Training to become a mountain rescuer - these contents are part of the curriculum

What is known in Bavaria as the " mountain rescue " is known in Austria as mountain rescue. Our neighboring country has a lot to offer in terms of nature experiences, if you look at the indescribable diversity and beauty of the Alpine regions. But no matter how beautiful and breathtaking this backdrop may seem at first, every year many people find themselves in situations in the midst of this idyllic setting from which they cannot escape by themselves. The reasons for this are varied. Injuries, accidents, avalanches, etc. repeatedly ensure that people are rudely surprised during an outdoor experience . What follows is usually a rude awakening, which tells those affected in a frightening manner that they urgently need outside help. The mountain rescuers are deployed in precisely such situations in order to be able to provide those involved with rapid assistance in an emergency . But how do you even become a mountain rescuer? WOLFGANGS has taken a closer look and shows what is important during training to become a mountain rescuer.

Training to become a mountain rescuer - the requirements

Generally speaking, anyone who is interested in training to become a mountain rescuer can register for the two-year course. However, this written declaration of interest alone is not enough. The demands placed on future mountain rescuers are simply too high to allow anyone to be selected for this prestigious position.

Although the Austrian mountain rescue service is an association made up of volunteers, the subsequent task involves very strenuous and complicated tasks , so that the wheat must be separated from the chaff beforehand. This is the only way to ensure that the person seeking help receives a first-class, high-quality rescue later on.

The following basic points must always be met:

• Constant and therefore unconditional availability and readiness for action
• Professional flexibility to be able to spontaneously participate in missions and training content
• High fitness level to be able to survive in the terrain
• Excellent mental strength to master and process even challenging situations
• Willingness to participate voluntarily and on a voluntary basis
• The age of 14 must have already been completed

If you have these basics, you can register for a career as a mountain rescuer. In Tyrol alone, there are 92 local offices where you can submit your registration documents. The head of the local office will later decide, together with a committee, who will be admitted to the training.

Apprenticeship years are extremely active years

Training is a must, no question about it, but anyone who decides to train as a mountain rescuer can be sure that they will be fully integrated into the processes of an operation from the very first moment. This means that even as a candidate in the first year you are already in the thick of the action and your personal manpower is needed during the operation.

So if you thought that you could just hide behind books and move from course to course before you could take action, you are very much mistaken. Of course, the rescue missions are also accompanied by more experienced mountain rescuers, so that even if you are a newbie , you still have someone with you who has been familiar with the situation for a long time.

Aside from mountain rescue, compulsory training is of course also part of the job. In order to learn the necessary skills in the areas of rope techniques, first aid measures and mountaineering techniques, such teaching content is essential.

After the candidate year is before the candidate year

Although the first year of training is very active, the training as a whole requires a lot of patience to be able to call yourself a genuine mountain rescuer at the end. It is therefore fair to say that you only have to deal with the real hurdles of training after the year of training. There are then two entrance exams in total, in which the participants are tested in a variety of ways to determine their abilities.

• The first test, which is held in the summer, covers the topics of "climbing", "moving on steep terrain ", " first aid " and " rescue techniques ". It is also essential to be able to present a tour report. In addition, you must successfully complete a first aid course lasting a total of 16 hours.

• The second test can be seen as somewhat easier overall, but it is still not a sure-fire success. You have to be able to master a climb of 1000 meters in less than 120 minutes with a stopwatch. You then have to ski back down the same distance. As a mountain rescuer, you always have to be able to react to the prevailing conditions in snowy terrain so that nothing stands in the way of quickly reaching and providing care to those seeking help.

After successful completion, the final stage follows. In a training center, further techniques are taught that could be relevant for rescue in the field . Various basic content is also taught and existing knowledge and skills are intensified. This part of the two-year mountain rescue training also includes a final exam.