Helicopter rescues and deaths among trekkers in Nepal

Article Abstract:

Hiking in the mountainous regions of Nepal has gained in popularity and the number of hikers who make the trip annually has grown from only 14,000 in 1976 to 50,000 in 1986. On average, hikers spend 11 days trekking across this difficult terrain at altitudes that range from 200 to over 5,500 meters. This is the first study to retrospectively examine the number of deaths and emergency evacuations of trekkers for medical reasons. This study included all recorded helicopter evacuations and deaths among individuals that occurred between January 1, 1984 and June 30, 1987. The accumulation of data was helped by the fact that all foreigners entering Nepal must first secure a visa and a special trekking permit that is required before leaving the major population centers. These restrictions are vigorously enforced by many check-posts and it is unlikely that many visitors go unaccounted. The number of issued trekking permits was used to establish the rate of death and evacuation of foreign hikers to Nepal. During the study period, 148,000 persons were issued trekking permits. The records establish 23 deaths and 111 individuals evacuated by helicopter. The risk of death while trekking was 15 per 100,000, and the rate of rescue was 75 per 100,000. These data confirm that this mountainous trip is relatively safe. However, the authors warn that individual risk may vary and that the remoteness of the area, relative absence of medical facilities and extremes of altitude must be considered when making an individual decision to trek.

Usage, Accidents, Recreation, Hiking, Nepal, Mountain sickness, Altitude sickness, Helicopter ambulances

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Heat-related deaths - Dallas, Wichita, and Cooke counties, Texas, and United States, 1996

Article Abstract:

Three cases of death due to heatstroke in several Texas counties during July, 1996 illustrate the dangers of heat waves. During the first week of July, the high temperature ranged from 101 to 106 and the heat index peaked at 105 to 112. Three elderly people died during that time from hyperthermia aggravated by heart disease. In addition to chronic diseases, young or old age, social isolation and physical exertion during hot weather are risk factors for hyperthermia. Alcohol and some medications can also increase the risk. Heat exposure was responsible for 5,899 deaths in the US between 1979 and 1994.

Heatstroke

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Heat-Related Illnesses, Deaths, and Risk Factors--Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio, 1999, and United States, 1979-1997

Article Abstract:

Ohio seems to have been hit hardest by the heat wave in the summer of 1999 in the eastern and midwestern US. Eighteen people died of heat-related conditions in Cincinnati and four died in Dayton. This translates into a rate of 21 heat-related deaths per million people in Cincinnati and 7 per million in Dayton. The national average between 1979 and 1997 was 1 heat-related death per million people.

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