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Mountain rescue refers to search and rescue activities that occur in a mountainous environment, although the term is sometimes also used to apply to search and rescue in other wilderness environments. The difficult and remote nature of the terrain in which mountain rescue often occurs has resulted in the development of a number of specific pieces of equipment and techniques. Helicopters are often used to quickly extract casualties, and search dogs may be used to locate them.
Mountain rescue services may be paid professionals or volunteer professionals. Paid rescue services are more likely to exist in places with a high demand such as the Alps, national parks with mountain terrain and many ski resorts. However, the labor-intensive and occasional nature of mountain rescue, along with the specific techniques and local knowledge required for some environments, means that mountain rescue is often undertaken by voluntary teams. These are frequently made up of local climbers and guides. Often paid rescue services may work in co-operation with voluntary services. For instance, a paid helicopter rescue team may work with a volunteer mountain rescue team on the ground. Mountain rescue is often free, although in some parts of the world rescue organizations may charge for their services. But there are also exceptions, e.g. Switzerland, where mountain rescue is highly expensive (some 2000 to 4000 USD) and will be charged to the patient. In more remote or less-developed parts of the world organized mountain rescue services are often negligible or non-existent.
In the five national parks of the Canadian Rockies, mountain rescue is solely the responsibility of Parks Canada's, Mountain Safety Program Specialists. Voluntary self-registration is available at information centers and warden offices whereby if a climbing party does not contact Parks Canada by a predetermined day and time, Parks Canada will initiate a search. However, parties should be self-reliant and not expect a search to begin until the next day (Parks Canada will usually initiate a search the same day if weather and daylight permits). Search and rescue costs are currently paid for by park entrance fees.
In the United States, mountain rescue is handled by professional teams within national parks or by volunteer teams. Parks with professional teams include Denali National Park, Yosemite National Park (YOSAR), Grand Teton National Park, and Mount Rainier National Park. Volunteer teams are part of the Mountain Rescue Association(MRA) and operate under the authority of the local sheriff's department. The teams will also assist on missions out-of-county or in a national park when requested. Occasionally, military assets are used on missions, such as helicopter search or extraction or advanced electronics detecton. These services are available free of charge and without extra cost to the taxpayer as a part of the MAST program and serve as part of routine training for the military.
Under the National Incident Management System, mountain rescue unit qualifications are standardized.
Occasionally there are editorials or legislative bills suggesting that climbers should be charged for rescues, particularly after a sensational high-profile rescue. One example stemming from a sensational Mount Hood rescue is reprinted.The American Alpine Club has released a report explaining the facts behind the costs of a rescue and the potential problems resulting from charging for rescues. The MRA has issued a similar statement.
In the UK, mountain rescue is a free service, provided by volunteers. Each team is an independent charity, and are linked together by regional organisations and national bodies. In England and Wales, Mountain Rescue (England & Wales), in Scotland, MRCofS, two organisations in Ireland.
See also
- Avalanche
- SAR dog
- St. Bernard (dog)
- Wilderness first aid
- Mountain Rescue England & Wales
- Holme Valley Mountain Rescue Team
- Royal Air Force Mountain Rescue Service (United Kingdom)
- Langdale/Ambleside MRT
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Mountain rescue |
- Internationale Kommission für Alpines Rettungswesen IKAR - Commission Internationale de Sauvetage Alpin CISA - International Commission for Alpine Rescue ICAR
- Web sites for Mountain Rescue Association member teams
- NAVSAR National Association of Volunteer Search and Rescue Teams
- [1] Santa Fe Search and Rescue
- Everett Mountain Rescue
- Seattle Mountain Rescue
- Parks Canada Mountain Safety Webpage
- Himalaya Rescue Dog Squad Nepal
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