Rescue operations?!?

[guest]

Some years ago there was a huge debate about climbers that got stucked, and had to be rescued. Many of the rescue-operations put the rescuers' lives in danger. The climbers recieved a lot of critisism.
Then somebody got a brilliant idea. Some climbers began learning themselves how to do the rescue-operations. They started several "alpine rescuing groups" that could be called whenever the accidents came.

Hey!!!! Maybe we should look to the climbers? There are many base-jumpers who are good climbers... And if we could get som good skills in using rescuing-equipment we might rescue our friends ourselves.
Of course this is easiest in countries were base-jumping is legal.

An idea?!

[guest]

Proposing a plan of "self rescue" is a very noble idea but I must say it is not a good idea for many reasons. First off is the cost of the equiptment that would be needed. Immobilization devices alone are astronomically expensive and there are so many different types that may be needed for any given injury. Where would this stuff be kept? Who would maintain it? And most importantly, who would USE it? The list of potential injuries sustained by a jumper is long. (as it in in every sport) Each requiring different treatment that takes years of education to recognize and render. The knowledge and skills required to administer appropriate care are abundant and if performed incorrectly or are just omitted, could result in further injury or death. A femur fracture for example may EASILY become fatal if mismanaged. Not to mention back and neck injuries that may result in paralysis. I commend you for wanting to help your friends but what if things didn't go so well? That's tough enough to deal with as a medical professional even knowing you did all you could. Perhaps we should keep the "rescue efforts" in the hands of those who know it best and offer your assistance as directed by the medical team. Let's all be safe and these services won't be needed.

Lisa

[guest]

In Norway we have severeal groups of climbers that would help the medical teams whenever they need help to get somebody safe down from awall, or often they just get to the injuried person and secure them so they don't die of cold or bloodloss or so. They would find the person, and then give a report to the medical teams. If there aren't any symptoms of neck or back injuries, they might try to bring the injured one down. In there are symptoms of back- or neck-injuries they would prabably secure the person and wait untill members of the medical team have reached the injured one.

It is the medical-teams and the proffesionalrescue-teams who pay and keep the equipment.

As you see, it is NOT mission impossible...