Three hikers drown in the Rattlesnake waterfall: tragedy in the Yosemite

Three hikers drown in the Rattlesnake waterfall: tragedy in the Yosemite

In a tragic accident series, three hikers drowned in the Rattlesnake waterfall in Northern California. The men, Valentino Creus (59), Matthew Schoenecker (50) and Matthew Anthony (44), jumped into the cool water to cool down. The group, consisting of the three hikers and five colleagues from the "International Circle of Genetic Studies", had chosen a demanding and remote path. After several hours had passed since the last contact, the friends who remained retired alerted the emergency call.

The search for the missing hikers was extremely challenging. After a total of 70 hours, the bodies of Taucher Juan Heredia were recovered. The rescue was difficult because unpredictable currents, agitated water and poor visibility make the rescue work difficult. The Placer County Sheriff’s Office and Cal Fire were involved in the campaign. In addition, an autopsy was ordered to clarify the exact cause of death, which probably occurred through cold shock or hypothermia.

cold shock as a danger to life

cold shock can result from sudden contact with cold water, for example when jumping into the water. The temperature difference between body and water plays a crucial role. According to information from Doktor.de, cold shock can last between one and three minutes and have fatal consequences. During this time, two reflexes can occur at the same time: the diving reflex, in which pulse and heart rate slow down, and the physical reaction to cold that leads to a faster heartbeat and the urge to get air.

under water, hyperventilation can lead to drowning because the body is in a panicked condition and can lose orientation. This is particularly dangerous because people with heart previous illnesses are particularly at risk. First aid in the cold shock includes holding the head above water to avoid drowning and calm breathing. Help should be called if an independent return to the bank is not possible.

rescue and safety in the water

In the case of bathing accidents, as they have happened in the case of the three hikers, the self -assurance has priority. The attempt to save a drowning being should never be taken without suitable measures. According to the Maltese, rescue attempts should always be started from a secure point in order to minimize the risk of being in danger. To provide emergency aid from a fixed point such as a bank or a platform is essential so as not to put the savior in danger.

In order to reduce risks, it is important to be aware of the dangers when bathing and swimming. Preventive measures such as wearing rescue vests in water sports and slowly getting used to the water temperature are crucial steps to avoid cold shock. Knowledge of these dangers can save lives and keep people from suffering similar tragic fates.