South & Mid Wales Cave Rescue Team issues urgent funding plea

South & Mid Wales Cave Rescue Team issues urgent funding plea

One of the oldest and largest cave rescue teams in the country has put out an urgent plea for fundraising help to modernise important kit. Several of the South & Mid Wales Cave Rescue Team members played important parts in the Thai cave rescue and the team has helped in mining disasters, searched for missing persons and…

Covid-19 Rule Changes and Caving

Covid-19 Rule Changes and Caving

The new guidelines introduced this week make it clear that the roads and fells are open and so are most caves, but the suggestion is fairly clear – “you can cave – but please don’t, just yet”. Cave and mountain rescue teams across the country, many caught by surprise after the Prime Minister’s announcement on…

Behind the scenes with the BCRC at the Thai cave rescue – Part One

Behind the scenes with the BCRC at the Thai cave rescue – Part One

While the eyes of the world were on the divers taking part in the Thai cave rescue, an unsung band of volunteers were beavering away behind the scenes to ensure that the divers had all the kit and assistance they needed. Peter Dennis, chair of the British Cave Rescue Council, tells the backroom story to Linda Wilson and Sharon Wheeler.

Appeal: South and Mid Wales Cave Rescue Team seeks £1,000

Appeal: South and Mid Wales Cave Rescue Team seeks £1,000

Following the amazing success of the recent Tham Luang cave in Thailand, one of the British cave rescue teams, responsible for getting some of the UK contingent to Thailand has announced a fund-raising campaign. The South and Mid-Wales Cave Rescue Team hope to reach a target of £1,000. Claire Vivian, the team’s Fund-Raising Officer, has…

After The Tham Luang Rescue – Taking Stock

After The Tham Luang Rescue – Taking Stock

With the Thailand cave rescue operations now completed with the 100 % successful evacuation of all casualties and rescue divers, Darkness Below presents some reflections on this incredible “good news” story. Before reading further, however, let us remember Saman Kunan, the Thai volunteer diver portrayed above, who lost his life while preparing the cave for the evacuation operation. There is nothing more noble than this: that someone will risk their life, and be prepared to lose it, in the course of helping to save the life of someone else.

News: British Cave Divers join Thailand cave rescue

News: British Cave Divers join Thailand cave rescue

In a race against the clock three British cave rescue divers and their equipment left Heathrow just after 9pm last night on a flight to Thailand to join the search for thirteen people trapped in Tham Luang Nang Non cave in Chiang Rai province. The British contribution includes four Heyphones supplied by Derbyshire Cave Rescue Organisation (DCRO), a…

News: Generous Gift to SECRO in Memory of the late Paul Dold LRPS

News: Generous Gift to SECRO in Memory of the late Paul Dold LRPS

Paul Dold’s death last year in a diving accident in Cornwall shocked his many friends in a way only the unexpected death of someone with such a huge appetite for life can. A Justgiving campaign set up in Paul’s memory raised over £7,000 for Horsham District Scouts, Cornwall Air Ambulance and cave rescue, with over…

Incident 6/2017 – Jan 21st Sat. 10.15 – Scar Top, nr. Giggleswick, North Yorkshire – Animal Rescue.

Incident 6/2017 – Jan 21st Sat. 10.15 – Scar Top, nr. Giggleswick, North Yorkshire – Animal Rescue.

The team were called by North Yorkshire Police to go to the aid of a sheep which had been crag fast for over 36 hours. The sheep was located on a narrow ledge approximately 10m above ground level. A team member descended by rope to the ledge from above, and the sheep was ‘encouraged’ to retrace its route up a narrow cleft to the field above. Volunteer hours: 4

Rescue: Bristows make substantial donation to CRO

Rescue: Bristows make substantial donation to CRO

Back in November we reported that a the Cave Rescue Organisation had assisted in the recovery of one of Bristows new search and rescue helicopters, after it developed mechanical failure whilst attempting to take off in poor weather on Ingleborough. The Cave Rescue Organisation has now announced a big “Thank You” to Bristows Helicopters after the company…

Rescue: CRO assist after flooding delays ambulance

Rescue: CRO assist after flooding delays ambulance

The Cave Rescue Organisation responded to a call from North West Ambulance Service unable to reach Dent to attend to a wheelchair user, upstairs and needing hospital treatment. CRO attended and following assessment by a team doctor, the patient was carried and wheeled to a Yorkshire Ambulance Service road ambulance for transport on to hospital. This was…

Rescue: UWFRA assist fallen walker at Heber’s Gyhll

Rescue: UWFRA assist fallen walker at Heber’s Gyhll

Sixteen UWFRA members attended a call out at Heber’s Gyhll near Ilkley on Saturday assisting a 61 year old male who had fallen five metres into a stream, sustaining shoulder and pelvic injuries. After treatment he was hauled up a short climb and carried to a waiting ambulance. The walkers family later expressed their thanks on the UWFRA…