Mason Ryan C, Suner Selim, Williams Kenneth A
Department of Emergency Medicine, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Rhode Island Hospital, Coro Center West, Providence, RI.
Wilderness Environ Med. 2013 Sep;24(3):221-7. doi: 10.1016/j.wem.2013.02.002. Epub 2013 May 16.
Describe hiking habits in a heavily used wilderness area to better target injury prevention and reduce search-and-rescue events.
A cross-sectional, convenience survey was conducted at 3 trailheads in the White Mountain National Forest of New Hampshire during summer 2011. The study group consisted of hikers who consented to a questionnaire before their trip that assessed demographics, experience, hiking gear, pretrip planning, and communication devices.
A total of 199 hikers were surveyed. The most common age group was 20 to 29 years at 29.2% (n = 195). The most common hike was less than 12 hours at 78.5% (n = 191). All 10 items deemed essential were carried by 17.8% (n = 197) of hikers. The most common omission reason was "short trip" at 32.2% (n = 162). Defined as greater than 7 items, the 50- to 59-year-old age group was the most prepared at 56.9% (n = 51). Hiker preparedness increased with experience and fitness levels. Hikers planning trips of less than 12 hours were less prepared compared with hikers planning longer trips, at 39.3% (n = 150) and 48.8% (n = 41), respectively. GPS devices were carried by 122 of 193 hikers. Phone GPS users were less prepared than GPS-only device users at 35.8% (34 of 95) and 55.6% (15 of 27), respectively.
One factor that may help reduce rescues is better-prepared individuals able to avoid emergency medical services activation. Most neglect of preparation results from hikers perceiving short trips as less risky. The groups most often underprepared tend to be younger, less fit, and inexperienced. Therefore, education should target younger groups and stress that all hikes, regardless of duration, carry an inherent risk.
描述一个使用频繁的荒野地区的徒步习惯，以便更有针对性地预防伤害并减少搜救事件。
2011年夏季，在新罕布什尔州怀特山国家森林的3个步道起点进行了一项横断面便利调查。研究组由在旅行前同意填写问卷的徒步者组成，问卷评估了人口统计学特征、经验、徒步装备、旅行前规划和通信设备。
共调查了199名徒步者。最常见的年龄组是20至29岁，占29.2%（n = 195）。最常见的徒步时间少于12小时，占78.5%（n = 191）。17.8%（n = 197）的徒步者携带了所有被认为必不可少的10件物品。最常见的遗漏原因是“短途旅行”，占32.2%（n = 162）。以携带超过7件物品为标准，50至59岁年龄组准备最充分，占56.9%（n = 51）。徒步者的准备程度随着经验和健康水平的提高而增加。计划徒步时间少于12小时的徒步者比计划更长徒步时间的徒步者准备更不充分，分别为39.3%（n = 150）和48.8%（n = 41）。193名徒步者中有122人携带了GPS设备。使用手机GPS的用户比仅使用GPS设备的用户准备更不充分，分别为35.8%（95人中的34人）和55.6%（27人中的15人）。
一个可能有助于减少救援的因素是准备更充分的个人能够避免启动紧急医疗服务。大多数准备不足是因为徒步者认为短途旅行风险较小。最常准备不足的群体往往是年轻人、身体不太健康和缺乏经验的人。因此，教育应针对年轻群体，并强调所有徒步旅行，无论时长如何，都存在固有风险。
