Zero risk in a mountain adventure is an illusion,
any inconvenience can always happen no matter how many measures you take before going out to the mountain. In Spain, only between January and July of the last year, 899 people had to be rescued by the Special Mountain Intervention Rescue Groups (GREIM) of the Spanish Civil Guard. Most of these incidents were attributed to a lack of experience and an overestimation of own habilities, especially among those between the ages of 19 and 30.
Statistics conclude that mountain rescues have increased by 40.5% since 2019 in Spain, with the months of July, August and September,with the arrival of good weather, being the months with the most mountain rescue missions.
At the European level, the numbers are no less disturbing. It is essential to recognize that, although efforts to reduce these risks are constant, the need for innovative tools becomes more pressing.
On the economic side,
according to a COPE article, the costs of mountain rescue missions can be significant. For example, a mountain rescue in Spain can cost from 6,000 to 12,000 euros, depending on various factors such as the difficulty of access, personnel and equipment required. But it should be noted that, in Spain, such search and rescue operations are mostly carried out by government agencies, these cost ranges are stipulated prices. In other countries, private services such as REGA carry out SAR missions, so prices vary depending on the area.
Technological advances play a crucial role in this area,
thanks to such advances, there are systems such as Lifeseeker that can reduce both, costs and time, in a rescue operation. This device can locate the person’s cell phone, significantly reducing flight times in rescue missions by more than half, giving the exact location of the person’s cell phone, thus helping to speed up the rescue process and the time of exposure to dangers which the members of the search and rescue teams are also exposed when they go out to save people.
It is crucial to recognize that, in these missions, saving lives is the priority, and technological advances such as Lifeseeker are vital tools in the fight against the weather, especially when someone’s life is in imminent danger in the mountains.
In short, technological advances are playing a crucial role in reducing the costs associated with mountain rescue operations around the world. These innovations not only help save lives, but also ease the burden on emergency resources and state budgets. However, it is important to remember that, despite these tools, personal responsibility and proper preparation remain critical to ensuring mountain safety.
What do you think?
Do you think technological advances help reduce costs in missions where every second counts?
