind spot for outdoor danger and mountain rescue. When the mountain friends are climbing and climbing, once the danger really comes. At the time, they were helpless besides sending a SOS signal.

The correct establishment of the concept of mountain rescue is an important prerequisite for establishing a mountain rescue system in China. At present, even our professional mountaineers do not have the correct understanding of the mountain rescue work. They think that rescue is an accessory and derivative of mountaineering and can be completely carried out and completed by relying on mountain climbing equipment, knowledge, and technology. For example, in the mountaineering class, there is information on how to use a climbing rope to rescue the wounded. Therefore, many climbers believe that only by using these ropes, and then using a couple of ropes of one kind or another, they can take the place of a stretcher to carry out rescue work. As everyone knows, some wounded people are In the course of such transportation, the injuries were aggravated and even life was lost. Therefore, I think we must first establish such a philosophy: The mountain rescue is a brand-new knowledge for anyone who carries out outdoor sports in the mountains. It requires professional knowledge, technology, and equipment.

As mountain rescue is highly technical, it has high requirements for analyzing problems and dealing with problems, so it has good competitive and ornamental nature. At the beginning of the development of the rescue system, we can change the mountain rescue into an athletic competition program in accordance with the requirements of the sports program, carry out various field exercises and competitions, and widely disseminate the concept and knowledge of mountain rescue through media publicity for the establishment of Perfecting the rescue system lays the foundation for consciousness.

Imagine the contents of a rescue competition as follows: Take 4 people as a rescue team and set a total of 3 ? In the four rescue teams, the equipment of the rescue teams is exactly the same. At this time, the referee’s instructions: At a cliff 2 kilometers southwest from this point, a team of people was in distress when carrying out the rockfall. Others are unknown and need emergency assistance. The rescue team safely transports the wounded person to a place where the car can reach and stay. In this process, the referee mainly assesses the time, effect, rescue elements, and operational norms of the rescue team's completion of tasks. I have watched such a competition in Poland, and it is very competitive and ornamental. If this is the basis, then some complex changes, such as obstacles during marching, self-rescue of rescue equipment, and setting up of emergencies, etc., will require a higher level of resilience and quick response ability for rescue teams, and competitiveness and appreciation will also be greater. Then increase.

2. After the concept and awareness of the mountain rescue have been recognized, a regional rescue system can be established according to the regional rescue thinking.

The regional rescue system and rescue mechanism should be the foundation and core of the entire mountain rescue. Only when the regional-based and core rescue system is truly established can the mountain rescue system be truly established.

First, local mountaineering organizations and other functional departments should be used to establish regional “mutual rescue mechanisms” in areas where mountaineering and other outdoor sports are relatively concentrated, such as Siguniang Mountain, Yuzhu Peak Mountain, and mountains surrounding Beijing.

In the early days of the accident, rescues were organized in the form of "mutual aid groups." For example, several teams working in the same mountainous area will strengthen their communication with each other, and if they are in danger, they will start to rescue each other in a timely manner; or they may, by way of joining, establish a statute similar to the "Alpine Rescue and Mutual Assistance Treaty", and accrediters apply to join. , Enjoy the right to be rescued and fulfill the duty of rescue. If local authorities such as the Scenic Spot Authority intervene, it is possible to specify the rescue obligations and rights in a conditional manner. For example, if you enter a scenic spot, you must pay a certain rescue fee (similar to insurance) after you leave the site. , The functional department personally or organizes other personnel to carry out the rescue. Those who do not pay the relevant fees will refuse to enter the park. Through these means and methods, the participants of the outdoor sports in the mountains and the functional departments have recognized the necessity of the existence of rescue organizations, so that the organization and system of mountain rescue have their foundation.

Second, a regional social assistance organization based on volunteers and relying on government agencies and social organizations was established. Practice has shown that the establishment of a professional and independent alpine rescue organization is a sign that the mountain rescue is becoming mature, and it is also our goal to establish a rescue system and mechanism. The establishment of a regional rescue team based on volunteers can guarantee the timeliness, professionalism and responsibility of the rescue. Mountain rescue is not only for professionals who need outdoor sports, but also for other professionals who have knowledge and ability to rescue, such as doctors, police officers, military personnel, and lawyers. Volunteers can come from various industries in the society. After professional rescue knowledge training, they can become professionals in certain aspects of mountain rescue work.

