Companion Rescue and Risk Management of Trekkers on the Everest Trek, Solo Khumbu Region, Nepal

Carina Cerfontaine, Christian Apel, Daniela Bertsch, Maren Grass, Miriam Haunolder, Nina Hundt, Julia Jäger, Christian Kühn, Sonja Museol, Lisa Timmermann, Michael van der Giet, Simone van der Giet, Knut Wernitz, Volker Schöffl, Audry Morrison and Thomas Küpper ()
Additional contact information
Carina Cerfontaine: Department of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, RWTH Aachen Technical University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
Christian Apel: Department of Biohybrid and Medical Textiles, Institute of Applied Medical Engineering, Helmholtz Institute of Biomedical Engineering, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
Daniela Bertsch: Department of Internal Medicine, Ilmtalklinik, 85276 Pfaffenhofen, Germany
Maren Grass: Department of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, RWTH Aachen Technical University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
Miriam Haunolder: Department of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, RWTH Aachen Technical University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
Nina Hundt: Department of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, RWTH Aachen Technical University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
Julia Jäger: Department of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, RWTH Aachen Technical University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
Christian Kühn: Department of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, RWTH Aachen Technical University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
Sonja Museol: Department of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, RWTH Aachen Technical University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
Lisa Timmermann: Department of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, RWTH Aachen Technical University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
Michael van der Giet: Department of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, RWTH Aachen Technical University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
Simone van der Giet: Department of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, RWTH Aachen Technical University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
Knut Wernitz: Department of Operative Dentistry, Periodontology and Preventive Dentistry, Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule (RWTH) Aachen University Hospital, 52074 Aachen, Germany
Volker Schöffl: Department of Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery, Sportsorthopedics and Sportsmedicine, Klinikum Bamberg, 96049 Bamberg, Germany
Audry Morrison: Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, London NW3 2QG, UK
Thomas Küpper: Department of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, RWTH Aachen Technical University, 52074 Aachen, Germany

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 23, 1-11

Abstract: Background: Trekking to high-altitude locations presents inherent health-related hazards, many of which can managed with specific first aid (FA) training. This study evaluates the trip preparation, FA knowledge, and FA self-assessment of trekkers (organized by tour operators vs. individually planned tours). Data obtained shall be used for specific FA trip preparation and management of emergencies en route for this population. Methods: A total of 366 trekkers on the Everest Base Camp Trek, Nepal, were interviewed using a questionnaire specifically designed to evaluate their FA knowledge and management of emergencies. Data evaluation was performed using descriptive statistics. Results: A total of 40.5% of trekkers experienced at least one medical incident during their trip, of which almost 50% were due to acute mountain sickness (AMS). There was more AMS in commercially organized groups than in individually planned ones (55% vs. 40%). For more than 50%, no medical care was available during their trip. A total of 80% could answer only 3/21 FA questions completely correctly. Only 1% showed adequate knowledge concerning FA strategies. A total of 70% were willing to enroll in an FA class specialized towards the needs of trekkers. Conclusions: The importance of high-altitude FA knowledge and trip preparation is widely underestimated. There is an unmet demand amongst trekkers for specific wilderness FA classes.

Keywords: first aid knowledge; trip preparation; self-assessment; acute mountain sickness; risk management (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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