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The Civil Aid Service (CAS), 16 government departments and mountaineering organisations held Mountaineering Safety Promotion Day 2010 at Causeway Bay today (October 31). The event aimed to encourage members of the public to acquire knowledge about mountaineering safety. They are advised not to hike alone if they are prone to accidents.
According to CAS statistics, there were 19 mountain rescue cases involving people hiking on their own in 2009 and 16 of them were male. In the first nine months of this year, among the 21 mountain rescue cases involving lone hikers, 19 were male. The CAS urges people to hike in a group of four to six, with some members possessing hiking experience and first-aid knowledge.
The Promotion Day today showcased advanced mountaineering equipment, such as a newly purchased cross-country vehicle to enhance rescue efficiency. Digital maps, a global positioning system device and mountain rescue tools were displayed. The public were also allowed to try and operate amateur radio, night vision goggles and a computerised weather map.
Various safety talks were conducted on handling heat stroke and evacuating casualties by helicopter. Members of the Hong Kong Mountaineering Union shared their hiking experiences in Hong Kong and Europe.
Members of the public also took part in activities like abseiling and knots practice. There was a mountain search and rescue demonstration as well as performances by police search dogs, bicycle trick riding by the CAS Cadet Corps, band marching and a side-drum team.
Mountaineering Safety Promotion Day 2010 was held today at the CAS Hong Kong Training Centre, 12 Tung Lo Wan Drive, Causeway Bay, and Moreton Terrace Temporary Playground. For information, please visit the CAS website: www.cas.gov.hk/eng/welcome.html .
Co-organising the event were the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, Auxiliary Medical Service, Fire Services Department, Government Flying Service, Hong Kong Observatory, Hong Kong Police Force, Office of the Telecommunications Authority, The Hong Kong Award for Young People, Camping Association of Hong Kong, China, Ltd, Hong Kong Amateur Radio Transmitting Society, Hong Kong Hiking Association, China, Hong Kong Mountaineering Union, Orienteering Association of Hong Kong, Raleigh International Hong Kong, Scout Association of Hong Kong, and Shenzhen Mountaineering and Outdoor Sport Association.
Ends/Sunday, October 31, 2010
Issued at HKT 15:00
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