NSW Ambulance paramedics have so far responded to more than 100 calls for injury, trauma and illness in the southern snowfields this winter and, with another busy weekend predicted, they’re calling on snow-goers to adhere to safety advice.
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Perisher Valley team leader Mick Couvee, a veteran of 23 snow seasons, said he and his team had attended 38 calls in June, 31 in July and 40 so far this month (a snapshot of jobs is featured below).
“This is one of the biggest sporting events in the Southern Hemisphere. We get over one million people visiting the Kosciuszko National Park during snow season,” Paramedic Couvee said.
“Outside the park, people go cross country skiing and those sort of adventure sports. But as with any sport, there’s a risk of injury.”
Conditions of late have not been assisted by a blizzard that blew in on Wednesday afternoon with winds of up to 130km/h.
Calls during this period included an incident yesterday (Thursday, August 17, 2017) when Jindabyne paramedics and Community First Responder (CFR) volunteers joined NSW Police in the protracted, three-hour rescue of a 38-year-old woman who had dislocated her knee while walking on a track above Thredbo.
On Wednesday night, a 35-year-old man suffered a serious leg fracture after hitting a tree while riding a skidoo. He had to be airlifted to Canberra Hospital for further treatment.
Paramedic Couvee said the blizzard was forecast to give way to clear skies this afternoon and, combined with the week’s high snowfalls, another big weekend was expected – both for skiing and callouts.
“On blue sky days where it’s fine and there’s more visibility, we tend to get a high incidence of trauma because people let their skis run harder, increasing the risk of injury,” he said.
“We’re encouraging visitors to adhere to the Alpine Responsibility Code which includes not skiing beyond your ability, using appropriate protective equipment, obeying all signs and warnings, and not skiing while intoxicated or drug-affected.
“Basically, ski to the conditions otherwise you’ll run into me and the team.”
On the roads, Paramedic Couvee reminded motorists that Operation Snowsafe is underway, during which NSW Police are patrolling the roads, making sure people arrive and leave safely.
“We’ve got ice and slush on the roads – motorists have to apply chains if they’re in a two-wheel drive car. Four-wheel drives are exempt, but people should still drive slower and drive to the conditions.
“The police and Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) are constantly checking for chains in areas where they are required, otherwise motorists will slide off the road.
“I drove down from Perisher last week and passed four cars off road including three sedans that didn’t have chains fitted. They hit the ice and slide off, go over embankments, and people trying to winch them out.”
Paramedic Couvee said with medical call-outs including asthmas and chest pains, people are reminded to always have their medication close at hand.
2017 snow season – NSW Ambulance callouts have included:
10/6 Kosciuszko National Park – 17yo f – Intoxicated, passed out
11/6 Jindabyne – 24yo f – Suspected alcohol poisoning
12/6 Jerangle – 20yo f – Fall from motorbike, severe head injury
17/6 Kosciuszko National Park – 81yo m – Intoxicated
25/6 Jindabyne – 55yo m – Intoxicated, head injury
29/6 Perisher Valley – 6yo f – Suspected fractured leg while skiing
2/7 Kosciuszko National Park – 7yo m – Toboggan vs pedestrian – leg injury
2/7 Kosciuszko National Park – 16yo m – Fractured clavicle snowboarding
10/7 Kosciuszko National Park – 15yo m – Head injury skiing
12/7 Kosciuszko National Park – 12yo f – Suspected spinal injury
13/7 Kosciuszko National Park – 16yo f – Snowboarding knee injury
15/7 Charlotte Pass – 12yo m – Chest, rib injuries while skiing
19/7 Kosciuszko National Park – 24yo m – Suspected internal injuries skiing
22/7 Kosciuszko National Park – 22yo f – Abdominal injury after colliding with tower
22/7 Kosciuszko National Park – 36yo m – Fractured leg while skiing
29/7 Kosciuszko National Park – 62yo f – Serious leg injury while skiing
30/7 Kosciuszko National Park – 41yo m – Slipped on ice, dislocated shoulder.
1/8 Kosciuszko National Park – 46yo m – Unconscious after ski collision
2/8 Smiggins Holes – 15yo f – Possible spinal fracture
6/8 Perisher Valley – 40yo m – Suspected leg fracture, slipped in snow
7/8 Jindabyne – 2 patients – Vehicle down embankment. Minor injuries
7/8 Kosciuszko National Park – 31yo f – Head and chest injuries
13/8 Kosciuszko National Park – 45yo f – Knee injury
17/8 Kosciuszko National Park – 38yo f – Dislocated knee