With the cooling of January, snow will hopefully begin to return to the mountains again, which can significantly complicate treks at higher altitudes, where the Mountain Service operates. We have prepared information for you about what the work of the Mountain Service is, how you can call the Mountain Service and what to watch out for in the case of smart watches and phones.
Job description of the Mountain Service
- organizes and carries out rescue and search operations in mountainous terrain,
- provides first aid, transports injured persons,
- ensures the operation of rescue and reporting stations,
- takes care of the safety of mountain visitors,
- carries out patrol activities and avalanche observations,
- informs about current weather and snow conditions.
The mountain service is also in charge of a whole range of other activities, such as the installation and maintenance of warning devices. But did you know that you only need to call the Mountain Service number +420 1210 (valid for the Czech Republic) if something really goes wrong? On this number you can find out information about the current weather, avalanches and obstacles on the way. If you plan to go on a longer trip through the mountains, you can report the entire route to the Mountain Service in advance. You will thus be insured in case of trouble. The mountain service will immediately know where to look for you.
If you plan to go on a longer trip through the mountains, you can report the entire route to the Mountain Service in advance.
Save the number
The number +420 1210 is probably the most important thing you should remember and save in your mobile phone before a trip to the mountains. Don't forget that this number is reserved exclusively for mountain areas, so the staff will attend to you immediately. In the same way, you will be automatically redirected to the nearest Mountain Service station when you call.
What must be said during the call?
In principle, a call to the Mountain Service is no different from a call to 155 or 112. If you don't know what to say, the rescuer will guide you. In order to save time, it is better if you know what questions to prepare for and what to clarify in advance.
- What happened: fall on skis, fall of an avalanche, hitting a tree.
- To whom it happened and how many are injured.
- What is the condition of the injured person: communicating, breathing, bleeding.
- Where the injured person is located: orientation point, rescue point, mountain hut.
Automatic fall reports
Some smart phones and watches have a rather handy function that monitors the safety of the user. In most cases, they send an emergency signal in the event of a serious fall or injury. Sometimes, however, they misjudge the situation, and a simple fall on the slopes suddenly turns into a search operation by several rescue teams.
Such a situation happened last November, for example, when the phone sent an emergency text message when a tourist fell. Although the mountain service constantly called the person in question, he did not pick up the incoming calls. It is therefore important to keep in mind that it is really necessary to answer the callbacks of the paramedics. This way, pass the heated situation and an unnecessary trip.
Before you go to the mountains (not only) in winter, download the Záchranka application, which is closely linked with the IRS and the Mountain Service.
The Záchranka app will make it easier for you to call for help
In case you cannot determine your location, we recommend using the Záchranka application, which is closely linked with the IRS and the Mountain Service (again, specifically in the Czech Republic). After placing your thumb for 3 seconds on the phone's display, the Emergency Service will initiate an emergency call and at the same time send the exact coordinates of your location to the controller. After that, the nearest Mountain Service team will be sent to you automatically.
The rescue service also has a special module specifically for mountain areas, where you can find up-to-date information about avalanches and the weather. If you need to contact the Mountain Service, you can do so via a special button in the Mountain Service module. The app will connect you to a station in your location.
Rescuers from the Mountain Service themselves praise the application mainly because they know within a few seconds who is injured, what happened and where to intervene. Thanks to the localization of the caller, the Mountain Service team goes to the scene immediately and in most cases reaches the person in distress before the emergency services, with which, in the event of an injury, they then arrange to hand over the patient.
New features of the Záchranka app
The Záchranka application team, in cooperation with the Mountain Service, brings new functions that make it easier to locate the scene of an accident. The location transfer has been improved, the developers have also added a new function thanks to which you can send photos from the scene of the accident to rescuers.
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