The Indian Army is all set to impart High Altitude Training to a private medical team of Six Sigma at the High Altitude Warfare School in Gulmarg, Kashmir.
Six Sigma is a non-government organization engaged in providing free medical services to people on the higher reaches. Members of Six Sigma teams have often been trained by military and paramilitary forces, including the Air Force, ITBP, BSF, CRPF and NDRF. This is the first time when the Army will be imparting training to them.
The exercise will include training in mountain medicines, latest mountain equipment, rock climbing, river crossing, peak climbing, rappelling, basic life support , advance cardiac life support, communication on high altitudes, glacier and avalanche rescue etc.
“These life saving skills will help them in better rescue management on high hills,” said Dr Pradeep Bhardwaj, Medical Director, Six Sigma High Altitude Medical Rescue Services.
Every year, millions of people travel to high-altitude every year, and 20 per cent of those traveling to altitudes below 5500 m/18,000 ft are affected by some form of altitude illness.
This year, Six Sigma High Altitude teams will be rendering free high altitude medical services at Kedarnath, Badrinath, Hemkund and Madhyamaheshwar in Uttarkahnd. The team will also cover Kailash Mansarover Yatra medical services on the Nepal route up to the height of 19500 feet.
The organization has been a recipient of the National Award.