{"id":76397,"date":"2023-04-26T07:30:00","date_gmt":"2023-04-26T05:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ovonetwork.com\/blog\/?p=76397"},"modified":"2023-07-04T14:40:52","modified_gmt":"2023-07-04T12:40:52","slug":"medical-help-in-the-mountains","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ovonetwork.com\/blog\/medical-help-in-the-mountains\/","title":{"rendered":"How to find medical help in the mountains"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Mountain holidays are a real treat, but they can also be exhausting. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether you are hiking, skiing, mountaineering or just enjoying the views, you are likely to be exposed to extreme weather conditions and rough terrain that can lead to injury or illness. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, it\u2019s important that you know where and how to seek medical treatment in the mountains. In this article, we will explore the healthcare options available in the mountains and how to access them.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Rescuers
Mountain rescue comes to the aid of injured hikers \u00a9 Le Dauphin\u00e9<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The health risks in the mountains<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re not accustomed to high altitude, there are several problems you could face in the high peaks of the Alps. The air is less dense, which can cause problems such as headaches, nausea and other symptoms of acute mountain sickness (AMS). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, you can reduce these risks by taking time to acclimatise gradually to the altitude, by drinking plenty of liquids and resting regularly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s also important to carry a first aid kit which is tailored to the activity you are doing, whether that\u2019s hiking or winter sports. Specific equipment for winter sports such as helmets is also recommended to avoid injuries. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, it is important to be able to communicate quickly if you need to quickly alert the emergency services in the event of an accident, so make sure you have mobile phones, radios or distress beacons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Two
Rescuers may use helicopters to airlift victims out of inaccessible situations \u00a9 Freepik<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Where to find healthcare in the mountains<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the Alps, you\u2019ll find altitude medical centres which are specially equipped to deal with accidents in the mountains. These centres can often be found in ski resorts or in big cities. There are also high-altitude medical centres, but access is more difficult and they are often reserved for professionals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the event of an emergency requiring rapid intervention, rescue services may choose to mobilise a helicopter, equipped for high-altitude rescues. And it\u2019s important to know the emergency call procedures in case you need to call on these services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, for more complex care or emergencies requiring hospitalisation, there are mountain hospitals in the Alps. Access to mountain hospitals can be difficult in winter due to weather conditions and snowy roads, so suitable means of transport such as mountain ambulances and rescue helicopters enable patients to get treatment quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n \n \n <\/symbol>\n \n \n <\/symbol>\n \n \n \n <\/symbol>\n \n \n \n <\/symbol>\n<\/svg>\n\n\n\n

Book your chalet on the pistes<\/h2>\n\n
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Mountain rescue transport options<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Mountain hospitals are usually located as close as possible to ski resorts and tourist areas. As access to them can be difficult in bad weather, especially in the winter, it is important to know how to get to them quickly if you require urgent treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most common means of transport to these hospitals are mountain ambulances and rescue helicopters, which are manned by medical personnel trained to deal with emergencies at altitude. Ambulances and other means of transport for mountain care are equipped to travel on snow-covered roads and mountain paths, but their speed can be limited by weather conditions and terrain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rescue helicopters have special equipment for high-altitude rescues and can land in difficult-to-access areas, peaks or crevasses, to recover accident victims. Generally, they are used when an emergency needs rapid intervention, such as serious trauma.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s also important to take out insurance to cover medical and rescue costs and to always follow mountain safety instructions. Finally, make sure you have the r<\/strong>ight equipment to avoid accidents and illnesses related to altitude and winter sports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Rescuer
A rescuer and victim are winched aboard a rescue helicopter during an Alpine emergency \u00a9 Secourir en montagne<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Emergency contact numbers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are specific numbers to call in the event of a mountain emergency in France. These will enable you to contact the emergency services in the event of an accident or illness at altitude.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are the main mountain emergency numbers:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The PGHM<\/strong><\/a>: The Peloton de gendarmerie de haute montagne. This is a specialised unit of the national gendarmerie which provides mountain rescue services. Contact them by dialling 17 from a landline or 112 from a mobile phone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The CRS<\/a>:<\/strong> The Republican Security Companies also provide mountain rescue in certain areas, such as the Alps. Contact them by dialling 17 from a landline, and 112 from a mobile phone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The SAMU<\/strong><\/a>: The SAMU (service for urgent medical aid) is mobilised in case of an emergency in the mountains. You can call them by dialling 15 from a landline or mobile phone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Emergency beacons<\/strong><\/a>: Some mountain activities, such as mountaineering and off-piste skiing, may require the use of emergency beacons. These send a distress signal to the emergency services, which can then locate the signal and respond quickly. You can find out about the use of emergency beacons from mountain professionals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\n BE READY FOR WINTER IN THE ALPS<\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

The GENDLOC application for mountain rescue services<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The police now use the Gendloc app \u2013 a new tool developed by the Grenoble High Mountain Gendarmerie Platoon (PGHM Le Versoud).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The idea is simple:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Make sure you always have your phone charged with the GPS and internet functions activated.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Call 112, and explain your situation to the operator who will immediately send you an SMS message with an HTML link.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Click on this HTML link and authorise the sharing of your position.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Your exact position is immediately displayed on the computer map and allows the appropriate service to find and help you.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    To learn more about the GENDLOC application, click here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"Three
    Mountain rescue paramedics attend an emergency in the Alps. \u00a9 M\u00e9decins de secours en montagne<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    How to call mountain rescue<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Calling procedures may vary according to where you are in the mountains and your activity<\/a><\/strong>. Wherever you are, be ready to give clear and concise information during your conversation:<\/p>\n\n\n\n