First for SA as robotic exoskeleton aids Table Mountain rescue - IOL

Wilderness Search and Rescue team members assisted a hiker down Platteklip Gorge with the use of a robotic exoskeleton in a first for the country.

A robotic exoskeleton has been used in a South African mountain rescue for the first time, helping an exhausted 47-year-old woman walk down Table Mountain’s Platteklip Gorge on Saturday night.

The woman was part of a family hiking up the popular route on Saturday afternoon. By the time they reached the summit, the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway had closed for the day and, with fading light and a long descent ahead, the family contacted Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR) to alert them that they might need assistance.

A small team, including a Western Cape Government Health and Wellness EMS paramedic, headed up to meet them.

“After a long and tiring day on the mountain, the family’s 47-year-old mother was exhausted and struggling to continue. To assist her down the steep gorge, the team turned to one of WSAR’s newest tools - the Hypershell Exoskeleton,” WSAR said.

The lightweight, battery-operated device is worn around the hips and thighs and is designed to assist the wearer’s natural movement. As the wearer walks, the exoskeleton provides powered assistance with each step, helping to take some of the strain off tired legs and making it easier to keep moving when fatigue sets in.

“Once it was fitted, her steps became steadier and her confidence grew. With the rescue team alongside her, she was able to continue the descent on her own two feet, with assistance from the exoskeleton,” WSAR said.

The family was safely off the mountain at around 11pm.

“Saturday night marked the first deployment of an exoskeleton on a rescue in South Africa. For WSAR, technology like this is another tool that can help us match the right assistance to the needs of a patient. In this case, it helped an exhausted hiker regain enough strength and confidence to walk herself off the mountain.”

“Thank you to our team members for giving up their Saturday night to assist, and to the family for making the right call and asking for help early.”

Contact WSAR in case of emergencies on 021 937 0300.