Search & Rescue   
 

SEARCH & RESCUE:

The local Mountain Rescue team consists of a total of 21 trained volunteers. The majority of members were previously known as Bitou Search & Rescue and have now joined forces with the small number of South Cape rescuers, offering their valuable expertise and experience. Members are situated from The Crags (in Plett) to George, making it possible to get someone on the scene relatively quickly. 

Bitou Search & Rescue, lead by Andrew Scott, started in January 2006 and was affiliated to the MCSA through the Cape Town Section. Mountain Rescue has come a long way in acquiring the necessary gear to perform an efficient and effective mountain rescue service and the team currently has one fully equipped trailer and one lesser equipped trailer.

During the period March to November, mountain rescue has been involved in no less than 11 callouts. Ranging from, guiding lost people to safety, airlifting seriously injured people and dead body recovery. To date they have been involved in assisting 57 people during 2006.

Andrew Scott heads up the training programme and keeps in strict accordance with international safety regulations. Training sessions are held most Wednesdays in The Crags at Andrew’s barn. Saturday exercises are scheduled for once a month. This allows the team to keep up to date with skills and familiarity with the systems used. Three joint exercises with the E.P. Section Search and Rescue team was organized to share skills and established a good working relationship. The Mountain Rescue team has also been involved with training exercises with the South African Air Force to keep up to date with chopper rescue techniques. The nature of rescues will often see the team working together with other disciplines and it is important to have a good relationship and to know each other’s capabilities. Mountain Rescue works closely with the NSRI, METRO, Fire Department, SAPS and private ambulance services to co-ordinate rescues effectively.

People with basic rock and rope skills are very welcome to join the training exercises. If you feel that you can contribute through either volunteering your services and expertise, training facilities or through sponsorships, please contact Andrew Scott, the local Search & Rescue co-ordinator - 082 339 1240 or off2drew@yahoo.com

For those who do not yet know this, for any mountain emergency contact Metro Rescue on 10177.

If this fails or if more advice is needed contact Andrew Scott (Drew) directly on 082 339 1240.