The Mountain Rescue Group (GRM) has already achieved a total of 233 actions and rescues in Mallorca, a fact which confirms the upward trend in the interventions of this specialized group of the Consell. And that’s it in eleven years, it has tripled the number of rescues, ranging from an average of 100 actions per year to more than 300 departures.
If we do not take into account the year 2020, in which departures decreased due to the pandemic, performance increased year after year. This year, 233 interventions have already been carried out and, if the trend of recent years continues, 2024 will also be a record year.
THE spring and autumn These are the seasons when the most rescues are carried out, since it is the period when the good weather encourages people to go on excursions. This year, the month with the most performances was Augustwith 40 outputs. Then come May, with 36, and July, with 32. But the activity of the specialized group also developed during the summer season.
The majority of actions carried out by the GRM are saves87.4% of the time. Furthermore, 65% of injured people treated require health care. The rest of the interventions are searches for people, actions related to animals or technical services. The municipalities where the Mountain Rescue Group intervenes the most are Escorca, Sóller, Pollença, Artà and Calvià.
Most rescued people go hiking
The majority of citizens who needed help from the specialist team of the Majorca Fire Brigade received hiking (59.3%), but people who went to the beach (13.6%), canyoning (7.6%), cycling (5.9%) or climbing (4.2%) were also served. 39.6% of the actions were carried out on weekends and the most frequent age group of victims is 31 to 40 years old (22%), followed by 51 to 60 years old (21.2%) and 41 at 50 years old (18.6%).
The island emergency director, Joan Fornaswas keen to emphasize that “the Mountain Rescue Group is a benchmark in mountain rescue. It is one of best prepared specialized groups in the stateand one of the most active in terms of the number of incidents they participate in.
And the team is made up of 40 soldiersdistributed between Sóller Park ─where there are eight corporals and sixteen firefighters─ and Inca Park ─with sixteen firefighters. Due to the difficulty and technicality of the work, the Mountain Rescue Group continues to train and participate in exercises and carries out eight training maneuvers per year.
To avoid incidents in the mountains, the GRM recommends act with awareness when we go on an excursion. Knowing the place you are going to, ensuring that it is adapted to everyone’s physical capacity, equipping yourself with the right equipment and knowing the weather conditions is essential to avoid fears. Additionally, it is advisable to let someone know where we will be hiking.
On the other hand, this summer, situations of dehydration, heat stroke or physical exhaustion have multiplied and required the intervention of the Majorca Bombers. During the warmer months, it is advisable to change your habits when you go out in the mountains or practice a sporting activity. Middle hours of the day should be avoided, hydration should be considered, and sun and thermal protection should be worn. Even if it is an extremely hot day, it is advisable to consider whether it is worth going out.
