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Determining Levels of Search and Rescue Team’s Knowledge on Avalanche Search and Rescue

Year 2023, Volume: 6 Issue: 2, 434 - 447, 01.07.2023

Nahsan Kaya Ezgi Atalay Melike Demir Doğan

https://doi.org/10.35341/afet.1178842

Abstract

Avalanches kill more than 150 people every year, although no one knows the exact figure. Additionally, the mortality rate in avalanche incidents may reach up to 70% due to factors such as the lack of knowledge, experience, and organization of search and rescue personnel. This cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the awareness on avalanche and the level of knowledge on search and rescue among personnel who respond to avalanche incidents and participate in search and rescue activities. The sample consisted of 304 individuals who agreed to participate in the study between June and July 2021. Data were collected using an information form on socio-demographic characteristics and a survey prepared by the researchers upon the relevant literature review. It was found that while 65.8% of the participants were female, 34.2% were male. Their mean age was 29.69±8.50 years. The rate of those participating in search and rescue activities in case of a disaster was 44.1 %. The participants had a moderate level of knowledge on avalanche search and rescue as well as on-site medical management of avalanche victims. Those who participated in search and rescue activities in case of a disaster had a higher level of knowledge on avalanche search and rescue than those who did not. Those who were trained on avalanche search and rescue (preparedness, response) had higher levels of knowledge on avalanche search and rescue and on-site medical management of avalanche victims when compared to those who were not. As a consequence, it was determined that participation in search and rescue activities in a disaster increased the personnel’s level knowledge. Also, the related training elevated the levels of knowledge on both avalanche search and rescue and on-site medical management of avalanche victims.

