Someone who has just slipped often immediately says: “I’m fine, let me try to stand up.” But after a hard fall, trying to stand up is not always a good idea.
In 2026, Quang Ninh continues to require preventing unauthorized mountaineering or exploring areas that are unpermitted or lack adequate safety conditions, while adding warning signs and barriers in hazardous areas. This is an especially critical principle on:
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Mountain trails.
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Cliff edges.
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Rocky outcrops.
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Spontaneous check-in spots.
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Slippery terrain after rain.
What to check after a fall?
First, make sure the immediate area is no longer dangerous. Then ask:
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Is the person who fell conscious?
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Do they remember what just happened?
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Do they have head/neck/back pain?
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Is there numbness or weakness in their limbs?
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Is there heavy bleeding?
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Is there any deformity in their limbs?
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Can they stand without severe pain?
When a head, neck, or spinal injury is suspected
If there is:
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Neck/back pain.
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Confusion.
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Vomiting after a head injury.
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Numbness/weakness.
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Loss of balance.
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Loss of consciousness.
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A fall from a significant height.
Do not ask the victim to stand up or try walking.
The Red Cross recommends keeping a person with a suspected head/neck/spinal injury in the position they were found, unless moving them is necessary due to immediate danger, CPR is needed, or life-threatening bleeding must be controlled. Call 112 if the injury is severe or the person cannot be moved out safely.
For arm/leg injuries
If there is severe pain, swelling, deformity, or an inability to bear weight: Treat it as a possible fracture until evaluated. The Red Cross recommends not attempting to straighten or manipulate the injured body part; for closed injuries, a towel-wrapped cold pack can be used to reduce pain/swelling while awaiting evaluation.
Do not attempt to “set bones” yourself
Do not:
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Pull.
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Bend.
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Manipulate joints.
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Massage forcefully.
An injury presumed to be a sprain could be a fracture or ligament damage.
How to handle fog?
If visibility drops sharply:
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Stop taking photos.
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Do not push toward the milestone/peak just because “we’re almost there”.
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Turn back to a clear route.
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Avoid splitting up from the group.
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Do not follow unverified trails.
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Download offline maps before the trip.
Mountain trails are not the place to test the accuracy of TikTok coordinates.
Quick checklist
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Only use permitted routes.
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Rain/fog → scale back your ambitions.
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Neck/back pain after a fall → do not pull them up to stand.
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Numbness/weakness in limbs → call for help.
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Do not attempt to set bones.
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Do not remove the helmet of a seriously injured person unless needed for CPR.
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Have someone stay with the victim.
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Send the exact location when calling 112.
