Approximately 8,000 Rescued Annually from Mountain Accidents... Slips and Falls Rank First

As the number of people visiting mountains increases in the autumn season, it has been revealed that 40% of mountain rescue dispatches occur in September and October.

On the 6th, the National Fire Agency announced that from 2021 to 2023, the total number of mountain rescue cases nationwide reached 33,236, with an average of 8,389 people rescued annually.

By month, 25% of all dispatches were concentrated in the two months of September and October.

The causes varied, including slips and falls, getting lost, personal illnesses, and ingestion of wild plants.

In particular, last year, slips and falls accounted for the highest number, with 3,186 cases out of 10,807.

Due to the terrain characteristics of mountain accidents, rapid dispatch and transport of emergency patients are difficult, making fire helicopters play an important role. Accordingly, 32 fire helicopters nationwide are on standby for emergency dispatch and prepared for accidents.

The National Fire Agency advised that in case of an accident during a hike, one should immediately report to 119 after confirming the national location number and mountain location signboards installed on the trail, as well as familiar landmarks. They also recommended providing first aid using emergency medicines stocked in the simple rescue first aid kits while waiting for dispatch.

Kim Jae-woon, head of the Rescue Division at the National Fire Agency, emphasized, "In autumn, when there is a large temperature difference between day and night, hikers should check weather information before hiking and choose a course suitable for their physical condition to descend before sunset." He added, "Especially, it is very dangerous to leave designated trails or hike after drinking alcohol, so please follow mountain safety rules."