Keywords

Avalanche Knowledge Level Search and Rescue Training

References

  • Al-Ziftawi, N.H., Elamin, F. M., Ibrahim, M. I. M. (2021). Assessment of knowledge, attitudes, and readiness to practice regarding disaster medicine and preparedness among university health students. Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness 15:3, 316-324. https://doi.org/10.1017/dmp.2019.157
  • Avşin, N., Çakı, D.T. (2021). Çatak-Bahçesaray (Van) karayolu üzerindeki çığa duyarlı alanların belirlenmesi. Jeomorfolojik Araştırmalar Dergisi 7:30-47. https://doi.org/10.46453/jader.911574
  • Ayuso, N., Cuchí, J.A., Lera, F., Villarroel, J.L. (2015). A deep insight into avalanche transceivers for optimizing rescue. Cold Regions Science and Technology 111:80-94. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coldregions.2014.12.005
  • Bejiga, M.B., Zeggada, A., Nouffidj, A., Melgani, F. (2017). A convolutional neural network approach for assisting avalanche search and rescue operations with UAV imagery. Remote Sensing 9:2, 100. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs90201000
  • Brugger, H., Strapazzon, G., and Zafren, K. (2021). “Avalanche accidents” in Mountain emergency medicine. eds. H. Brugger, K. Zafren, L. Festi, P. Paal, and G. Strapazzon (Milan, Italy: EDRA S.p.A.), 223–251.
  • Çelebi, İ., Uçku, Ş. (2017). Kayseri ili 112 acil sağlık hizmetlerinde görev yapan sağlık personelinin deprem bilgi düzeyi ve etkileyen etmenler. Hastane Öncesi Dergisi 2:2, 91-103. https://dergipark.org.tr/en/pub/hod/issue/31941/351631
  • Denton, G., Patrol, B. M. N. S. (1994). The human experience of avalanche rescue. In Proceedings of the International Snow Science Workshop, Snowbird, UT pp. 431-438 https://arc.lib.montana.edu/snow-science/objects/issw-1994-431-438.pdf. Accessed 20 June 2021
  • Genswein, M., Eide, R. (2008). The efficiency of companion rescuers with minimal training. In Proceedings Whistler 2008 International Snow Science Workshop September 21-27, 2008 (pp. 581-590) http://www.issw2008.com/papers/P__8214.pdf. Accessed 11 June 2021
  • Güner, Y. (2016). Çanakkale ili 112 acil sağlık hizmetleri istasyonlarında çalışan personelin afet tıbbı konusundaki bilgi düzeyleri Yüksek Lisans Tezi, Sağlık Bilimleri Enstitüsü, Pamukkale Üniversitesi Gürer, İ. (2002). Türkiye’de yerleşim yerlerine yönelik kar ve çığ problemleri. Türkiye Mühendislik Haberleri, 420:4, 147-154.
  • Harvey, S., Zweifel, B. (2008). New trends of recreational avalanche accidents in Switzerland. In: Campbell C, Conger S, editors. International Snow Science Workshop 2008: Proceedings of international snow science workshop. http://www.slf.ch/praevention/lawinenunfaelle/unfallstatistik/paperissw08.pdf. Accessed 21 June 2021
  • Hasan, M. K., Younos, T. B., Farid, Z. I. (2021). Nurses' knowledge, skills and preparedness for disaster management of a Megapolis: Implications for nursing disaster education. Nurse Education Today 107:105122. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2021.105122
  • Hohlrieder, M., Mair, P., Wuertl, W., Brugger, H. (2005). The impact of avalanche transceivers on mortality from avalanche accidents. High Altitude Medicine & Biology 6:1, 72-77. https://doi.org/10.1089/ham.2005.6.72
  • İliklerden, D. M., Kalaycı, T., & Karacaoglu, İ. C. (2021). The evaluation of traumas of victims in Avalanche disasters in Van province, Turkey on February 4-5, 2020. Eastern Journal of Medicine, 26(3), 465-469. https://doi.org/10.5505/ejm.2021.86244
  • Kornhall, D. K., Martens-Nielsen, J. (2016). The prehospital management of avalanche victims. BMJ Military Health 162:6, 406-412. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/jramc-2015-000441
  • Lied, K. (1988). The avalanche accident at Vassdalen. Norway 5 March 1986. Cold Regions Science and Technology 15:2, 137-150. https://doi.org/10.1016/0165-232X(88)90060-2
  • Lunde, A., Njå, O. (2019). Rescue performance in Norwegian road related avalanche incidents. Cold regions science and technology 165:102774. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coldregions.2019.04.011
  • Michahelles, F., Matter, P., Schmidt, A., Schiele, B. (2003). Applying wearable sensors to avalanche rescue. Computers & Graphics 27:6, 839-847. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cag.2003.08.008
  • Rauch, S., Strapazzon, G., & Brugger, H. (2021). On-Site Medical Management of Avalanche Victims—A Narrative Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(19), 10234. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph181910234
  • Strapazzon, G., Migliaccio, D., Fontana, D., Stawinoga, A. E., Milani, M., Brugger, H. (2018). Knowledge of the avalanche victim resuscitation checklist and utility of a standardized lecture in Italy. Wilderness & environmental medicine 29:1, 56-60. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wem.2017.08.007
  • Strapazzon, G., Schweizer, J., Chiambretti, I., Brodmann Maeder, M., Brugger, H., & Zafren, K. (2021). Effects of climate change on avalanche accidents and survival. Frontiers in physiology, 12, 639433. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2021.639433
  • Techel, F., Jarry, F., Kronthaler, G., Mitterer, S., Nairz, P., Pavšek, M., Darms, G. (2016). Avalanche Fatalities in the European Alps: LongTermTrends and Statistics. Geographica Helvetica 71:2, 147-159. https://doi.org/10.5194/gh-71-147-2016
  • URL 1, https://anda.org.tr/hakkimizda/ . Accessed 21 June 2022.
  • Van Tilburg, C., Grissom, C. K., Zafren, K., McIntosh, S., Radwin, M. I., Paal, P. et al. (2017). Wilderness medical society practice guidelines for prevention and management of avalanche and nonavalanche snow burial accidents. Wilderness & Environmental Medicine 28:1, 23-42. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wem.2016.10.004

Determining Levels of Search and Rescue Team’s Knowledge on Avalanche Search and Rescue

Year 2023, Volume: 6 Issue: 2, 434 - 447, 01.07.2023

Nahsan Kaya Ezgi Atalay Melike Demir Doğan

https://doi.org/10.35341/afet.1178842

Abstract

Avalanches kill more than 150 people every year, although no one knows the exact figure. Additionally, the mortality rate in avalanche incidents may reach up to 70% due to factors such as the lack of knowledge, experience, and organization of search and rescue personnel. This cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the awareness on avalanche and the level of knowledge on search and rescue among personnel who respond to avalanche incidents and participate in search and rescue activities. The sample consisted of 304 individuals who agreed to participate in the study between June and July 2021. Data were collected using an information form on socio-demographic characteristics and a survey prepared by the researchers upon the relevant literature review. It was found that while 65.8% of the participants were female, 34.2% were male. Their mean age was 29.69±8.50 years. The rate of those participating in search and rescue activities in case of a disaster was 44.1 %. The participants had a moderate level of knowledge on avalanche search and rescue as well as on-site medical management of avalanche victims. Those who participated in search and rescue activities in case of a disaster had a higher level of knowledge on avalanche search and rescue than those who did not. Those who were trained on avalanche search and rescue (preparedness, response) had higher levels of knowledge on avalanche search and rescue and on-site medical management of avalanche victims when compared to those who were not. As a consequence, it was determined that participation in search and rescue activities in a disaster increased the personnel’s level knowledge. Also, the related training elevated the levels of knowledge on both avalanche search and rescue and on-site medical management of avalanche victims.

