Avalanche training

Mountain rescuers and their dogs practiced for emergencies

Markus Stemberger and Amy practising searching for buried victims.(Bild: Bergrettung Salzburg)

Last week, the Salzburg Mountain Rescue's avalanche dog team trained for emergencies in Altenmarkt-Zauchensee. With an increasing number of operations, the two- and four-legged rescuers are more in demand than ever.

The four-legged friends of Salzburg Mountain Rescue are usually called out when life-threatening situations arise. They search for survivors in the event of avalanches or alpine accidents. The dogs and their owners, all trained mountain rescuers, are on duty in both summer and winter. Last week, 27 teams trained in Altenmarkt-Zauchensee to ensure that the search is successful in an emergency.

Training is essential: humans and animals practise in equal measure.(Bild: Bergrettung Salzburg)

The break is well deserved.(Bild: Bergrettung Salzburg)

The intensive course in and on the edge of the ski resort is primarily intended to prepare the four-legged friends for operational conditions. This includes searching for buried victims in the terrain, as well as riding the chairlift. Dogs and their masters also completed these tasks brilliantly.

Bianca Reitinger with Gombie.(Bild: Bergrettung Salzburg)

Gombie was taking part for the first time
Salzburg Mountain Rescue has no need to worry about the next generation of humans and animals. Four teams passed the operational test during the course. In future, the mountain rescuers will be allowed to use their dogs in all emergencies.

Gombie, an absolute newcomer to avalanche dogs, was also present in Zauchensee. Mountain rescuer Bianca Reitinger from Mühlbach/Hochkönig would like to train her animal companion to operational readiness in the coming years.

The number of mountain rescue dog missions has risen sharply recently. Last year alone there were 44, and this winter there have already been two avalanche fatalities and one after a cornice break.