Search and Rescue in Yosemite National Park: A 10-Year Review

Hung, Eric K.; Townes, David A.

doi:10.1580/06-weme-or-022r1.1

Cited by 52 publications

(73 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…In Boulder County, the fraction of climbing-related incidents relative to all SAR incidents (see Table 2) is comparable to Yosemite National Park (442 climbing victims in 10 years and 19% of SAR incidents 14 4 Victims were predominantly male and between the ages of 20 and 29 years; the age demographics observed matched the distribution in Australia, which was the only study reporting similar data 2 (comparison presented in Table 3). The RMRG reported fewer technical roped climbing victims compared with Australia, 2 and similar numbers compared with all US National Parks.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 72%

Rock Climbing Rescues: Causes, Injuries, and Trends in Boulder County, Colorado

Lack¹,

Sheets²,

Entin³

et al. 2012

Wilderness & Environmental Medicine

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The occurrence of rock climbing-related rescue victims comprised one fifth of all rescue victims in Boulder County. A large fraction of incidents and fatalities resulted from unroped climbing. Incidents of lost or uninjured stranded climbers and belay incidents account for more than half of victims, which can likely be prevented by gaining appropriate experience, seeking local information, and applying some simple safety measures for control of rope belays.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 72%

Rock Climbing Rescues: Causes, Injuries, and Trends in Boulder County, Colorado

Lack¹,

Sheets²,

Entin³

et al. 2012

Wilderness & Environmental Medicine

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“…[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13] Studies have defined the epidemiology 1-13 and the financial cost 1-3,6,9,10 of SAR incidents, but to our knowledge no published studies have surveyed patients to assess causation and methods of prevention of these incidents.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ten Years of Search and Rescue in Yosemite National Park: Examining the Past for Future Prevention

Boore

Bock²

2013

Wilderness & Environmental Medicine

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Objective To identify trends in demographics of search and rescue incidents in Yosemite National Park and to ascertain patient opinions regarding incident prevention. Methods Retrospective data on backcountry incidents from Yosemite Search and Rescue Patient Care Reports from 2000 to 2009 was examined, and a statistical description of data was completed to determine patient demographics. Patients assisted in the backcountry from 2007 to 2009 were surveyed, and a statistical description of data elicited factors that contributed to the incident. Results Yosemite Search and Rescue received 1088 backcountry medical calls in 10 years. Of these calls, 55% of patients were male, 46% of incidents occurred while hiking on a trail, and extremity pain was the chief complaint in 53% of cases. The gender of patients was found to be associated with the activity causing the incident. Patient surveys reported that 79% of incidents occurred on clear days, 13% of patients felt that better gear would have helped prevent the incident, and 14.4% of patients felt they were underprepared. Fifty-four percent of patients reported that they were experts at the activity they were participating in. Appropriate footwear and sufficient water were suggested by most patients as items that would have prevented or minimized the incident. Conclusions Many patients reported that they were experienced, well-prepared, and physically fit at the time of the incident. An educational effort regarding appropriate gear, trail conditions, and patient demographics may help decrease injury and illness in the Yosemite backcountry in the future.

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“…Study Area and Data YNP ( Figure 1) is located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California and has more than 1,287.47 km (800 miles) of hiking trails with more than 200 SAR incidents each year (Hung and Townes 2007). The relatively high amount of visitation, even in remote locations, leads to SAR incidents occurring far from roads that emergency vehicles can access.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%