If the mountain on the table stops beating...

A defibrillator has been installed at Prešernova Koča on Mount Stol, marking a new step in improving emergency response capabilities in high-altitude areas popular with hikers and mountaineers. The device was donated by the Society of First Responders, which funded its purchase through a campaign collecting plastic bottles. The installation took place last Saturday, accompanied by free training sessions on how to properly use the equipment and basic resuscitation procedures. The addition of the automatic external defibrillator (AED) at Prešernova Koča was highlighted as a crucial development for ensuring safety among visitors to Mount Stol and surrounding peaks. According to Olga Oven, president of the Alpine Association Slovenski Javornik - Koroška, the defibrillator represents a vital resource for providing immediate assistance to accident victims until rescue teams arrive. She emphasized that this equipment could significantly improve survival chances in remote locations where emergency services might take longer to reach. The Society of First Responders, led by Dejan Rogelj, who is both a rescuer and the organization’s president, explained that quick action and access to defibrillators are especially critical in mountainous regions where delays in reaching injured individuals can have severe consequences. Rogelj demonstrated the steps required to use the defibrillator during the training session, emphasizing the importance of prompt intervention in life-threatening situations. The initiative by the Society of First Responders included a public appeal for plastic bottle collections, which helped fund the acquisition of several defibrillators. These devices were subsequently distributed through a tender process, with recipients including Prešernova Koča, the Porezen Mountain House, the Okrešlj House, the Loki Pod Raduh House, and four volunteer fire departments. Despite these efforts, many highly visited alpine shelters still lack such equipment. The defibrillator is particularly essential on mountain summits where trails attract numerous hikers and climbers. In past years, there have already been incidents involving hikers collapsing on Mount Stol, underscoring the need for expanded coverage of defibrillators in high-altitude zones. Among the first individuals trained to use the defibrillator at Prešernova Koča were caretakers Kata and Joško Šumanovac, alongside the house's owner Darko Mandelc. Their training was part of a broader effort to ensure that personnel stationed at remote mountain shelters are equipped to respond effectively in emergencies. The presence of the defibrillator at Prešernova Koča reflects growing awareness of the risks associated with outdoor activities in mountainous terrain. As more people engage in hiking and climbing, the demand for improved emergency infrastructure continues to rise. The Society of First Responders aims to expand its network of defibrillators further into remote and high-altitude areas to enhance overall safety for all users of these environments.