Tatra Volunteer Search and Rescue

TOPR PZL W-3 helicopter

Tatra Volunteer Search and Rescue (Polish: Tatrzańskie Ochotnicze Pogotowie Ratunkowe (TOPR)) is a non-profit mountain rescue organization in Poland, rescuing stranded mountain climbers, tourists, and others in need of rescue in the Polish Tatra mountains. It is one of the oldest mountain rescue associations in the world.

Each potential rescuer is required to complete a special training course (lasting between 1.5 and 3 years), in which every volunteer is to exhibit excellent knowledge in Tatra topography as well as practical abilities including climbing, skiing, spelunking, lifesaving and first aid. After completing the training the rescuer takes an oath on the director's hand.

In 2011 TOPR consisted of around 250 members, 140 of whom had acquired permission to participate in rescue missions. The majority of the rescuers are volunteers; only 33 are professional rescuers.As of 2024, the number increased to 48 [1]

Unlike many other mountain rescue organizations, TOPR does not charge any payment for rescues, being forbidden from doing so by Polish law.[2] Instead, the organization is funded by Poland's internal affairs ministry, donations from individuals and companies,[3] and entry fees to the Tatra National Park.

  1. ^ Jagiełło, Michał (2012). Wołanie w górach [Echo in the mountains] (in Polish). Warszawa: Iskry. ISBN 83-244-0007-9. Archived from the original on 2016-04-26.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  2. ^ "Ponad 40 mln zł dla GOPR i TOPR". www.mp.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 2023-11-12.
  3. ^ "Podsumowanie 2021". Fundacja Ratownictwa Tatrzańskiego TOPR (in Polish). Retrieved 2023-11-12.