Mission report

Mountain rescuers were on duty more often again in 2023

Dangerous situations like this one during canyoning in Dornbirn are part of everyday life for the mountain rescuers. (Bild: Bergrettung Vorarlberg)

Without the volunteer mountain rescuers, many an alpine emergency would end badly for outdoor sports enthusiasts. The organization was particularly busy last year. 

More and more people are being drawn to higher altitudes for hikes. Unfortunately, the popularity of the mountains does not automatically increase the know-how on how to behave correctly in alpine terrain. There is often a lack of knowledge of the local conditions, and equipment mistakes are often made - keyword "flip-flops" - but it is mostly due to overestimating one's own capabilities when problems occur on the mountain.

5.6 percent more missions than in the previous year
And so the past year was an intensive one for the volunteer mountain rescuers, who were called out on a total of 730 missions in 2023. That is 5.6 percent more than in the previous year. In the process, 662 people were searched for or rescued from alpine emergencies. The volunteers spent 9053 hours on these missions. The sniffer noses of the dog teams were also in demand 23 times. In addition, 118 missions were carried out as part of piste rescue services, 34 missions as first responders and 147 standby services at various events. The air rescue service had slightly less to do than in the previous year, "only" having to fly 1389 missions, 13 percent less than in the previous year.

9053 hours

were spent by the volunteer mountain rescuers helping outdoor athletes, mountaineers and winter sports enthusiasts in distress in alpine terrain last year.

The mountain rescue service is organized nationwide with around 1370 men and women in 31 local stations. The infrastructure also includes two helicopter bases (Nenzing/Galina, Lech/Zürs). The mountain rescuers are also supported by four-legged colleagues, namely the 20 avalanche and search dogs.