ARLA/CLUSTER: HAMNET mostra mais uma vez como apoia a comunidade na África do Sul

[João Costa > CT1FBF]

HAMNET again shows how it supports the community

South Africa's HAMNET once again proved its worth to the community on
Tuesday 13 January when a 60 year old male in distress, due to an
injured ankle, needed rescue near the top of Platteklip Gorge on Table
Mountain.

Low cloud and gale force winds prevented the use of a helicopter. Many
volunteers took time off from work to respond to the call.

First on the scene was Hendre ZU1HV who managed to reach the patient
who by now was almost hypothermic, with some warm and dry clothes.

She was able to communicate a situation report about the patient's
exact location and condition to EMS. The patient was about 10 minutes'
walk from the top of what is approximately a two hour, hike up the
mountain.

Adriaan ZS1AVN and Phil ZS1VCC handled communications and logistics
from the base. Two groups of rescuers were involved including Paul
ZS1V.

Once the patient was stabilized, the party started carrying the
stretcher down the narrow, rocky path. As the day progressed the
rescue party swelled, with six teams, including Matt, ZS1MTF, and
Johann, ZS1JHW, growing the numbers to a total of about 20 at the end
of the operation.

Between them they were able to carry the stretcher over the flatter
sections pass it hand to hand down the steeper sections. The mission
was completed just before 18:00 ending an arduous 4 hour mission.

Fonte: The South African Radio League