This year the Hungarian Cave Rescue Service (BMSz) celebrates the 65th anniversary of its founding. We, the currently active cave rescuers – just like the generations before us – work to make caving and cave exploration safer for our community.

Over the course of our operation, we have carried out nearly 600 rescue missions in which cavers, hikers, or paragliders got into trouble in locations so difficult to access that other rescue organizations would hardly have been able to provide effective assistance. Beyond rescue operations, members of the cave rescue services have played a major role in raising the standard of caving training in Hungary to an international level, thereby helping to prevent cave accidents.

Our work focuses on members of the caving and outdoor community, whom we unfortunately meet most often when something has gone wrong. Opportunities to meet at events or demonstrations and to show something of our work are rare.

Earlier this week, our seven-member instructor team returned to Budapest after spending almost two weeks in China delivering a cave rescue training course.

The Grimp Day is a rope rescue competition specifically designed for firefighters. Our connection to this field comes from many years of involvement in training Hungarian firefighters engaged in alpine rescue, and we also count several firefighter supporters among our members. It was at one of these international competitions that the idea emerged to expand our organizational connections beyond cavers from neighboring countries and to establish relations with China—its cavers, cave rescuers, and firefighters as well.

After a long coordination process, this spring we had the opportunity to host five Chinese cavers in Budapest during the basic training course for our newly admitted  members of the Hungarian Cave Rescue Service (BMSz). Following our four-day course, we assured our Chinese friends that despite language barriers they would be welcome at any of our trainings, workshops and exercises.

“Attention! Difficult-to-navigate section of trail secured with chains.” For decades, this is how the editors of tourist maps noted the risks posed by the Rám Gorge. As a result of the 2005 renovation, the rusty chains and ladders were removed from the wild, romantic ravine, and new rest benches, genuinely usable steps, stainless-steel ladders, and handrails were installed at the exposed, truly difficult sections. Over time, the warning signs have also softened: today they mainly indicate the recommended direction of travel, warn of the danger of falling rocks, and advise wearing footwear suitable for the terrain.

Nagytuskó, Széles-Torony, Bunkó, Függő-kő, Felkiáltójel, Árpád trónja — collectively known as the Vadálló Stones—are also popular hiking destinations in the region. On fog- and cloud-free days throughout the year, hikers can enjoy the magnificent panorama, and in spring we can delight in the uniquely beautiful, flowering rocky grasslands on the mountainsides.

This year, the Aggtelek National Park celebrates a remarkable convergence of anniversaries: the Gömör–Torna Karst has been part of the World Heritage for 30 years, the National Park itself turns 40, and it was 200 years ago that Imre Vass passed what was then considered the most promising endpoint of the Baradla Cave – the so-called “Vaskapu” (Iron Gate).

Imre Vass, the “certified surveyor of Gömör County” in the 19th century, was a curious, perhaps somewhat restless man. He often visited the cave opening beneath Baradla Hill, near the village of Aggtelek. His explorations reached the section known as Vaskapu in 1821, where the limitations of contemporary techniques brought him to a halt. “Thus far and no further,” he declared, and left his signature on the spot: “Vass Imre 1821.” This inscription remains visible today, and experienced tour guides can point it out on cave tours. 

Motivation: A few enthusiastic cavers decided they wanted to become cave rescuers. Why? Because they have been caving for many years—each in different clubs and places—but they all share a common motivation and commitment. They are instructors, guides, and exploration leaders, and they often face situations where they see how serious certain scenarios could become. If something happens, it must be solved—whether in a small or large group, using different technical equipment, depending on the situation and available resources. Sometimes this is done with the help of the Hungarian Cave Rescue Service. Luckily, real rescue situations are very rare.

And that’s how it should be. We also know that this is largely thanks to good preparation and regular training. Many of our friends are already members of the rescue organization, so we know who to turn to. Over the years, the Hungarian Cave Rescue Service has developed the most effective method of training…

18-21.04.2024

In September 2023, a successful international cave rescue operation was executed in the Morca Cave in Turkey from a depth of over 1,000 meters. The operation, which was widely covered by global media outlets, is detailed on our website: click here.

Hungary was represented in the operation by two Hungarian rescue services: the Hungarian Cave Rescue Service (BMSZ), joined by the Bakony Cave Rescue Service. After the successful rescue, participants from each country returned home, and the opportunity to reflect on and discuss the details and experiences of the operation was understandably not possible at the scene at that time, however the absence of this important discussion was soon recognised.