Survival in the Andes

First Aid Lessons from the 1972 Plane Crash

In October 1972, a Uruguayan Air Force plane carrying 45 people—including a rugby team, friends, and family—crashed in the frozen peaks of the Andes. Over 72 days, with no formal training, no gear, and no hope of immediate rescue, the survivors of Flight 571 performed acts of remarkable bravery, improvisation, and resilience.

Their story is a powerful case study in wilderness survival—and a stark reminder of why first aid knowledge matters.

🧊 The Scene: High Altitude, Zero Supplies

After crashing at 3,600 metres in sub-zero temperatures, 33 passengers survived the initial impact. The environment was brutal: no vegetation, freezing winds, and an avalanche that would later claim more lives.

There was no food, no emergency kit, and no way to communicate. But what they did have was each other—and the instinct to help.

🩹 Improvised First Aid: What They Did

Despite no training, survivors cared for each other using materials from the wreckage:

• Fracture management: Used metal seats and skis as makeshift splints, tied in place with wires or strips of clothing.

• Wound care: Cleaned injuries with snow or melted water. Bandaged with seat covers and clothes.

• Cold injury prevention: Huddled together for warmth. Layered clothing and insulation from aircraft cushions were repurposed to fight off frostbite and hypothermia.

• Hydration: Melted snow using metal scraps and sunlight. Built rudimentary water collectors.

• Moral support: Rotated watch shifts, encouraged each other, and maintained a sense of purpose to care for the injured.

🧠 What They Lacked—but Needed

Looking back, many injuries could have been stabilized more effectively if they had:

• Compression bandages for controlling bleeding

• Thermal blankets to reduce hypothermia

• Oral rehydration salts for hydration

• Splinting equipment like SAM splints

• Pain relief or antiseptics

• A basic emergency beacon or signal mirror

🔥 Key First Aid Lessons

1. First aid saves lives—even without a kit.
   Knowledge empowers action. Training gives people the confidence to improvise effectively.

2. Cold kills quickly.
   Hypothermia set in fast. Understanding how to layer, insulate, and conserve heat is essential in alpine environments.

3. Fracture care doesn’t require fancy gear.
   Knowing how to stabilize limbs using available resources can mean the difference between life and death.

4. Dehydration is often overlooked.
   Even in the snow, dehydration was a major threat. They had to think creatively to create clean drinking water.

5. Mental health matters in survival.
   Leadership, communication, and morale helped maintain group cohesion and care—even under horrific stress.

🚑 What We Can Learn Today

Survival situations are rare—but emergencies aren’t. You don’t need to be stranded in the Andes to encounter broken bones, bleeding, or shock. Whether you're hiking, travelling, or just living life, first aid is not optional—it’s essential.

At RealMed First Aid, we teach practical, real-world skills that could save a life. Don’t wait for a disaster to wish you were trained.

📍 We Come to You
RealMed First Aid delivers interactive, group first aid courses across New Zealand. Our hands-on, scenario-based training builds real confidence for real emergencies.