Mountain Rescue Service: Safety Guide in Bansko

Pirin is one of the most beautiful, but also the harshest mountains in Bulgaria. Whether you are a skier, snowboarder or summer tourist, your safety depends not only on your personal preparation, but also on the availability of reliable support. Here comes to the rescue Mountain Rescue Service (MRS) – the guardian angel of everyone who dares to conquer the peaks above Bansko.

What is the Mountain Rescue Service?

Mountain Rescue Service (MRS) is a specialized voluntary organization within the framework of the Bulgarian Red Cross (BRC). Its mission is extremely responsible – to provide assistance and carry out rescue operations in the event of incidents and disasters in the high-mountainous regions of the country.

This structure is vital for the safety of tourists, especially in areas with alpine character and rapidly changing weather conditions such as Pirin. The MES operates thanks to the dedication of over 530 active mountain rescuers. An interesting fact is that the majority of them work on voluntary principle, supported by about 47 paid employees and over 40 doctors who are qualified to provide specialized medical care in the field.

Main functions and tasks of the PESC

The service's activities are regulated by the Bulgarian Red Cross Law and cover a wide range of responsibilities:

• Providing emergency assistance: Responding to injuries, fractures, frostbite, altitude sickness and other conditions.
• Search operations: Organizing large-scale operations to find lost tourists, often using specialized equipment and rescue dogs.
• Prevention: Monitoring the avalanche situation, marking dangerous areas and providing information about the condition of the slopes.
• Collaboration: Working with Civil Protection and the Ministry of Interior during natural disasters.

Mountain Rescue Service – Bansko Detachment

As the “winter capital” of the Balkans, Bansko has one of the busiest and most professional teams in Bulgaria. The Bansko PES team consists of about 40 rescuers, including highly qualified instructors and doctors.

They work in shifts to ensure 24-hour coverage of the area, including the ski area under Todorka Peak, as well as the hard-to-reach circuses around Vihren Peak and Kutelo.

Why is Mountain Insurance mandatory?

Many tourists underestimate the need for mountain insurance, thinking that standard health insurance is sufficient. This is a mistake. The actions of the Mountain Rescue Service are costly operations.

If you do not have valid mountain insurance, the costs of search, first aid and transport (especially if a helicopter is required) will have to be paid by you. The amounts can range from a few hundred to tens of thousands of leva. Insurance costs a symbolic amount (often between 3 and 5 BGN per day), but it saves you huge financial headaches and guarantees peace of mind.

Safety tips from the experts of the MSS

The mountain does not forgive arrogance. To avoid accidents, follow these “golden rules” of the rescuers:

How to report a help request?

If you witness an accident or are injured yourself, stay calm:

1. Call 1470 or 112.
2. Specify who is calling and what is the problem.
3. Describe the location (use landmarks, lift pole numbers or GPS coordinates).
4. Report about the condition of the victim.
5. Do not hang up the phone until the dispatcher on duty gives you permission - he or she may need additional details.