The number of tourists is increasing in the Slovak mountains, mountain rescuers are calling for safe trips
Compared to last year, the Mountain Rescue Service (HZS) records an increase in tourists in the Slovak mountains. As he further informed, the summer season is already in full swing, and those mountain rescuers complete several rescue operations daily.
The most frequent injuries in the months of May, June and July this year were injuries to the lower limbs, especially in the area of the ankles and knees, and also to the upper limbs, which are mainly caused by incorrect access, slips and subsequent falls.
According to rescuers, there are several reasons for accidents, such as wet terrain, inappropriate footwear, poor physical condition or inattention when moving on hiking trails.
The most demanding interventions
According to Interior Minister Roman Mikulc, the most demanding interventions are those at night in exposed mountain climbing terrain, mountain rescuers had several of them during the summer.
In the same way, they have already helped tourists with stranded children about three times in Slovakia, the youngest being three years old.
“The gorges of the Slovak Paradise are difficult to cross even when the terrain is passable, the rock and technical equipment such as ladders and risers are not wet and slippery. Parents with children like this should go through the gorge crossing and choose a less demanding route, both technically and physically,” explained HZS director Marek Biskupič.
Mountain rescuers also struggle to start walking around lunchtime or in the afternoon.
Equipment and preparation
Also in connection with the above-mentioned rescue operations, the HZS reminds that you must be adequately equipped and physically well prepared for the mountains.
“The same serious doubts keep repeating themselves, such as individual movement in the mountains, informing relatives about movement, accommodation and known hikes, which required a repeated lesson even in the last month“, stated the mountain rescuers.
According to them, frequent mistakes still occur during planning and embarking on a hike. Large rescue operations of climbers and tourists, for example, are regularly launched in the early evening or at night. Mountain rescuers also face insufficient equipment.
They therefore point out that the same principles still apply to ordinary tourists, i.e. to have good shoes and equipment, enough food, their own health and their children’s health when choosing tours, but also to have a well-charged mobile phone. In case of accidents or navigation in the field according to which the HZS Application and insurance for HZS intervention will help.
Pet rescue
HZS operators quite often also meet with callers who ask to rescue pets after getting stuck on ladders or bitten by snakes.
In this context, they draw attention to the fact that mountain rescuers are primary medical rescuers and do not perform such interventions.