For 100 years, volunteers have been sacrificing their free time at the Bad Tölz mountain rescue service to help people who are in short supply. What does your work look like today, what does comradeship mean to you, why do people run into difficulties and how can dangers be avoided? Courier employee Rainer Bannier spoke to Bergwacht spokesman Norbert Weinhuber.
Lenggries / Bad Tölz -
Mountain rescue is exhausting and often dangerous. How can you describe the feeling of having saved a person?
Help is connected with dedication. It is a deep happiness experience - for smaller jobs as well as more difficult ones that require physical exertion and concentration. It also makes you proud to be able to put what you've learned into practice.
Less happens when climbing today. Because the material has gotten better and the routes are better secured?
That's right. In addition, the possibility of technical and physical preparation in climbing halls is a big plus today. Courses and courses are helpful for this, also for behavior on ski or high-altitude tours.
Spokesman for the Tölzer Bergwacht on timeless tasks of mountain rescuers
It used to be said that accident victims were poorly equipped. Are you well equipped today, but without realistic self-assessment and experience?
We experience the subjective element of danger very often. Two examples: This year on May 1st was bright weather, spring in the city. There was 40 centimeters of damp fresh snow on the Fockenstein. Many summiteers tumbled in the steep, slippery southeast descent - with sneakers and ski poles that gave no support. Bad. On the evening of a ski day, the last patrol in the Garland slope found a father with his ten-year-old daughter, who was completely overwhelmed, physically and mentally at the end. Without further ado, the girl packed into the protective Ackja, she found a happy ending for the two. It is rather the case that many mountain enthusiasts are equipped with the latest - but experience cannot be bought.
A lot happens in the area of mountain railways. Because people there are catapulted into the high mountains without any experience?
Where many people are traveling, more happens. In the area of the mountain railways, we can already see many who apparently have no idea of alpine dangers due to their visibly inadequate equipment and behavior. In summer as in winter.
Sometimes mountain guards have to put themselves at risk of life to save someone who has gotten into this situation through bottomless recklessness. Don't you have a rage in your stomach?
The sentence by Lenggries mountain watch colleague Christoph Brenninger fits in: "We don't ask, we help." Without anger and condemnation. But a shake of the head is already possible when someone at avalanche warning level five dives off the slopes on skis into the garland slope and is promptly buried. A ski tip that looked out of the avalanche and the proximity of the well-staffed mountain guard hut saved his life. It's about minutes.
Shared mountain experiences, taking care of each other, coping with dangers: "It welds together without tape."
There was this blatant incident with a piste hooligan?
Yes, you can get angry: Bergwachtler looked after a skier and requested the helicopter because of the seriousness of his injury. The runway was blocked off for its landing. But a crazy egomane ignored the safety precaution, drove under the barrier, fell and slid directly into the scene of the accident. The rescuer, who wanted to reprimand him, was attacked and beaten with ski poles by the flail. Unfortunately, he was able to flee undetected.
What is mountain experience? How important is good tour planning, what are the most common mistakes that lead to accidents?
Proper clothing and equipment are often crucial. In the mountains, surprising weather changes, sudden drops in temperature of up to 20 degrees and heavy snow can be expected even in midsummer. Before the tour always inform about the weather forecast, the terrain and path conditions as well as the skills and fitness of the group members!
What role does scheduling play?
In autumn, hikers are regularly surprised by the early onset of darkness and can no longer find their way. So: start early, arrange meeting points and times! Don't be alone. Inform relatives or friends about the planned tour, the destination and the expected duration!
"We don't ask, we help"
How dangerous are the so-called new sports?
Bad bike accidents almost always happen when driving downhill too fast. Also on Blomberg and Zwiesel there are very steep and gravel sections on all routes. We are increasingly faced with serious injuries, multiple fractures and deaths while biking.
How does the mountain rescue service bring its knowledge to the public?
We regularly go to schools on action or security days and distribute information material. You can also find this on www.bergwachttoelz.de on four topics: the right equipment, environmentally friendly tours, avoiding accidents and "If something does happen".
How do volunteer mountain rescuers cope when they have to rescue a horribly battered dead person?
The processing of such 'traumatic experiences is very different individually. The KID-Berg crisis intervention service has been in existence for 20 years and can be used by accident victims and their relatives. There is psychosocial emergency care and psychosocial support (PSNV) for emergency services. One member did this special training. All members of the KID-Berg are trained emergency services.
A key term in mountain rescue is camaraderie. What makes it so special?
Today, just like 50 years ago, when I came to the mountain rescue service, mountain experiences, efforts, hut and bivouac nights, caring for one another, consideration and cohesion bond together to tackle dangers together. Working together in life-threatening emergency situations without any ifs and buts gives the comradeship a big drop of joie de vivre and firmness.
Also read:
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Canyoning group from Heckenbach: It could be expensive for those who are rescued