The Croatian Mountain Rescue Service (HGSS) has become well known for its sarcastic and amusing social media posts warning tourists about trying to swim across to that inviting little island that is actually much further away from the mainland than it looks, or attempting to tackle Biokovo at midday in August with no water and while wearing Primark flip-flops. 

Every year, there are cases of tourists having been a bit too brave (or stupid, the line is thin). From trying to pet venomous snakes in the dry pine forests, to swimming, to taking a stab at mountaineering and climbing, or getting themselves stuck in other similar situations which are at best embarrassing and at worst so dangerous they're potentially fatal.

As the tourist season quickly approaches, HGSS is back to work with its social media warnings to tourists who might be feeling extra brave in their various intrepid ventures this summer, aiming this time at lovers of lilos and other beach/pool inflatables.

HGSS has posted a photo on Facebook of a man lying on a sea inflatable which rather morbidly resembles a bright pink coffin, with the statement: ''Dear tourists, if you really can't hold back, put your name and address on [the inflatable], in case of emergency call 112, may the dolphins be with you.''

On the photo itself, HGSS asks tourists to please Tweet them if there is life after death, followed by amusing hashtags about having survived a holiday in Croatia.

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The Croatian Mountain Rescue Service (HGSS) has become well known for its witty Facebook statuses over the past couple of years or so, but not everything can be looked back at with a giggle. An animal in danger is one of them.

From warning tourists and other would-be mountaineers to perhaps refrain from trying to tackle mountains in the summer sunshine with no water and wearing only flip flops, to letting those who fancy themselves as Olympic swimmers that that pretty little island over there is actually a lot further away than it looks from the mainland, the Croatian Mountain Rescue Service, made up of generous volunteers from all types of jobs and walks of life, has been making us laugh in spite of the often ridiculous and downright dangerous scenarios they continually need to rescue people from.

Of course, not all of these stories and scenarios can have a funny spin put on them, and when it comes to abandoned animals suffering and in danger at the hands of careless humans, there can be no jokes. What there can be, however, is a very happy (and lucky) ending.

As Index writes on the 29th of December, 2018, as the Croatian Mountain Rescue Service reported, during the excavation of a cave in the area of Bratiškovci (Šibenik-Knin County), members of SOS HKP "Sveti Mihovil", which included four members of HGSS Šibenik who were the leaders of this expedition, heard the distressed barking and whining of a dog coming from somwhere in the dark and unwelcoming cave.

They immediately embarked on an action to locate and rescue the injured and underweight, clearly mistreated animal. Using specialist speleological techniques, the unlucky, unwell and frightened dog was located and pulled out of the cave to safety. Given the fact that when 112 was called, not one of the competent associations bothered to even respond, the dog was taken to safety and is currently being housed at the "Sea" (More) apothecary.

The members of HGSS Šibenik, as well as members of SOS "Sveti Mihovil", once again demonstrated their bravery, humanity and superior ability and talent to deal with serious situations in potentially dangerous caves.

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The Croatian Mountain Rescue Service does it again...

''If the head of an emergency service seeks a meeting with the Finance Minister, and after more than one month, still receives no answer, of course, he must be frustrated'' said the Head of HGSS Dubrovnik, Zoran Čabrilo.

Ever wondered who was behind the Croatian Mountain Rescue Service's hilarious updates aimed at tourists? Meet Jadran and Christian!

A big thank you and a donation from tourists who lost their way when hiking up Mount Srdj in Dubrovnik.

Croatian Mountain Rescue Service (HGSS) remains the unchallenged social media champion.

Tourism Minister Gari Cappelli officially visited Primorje-Gorski Kotar County today. 

They are heroes in both words and deeds.