Cape Town- With summer approaching and up to 6 000 people a day expected to visit the Table Mountain Cableway, rescue training operations have become a priority.
David Nel, a senior technical rescuer from Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR), said safety training on Table Mountain should be looked into constantly to prevent deaths.
Nel and his team conducted a safety training session last Wednesday, with the Cape Argus accompanying them as they conducted a simulated rescue of “a hiker who was lost and injured on the mountain”.
In the dark, the team started the session, with little or no talking and kept a close eye to ensure everyone was safe.
Lifting an injured hiker from the ground decreases the chances of further injury. “It is one of the safest methods of rescue instead of carrying the patient downhill,” said Nel.
Hendrick Smith, from Mountain Club of South Africa, said mountain rescuing can be regarded as a critical exercise.
undefinedWSAR lowered the team to the ground from a cable car about 35m above ground.
“You need to know what you have to do, be attentive and anticipate the next move to make sure that nothing goes wrong.
“We need take a number of things into consideration, it’s difficult working in the dark with only head lamps as these can work against us.
“If the light hits my eyes for a few seconds, I won’t be in control of the situation… so we need to check every move we make.”
Smith said they often find aren’t prepared for a hike as they don’t have hiking shoes, don’t know the route or hike alone at night. “Dehydration is also a killer,” he said.
Hendre de Villiers, a mountain guide from ZA guide, said: “People often continue walking even when they have noticed they are getting lost. Our biggest problem when looking for people is that they keep moving, so it becomes difficult to find them. Looking for someone is like looking for a needle in a haystack, and sometimes the haystacks move.”
Shaheed Ostan, from EMS, said: “When an emergency call is received, the Emergency Medical Service try to gather as much information as they can… the route you are on and the clothes you are wearing are important.
“That is why it is vital for people to gear up, when hiking and be observant of their surroundings.”
Cape Argus