Between summit & community

Christoph: When we were little, our father inspired us with his own passion for mountain rescue. He was a member of the Alpine Police and an air rescuer. Even as children, we found the yellow rescue helicopter fascinating. We later joined the youth mountain rescue team and then did the training course to become mountain rescuers and paramedics. I'm also an emergency paramedic with the Red Cross and Philipp is in the fire department. With us, you are in good hands for any kind of accident.

Philipp: After the youth mountain rescue, we were able to complete the candidate course at the age of 16. It included three technical courses with theory and practice - winter, summer and ice. In these courses, we acquired ski touring skills, learned to assess snow situations, were trained in avalanche operations and perfected climbing and rope techniques. There was also medical training, such as a 16-hour first aid course and a basic alpine medical course.

Christoph: The training courses took place over a weekend and took place in various areas in alpine terrain. After that, you are a mountain rescuer according to national regulations and can continue your training. Almost every municipality in the Alps has its own local unit, which covers a certain area in terms of operational tactics. We are deployed throughout Damüls and a little higher up towards the Furka Pass.

Christoph: Yes, we are both alpine instructors and now train mountain rescuers ourselves. I'm vice chairman and equipment manager and Philipp is secretary. In total, we are a team of around 19 mountain rescuers. Some are already over 50 years old and have switched to passive status. This means that they no longer have to complete any further training. This year, there are eight young people in our youth mountain rescue team. Like us, they meet once a month and practise medical procedures, climbing, map skills or go into the mountains with the instructors.

Philipp: Active members of the mountain rescue team are required to undergo further training in order to keep up to date. But our older members are also still active - our leading member in the deployment statistics is 60 years old. We also have a flight rescuer in the team, who flies in the helicopter to support the pilot and doctor. We are a highly trained and motivated team in which everyone puts their heart and soul into their work.

Philipp: The mountains are unpredictable by nature and the weather can change at any time. During avalanche missions, we have to coordinate and coordinate well, which can sometimes take up to eight hours or longer. Inexperienced hikers or skiers who overestimate their abilities can also lead to operations. To avoid this, the right equipment and preparation are essential.

Christoph: Unfortunately, avalanches in particular can never be ruled out. These are also the largest operations in which up to 100 mountain rescuers from different local stations work together. In recent years, however, things have been quiet and luckily we haven't had to rescue anyone from the masses of snow. It has happened before, and death is also part of our work. You learn how to deal with these situations, so we can call in experts or talk about it as a team. When someone dies, it's always a strange feeling, so we have to maintain a certain distance. But humanity must not be lost, especially when dealing with relatives.

Christoph: It varies, but normally up to 60 missions a year. Most of them involve the Red Cross. Last year we had to go out about 15 times with the mountain rescue service. These are usually larger operations. In winter, the piste rescue service deals with skiing and snowboarding accidents during operating hours. In summer, on the other hand, we rescue all injured people.

Philipp: Yes, it can happen at any time of day or night during rescue operations. In mountain rescue, however, it usually rings during the day when people are out and about. (Philipp smiles) But we've also been called out when a husband has disappeared and we've then found him drinking a beer in a bar or at someone else's house. It's all happened before, you shouldn't laugh about it, it's just part of it.

Christoph: The cohesion that has developed in our team is incomparable. It's like one big family. When we meet someone from the mountain rescue service on the ski slope, we go for a drink together or if someone is building a house in our area, the whole team is out on Sunday to shingle the door. The idea of helping others is our main motivation.

Philipp: We feel part of a close-knit community in the mountain rescue team. The camaraderie and the feeling of being needed are paramount here. We all enjoy being out in the mountains and learn a lot about dealing with stress and dangerous situations, which is also valuable experience for our own lives.

Christoph: We not only undertake rescue missions together, but also home evenings, excursions and tours. These not only serve as training, but also strengthen our team spirit. We've done everything from city trips with our partners to expeditions to Kilimanjaro in South Africa or the Himalayas. Last year, we climbed a 4,000-metre peak with the mountain rescue team in Switzerland - these are simply memories for life.