Search and Rescue in the mountains. Assistance service.
In Kyrgyzstan there is no state free Mountain Rescue Service. Kyrgyz Alpine Club cooperates with public fund “Rescue in the mountains” which runs Mountain Rescue Service (MRS) since 1994. The MRS conducts rescue missions in the mountains at any altitude and mountain routes, provides medical aid during and after rescue missions and also provides repatriation. The MRS has no permanent staff but has agreements with experienced climbers and mountaineers who qualified to work as mountain rescuers. Participation of the experienced rescuers in search and rescue works is guaranteed by the high salary the professionals during the works. The only necessary condition to run rescue mission is the guaranty of payment. Without the guaranty rescue operations cannot be conducted. A contract with MRS, relevant insurance, assurance of a bank or any other solvent organization can be the guaranty of payment. The MRS is accredited by the Ministry of Ecology and Emergency Situations according to Kyrgyz legislation and is entitled to carry out rescue missions.
The scheme of registration in Mountain Rescue Service (MRS) is following:
1) Contact the office of MRS in Bishkek. Provide information about your group members (names, copies of passports), area of trip, means of communication, copies of insurance policies or guarantee of payment.
Address: 1A Molodaya Gvardia Street, Bishkek 720010, Kyrgyzstan
Tel: +996 312 651404
Fax: +996 312 650747
E-mail: itmc(at)elcat.kg
2) By arrival in Kyrgyzstan present to the office in Bishkek original document of insurance policy or another guarantee of payment.
You can do registration in MRS via Kyrgyz Alpine Club.
If the payment guarantee is insurance, the MRS contacts the insurance company first and confirms details of insurance plan. So in case of emergency not to waste time for formalities and rescue mission can be started right after receiving of request.
Recommended minimal coverage of insurance is EUR 25 000
Mountain Rescue Service offers you for rent the following: satellite phones, beepers, avalanche shovels, probes and other alpine and rescue equipment.
There is also Assistance Service Kyrgyzstan” providing and conducting medical, legal, transportation, translation and other service for foreigners in emergency situations in Kyrgyzstan. This organization is listed in the international data bases of assistance companies.