Mountain, cave and high altitude rescue – service, organization, areas of activity

Safety constitutes a priority for every society, especially in the areas where provision of help poses a great threat to both those in danger and the rescuers. Conducting rescue operations in mountains, caves and high-altitude facilities requires special preparation. Adequately trained services, which include the Volunteer Mountain Rescue Service, the Tatra Volunteer Rescue Service, the Cave Rescue Group, operating within the structures of the Polish Mountaineering Association, and the State Fire Service, help people who find themselves in mortal danger. Appropriate mutual cooperation of these entities in large and complex rescue operations is a recipe for saving the life, health or property of our society.

The Italian story of HEMS: the HEMS Association

Mountain HEMS Association was born, with a notarial deed of incorporation, in April 2008 following the initiative of 7 autonomous Region /Provinces of the Alps and Apennines: in 2005, Dr. Enrico Visetti, Anesthetist Doctor of the Aosta hospital, organized a helicopter rescue training course aimed at new doctors to be included in the local helicopter rescue. In December 2006, access to the course was offered to all the other operational bases in the Alps. The invitation was extended to the various figures operating within the Service, therefore doctors, nurses, and subsequently the CNSAS Helicopter Rescue Technicians: with the participation of new external experiences, the course objective was also modified. In 2007, 90% of the participants in the training course were Doctors and Nurses who already had experience and actively operated in the helicopter rescue in the bases of origin: the participants themselves had to bring their own ideas and experiences and simultaneously cover the role of speakers. Until now, the main objective, concentrated in the training addressed to new doctors, became, thanks to the support of the various experiences, an exchange of opinions and a training ground for discussion between the various actors. The technical mountaineering part was managed thanks to the support of the mountain rescue, always present in the external activities alongside the staff. In the theoretical part, various lines of common behavior were discussed to be adopted in the interventions of Helicopter Rescue, while in the context of the scientific discussion, the total lack of a database of helicopter rescue services in which to obtain useful information was recognized. During the Courmayer course, in the spring of 2007, the idea of creating a website was born with the aim of developing a data acquisition system from the various operational bases of the Alpine and Apennine arc: from this initiative, the establishment of the Association.

Drones to the rescue? Exploring rescue workers' behavioral intention to adopt drones in mountain rescue missions

PurposeMountaineering and related activities are increasingly becoming popular and are accompanied by an increase in medical incidents. Emergency operations in mountainous terrain are time-critical and often pose major logistical challenges for rescuers. Drones are expected to improve the operational performance of mountain rescuers. However, they are not yet widely used in mountain rescue missions. This paper examines the determinants that drive the behavioral intention of mountain rescuers to adopt drones in rescue missions.Design/methodology/approachThis is a behavioral study that builds upon an extended model of the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) and investigates the relationship between individual attitudes, perceptions, and intentions for drone adoption. Original survey data of 146 mountain rescuers were analyzed using moderated ordinary least squares (OLS) regression analysis.FindingsResults indicate that the behavioral intention to use drones in mountain rescue missions is driven by the expected performance gains and facilitating conditions. Favorable supporting conditions and experience with drones further moderate the relationship between performance expectancy and behavioral intention. The effects for effort expectancy, social influence, and demonstrations were not significant.Practical implicationsRescue organizations and stakeholders are recommended to consider the identified determinants in the implementation of drones in emergency logistics. Drone manufacturers targeting mountain rescue organizations are advised to focus on operational performance, provide sufficient support and training, and promote the gathering of practical experience.Originality/valueA tailored-model that provides first empirical results on the relevance of personal and environmental factors for the acceptance of drones in emergency logistics is presented.

IINTRODUCTION OF PROJECT-BASED LEARNING METHODS IN EDUCATIONAL PROCESS ON THE EXAMPLE OF THE DISCIPLINE «MINE SAFETY AND MOUNTAIN RESCUE»

The article discusses the introduction of project-based learning methods in the educational process. The problems of organizing practical professional activities in higher education institutions are identified and the expediency of using project-based learning is justified. The methodology of project activity in the discipline is described on the example of "Safety of mining operations and mine rescue", which is studied by 5-year students in the specialty "Mining".

Lost Person Search Area Prediction Based on Regression and Transfer Learning Models

In this paper, we propose a methodology and algorithms for search and rescue mission planning. These algorithms construct optimal areas for lost person search having in mind the initial point of planning and features of the surrounding area. The algorithms are trained on previous search and rescue missions data collected from three stations of the Croatian Mountain Rescue Service. The training was performed in two training phases and having two data sets. The first phase was the construction of a regression model of the speed of walking. This model predicts the speed of walking of a rescuer who is considered a well-trained and motivated person since the model is fitted on a dataset made of GPS tracking data collected from Mountain Rescue Service rescuers. The second phase is the calibration of the model for lost person speed of walking prediction with transfer learning on lost person data. The model is used in the simulation of walking in all directions to predict the maximum area where a person can be located. The performance of the algorithms was analysed with respect to a small dataset of archive data of real search and rescue missions that was available and results are discussed.

Vplyv horskej záchrannej služby na bezpečnosť

The paper describes the key intervention component included in the integrated rescue system of the Slovak Republic - the Mountain Rescue Service. It represents its inclusion within the integrated rescue system with the definition of the main tasks. Moreover, it specifies in detail the specific activities that this rescue unit performs in the Slovak Republic. In the Conclusions, based on processed statistical data illustrated by graphs, it points out the most frequent interventions of the Mountain Rescue Service and their number. It also highlights the justification for the interventions and their growing number over the years. In the final summary, it points to the fact that within the natural and terrain conditions of the Slovak Republic, the Mountain Rescue Service is an irreplaceable professional rescue component

Management in a Specific Environment in the Age of Globalization

Research background: One of the important services in a specific mountain environment is the Mountain Rescue Service. The rescue services shall immediately provide the professional, medical, technical and other necessary assistance in an emergency on the instructions of the coordination centre or their emergency call operation centre. In the alpine environment, in addition to other rescue services, the Mountain Rescue Service implements organizational, technical and other measures to provide assistance in distress. This service is equipped for this purpose with technical and material resources. Purpose of the article: The purpose of the article is to point out how globalization affects the visit of mountain regions in Slovakia. These visits are made up of people from different countries. In some cases, visitors get into trouble and demand the help they need to be provided at the appropriate level. Methods: The article will use the analysis of the final reports of the Mountain Rescue Service for the past period. The method of comparison will also be used, where the individual years will be compared with each other with emphasis on certain criteria. Emphasis will also be placed on the circle of people who required help in distress when visiting mountain areas in Slovakia. Using deduction and induction, the obtained data will be correctly evaluated and logical conclusions drawn. Findings & Value added: Clearly processed and categorized statistics of interventions of the Mountain Rescue Service with an emphasis on the affiliation of affected people will help to identify target groups in the process of globalization, which are important to pay attention to. The article will make recommendations for improving the activities of the Mountain Rescue Service in the current era of globalization.