Exmoor Search and Rescue Team

Fall protection kit inspection As with all our PPE (Personal and Protective Equipment), it needs regular inspection to ensure it is current and fit for purpose. This time it was the Fall protection kits being checked for evidence of wear and tear. #exmoorsearchandrescue #roperescuegear #nonprofitorganisationUK #Wednesdaywisdom #mountainrescue

Call out 02: 26-27/1/25 South Somerset The team were asked to assist in a multi agency response to various flood events in South Somerset. The MASHA (Multi agency strategic handling area) was Taunton fire station, and from there we were deployed first to Ilminster and then to Charlton Mackrell. The latter involved the evacuation of 67 park home residents (and their pets). ESRT water section worked alongside ASSAR/ BARB/ Coastguard, Fire and Police to ferry the residents through the thigh deep water so they could be taken to a rest centre set up in Somerton. The team started their journeys home at 6.30am after a 12 hour deployment. Mountain Rescue England and Wales #ExmoorSearchandRescue #mountainrescue #teamwork #waterrescue #somerset

Drone training This month's Drone section training focussed on searching open moorland at night and assessing trainees in their knowledge of the teams Drone capabilities. #ExmoorSearchandRescue #searchandrescuetraining #DronesForGood #DroneSearchAndRescue #volunteers

The team was founded in 1992 by members of the North Devon emergency volunteers. Our Control vehicle then was a caravan towed behind a personal car and kept on the Chair’s drive. Now, we have a 4 wheel drive VW crafter with an electronic mast, two computers with GPS tracking, electronic mapping, all stored in our bespoke Rescue centre in South Molton. #ExmoorSearchandRescue #nonprofitorganisationUK #throwback #mountainrescue

Water Section Training The first water team training of the year saw the team going back to basics with throwline practice, conditional and true or tethered rescues, and using the quick release on our cows tails should we become stuck in a fast section of flowing water. Conditional rescues are when the casualty can help themselves to receive a throwline and unconditional rescues would involve a swift water rescue technician going in the water to ‘catch’ the casualty. January water temperatures were chilly at Watersmeet so we were thankful for our warm layers under our dry suits. National Trust #ExmoorSearchandRescue #exmoornationalpark #SwiftWaterRescue #waterrescuetraining #NationalTrust

January Medical Section Training Medical Section training was aimed at a full airway management and breathing assessment refresher. Some spinal care and helmet removal was put in to add some complicating factors. The Section also under went its annual basic life support assessments. The evening ended with a drowning related cardiac arrest to bring the skills together. #exmoorsearchandrescue  #medicaltraining  #CommunitySafety #wednesdaymotivation

Tribute to Lottie Last week we received the sad news that Search Dog Lottie had lost her battle with a life-long medical condition. Despite this, she grew to become a wonderful team member and a trusted, reliable search dog with her handler Nick. She took part in over 50 searches for missing and lost people across the region during her career as well as taking part in all our training sessions. She will be greatly missed by everyone. #exmoorsearchandrescue #searchdog #searchdoglottie #lifesavers #rainbowbridge #RunFree

Jesip Course The next group of ESRT team members joined Police, Fire and Ambulance and other statutory and volunteer agencies in the latest JESIP course. Learning how to work together at a multi agency event is the key to successful outcomes. Avon and Somerset Police #ExmoorSearchAndRescue  #DisasterResponse  #ResilienceBuilding #volunteers 

Scout Visit to Rescue Centre It was lovely to show the 1st Watchet sea scouts group around our rescue centre recently. They really got involved with ‘packaging’ up their leader as if a casualty. #ExmoorSearchandRescue #somerset #watchet #MondayMotivation

Medical recap whole team training The first training of 2025 involved a recap of the team’s core first Aid skills. Some of the team underwent their annual Basic Life Support assessment, while others got familiar with the Team’s Trauma kits, the Kendrik splint and the Pelvic Binder. It’s really important that everyone practices with these more technical pieces of kit in the dry and light so that they are in our muscle memory for when we need to use them in the dark and wet. #exmoorsearchandrescue #medicaltraining #pleasedonate #fridaymotivation