Belgian Hiker Rescued from Dolomites: Panic Attack Advice

A 21-year-old Belgian hiker was evacuated by helicopter from the Italian Dolomites on Sunday after suffering a severe panic attack that left him frozen and unable to move forward or backward on a mountain trail. The dramatic rescue, carried out by the Falco 2 helicopter service, has sparked widespread discussion about the risks of panic attacks at high altitude and how bystanders can help.

The Incident

The young man was hiking in Val Civetta, an area of the Dolomites known for some of Europe’s highest rock faces, when he became immobilized on the trail between Col Negro and Rifugio Tissi. According to Il Dolomiti, a local Italian news outlet, a mountain rescue team from Soccorso alpino di Alleghe – Val Fiorentina encountered the hiker while returning from another mission. They provided initial assistance, but the situation required helicopter evacuation.

The Falco 2 helicopter was dispatched, and a medical team performed a hovering extraction — landing nearby, stabilizing the young man on a stretcher, and airlifting him to the hospital in Agordo for medical examinations. The hiker’s name has not been released, consistent with privacy protections for medical emergencies.

Why Altitude Triggers Panic

The incident has prompted Belgian news outlet HLN to publish expert analysis from Dr. Dirk Devroey, a general practitioner, explaining the physiological mechanisms behind panic attacks at altitude.

“Above 3,000 meters, there is much less oxygen in the air,” Dr. Devroey explained. “This can cause you to enter a state where you experience a hyperventilation attack more quickly.”

The reduced oxygen triggers rapid breathing, which in turn causes the body to lose carbon dioxide too quickly. This drops calcium levels in the blood, leading to muscle cramps and tingling sensations around the mouth, hands, and legs. In some cases, instead of the classic “fight or flight” response, the body enters a “freeze” state known as tonic immobility.

“Instead of fighting or fleeing, you freeze,” Dr. Devroey said. “You remain completely still and cannot move anything.”

How to Respond to a Panic Attack in the Mountains

Dr. Devroey’s advice for bystanders who encounter someone experiencing a panic attack in a remote setting is clear and practical.

For someone who is frozen with fear, the most important intervention is calm communication. “Speak calmly to the person, talk them through it,” he advised.

For hyperventilation, the priority is slowing the breathing rhythm. “We need to ensure the person breathes more calmly and exhales less CO2. This can be done by having them count between inhales and exhales.”

If that proves insufficient, the classic method of breathing into a paper or plastic bag can help. “Breathing into a bag helps them re-inhale CO2, which reduces cramps and tingling,” Dr. Devroey explained.

Crucially, even after the acute symptoms subside, the danger is not over. “With hyperventilation, your muscle strength decreases drastically,” Dr. Devroey warned. “It is very dangerous to let such a person descend alone afterwards. Guidance to a base camp or hotel is absolutely necessary.”

A Broader Pattern of Mountain Rescues

The Belgian hiker was not the only person rescued in the Dolomites that day. The Falco 2 helicopter also evacuated a 64-year-old woman from San Vito al Tagliamento with suspected lumbar trauma at Rifugio Vandelli. Other rescue operations on the same day included a 29-year-old athlete with an ankle injury and a 67-year-old man with a foot injury, highlighting the intense demand on mountain rescue services during the summer season.

What This Means for Hikers

This incident serves as an important reminder that mental health emergencies can strike anyone, anywhere — including on a mountain trail. The story became the most-read article on HLN, with readers sharing personal experiences and raising practical questions about helicopter rescue costs and insurance coverage.

For those planning high-altitude hikes, the key takeaways are clear: be aware that reduced oxygen above 3,000 meters can trigger panic symptoms even in people without a history of anxiety; hike with companions who can provide assistance if needed; and know basic first-aid techniques for panic and hyperventilation.

As the summer hiking season continues across the Alps, this story underscores that preparation for medical emergencies — both physical and psychological — is just as important as having the right gear.