Rescue organizations in China

**bigdamo** · 02-20-2012, 05:18 AM

Ok don't know if is in the right forum but seeing as the season is getting nearer and people will be out riding again and some will be doing some long rides into some remote parts of China maybe people on here from different parts of China can post details of which organizations to contact if and when we need help in their area.

I am trying at the moment to find who I need to call if I get caught out in the mountains here.It is slow going. But more and more people are accessing the mountains here now if people haven't hurt themselves yet they will soon and they will need someone to help them.

There is a search and rescue volunteer organization here I am told but I am still waiting on the info.

So who do you call in your part of China if it all turns to S**T. Army,Police ,friends,search and rescue? What's their contact details?

Lets hope we don't need to use this info but it is good to have before you leave.As the scouts say "better to be prepared"

**Fred** · 02-20-2012, 05:32 AM

On top of the "emergency card" around my neck (in Chinese & English), my first reflex would be to call the police (110) and/or ambulance (120) in China.
Needless to say, without expecting anything really helpful from them....

Oh, and I forgot : being French, I recorded the mobile phone number of the French/German doctor appointed by the German & French Consulates in Shanghai, who can be called in case of an emergency... It may help...

**bigdamo** · 02-20-2012, 05:48 AM

Originally Posted by Fred

On top of the "emergency card" around my neck (in Chinese & English), my first reflex would be to call the police (110) and/or ambulance (120) in China.
Needless to say, without expecting anything really helpful from them....

Oh, and I forgot : being French, I recorded the mobile phone number of the French/German doctor appointed by the German & French Consulates in Shanghai, who can be called in case of an emergency... It may help...

Just wondering what language you recorded it in. French,English or Chinese.

My Consulate (Australia) is useless.When the S**t hit the fan here a couple of years ago I rang them and asked their advice which was "we are telling everyone to just stay in there hotel.I said I live and work here how long should I not go to work "we don't know" was their reply.Because international calls were stopped my sister in Australia rang the Aussie consulate in Beijing and asked for them to ring me with some pretty important info(She just had a heart attack and needed help)Did they ring me NOPE.

I won't be relying on them for help.

**Fred** · 02-20-2012, 06:00 AM

I meant that I recorded the number, for me or my GF to use it in case we need it, not for anyone else to scroll through the contacts list and eventually call.
No, in China, I wouldn't dream of that... Even the emergency card around the neck is maybe pretty useless here, so...

**Lao Jia Hou** · 02-20-2012, 06:05 AM

Good topic.

Anyone who has done extended, remote tours can't help thinking about the "what if" scenario.

Anyways, aside from the obvious of always riding with a buddy, I think one of the greatest safety features for remote travel is the GPS tracker & a mobile phone.

If disaster strikes, call someone who knows how to log into your GPS tracking website to find your exact location, and let them coordinate the assistance.

If you can't get a mobile signal, well, you've just gotta wait for the first "putt putt" truck to come along and (hopefully) pick up your carcass.

**bigdamo** · 02-20-2012, 06:13 AM

Originally Posted by Lao Jia Hou

Good topic.

If disaster strikes, call someone who knows how to log into your GPS tracking website to find your exact location, and let them coordinate the assistance.

If you can't get a mobile signal, well, you've just gotta wait for the first "putt putt" truck to come along and (hopefully) pick up your carcass.

Who do they call?

**Lao Jia Hou** · 02-20-2012, 07:02 AM

Originally Posted by bigdamo

Who do they call?

In most cases, the first point of contact would be the police. If they have info on the situation, and the precise location, they can probably make appropriate arrangements, or provide local advice. For example, I used to live in a semi-remote area up north, and it was well known that if one needed medical treatment, a taxi was the only way to go. Any other form of medical evac (including an ambulance) was not worth considering. You'd die before they ever showed up. Only a local would know that.

One of the problems with touring around remote areas that you are unfamiliar with, is that you are not really sure where exactly you might be ... aside from "somewhere between where I left and where I am heading." If you're banged up, it is quite likely you are not thinking clearly and logically (hence, the advantage of a riding buddy).

Based on my own extended & remote tour experience from decades ago, I became somewhat neurotic about remote/extended touring. Subsequently decided to get my basic First Aid ticket, to always carry a kit, and even carry bizarre things like a snake bite kit (half the size of a pack of smokes).

IMHO, it is all part of trip planning.

Despite this, a buddy of mine just finished 6 countries in SE Asia, solo, on a Harley (with a fake Chinese plate, no less), over 8 weeks ... traversing several remote areas. Throwing caution to the wind, he tells me he had a blast. Me, the nervous nelly, probably would've spoiled his carefree adventure if I had come along.

**TB-Racing** · 02-20-2012, 06:10 AM

G'Day,

Serious advice, get a decent international insurance that covers EVERYTHING incl. emergency evacuations to a hospital / country of your choice.

Had a very nasty accident involving a H-D and a taxi running a red light on Longwu Road (Shanghai) in 1998 and the total medical bills and other costs over the years came up to 580000 US$ (emergency evacuation, surgery, rehab, surgery, rehab, surgery, rehab, overseas trips, etc., etc.++). Everything was covered by insurance incl. trips taken by my spouse during my surgery and rehab overseas. Decent insurance will cost some serious $$$$$'s but better safe than sorry.....

Ride on and stay safe!

**bigdamo** · 02-20-2012, 06:27 AM

Originally Posted by TB-Racing

G'Day,

Serious advice, get a decent international insurance that covers EVERYTHING incl. emergency evacuations to a hospital / country of your choice.

Had a very nasty accident involving a H-D and a taxi running a red light on Longwu Road (Shanghai) in 1998 and the total medical bills and other costs over the years came up to 580000 US$ (emergency evacuation, surgery, rehab, surgery, rehab, surgery, rehab, overseas trips, etc., etc.++). Everything was covered by insurance incl. trips taken by my spouse during my surgery and rehab overseas. Decent insurance will cost some serious $$$$$'s but better safe than sorry.....

Ride on and stay safe!

Great advice but who do you call to get you out so then you can start accessing your insurance especially if your in a remote area of China which most people want to do.

**Fred** · 02-20-2012, 06:39 AM

Originally Posted by bigdamo

Great advice but who do you call to get you out so then you can start accessing your insurance especially if your in a remote area of China which most people want to do.

This I can answer :
- on the bottom of my chinese motorcycle insurance contract I have the emergency number to call in case of an accident : it is already in my phone contacts.
- for the international insurance, I also have their number, and a French SIM card with me, available to swap on my phone in case I need to call.