2 November 2000
How dangerous is it to be a modern day explorer?
Parents concerned about their teenagers visiting remote locations may be reassured by new research. In the first study of its kind for nearly twenty years, two UK doctors have assessed a range of expeditions and discovered that the risk to health of a well planned trip is now "similar" to the health risk of staying at home. The study appears in the November edition of the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, and was carried out by Dr Sarah Anderson and Dr Chris Johnson, with the help of the Royal Geographical Society and the Institue of British Geographers (RGS-IBG).
Why
look at expedition risk?
The expedition market is growing fast, with an estimated
12000-15000 travellers setting off each year. The authors
point out that "so far, little information has been published
to help individuals assess the risks of joining an expedition." They
looked at data from university and school groups, charity
workers, the armed forces and scientists, all working
in remote and challenging environments.
Going on safari may be safer than going to a gig
Comparing their findings with research on other activities,
Anderson and Johnson discovered that more medical incidents
per person per day occur at rock festivals than on the
expeditions they studied. Running a marathon carries
an even higher risk of medical problems - roughtly four
times greater than the average expedition.
Can the risks be avoided?
More than half the incidents reported in the study were "avoidable".
By far the most common preventable problem is gastric
upset, ahead of more rare conditions like altitude sickness
and heat exhaustion, all of which could be prevented
by better hygiene and knowledge of environmental hazards.
Education and better pre-trip preparation can make a
dramatic difference, the authors point out, comparing
data from a similar study in the eighties. Rates of medical
incidents on expeditions has been reduced by a third
since 1983, and modern tour leaders are more likely to
ensure that at least one of the group has had first-aid
training or other medical experience.
Drs Anderson and Johnson conclude: "Everything we do has an associated risk... the health risks of participating in a well-planned expedtion are similar to those encountered at home during normal active life".
NB: Further information on planning for work or travel in remote and challenging environments can be seen at the RGS website: http://www.rgs.org/eac/.
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