The case in summary DNT has long wanted a national register for all rescue operations and near misses in the outdoors. Today, only serious and fatal accidents are registered. The tourist association receives support from both the Red Cross and the Norwegian Central Rescue Service, who believe that such a register could help avoid unnecessary and resource-intensive missions. Rescuers believe that several rescue operations in the mountains could have been avoided if people planned and prepared better before setting out on a trip. The summary is made by an AI service from OpenAI. The content is quality assured by news’s journalists before publication. During the summer there have been many cases of hikers needing help to get back down from the mountain. At the latest on Monday, a German tourist had to be brought down from Hornelen in Bremanger. But there is no record of such events. This despite the fact that the Norwegian Tourist Association (DNT) has for several years requested a common register for all rescue operations and near misses. – Every year we are asked by the outside world about “what kind of accidents have happened this year?”. But no one can answer these questions, says department head for nature and open air at DNT, Anne-Mari Planke. Today, only accidents of a serious or fatal nature are registered. news met the couple who were rescued from Store Skagastølstind. They wanted to share their story so that others could learn from their mistakes: Jarle Bjørge Øverland feels that many of the near misses could have been avoided. Photo: Olav A. Saltbone’s mission could have been avoided. The Tourist Association receives support from both the Red Cross and the Central Rescue Service. – Some of the missions are probably at such a level that they could have been avoided if those who needed help had planned their trip better. It’s often about the fact that they don’t have enough food and drink with them, and aren’t dressed well enough, says Jarle Bjørge Øverland, national council leader for Red Cross relief corps. He believes that a common register could contribute to prevention. Department director Kjetil Lussand at the Main Rescue Center in Southern Norway agrees. – Our concern is that this seizes important rescue resources that could have been used on other, more critical missions. Rescue resources are not an inexhaustible resource, he says. The picture shows a rescue helicopter during a previous mission. Photo: Theo Aasland Valen Head of the voluntary organization Norwegian Alpine Rescue Groups, Thomas Horgen, believes that the rescue operation at Hornelen earlier this week is among those that could have been avoided. Via ferrata at Hornelen is already a hotly debated topic. Now the route can be closed: He adds that it is an honest matter that people are taken by weather or conditions. – People who do not get down from a mountain and this type of action could clearly have been avoided if people had prepared better. But it is also difficult to be too hard on those who go on a trip, but who try “a little beyond their means”, says Horgen. The pictures are from the rescue operation at Hornelen on Monday, where a woman from Germany was stuck in a via ferrata route. Photo: Sunnmøre Alpine Redningsgruppe Photo: Sunnmøre Alpine Redningsgruppe Photo: Sunnmøre Alpine Redningsgruppe Trolltunga in crocs The Red Cross points out that tourist agencies and attractions can also do better at advertising the tours more “down to earth”. – They can say that if you’re going on this trip, you can’t go in sweatpants and slippers. You must wear proper shoes and proper clothes, says Øverland in the Red Cross. He also believes that the tourist information office should be helpful in rebooking their plans, if the tourists encounter bad weather. Åse Marie Evjen says most people are well prepared before they set off on a trip to Trolltunga. Photo: Tale Hauso / news General manager of Trolltunga AS, Åse Marie Evjen, says they have already implemented measures with information on their social media about what the weather is like and how people should be dressed. In addition, they have parking attendants who give advice to people who want to experience the view. – It’s always a bit strange. There can be three meters of snow and tourists come with crocs on their feet, she says. She says that they constantly experience people who come unprepared for the trip. – Most people know how far it is to Trolltunga. But there are also those who think it takes 20 minutes to walk. And when we say it takes 7–12 hours, they wonder if there isn’t a shortcut. Trolltunga is a very popular tourist destination, especially for tourists. Photo: Tale Hauso / news Rejected in the state budget DNT says they have sent several submissions to the state budget about prioritizing funds for a joint, national register of the rescue operations, so far without success. You should do this before you set off on your trip Check the weather forecast: Check more than just the days you have planned. Prepare for changing weather: Bring good clothes that can withstand bad weather. Bring food and drink: Bring for a day or two longer than the trip is planned. Bring a mountain cloth: To withstand the weather in the mountains and can be used for an emergency bivouac. Bring your phone: Feel free to bring a power bank to charge your mobile phone. Rescue helicopters can find their way onto the mobile phone, even without coverage. Bring a reflective vest: It makes you more visible if you are in trouble and doesn’t take up a lot of space. Bring a map and compass: Familiarize yourself with the route you are going to take. And remember; there’s no shame in turning around! Sources: The main rescue center in southern Norway and the Red Cross relief corps. See also the DNT’s Mountain Code. The government is expected to present its proposal for the state budget for 2025 on Monday 7 October. – We think that one accident is one accident too many, regardless of who it concerns and how serious it is. It is important that we turn over all the stones we can to prevent more accidents from happening, concludes Planke. Published 18.09.2024, at 05.35
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DNT wants a national accident register – news Vestland
