Fatalities Among Iranian High-altitude Outdoor Enthusiasts: Causes and Mechanisms

Abstract

Purpose: This study was performed to determine the possible causes and mechanisms of fatalities among Iranian mountaineers during climbing.Methods: By contacting several sources, deceased mountaineers were identified. Data about the causes and mechanism of death was retrospectively obtained using a standard questionnaire for each case.Results: A total of 29 deaths were identified from March 2006 to June 2010. Deceased subjects had a mean age of 39 years (SD: 12.8, Range: 20-67). Falling was the most common accident leading to death of outdoor enthusiasts (n=14, 48%). Asphyxia (n=6, 24%) was the most common cause of death among the subjects, followed by heart attack, internal bleeding, cerebral hemorrhage and hypothermia (17%, 17%, 17% and 10%, respectively). Conclusions:Our findings suggest that education of medical service providers of the climbing groups on facing victims in high altitude areas, where they have limited resources, can be particularly helpful. In addition, a national program to educate mountaineers might help to reduce fatalities.

Accidental hypothermia in recreational activities in the mountains: A narrative review

“…Everest in the period 1921‐2006, 15.2% (5/33) of all fatalities in the Aconcagua Provincial Park between 2001 and 2012, 17% (16/96) of all fatalities on Denali between 1903 and 2006, 4% (2/50) of all fatalities on Mt. Rainier between 1977 and 1997, and 10% of all fatalities in Iran between 2006 and 2010 . Hypothermia was the primary medical condition in 7.8% (8/102) of all search and rescue events on Denali between 1990 and 2008 .…”

“…Everest in the period 1921-2006, 64 67 and 10% of all fatalities in Iran between 2006 and 2010. 68 Hypothermia was the primary medical condition in 7.8% (8/102) of all search and rescue events on Denali between 1990 and 2008. 69 In a prospective study of all mountaineering accidents admitted to a regional hospital between 2012 and 2013 in Val D'Aosta, Italy, 5.5% (9/202) of victims were admitted due to hypothermia.…”

The Use of E-Learning in Medical Education for Mountain Rescuers Concerning Hypothermia

“…V ictims of mountain accidents are often exposed to harsh environments and thus at risk of developing hypothermia. Although the incidence of hypothermia in mountainous environments remains unknown, cold exposure has been reported as a cause of up to 13.8% emergency calls and 10% of deaths in mountain rescue missions (Hearns, 2003 ; Kordi et al, 2012 ). The factors associated with the occurrence of hypothermia include bad weather conditions (temperature, humidity, and wind speed), immobilization (e.g., due to trauma), exhaustion, poor clothing insulation, and long exposure duration (Ainslie and Reilly, 2003 ).…”

Alteration in Thrombogenic Parameters as a Potential Ramification of High Altitude Influence on Individuals

“…Mice in vitro research shows that the spontaneous production of P-selectin and the active conformation of GPIIb-IIIa are not significantly altered by incubation at temperatures of 34°C and 31°C. A slight increase in platelet activation but a significant increase in agonist-induced responsiveness are the effects of moderate hypothermia reported by Lindenblatt et al [44,45,40] Although there is experimental evidence for mice to infer any hypothesis regarding the consequence of hypothermia on thrombocytes there is a need to have robust trials on humans.…”

“…[39] SCIENTIFIC COLLECTION «INTERCONF» | № 117 229 Among Iranian mountain climbers, 29 deaths in total were recorded between March 2006 and June 2010. [40] In emergency medicine, managing patients in mountain and remote areas is a significant challenge. An observation study conducted at the Severe Hypothermia Treatment Centre by Anna Jarosz and her colleagues dealt with cases of 152 hypothermia over a period of 2 years.…”