Introduction
This study compared the casualties and types of rescues conducted on the main climbing
route (MCR) and accessory climbing routes (ACRs) in Yushan National Park (YSNP) between
2008 and 2019.
Methods
We collected the following information for all documented mountain rescue operations
conducted on the MCRs and ACRs in YSNP between 2008 and 2019: accident location, casualty
type, victim number, and type of rescue. The victims were categorized as to injury,
illness, mortality, or no medical problem (NMP) groups according to their condition
at the time of rescue.
Results
Two-hundred forty-four rescue operations involving 329 victims were conducted during
the 12-y study period. Among them, 105 (32%) did not require medical treatment, 102
(31%) were injured, 82 (25%) were ill, and 40 (12%) were deceased. Of the 82 individuals
with illness, 69 (84%) had acute altitude sickness. The accident and mortality rates
on the ACRs were significantly higher than those on the MCR (P<0.001; χ2). The ACR incidents involved significantly higher percentages of helicopter-based
rescues and victims in the NMP group (P<0.001).
Conclusions
Acute altitude sickness accounted for most of the rescues. ACRs had higher injury
and mortality rates and required more helicopter-based rescues for patients who did
not have medical problems. This study may serve as a reference to reduce casualties
and overuse of helicopters by educating tourists on the appropriate use of maps and
the evaluation of trails in relation to weather conditions.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: July 14, 2022
Accepted:
May 2022
Received:
May 2022
Identification
Copyright
© 2022 Wilderness Medical Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
