Rescue chopper saves man who fell ill atop UAE mountain

Ras Al Khaimah - Well-trained paramedics and rescue teams were also dispatched to the man's location.

An Emirati man, who fell ill atop a mountain in Ras Al Khaimah, was saved by the RAK Police air wing rescue team.
Upon being alerted about the man's deteriorating condition around 7.55am on Sunday, the central operations room of the RAK Police immediately dispatched an air wing chopper with well-trained paramedics and rescue teams to the site.
Group Captain Saeed Rashid Al Yamahi, head of the air wing section, RAK Police, said it was so difficult and almost impossible for an ambulance to reach the 33-year-old on time.
"A chopper, equipped with the latest rescue devices, and a trained team rushed to the site to save the young man, who had fallen unconscious."
The rescue teams reached the man, who was at a height of 4,500 feet and provided him with first aid, he added.
"He was then shifted to the nearest hospital for treatment and medical care."
Al Yamahi cautioned that trekkers and climbers need to learn the basics of rock climbing on an indoor wall first.
"Climbers ought to inform the authorities about their activities, whereabouts and number of climbers. They should consult climbing websites to get up-to-date information on local climbing sites."
Trekkers are also advised to carry a communication device, such as a mobile or satellite phone, he said. "A whistle could also be useful to attract attention. Besides, trekkers must take food items while on their hike."
"What makes our job more difficult, when looking for a missing person here, is insufficient or unclear information. The rough mountainous areas which are hard to get to also pose a challenge. That is apart from the unstable weather conditions, mainly the atmospheric pressures, funnel clouds, and heavy showers," Al Yamahi said.
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE
• Ras Al Khaimah