The 27th Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge Powered by Nissan takes centre stage in the UAE’s sporting calendar next week (March 31-April 6).
Officials at the Automobile and Touring Club of the UAE have left nothing to chance in terms of safety and medical facilities for the impressive list of 39 car crews and 45 motorcycle and quad riders who feature on the entry list for the third round of the 2017 FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Rallies and the opening round of the 2017 FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Cup.
Cross-country rallying is a gruelling endurance sport, where competitors are not only competing against each other, but also against some of the harshest weather conditions on the planet. Temperatures in the Rub Al-Khali (Empty Quarter) can reach the high forties Centigrade at this time of year and fatigue, coupled with severe dehydration, pose challenges to competitors, organisers, volunteers and medical teams alike during five days of punishing competition. The Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge will benefit from a 23-strong team working alongside the ATCUAE’s chief medical officer Sean Petherbridge. They are a truly international team from the UK, Australia, the USA, Sweden, Ireland and Egypt and consist of doctors, paramedics, trauma specialists, science research staff and EMTs (Emergency Medical Technicians). Many are volunteers with several years’ experience at the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge and, this year, they will also benefit from new medical technologies.
Infra Scanners will be available for the first time, enabling medical staff to check whether an injured competitor may have a possible bleed on the brain. Each of the three medical helicopters supplied by Abu Dhabi Aviation will be equipped with one of the infrared devices.
There will also be two CAERvest® (cooling vests) in each helicopter. They enable the body to be cooled rapidly and are vital for the rapid emergency treatment of heat stroke or cardiac arrest.
Rehydration solutions will also be supplied to combat the possible effects of dehydration. These electrolyte drinks contain water, salts and sugars and aid the recovery process.
The Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge will also receive valuable support from Al Ain Water for a 12th consecutive year. UAE’s number 1 bottled drinking water manufacturers will supply drinking water to the entire ADDC caravan.
“Research suggests that dehydration poses severe risks to the safety of competitors, volunteers and officials working in inclement desert conditions and high temperatures,” said Mohammed Ben Sulayem, rally founder and President of the ATCUAE. “Dehydration reduces concentration levels and this can lead to mistakes, slower reaction times and potential problems. That’s why we are grateful to the ongoing valuable support of Al Ain Water and place great reliance on our professional medical teams.”
This year’s event takes place under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, the Ruler’s representative in Al-Dafra region, and has invaluable support from the Western Region Municipality, Abu Dhabi Municipality, the UAE Army, Abu Dhabi Police, National Ambulance Service, Yas Marina Circuit, ADNOC, Abu Dhabi Aviation, Al Ain Water, Abu Dhabi Waste Management, Rotana and Centro Hotel – Yas Island, the Qasr Al-Sarab Resort and Al-Forsan Circuit.
