The Civil Aid Service (CAS) held the Mountaineering Safety Promotion Day 2018 with various government departments and mountaineering organisations today (October 14) at Tuen Mun Cultural Square to enhance the public's knowledge of hiking safety with a view to reducing the accident rate of mountaineering activities.
 
     The opening ceremony was attended by officiating guests including the Controller of the Government Flying Service, Captain Michael Chan, and representatives of the CAS; the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department; the Auxiliary Medical Service; the Office of the Communications Authority; the Fire Services Department (FSD); the Hong Kong Observatory; the Hong Kong Police Force; the Lands Department; and various mountaineering organisations.
 
     The Chief Staff Officer of the CAS, Mr Cheung Tat-yin, also presented certificates to participants of the Mountain Casualty Handling Course and Safety Workshop for Hiking Leaders at the ceremony. 
 
     Mountaineering equipment, such as digital maps and global positioning system devices, were showcased. Skills on mountain search and rescue as well as handling of injured persons were demonstrated by CAS members. The use of night vision goggles and a weather forecasting mobile application were also introduced to enhance the public's understanding of mountain rescue work.
 
     Other attractions included mountaineering safety promotion talks, performances by police dogs and introduction of FSD rescue dogs. A recruitment exercise for CAS adult members was also conducted at the event.
 

Ends/Sunday, October 14, 2018
Issued at HKT 17:41

NNNN