Keywords

Avalanche Knowledge Level Search and Rescue Training

References

  • Al-Ziftawi, N.H., Elamin, F. M., Ibrahim, M. I. M. (2021). Assessment of knowledge, attitudes, and readiness to practice regarding disaster medicine and preparedness among university health students. Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness 15:3, 316-324. https://doi.org/10.1017/dmp.2019.157
  • Avşin, N., Çakı, D.T. (2021). Çatak-Bahçesaray (Van) karayolu üzerindeki çığa duyarlı alanların belirlenmesi. Jeomorfolojik Araştırmalar Dergisi 7:30-47. https://doi.org/10.46453/jader.911574
  • Ayuso, N., Cuchí, J.A., Lera, F., Villarroel, J.L. (2015). A deep insight into avalanche transceivers for optimizing rescue. Cold Regions Science and Technology 111:80-94. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coldregions.2014.12.005
  • Bejiga, M.B., Zeggada, A., Nouffidj, A., Melgani, F. (2017). A convolutional neural network approach for assisting avalanche search and rescue operations with UAV imagery. Remote Sensing 9:2, 100. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs90201000
  • Brugger, H., Strapazzon, G., and Zafren, K. (2021). “Avalanche accidents” in Mountain emergency medicine. eds. H. Brugger, K. Zafren, L. Festi, P. Paal, and G. Strapazzon (Milan, Italy: EDRA S.p.A.), 223–251.
  • Çelebi, İ., Uçku, Ş. (2017). Kayseri ili 112 acil sağlık hizmetlerinde görev yapan sağlık personelinin deprem bilgi düzeyi ve etkileyen etmenler. Hastane Öncesi Dergisi 2:2, 91-103. https://dergipark.org.tr/en/pub/hod/issue/31941/351631
  • Denton, G., Patrol, B. M. N. S. (1994). The human experience of avalanche rescue. In Proceedings of the International Snow Science Workshop, Snowbird, UT pp. 431-438 https://arc.lib.montana.edu/snow-science/objects/issw-1994-431-438.pdf. Accessed 20 June 2021
  • Genswein, M., Eide, R. (2008). The efficiency of companion rescuers with minimal training. In Proceedings Whistler 2008 International Snow Science Workshop September 21-27, 2008 (pp. 581-590) http://www.issw2008.com/papers/P__8214.pdf. Accessed 11 June 2021
  • Güner, Y. (2016). Çanakkale ili 112 acil sağlık hizmetleri istasyonlarında çalışan personelin afet tıbbı konusundaki bilgi düzeyleri Yüksek Lisans Tezi, Sağlık Bilimleri Enstitüsü, Pamukkale Üniversitesi Gürer, İ. (2002). Türkiye’de yerleşim yerlerine yönelik kar ve çığ problemleri. Türkiye Mühendislik Haberleri, 420:4, 147-154.
  • Harvey, S., Zweifel, B. (2008). New trends of recreational avalanche accidents in Switzerland. In: Campbell C, Conger S, editors. International Snow Science Workshop 2008: Proceedings of international snow science workshop. http://www.slf.ch/praevention/lawinenunfaelle/unfallstatistik/paperissw08.pdf. Accessed 21 June 2021
  • Hasan, M. K., Younos, T. B., Farid, Z. I. (2021). Nurses' knowledge, skills and preparedness for disaster management of a Megapolis: Implications for nursing disaster education. Nurse Education Today 107:105122. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2021.105122
  • Hohlrieder, M., Mair, P., Wuertl, W., Brugger, H. (2005). The impact of avalanche transceivers on mortality from avalanche accidents. High Altitude Medicine & Biology 6:1, 72-77. https://doi.org/10.1089/ham.2005.6.72
  • İliklerden, D. M., Kalaycı, T., & Karacaoglu, İ. C. (2021). The evaluation of traumas of victims in Avalanche disasters in Van province, Turkey on February 4-5, 2020. Eastern Journal of Medicine, 26(3), 465-469. https://doi.org/10.5505/ejm.2021.86244
  • Kornhall, D. K., Martens-Nielsen, J. (2016). The prehospital management of avalanche victims. BMJ Military Health 162:6, 406-412. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/jramc-2015-000441
  • Lied, K. (1988). The avalanche accident at Vassdalen. Norway 5 March 1986. Cold Regions Science and Technology 15:2, 137-150. https://doi.org/10.1016/0165-232X(88)90060-2
  • Lunde, A., Njå, O. (2019). Rescue performance in Norwegian road related avalanche incidents. Cold regions science and technology 165:102774. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coldregions.2019.04.011
  • Michahelles, F., Matter, P., Schmidt, A., Schiele, B. (2003). Applying wearable sensors to avalanche rescue. Computers & Graphics 27:6, 839-847. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cag.2003.08.008
  • Rauch, S., Strapazzon, G., & Brugger, H. (2021). On-Site Medical Management of Avalanche Victims—A Narrative Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(19), 10234. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph181910234
  • Strapazzon, G., Migliaccio, D., Fontana, D., Stawinoga, A. E., Milani, M., Brugger, H. (2018). Knowledge of the avalanche victim resuscitation checklist and utility of a standardized lecture in Italy. Wilderness & environmental medicine 29:1, 56-60. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wem.2017.08.007
  • Strapazzon, G., Schweizer, J., Chiambretti, I., Brodmann Maeder, M., Brugger, H., & Zafren, K. (2021). Effects of climate change on avalanche accidents and survival. Frontiers in physiology, 12, 639433. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2021.639433
  • Techel, F., Jarry, F., Kronthaler, G., Mitterer, S., Nairz, P., Pavšek, M., Darms, G. (2016). Avalanche Fatalities in the European Alps: LongTermTrends and Statistics. Geographica Helvetica 71:2, 147-159. https://doi.org/10.5194/gh-71-147-2016
  • URL 1, https://anda.org.tr/hakkimizda/ . Accessed 21 June 2022.
  • Van Tilburg, C., Grissom, C. K., Zafren, K., McIntosh, S., Radwin, M. I., Paal, P. et al. (2017). Wilderness medical society practice guidelines for prevention and management of avalanche and nonavalanche snow burial accidents. Wilderness & Environmental Medicine 28:1, 23-42. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wem.2016.10.004
There are 23 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Geological Sciences and Engineering (Other)
Journal Section Articles
Authors

