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Search and rescue activity on Denali, 1990 to 2008.
- Source :
-
Wilderness & environmental medicine [Wilderness Environ Med] 2010 Jun; Vol. 21 (2), pp. 103-8. Date of Electronic Publication: 2009 Dec 22. - Publication Year :
- 2010
-
Abstract
- Objective: To describe search and rescue activity performed by the National Park Service (NPS) on Denali, the highest point in North America.<br />Methods: A retrospective review was performed of all search and rescue (SAR) operations by the NPS from 1990 to 2008. Descriptive analysis was used to describe these cases as well as chi-square and logistic regression analysis to determine which mountaineers were more likely to require a rescue.<br />Results: During the study period, 1.16% of all Denali climbers required NPS SAR response. The majority of medical cases (68.9%) were due to high altitude and cold injuries, and the majority of traumatic cases (76.2%) resulted from a fall. Mountaineers that attempt routes other than the standard West Buttress route are more likely to require rescue. Climbers are 3% more likely to require a rescue with each year of advancing age. Similarly, mountaineers from Asia are more likely to require a rescue (odds ratio = 4.1), although this trend has diminished in the past decade.<br />Conclusions: Mountaineers and rescuers should educate themselves on the environmental, logistical, and medical origins of Denali rescues. Certain demographic groups on certain routes are more likely to require a rescue on Denali. Rescuers should be aware of these groups and have the knowledge and capabilities to care for the medical issues that are common on SAR responses.<br /> (Copyright (c) 2010 Wilderness Medical Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)
- Subjects :
- Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Altitude
Athletic Injuries epidemiology
Athletic Injuries mortality
Athletic Injuries prevention & control
Chi-Square Distribution
Cold Temperature
Female
Humans
Logistic Models
Male
Middle Aged
Mountaineering injuries
Recreation
Retrospective Studies
United States
Wounds and Injuries mortality
Wounds and Injuries prevention & control
Young Adult
Accidents statistics & numerical data
Emergency Medical Services statistics & numerical data
Mountaineering statistics & numerical data
Rescue Work statistics & numerical data
Wounds and Injuries epidemiology
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1545-1534
- Volume :
- 21
- Issue :
- 2
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Wilderness & environmental medicine
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 20591370
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wem.2009.12.024