“We waste life through lack of reflection and lucidity”: faced with carelessness and inappropriate behavior, the anger of mountain rescuers

It’s recklessness and going too far. This Saturday, the men of the Pierrefitte-Nestalas PGHM intervened to rescue a 25-year-old trailer, caught in the snowstorm at 2,200 m altitude, wearing shorts and sneakers. Without the support of the helicopter thanks to a lull in the weather, his life would have been at stake. Inappropriate behavior which multiplied in the heart of winter in the Pyrenees and brought Major David Sicilia, second in command of the PGHM, to renew calls for caution and common sense.

Major, we feel annoyed…

In recent days, we have had serious and even dramatic accidents due to poorly equipped people. Here, we have taken another step forward. This young man owes his salvation to the fact that the phone was able to get through and the helicopter was able to take off. Otherwise, it would have been necessary to hire a walking caravan, with extended lead times to make the connection. No doubt after several hours, an ice cube would have been found because he had neither pants, nor jacket, nor survival blanket, even though the bad weather had been known for days and it was raining in Saint-Lary at departure.

What message do you want to send?

People need to realize the situation they are putting themselves in and we need to come together to save them. As is often the case, when we follow up with the victim, he agrees that he did something stupid. But he did not realize that his life was at stake. There was no awareness as the day progressed that, depending on his objectives and the conditions, it was no longer achievable. We waste life through lack of reflection and lucidity. When the elements no longer conform to the projected output, you have to know how to give up. The mountain is not an athletics track. You have to have the codes, be prepared, equipped, informed. And give up when it is no longer possible. There is no shame, especially when you are alone. If we combine all the risk factors, we are heading towards disaster.

What do you recommend?

It is no longer possible to have these behaviors. Winter in the mountains can quickly have serious consequences. You always need at least one bottom of your bag, otherwise you will find yourself helpless in the cold. But above all, it is necessary to take into account and analyze all the elements upstream. And once again know how to give up when the conditions are more severe. The commitment of the rescuers, when the helicopter takes off, is our job. But there are risks that should not take place…