Adopting the right reflexes in the mountains
The mountains are a magical place, but they remain a wild environment with their share of risks. Even when all precautions are taken, an incident can still happen. Here are some first aid guidelines to help you prepare for the unexpected.
Preparing for a mountain outing
There are several key points to bear in mind before heading out on a hiking or mountaineering trip:
- never go alone and adapt your route to your physical and technical abilities
- bring the safety and survival equipment required for your activity (helmet, harness, sufficient water and food)
- inform a close contact of your itinerary and progress, and don't forget to let them know once you're back
- pack the essentials: a first aid kit, a survival blanket, and any necessary medication
- carry a working means of communication: a charged mobile phone, a distress beacon
- know the basic care to provide (cleaning and dressing a wound) and ideally first aid techniques.
This final step is not mandatory but is strongly recommended. Knowledge of first aid can be useful in the mountains and in the city alike, whether in leisure activities or in a professional context.
Training in mountain first aid
In France, several authorised organisations offer first aid training to the general public. Fire brigades and associations such as the Red Cross or Civil Protection issue the Prévention et Secours Civiques de niveau 1 (PSC1) certificate. This basic first aid course lasts one day and helps you better assist people in difficulty in the event of
- faintness or even loss of consciousness
- wounds, burns or haemorrhages
- airway obstruction
- cardiac arrest
- trauma of all kinds
The PSC1 training therefore instils the right reflexes for assisting casualties in an emergency and alerting rescue services. Throughout the course, both theoretical discussions and practical scenarios take place.
This initial training can be complemented by an annual refresher course as part of ongoing training.
What to do in the event of a mountain incident
By learning life-saving techniques, many critical situations can be avoided and lives can be saved.
First reflexes in the event of a mountain accident:
- take shelter from further hazards so you can assist the injured person or victim while remaining visible to rescue services if possible
- cover the wound and apply first aid
- call 112, the emergency services coordination centre, and follow instructions
In winter, the same guidelines apply, with some nuances related to weather conditions.
Listen to the advice of Fred Souchon, rescue officer with the Peloton de Gendarmerie de Haute Montagne (PGHM) in Chamonix:
