GSS Conducts Rescue Exercise on and Underwater on the Neretva River

Members of the Mountain Rescue Service - Sarajevo station, from August 4 to 6, together with colleagues from the Visoko station at the location of the upper course of the Neretva River and Boračko Lake, conducted theoretical and practical training in water and underwater rescue through a series of exercises, reports the Patria agency.

After setting up the camp and preparing equipment for the upcoming exercises, on Saturday morning they began rescue exercises on swift waters, which were preceded by the installation of a Tyrolean traverse on very inaccessible terrain.

This was followed by a demonstration of the use of newly arrived equipment, which included dry suits, whose donning at +40°C presented a real challenge and demonstrated the immeasurable enthusiasm of certain members.

In the afternoon, after a short break, a search exercise took place at Boračko Lake. Diving teams had a simulated task of finding a drowning victim. The search location was secured by boats and marked by displaying a dive buoy. Poor diving conditions, due to extremely reduced visibility, did not hinder the search, which was successfully completed after 40 minutes.

On Sunday, there was another encounter with the Neretva River, its beauties, and the dangers it hides beneath the surface. Rescuing a victim on the water and searching by boat marked the entire day. Simulations of real situations with one or more victims demonstrated teamwork and cooperation between stations.

Selfless assistance and the desire to rescue endangered persons and property once again showed that the volunteer work of all members pays off through invaluable satisfaction and honor in saving lives.

All the sweat and effort of training are negligible compared to the smile and look of a rescued person without a single spoken word.