Double Operation Triumph: NSRI Hout Bay Executes Aerial Rescue for Dehydrated Hikers and Swiftly Responds to Save Local Woman with CPR

NSRI Hout Bay were alerted by Hout Bay CCP (Community Crime Prevention) control room of a group of hikers, locals, 2 adult females, an adult male and their dog, who had lost their way and were reporting to be dehydrated on the Hangberg hiking trail, between Hout Bay and Sandy Bay.

WC Government Health EMS Metro Control was alerted and EMS rescue paramedics, WSAR (Wilderness Search and Rescue), the SA Police Services and the EMS/AMS Skymed rescue helicopter, were alerted and activated.

TMNP (Table Mountain National Parks) were placed on alert.

We had a vague idea where they may be on the trail at that stage.

The NSRI Hout Bay rescue craft Albie Matthews was launched to search from the sea side.

They were located East of the original area that they were expected to be in but sea conditions were just too rough to extricate them off the shoreline onto rescue craft.

In a technical air rescue operation a rescue technician was lowered to their position from the helicopter and it was determined that they were safe but in fading light an urgent extrication was required.

Secured into harnesses the 2 females were hoisted into the Skymed rescue helicopter and brought to a Landing Zone (LZ) prepared at NSRI Hout Bay.

Skymed returned to the scene, where secured into a harness the man, with their dog secured to his back, and the rescue technician, were hoisted into the helicopter and brought to the LZ.

Following a briefing at NSRI Hout Bay rescue station Skymed departed to return to base.

The hiking party were transported by the NSRI rescue vehicle to collect their car at Sandy Bay parking and no further assistance was required.

WSAR, the EMS/AMS Skymed rescue helicopter and Metro EMS Control are appealing to all hikers to be well prepared and to be extra safe on our hiking trails.

Register with Safety Mountain Tracking "HIKERS NETWORK / SAFETY MOUNTAIN" and use their hiking tracking services.

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The hiking party expressed their sincere appreciation to all involved.

During this incident, at 18h24, NSRI Hout Bay (including an NSRI paramedic), WC Government Health EMS and Hout Bay CCP, responded to a Hout Bay harbour restaurant where bystander CPR was being performed on a local adult female.

A doctor from Red Cross Hospital, who happened to be there at the time, had also assisted.

Paramedics restored a pulse and spontaneous breathing and the lady was transported to hospital by EMS ambulance in a critical condition.