Mountain search and rescue training in Miaoli County

Mountain search and rescue training in Miaoli County

2024-03-12

A recent tragic accident on Mt. Xueshan has highlighted the need for strong training of mountain search and rescue teams. FTV spoke to a team from Miaoli County Fire Bureau about their preparation for snowy terrain. Search and rescue teams need lots of special training, both in how to prepare gear for the expedition and how to navigate these hazardous environments.

A headfirst tumble into icy snow and down the mountain… But don’t panic! This is just training. The instructor is demonstrating how to save yourself in this situation.

Eight members of Miaoli County Fire Bureau’s mountain search and rescue team are on the training. They’re joined by two military instructors. They’re learning how to pack provisions for snowy terrain, how to set up camp here, and how to climb snow-clad mountains.

Hsieh Tzung-lung
Miaoli County Fire Bureau training chief
We really emphasize this dimension of training, because our colleagues will need to go up the mountains, of course, and take risks in the course of search and rescue. This Snowy Terrain Training included walking and climbing up and down with crampons, as well as securing oneself, and how to stop oneself from rolling with an ice axe.

Miaoli County is home to popular mountaineering locations like Mt. Dabajian and Xueshan. They’re always attracting visitors, but the Fire Bureau warns that crampons, ice axes and ropes are indispensable gear to keep yourself safe.

Last month, a hiker was tragically killed after sliding on snow and falling off a cliff at Karantakkun North Peak, in Xueshan. A member of the search and rescue team sent after them also slipped and fell, but fortunately only suffered an injury. The accident underscores the difficulty that some mountain rescue operations pose. Only with frequent training events like this one can emergency teams maintain their readiness to respond.

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雪霸山脈仍有積雪消防實地訓練維持救援量能

2024-03-12

苗栗縣境內，有大霸尖山、雪山等熱門登山路線，登山客絡繹不絕，發生意外事故，也時有所聞。消防局日前趁著高山上仍有積雪與結冰路面，舉辦山域搜救訓練，學習雪地攀登等，維持救援量能。

在冰冷的雪地上，就這樣頭下腳上的，一直往山谷裡滑落下去，還好這只是訓練，有教官提示你自救訣竅。

參與訓練的，有八位苗栗縣消防局山搜小組成員，以及兩位教官，他們學習雪域裝備、架設繩索與雪地攀登等。

[[苗栗縣消防局訓練科長謝宗龍]]
“特別強化這方面的訓練，因為畢竟同仁還是要前往山上，去冒險搜救。這次的雪地訓練，包括冰爪上登下降行走，以及自我確保，以及冰斧滑落制動。”

苗栗縣境內，有大霸尖山、雪山等熱門登山路線，登山客絡繹不絕。消防人員提醒，要有冰爪、冰斧、繩索等設備，才能保護自身安全。

上個月，一名山友攀登雪山時，在凱蘭特崑山北峰邊坡滑落、跌落山谷，不幸罹難，當時一名山搜小組隊員，搜救時也不小心滑落山谷，還好只是受傷，凸顯高山雪域救援，困難指數高，消防員能做實地訓練，也讓救援量能得以維持。

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LED lamps have replaced traditional yellow lightbulbs, making blessing lamps more of a multi-coloured spectacle. The towers of lamps also revolve, creating a truly technological atmosphere. But how is a believer supposed to find their lamp among all this glitz and sparkle?

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