Search and Rescue

Whenever an accident occurs in the mountains the following procedures should be adopted:

Once the nature of the injuries are known, it should be arranged that at least two, preferably three, people remain with the injured person.
At least two persons to go for help to the nearest telephone with as much of the information as listed below that you can find out quickly. Remember to take your essential equipment, in case you get into trouble yourself.

Information required:

• Area or locality where the accident took place.

• Name(s) and age group of the injured.

• Time the accident occurred

• Nature of the injuries and the condition of the injured.

• Assessment of medical equipment needed e.g leg splints, stretcher, etc

• Location of the injured, i.e. height above or below even terrain or depth in a kloof.

• Closest distance to the accident to which vehicles can be brought, or where helicopter may land.

• What kind of ground markings are being used in case the helicopter is called out, i . e . yellow groundsheets, orange or bright coloured clothing, smoke, etc

• The phone number from which you are calling. VERY IMPORTANT.

Having done all the above, STAY AT THE PHONE all the time until the rescue is completed, so that you are in constant contact with the rescue co-ordinator and the rescue team, and can help make whatever arrangements are necessary.

Mountain Rescue emergency tel nos for the Eastern Cape

082 990 7626 or 10177 or 10111

State mountain rescue, request Mountain Club/ METRO help from Port Elizabeth .

If you have problems, phone:

Rob MacGeoghegan 041-379 1547 h&w, 082 990 7626 w&cel
Serge Smetryns 041-463 1650 h, 084 515 1077 w&cel
Chris Jones 041-373 4668 h, 041-365 6339 w, 082 559 4356 cel
Werner Illenberger 041-368 2771 or 083 626 1917 h&w

Please submit comments and suggestions to the Club at mcsaeas@mcsa.org.za

"FROM THE EARLIEST DAYS OF MOUNTAINEERING THERE HAS EXISTED THE TRADITION AMONG MOUNTAINEERS TO COME TO THE AID OF FELLOW MEN LOST OR INJURED IN INHOSPITABLE TERRAIN. IN MORE RECENT TIMES, CHANGES IN TECHNOLOGY HAVE CAUSED SEARCH AND RESCUE TO BECOME AN INCREASINGLY COMPLEX OPERATION REQUIRING SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS TO ENSURE MAXIMUM SUCCESS. OUR VOLUNTARY SYSTEM BRINGS TOGETHER A WEALTH OF EXPERIENCE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE AND ALLOWS US THE FRAMEWORK WITHIN WHICH WE ALL CAN COOPERATE TO SAVE A LIFE. "