At the beginning of 2024, Slovakia’s Mountain Rescue Service made a significant leap forward by enhancing its rescue app.
This upgrade comes as a response to the increasing number of mountain accidents that have become a pressing issue.
The standout feature of this new version is its location-sharing ability, designed to provide crucial support to tourists who might find themselves lost or injured in the stunning Slovakian mountains.
Improved Rescue Operations
Launched back in 2020, the app, dubbed HZS, has already proven invaluable for rescuers.
Now, with the introduction of the location-sharing feature, helicopter rescue teams can now locate distressed individuals with greater ease and precision, thanks to the accurate GPS coordinates provided.
According to Travel to Slovakia, the app can guide rescuers to lost individuals within a remarkably close range of just 20 to 30 meters.
The director of the helicopter emergency medical service remarked that this upgrade has revolutionized their procedures.
Instead of wasting precious time trying to determine the exact intervention site during an emergency, the teams can now get the necessary coordinates right away, even before takeoff or while in transit.
Addressing Rising Accidents
The creators of the app emphasize that their primary target for rescue missions involves hikers who may have misjudged the difficulty of their journeys.
A common issue, particularly among both novice and seasoned hikers, is underestimating their skills and the ruggedness of terrains, leading to many unexpected incidents.
Recent statistics paint a troubling picture, indicating a nearly 50% rise in fatal accidents within the mountains over the last year.
The operations center for the emergency line recorded around 1,200 calls in just the first half of the year, marking a slight increase compared to the previous period.
Key Features of the App
A notable feature of this app is its ability to function even when cellular connectivity is unreliable.
Travel to Slovakia points out that users can send an SMS for help, allowing them to connect with HZS dispatchers instantly, even in remote areas devoid of signal.
Catering to 11 mountain regions across Slovakia, including the breathtaking High Tatras and the lovely Slovak Paradise National Park, the app also reaches into neighboring countries like the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Austria.
It directs emergency communications to the relevant rescue services based on the user’s location, which means users no longer need to juggle multiple local applications.
On top of aiding rescue efforts, the app provides essential information about nearby mountain huts, healthcare facilities, and rescue stations, in addition to showing users where to find 17 automated external defibrillators (AEDs) that are strategically located throughout the mountainous terrain.
The Tatra National Park, often called the “smallest alpine mountain,” attracts around 3.5 million visitors annually, as reported by Mapotic, a location services company.
With this state-of-the-art app at their fingertips, adventurers can explore the beautiful landscapes of Slovakia with newfound confidence and safety.
Source: Euronews