Our two search dogs Amber and Binnie were deployed on their first call out yesterday. With their handlers, Paula and Chris, they were two of five dog teams from the South West to pass three days of challenging assessment in five mountain areas in the Lake District recently, after years of demanding training. It has been more than twenty years since we last had search dogs in our team, due to the commitment required to train a dog to such high standards. These air-scenting dogs can cover difficult terrain quickly and detect human scent over very long distances, saving time and, ultimately, lives. 4 of the 5 newly qualified search dogs in the region featured on BBC Spotlight recently - here's a video of the report

On Saturday 20th March, Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team Ashburton joined a Devon and Cornwall Police led multi-agency missing person and search and rescue exercise at Haytor. At this COVID secure event the Ashburton team were joined by a raft of other emergency services and other volunteer agencies including HM Coastguard (with teams from Teignmouth, Beer and Exmouth), Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue (Urban Search and Rescue Team), our sister Dartmoor Search and Rescue Teams (from Plymouth, Tavistock and North Dartmoor), Cornwall Search and Rescue(teams from East and West Cornwall), Devon and Cornwall 4x4 Response and Torbay Rapid Relief Team UK . Due to the pandemic this has been the first opportunity for critical multi agency training in almost a year and a vital part of ensuring we continue to work to together seamlessly. Police Search Manager, PC Stu Mines said “This exercise was designed to replicate a potential…

Talking to BBC Radio Devon about the team’s 40 years saving lives Ramblings of a Mountain Rescue Team. Hill Party Leader Steve Jones and Fundraising Officer Al Pewsey talk to BBC Radio Devon’s Shep on the past 40 years and what’s ahead for the next 40 years. Click on the green play button to play the clip (duration 10:31). You can also open the clip in the Vocaroo application allowing you to scroll through the clip rather than having to listen to it all. Just click on ‘Vocaroo’ If the embedded application doesn’t appear then you can hear the interview via the following link CLICK HERE Order your copy of our 40th anniversary book. Our new book ‘Ramblings of a Rescue Team’ is a collection of accounts of real rescues from our 40 year history. Not only is it THE stocking filler to have this Christmas, each book purchased raises…

Difficult helicopter winch from Dart Valley A full team callout was issued at 18:10 on Friday 8th July to assist the SW Ambulance Service with the recovery of a walker who had slipped and fallen 20m on to rocks in the Upper Dart Valley. Team members walked from the Newbridge car park with the necessary equipment into the casualty site on river left near Bellpool Island to assist paramedics who were on site. The lady had sustained multiple injuries in the fall and was lying on rocks close to the river edge. It was quickly determined that assistance would be required from Rescue 924, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) S92 search and rescue helicopter based at Newquay to relay the lady to hospital. The casualty received medical care on site and was transferred onto our vacuum mattress as a precaution against any potential spinal or neck injury. Due to…

Headline sponsors announced for annual Templer Way Challenge Registration for the 2016 Templer Way Challenge is now OPEN. Register at http://dsrtashburton.org.uk/templerway A BOVEY TRACEY firm has delighted members of Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team Ashburton by becoming headline sponsors for the charity’s 2016 Templer Way Challenge. The deal could result in as much as £5,000 from Plastic Surgeon Fine Finishers with management pledging to match funds raised by staff who undertake the 18-mile sponsored walk on sunday April 24. That amount could make serious inroads into the £20,000 it takes to keep the lifesaving volunteers able to respond to the 35 or so shouts they receive each year. Last Christmas their expertise was even called for in Yorkshire when floods devastated a number of communities. ‘Plastic Surgeon have given the 2016 Templer Way Challenge a real kick start and we’re extremely grateful for their support,’ said team fundraising officer Alan…

Dartmoor walker with no map, compass, torch or whistle requires rescue The team were called at 19:04 this evening by Devon and Cornwall Police to search for a lost walker in the Pupers Hill area of South Dartmoor. A rapid response from our volunteers meant we had teams out on the moor by 19:40 and the casualty was found safe and well by our volunteers at 20:10. The individual had left his car at Ludgate for a walk on the moor at 4pm this afternoon. Unfortunately he had no map or compass and as visibility and daylight soon deteriorated, he soon became lost and disorientated. He also had no whistle or torch, essential safety equipment when walking on the moor, so could not signal his location to rescuers. As weather conditions was good with light winds, our members homed in on the area he was suspected to be in, found…