Alpine Club Warns: Falls and Cold Often Underestimated Risks

According to them, "falls and tumbles" are often incorrectly assessed in terms of their danger. "Mountaineers usually only pay attention to the avalanche danger," emphasized a mountaineering expert from the ÖAV. If you combine avalanche deaths and falls, one-third of the fatalities were due to the latter, while two-thirds were attributed to avalanches.

"17 fatalities per year on average are due to avalanches and six to fall and tumble accidents"

"17 fatalities per year on average are due to avalanches and six to fall and tumble accidents," noted the ÖAV mountaineering expert Jörg Randl, referring to data collected by the Austrian Board for Alpine Safety in a release. Statistically, seven fatalities were due to "other causes such as cardiovascular disorders." This represents the ten-year average.

In any case, mountaineers should not underestimate the dangers aside from avalanches. "A low avalanche warning level does not mean that there are no other dangers in the mountains," stated Randl. On the contrary, a low avalanche warning level can convey a "deceptive sense of security." Given these circumstances, it is sometimes forgotten by alpinists that, for example, "a fall in the terrain on the last meters to an exposed summit can have fatal consequences."

Measure against falls on the last meters

To counteract the risk of falling or tumbling on the last meters, it is advisable, for example, to use "crampons and ski crampons" early enough and not only "when it becomes critical." Additionally, it is important to respond correctly to cold during ski tours. "A multifunctional bivouac sack and an emergency blanket are part of personal equipment," explained Randl.

This material must also be "used correctly and in a timely manner in an emergency," he added. Among other reasons, this is why a "new lecture series" has been launched, where, in addition to avalanches, "accident-relevant topics such as falls and cold are now also brought into focus."

(APA/Red)

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