In fact, the ability of the mountain rescue work is very much in need of extensive social support. In times of danger, volunteers need to take time off to travel to dangerous places. This requires governments, businesses, and social groups to allow time for their employees to take time out. , and even create other more favorable conditions to cooperate, let it into the rescue. In foreign countries, companies and social organizations actively support their employees to participate in such charities, and promote them as corporate images. The maturity of such conditions will make a very important contribution to the rescue mechanism with volunteers as the main body. In addition, some large-scale equipment and equipment used in the rescue, a large amount of manpower and material resources, etc., can only be solved by the government and social organizations. In countries where mountains are highly developed and rescued, even the economic sources of rescue are mainly depended on donations from the government and society. . Finally, some legal and ethical issues also require the government and legal agencies to solve the problem. For example, is the rescued person ultimately killed and the rescuer responsible? How to determine the responsibility? and many more.

The establishment of a social assistance organization is a long-term process that requires the foundation of political, economic, and cultural development. One must look at the development of mountain outdoor sports. If the mountaineering team is not large, it can be dealt with in the form of “mutual aid groups”; if there are relatively many people in the mountains, such as New Zealand, a country with a population of 3 million, there are 2 million people in mountain climbing all year round, and the frequency of accidents is high. The government and society will inevitably attach importance to rescue, and social relief organizations will gradually be able to establish them; secondly, they must look at people’s living standards and moral standards. At present, in developed countries, some people are living idly by themselves and have nothing to do with their free time, but they also want to contribute to social welfare. So many of them are doing mountain rescue volunteers. They may not like climbing and Rock climbing, but with a high level of enthusiasm and responsibility for the rescue, to help others as their own pleasure, so that the moral basis of social assistance organizations formed.

3. Establish a national relief organization based on the foundation of the government.

It is necessary to establish a nationwide official aid organization. It can give full play to and mobilize the rescue forces of various regions under the leadership and support of the government to implement large-scale, difficult and demanding alpine rescues, and it can be strengthened. Communication and exchanges between international organizations and regional organizations, timely control and coordination of international and regional rescue information and rescue forces, and timely release to the community, arouse widespread attention of enthusiasts, and finally, can guide, recommend and organize mountains The invention, design, production and sales of rescue equipment. It should be noted that the establishment of a nationwide official rescue organization requires a long-term process. Only mountain outdoor sports have really developed in our country. There are enough participants, and the government pays enough attention to it. Only official organizations can be established.

Nationwide rescue organizations can be synchronized or gradually developed with regional social aid organizations. There is no inevitable cause and effect and no connection between them. In other words, before the establishment of a regional rescue organization, it is also possible to establish a nationwide rescue organization, and gradually establish rescue organizations in each region under the guidance of a nationwide rescue organization.

4 , must pay special attention to the development of rescue equipment and rescue technology training and popularization

From a professional technical point of view, rescue and mountain outdoor sports belong to different technical systems and have their own different objects, technologies and equipment. Therefore, using simple outdoor technology and equipment to replace the mountain rescue technology and equipment is temporary. Nothing is more than a matter of necessity.

To establish a mountain rescue system that suits China's national conditions, we must also consider the popularization and training of rescue techniques, and attach importance to the development and manufacturing of rescue equipment.

Through the rescue drills, competitions, and other activities, the concept of mountain rescue is promoted; through training, schooling, etc., the technology and knowledge of mountain rescue are popularized and improved; and through means of joint development and joint development, China’s rescue technology equipment is promoted as soon as possible. , to the rescue of the first line. Tools are the carrier of technology. With tools, technology can be materialized, and it is easy to inherit and improve. We must pay full attention to the importance of rescue equipment in the rescue work.

China's mountaineering has gone through ups and downs of 50 years, 50 years, especially the reform and opening up 20 years ago, mountaineering has been rapid popularity and rapid development in China, and our mountain rescue system is almost at zero development State, which is very different from the development level of our mountaineering. Alpine rescue should become an important part of mountaineering and develop in parallel with mountaineering.