For the summer of 2016, various ministries have decided to join forces to renew the prevention campaign for accidents linked to summer sports. In particular mountain activities.
For several years now, France has been the world’s leading tourist destination. It has a wide coastline (more than 5,000 km) but also has the largest mountain area at European level. However, the mountain remains a demanding environment with its dangers and its rules to avoid them.
Each summer, more than 3,000 interventions by mountain rescue services (half of which involve people hiking) are recorded. More than double that for accidental drownings.
Weather conditions, poorly adapted equipment, insufficiently prepared physical or sporting activity, are all factors that can seriously endanger the lives of mountain apprentices. To avoid this, the ministries of the City, Youth and Sports, the Interior and the Economy have decided to join forces. By renewing the national campaign for the prevention of accidents linked to summer sports.
An Internet site
The campaign website (www.preventionete.sports.gouv.
Their objective is to reach the widest possible audience and to encourage appropriate behaviors that are easy to implement, such as the right reflexes to adopt before hiking, for example. If it is practiced, in this case it is necessary to “always be aware of the weather forecast for the day (the day before and in the morning); provide an alternative route when it is unfavorable; and don’t hesitate to give up if the weather conditions are dangerous ”.
For hikers, the equipment to provide is also essential, recalls the government. Bring a first aid kit (compression bandage, bandage, adhesive plaster, etc.), a survival blanket, a knife or even a whistle.
A prevention memo in all languages
Furthermore, the prevention guide “Keeping the mountains a pleasure” will be broadcast free of charge this summer in French, English and Spanish in the various French massifs. The tourist offices and the tourist offices of the mountain departments, the offices of guides and mountain guides as well as other mountain professionals will be responsible for making it available to the public.
Presented in the form of a booklet and can be easily carried in the pocket or the backpack, it will deliver specific advice to the various activities practiced in the mountains. With a focus on white water sports. “Never approach either downstream or upstream of artificial or natural dams: a potentially fatal movement of water can get you stuck under the waterfall,” said the campaign.
Finally, the Ministry in charge of Sports has set up the Suricate system which allows you to be an actor in the quality of your practice sites by reporting any problem you may encounter on your route, site or outdoor sports practice area. : www.sentinelles.
Help in the event of an accident
In its campaign, the government also calls for adopting the right behaviors to help in the event of an accident:
– Protect the victim from another imminent danger (falling rocks, collision, etc.), cover and comfort her.
– Alert the emergency services or prevent (emergency call number 112) indicating: the precise location and time of the accident (GPS coordinates, altitude, route, etc.) as well as its name and telephone number; the nature of the accident and the number of victims, the seriousness (unconsciousness, apparent injuries, etc.); the care provided or the first aid procedures performed; a description of clothing (color, etc.) if the route is very busy; local weather conditions (wind, visibility).
– Practice appropriate first aid if you know them.
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