Rescue teams hindered by thin air

• Source: Global Times
• [11:07 April 16 2010]
• Comments

By Liu Chang

The high altitude of the earthquake-stricken Yushu has made rescue efforts more difficult. Even sniffer dogs were unable to work effectively due to the altitude sickness, the Guangzhou Daily reported.

Yushu area is situated over 3,700 meters above sea level, which can easily cause people and animals that are not used to the high altitude to feel sick. As the rescuers rushed to the quake-stricken zone, they did not have time to adjust to the environment. During their breaks, rescuers in Yushu leaned against each other, looking exhausted.

Chang Zhiqiang, president of the worker’s union at Yushu Vocational School said even the rescue dogs brought in were unable to find people at times, because of altitude sickness.

One of the rescuers in the National Earthquake Rescue Team, Wei Jianmin explained the obstacles included extremely low temperatures, thin air, difficulties in transporting rescue equipment and supplies, and language barriers.

Fan Haojun agreed. As a member of the China International Rescue Team, he said the rescuers mainly subsist on instant noodles, dry bread and cold water while suffering from altitude sickness. Also, it is the first time for them to conduct rescue efforts in such thin air and cold weather.

Despite the physical discomforts, the rescuers were still trying their best to save more people.

Another helping out is Li Zhigang, a surgeon at his forties, who has been performing operations in Yushu for over 30 consecutive hours. His lips look dark and purple due to altitude sickness and he looks worn out from extreme lack of sleep. He is one of the rescuers from the Fourth Hospital of the People’s Liberation Army. His 38 colleagues have been working just as hard since they arrived in Yushu.