%0 Journal Article
%T Search and rescue response to a large-scale rockfall disaster
%J Wilderness and environmental medicine
%D 2014
%A Procter, Emily
%A Strapazzon, Giacomo
%A Balkenhol, Karla
%A Fop, Ernst
%A Faggionato, Alessandro
%A Mayr, Karl
%A Falk, Markus
%A Falk, Markus
%A Brugger, Hermann
%V 26
%N 1
%P 68-71
%X OBJECTIVE: To describe the prehospital management and safety of search and rescue (SAR) teams involved in a large-scale rockfall disaster and monitor the acute and chronic health effects on personnel with severe dolomitic dust exposure. <br><br>METHODS: SAR personnel underwent on-site medical screening and lung function testing 3 months and 3 years after the event. <br><br>RESULTS: The emergency dispatch center was responsible for central coordination of resources. One hundred fifty SAR members from multidisciplinary air- and ground-based teams as well as geotechnical experts were dispatched to a provisionary operation center. Acute exposure to dolomite dust with detectable silicon and magnesium concentrations was not associated with (sub)acute or chronic sequelae or a clinically significant impairment in lung function in exposed personnel. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: The risk for personnel involved in mountain SAR operations is rarely reported and not easily investigated or quantified. This case exemplifies the importance of a multiskilled team and additional considerations for prehospital management during natural hazard events. Safety plans should include compulsory protective measures and medical monitoring of personnel.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>
%G en
%I Elsevier Publishing
%@ 1080-6032
%U http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.wem.2014.07.007