Nahsan Kaya 0000-0003-4933-2738

Ezgi Atalay 0000-0002-7404-4351

Melike Demir Doğan 0000-0001-7051-2202

Early Pub Date June 30, 2023
Publication Date July 1, 2023
Acceptance Date June 26, 2023
Published in Issue Year 2023 Volume: 6 Issue: 2

Cite

APA Kaya, N., Atalay, E., & Demir Doğan, M. (2023). Determining Levels of Search and Rescue Team’s Knowledge on Avalanche Search and Rescue. Afet Ve Risk Dergisi, 6(2), 434-447. https://doi.org/10.35341/afet.1178842
AMA Kaya N, Atalay E, Demir Doğan M. Determining Levels of Search and Rescue Team’s Knowledge on Avalanche Search and Rescue. Afet ve Risk Dergisi. July 2023;6(2):434-447. doi:10.35341/afet.1178842
Chicago Kaya, Nahsan, Ezgi Atalay, and Melike Demir Doğan. “Determining Levels of Search and Rescue Team’s Knowledge on Avalanche Search and Rescue”. Afet Ve Risk Dergisi 6, no. 2 (July 2023): 434-47. https://doi.org/10.35341/afet.1178842.
EndNote Kaya N, Atalay E, Demir Doğan M (July 1, 2023) Determining Levels of Search and Rescue Team’s Knowledge on Avalanche Search and Rescue. Afet ve Risk Dergisi 6 2 434–447.
IEEE N. Kaya, E. Atalay, and M. Demir Doğan, “Determining Levels of Search and Rescue Team’s Knowledge on Avalanche Search and Rescue”, Afet ve Risk Dergisi, vol. 6, no. 2, pp. 434–447, 2023, doi: 10.35341/afet.1178842.
ISNAD Kaya, Nahsan et al. “Determining Levels of Search and Rescue Team’s Knowledge on Avalanche Search and Rescue”. Afet ve Risk Dergisi 6/2 (July 2023), 434-447. https://doi.org/10.35341/afet.1178842.
JAMA Kaya N, Atalay E, Demir Doğan M. Determining Levels of Search and Rescue Team’s Knowledge on Avalanche Search and Rescue. Afet ve Risk Dergisi. 2023;6:434–447.
MLA Kaya, Nahsan et al. “Determining Levels of Search and Rescue Team’s Knowledge on Avalanche Search and Rescue”. Afet Ve Risk Dergisi, vol. 6, no. 2, 2023, pp. 434-47, doi:10.35341/afet.1178842.
Vancouver Kaya N, Atalay E, Demir Doğan M. Determining Levels of Search and Rescue Team’s Knowledge on Avalanche Search and Rescue. Afet ve Risk Dergisi. 2023;6(2):434-47.
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