Search and rescue teams in Saudi Arabia mobilized to confront winter hazards
With the arrival of winter and the drop in temperatures, Saudi Arabia is witnessing a surge in desert trips and camping excursions by citizens and residents alike. In anticipation of the expected weather fluctuations, leaders of volunteer teams and specialized search and rescue organizations have announced a state of maximum readiness to address potential field challenges, reflecting the integration of community efforts with official authorities to ensure the safety of lives.
Geographical context and seasonal challenges
The Kingdom's geography is characterized by diverse terrain, ranging from sand dunes and valleys to ravines, which transform into tourist attractions during the rainy season. However, these areas can also pose a significant danger in the event of flash floods or the presence of slippery mudflats (sabkhas). Historically, this season sees a rise in reports of people being trapped or lost, making the role of search and rescue teams pivotal to both security and community efforts. These teams act as a support arm for civil defense and security agencies.
High readiness to face winter risks
Khaled Abdulaziz Al-Issa, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Professional Search and Rescue Association, affirmed that winter is the most challenging season for field teams. He explained that the challenges are not limited to heavy rainfall, but also include reduced visibility due to fog and cold weather, which affect the efficiency of equipment and personnel. Al-Issa noted that the association has enhanced its equipment with insulating clothing and advanced lighting equipment to deal with dark desert nights, warning that vehicles getting stuck in the mud tops the list of winter accidents due to drivers misjudging the nature of the wet terrain.
Research tactics and modern techniques
For his part, Khalid Abdulbaqi Al-Badnah, founder and leader of the Fazaa Search and Rescue Team, revealed the team's strategy for handling missing persons reports. He explained that the team relies on well-thought-out plans that begin with gathering accurate information from the missing person's family, then dividing the search teams into ground, air, and medical groups to cover the targeted geographical area. Al-Badnah emphasized the importance of technical equipment such as GPS devices and wireless communication devices, in addition to specialized towing and recovery equipment for dealing with muddy areas and shifting sands.
Integration with official bodies and community awareness
In the Eastern Province, Abdulhakim Faisal Al-Shaaban, Executive Director of the Eastern Knights Association, explained that the speed of response depends heavily on direct coordination with the Unified Security Operations Center (911). Al-Shaaban emphasized that community awareness is the cornerstone of successful rescue operations, noting that providing an accurate description of the location and avoiding gathering around accidents facilitates the arrival of emergency vehicles. He also pointed out that planning the journey in advance and informing relatives of the route is the first line of defense that reduces the time it takes to reach those trapped.
The importance and impact of volunteer work
The efforts of these teams are particularly important in light of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which encourages volunteer work and aims to reach one million volunteers. These specialized teams contribute to easing the burden on government agencies and reducing human and material losses resulting from desert accidents, thus strengthening the concept of social solidarity and national responsibility.
Golden tips for hikers
The experts concluded their warnings by stressing the need to adhere to safety instructions, to follow weather reports carefully before setting off, to equip vehicles with basic safety tools, and to stay away from valleys and flood channels no matter how stable the weather may seem, asking God for safety for everyone in their travels and sojourns.
