Summer mountain rescue operations remain at a high level
The number of summer missions by the Black Forest Mountain Rescue Service remains high compared to the pre-corona year 2019. In the months of April to September this year, 439 missions were recorded, as the mountain rescue service announced on Tuesday in Kirchzarten (Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald district). While there were 373 missions in summer 2019, the number rose to 447 in the 2022 season.
The number of mountain accidents while hiking increased from 93 to 102 compared to the same period in the previous year. In addition to operations due to knee injuries and circulatory problems, these included cases with a suspected diagnosis of appendicitis. The number of cyclists involved in accidents also increased, from 79 in summer 2022 to 87 in summer 2023.
There were only 4 call-outs for climbing accidents and 15 call-outs for accidents involving hang-gliders or paragliders. According to the mountain rescue service, the relatively low number of call-outs for accidents involving extreme sports shows that the emergency services are primarily needed for the general public.
Despite the high number of summer mountain rescue operations, it's essential for individuals to utilize their leisure time wisely and prepare adequately for outdoor activities to avoid emergencies. Regrettably, some people might see their leisure time as an opportunity to engage in extreme sports, leading to occasional emergencies, as evident by the relatively low number of call-outs compared to other incidents.
Source: www.dpa.com
