Winter Rescue Training

Posted on April 25, 2012

As part of DOT project implementation the Mountain Rescue Service of Montenegro (GSSCG) has organized a ten days Winter Rescue Training program on Durmitor Mountain from April 1^st-10^th, 2012. This rescue training, including combined beginning and advanced training, is the final precondition that new mountain rescuers must fulfil in order to become certified. A total of 14 participants attended the training.

Invited trainees have already passed the following courses: summer rescue training for beginners, held in 2010 and supported by the Ministry of Tourism and UNDP, advanced summer rescue training (2011), Alpinist Training (2011) and Course on First Aid (2011).

The Winter Rescue Training covered the following themes/topics:   

• Techniques for transport of the injured from steep, snowy terrains and ice
• Classical techniques for rescue from icy rocks, ice and snow
• Systems for lifting and pulling out of rescuers and the injured in the conditions of ice and in snowy steep terrains
• Rescuing from icy crevices
• Rescue and evacuation from avalanches  

Five experts from GSSCG were the lecturers for this training program.

All 14 participants/trainees successfully passed the training. No specific certificates were issued, but this training was marked as "completed" on individual Rescuer Cards. These individuals are now qualified to take the exam for mountain rescuers, monitored by GSSCG. This exam is defined by a separate ordinance, an act which is harmonized with IKAR standards (International Commission for Alpine Rescue).