About the Organization
Cave Rescue Service (Jamarska reševalna služba – JRS) operates within the Speleological Association of Slovenia (JZS). Based on the »Act on the Protection against Natural and other Disasters (OJ RS, 51/06)« JRS is defined as public service for protection, rescue and relief which operates independently within the Speleological Association of Slovenia. In order to successfully perform tasks in accordance with statuary requirements JRS has signed contracts with 55 rescuers, chosen from a group of over 200 trained rescuers, that carry operations throughout the territory of the Republic of Slovenia. They are organized into seven rescue centres (Ljubljana, Postojna, Sežana, Tolmin, Kranj, Velenje, and Novo mesto). In case of severe accident of major proportions JRS is ready to assist in rescue throughout the territory of EU as CaveSAR EU CP Unit. For such situations JRS does a lot of work also internationally, it cooperates with other cave rescue services.
Karst and Caves
The predominant majority of Slovene caves are developed in karst rocks. Carbonate rock types prevail since the climate is too humid for the more soluble types to be present on surface at any extent. Karst rocks cover roughly one half of the country’s 20271 km2 surface. Of those 70 % are represented by limestones with well-developed karst landforms and 30 % mostly secondary dolomite where surface landforms might not be well expressed but karst hydrology and caves are still present. Karst rocks are predominant in the western part of the country in the Dinaric and Alpine areas while the eastern part is characterized by insular patches of karst rocks. The area between Ljubljana and the Gulf of Trieste became known as Classical karst due to some of the earliest scientific studies being conducted there. In fact the very geomorphological term karst adopted its name after a karst plateau stretching right above this gulf.
At the time of writing there were more than 14.000 registered caves at the Cave Registry of Slovenia. In terms of records Slovenia is not distinguished by the length of its caves. Currently the longest cave is System MIG with 43 km of development and holds only the 90th place in the world’s longest cave list. The depth of Slovene caves reaches way more optimistic placements in the world rankings. The deepest caves are concentrated in Alpine areas where the vertical potential is greatest and there are thick sequences of relatively pure and tectonically deformed limestones. There are currently 11 caves deeper than 1000 m. The deepest to date is Čehi 2 with 1502 m of depth standing on 14th place on world rankings. Worth mentioning is as well the system Mala Boka – BC4 with the world 2nd deepest top to bottom entrance height difference.
Insurance
Generally NO. The exception is evident neglect of basic safety rules.
Contacts
Tel: 01/42-93-440
Fax: 01/42-93-440
E-mail: info@jamarska-zveza.si
Emergency Call: 112
Web: https://www.jamarska-zveza.si/index.php/foreigners
Social Media: facebook.com/jamarska.zveza.slovenije