The High Tatras (source: TASR)
THE MOUNTAIN Rescue Service (HZS) High Tatras in summer presented a new mobile application of the same name – in Slovak, i.e. Horská Záchranná Služba. It includes several functions for hikers and tourists, including warnings in mountain terrain, support for deaf-mute people and the sending of emergency text message. Moreover, it shall help the rescuers save time and expenses with better possibilities for locating tourists.
“The biggest problem for rescuers when searching for people is exact localisation of terrain,” head of HZS Jozef Janiga told the SITA newswire. “In this connection, we get localisations from mobile operators – or police – but only with accuracy of two or three valleys.”
Thanks to information on warnings in mountain areas, people could plan their hikes more effectively, according to Janiga. The app also offers information on regional rescue services, HZS and other centres. App users in an emergency situation will also be able to send a text message, especially when signal is insufficient.
“The app offers the possibility, too, to directly call the emergency line HZS 18300 which renders information to rescuers on their GPS location. During the call, we already see where the person is located,” Janiga explained.
The deaf-mute will be able to send a message in sign language about what has happened to them.
“The app came to exist from the enthusiasm of our volunteering rescuer who – together with his sister – filed the first proposal for this app,” Janiga said.
