A mountain rescue team faces a challenging operation in the Pyrenees, responding to a couple stranded in freezing temperatures due to a broken ski. With regular training and rigorous exercises, the team prepares for various rescue scenarios, including winch and ground evacuations. Despite their dedication, the threat of avalanches looms large, emphasizing the importance of caution among winter sports enthusiasts as the season progresses. Tragically, several lives have already been lost this year to avalanche incidents.
Encountering two individuals stranded in the heart of the Pyrenees at a chilling four degrees poses a significant challenge for the mountain rescue team. The alarm was raised just 20 minutes prior, and with temperatures plummeting, swift action is imperative. ‘It’s always incredibly fulfilling; we don’t seek any accolades other than the smiles we receive when we bring them back to safety. However, our day is far from over,’ shares Major Julien Labourey, a mechanic with the air gendarmerie, in a video.
This couple found themselves unable to descend to the valley before nightfall due to a broken ski. Fortunately, their ordeal has come to an end. ‘We were getting closer, but it’s fantastic that they were able to intervene; otherwise, it would have taken us ages to walk through the deep snow,’ expresses the rescued skier, filled with gratitude.
Regular Training Sessions
During winter, the High Mountain gendarmes conduct an average of 20 interventions each month, primarily when the weather is favorable for outdoor activities. After returning to their base, the team takes a moment to unwind, cherishing these brief interludes. ‘Part of our routine involves waiting, but we never know what challenges lie ahead, and we may find ourselves walking all night. The unpredictability of each day keeps us on our toes,’ reflects Chief Warrant Officer Mathieu Rivet.
‘The beauty of this job lies in balancing three perspectives: that of the doctor, the pilot, and our own. We strive to find the optimal solution to successfully carry out our missions,’ adds Chief Warrant Officer Jean-Michel Rodé. To achieve this, rigorous training is paramount. When not actively engaged in rescues or at their base, the teams remain immersed in the Pyrenees, conducting nearly weekly exercises across various scenarios. This unforgiving yet remarkable environment requires skillful navigation, particularly when blanketed in snow.
Swift Evacuation Techniques
To replicate real-life rescue conditions, the Cauterets valley serves as the ideal training ground, boasting a station and ample snow. The gendarmes practice two winch rescues, a technique that is both common and complex. One rescuer descends solo on a rope, returning shortly after with a colleague posing as a victim. Within ten minutes, both individuals are safely extracted. ‘It was a bit nerve-wracking. It’s truly impressive to see them come down and hook you up; we’re grateful for their presence,’ admits a trainee who played the victim.
In addition to aerial rescue drills, the training regimen includes ground rescue operations. In the next exercise, a victim trapped six meters above in a chairlift is not airlifted; this maneuver demands similar agility and technical prowess. ‘We must ensure each carabiner is secure, the straps are functioning, and the safety systems are in place,’ explains a gendarme as he climbs the cable for the crucial task. ‘Our goal is to bring him safely to the ground, and precision is vital to ensure the person’s safety,’ highlights Warrant Officer Emmanuel Paddeu, who coordinates from below. The total evacuation time from this height is just 15 minutes.
At times, the situation escalates into more perilous scenarios, such as an avalanche—the most dreaded threat among rescuers. ‘We’re preparing for a multi-victim scenario,’ announces a gendarme over the radio. Even in a training exercise, swift action is essential as real skiers could be buried under the snow.
From the command center, ground rescue operations are mobilized. Gendarmes from across the Pyrenees rally alongside ski patrollers, the first responders on the scene. Quickly, a rescue dog identifies potential areas where skiers might be trapped. Time is of the essence: after 15 minutes, the likelihood of survival diminishes significantly. ‘My responsibility is to maintain some order amid the chaos. It’s a noble endeavor, and the skills we acquire during training are invaluable. Indeed, rescuing individuals is a fulfilling profession,’ states Warrant Officer Nicolas Vendoze. However, the grim reality is that sometimes it is too late. Tragically, over ten individuals have lost their lives to avalanches this season. As holiday crowds increase, rescuers are urging mountain enthusiasts to exercise extreme caution.