A 47-year-old hiker who was struggling to make her way down Table Mountain has safely walked off the mountain with help from an unusual piece of technology.
The woman was part of a family hiking up Platteklip Gorge on Saturday afternoon. By the time they reached the top, the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway had closed for the day, leaving the family with a long descent ahead as daylight began to fade.
Rather than waiting until the situation became more serious, the family contacted Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR) on 021 937 0300 to let the team know they were heading down and might need assistance.
That early call would prove important later in the evening.
A helping hand for tired legs
A small rescue team, including a Western Cape Government Health and Wellness EMS paramedic, made their way up the mountain to meet the family.
After what had already been a long day on the mountain, the 47-year-old mother had become exhausted and was struggling to continue down the steep gorge.
The rescue team then brought out one of WSAR’s newest pieces of equipment: a Hypershell Exoskeleton.
Worn around the hips and thighs, the lightweight battery-operated device is designed to assist the wearer’s natural movement. It provides powered assistance as the person walks, helping reduce some of the strain on tired legs.
Once the device was fitted, the woman’s movement became steadier and her confidence improved.
With the rescue team beside her, she was able to continue walking down Platteklip Gorge on her own feet, supported by the exoskeleton.
The family eventually made it safely off the mountain, with the rescue operation ending shortly after 11pm.
A first for mountain rescue in South Africa
The rescue also marked a milestone for WSAR.
It was the first time an exoskeleton had been deployed during a rescue operation in South Africa.
For the rescue organisation, the technology provides another option when determining what type of assistance a patient needs. In this case, it helped an exhausted hiker regain enough strength and confidence to complete the descent herself.
Rather than removing the need for the hiker to walk, the device assisted her movement while the rescue team remained alongside her.
The most important decision came early
While the unusual equipment may have been the standout feature of the rescue, WSAR highlighted another part of the incident that could be just as important for hikers.
The family called for assistance before their situation became an emergency.
They recognised that they might struggle with the descent and contacted the rescue service while they were still able to communicate and move.
That gave rescuers the opportunity to meet them on the mountain and assess what assistance was needed.
For anyone heading up Table Mountain, the message is straightforward: know your route, plan around the available daylight and cableway operating times, and don’t wait until a difficult situation becomes dangerous before asking for help.
WSAR advises hikers to start early, check cable car times and carry a torch, water and warm clothing.
The emergency number to save is 021 937 0300.
The successful operation ended with the entire family safely off the mountain – and with a new piece of technology making its first appearance in a South African mountain rescue.
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Picture: Peter Burdon / Unsplash
