North Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team do far more than you might think – and all over Devon and Cornwall!
North Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team (NDSART) might be based in Okehampton, but the incredible group of volunteers cover a vast area: from Exeter to Crediton, Lydford to Launceston, Bude to Black Torrington, down to Fernworthy Reservoir and Moretonhampstead and across Dartmoor - both on land and in water. The Team also supports the wider Dartmoor Rescue Group: Ashburton, Tavistock, and Plymouth, as well as neighbouring Teams: West Cornwall, East Cornwall and Exmoor Search and Rescue Team.
So far in 2024, NDSART has been called to:
- Rescue a sick dog and owner from the highest Tor on Dartmoor
- Support the largest evacuation since World War II in Plymouth for an unexploded device
- Search for a missing person along the River Exe, in Exeter
- Rescue a youth group in a 9-hour callout to the most remote region of Dartmoor
- Search for missing young people in Exeter and Launceston.
Sadly, NDSART are often called on to search for despondent persons, many of whom wish to take their own lives.
The training and callouts take place in all types of weather, any time of the day, any day of the year, and all by volunteers. Recruits undergo a rigorous 12-18 month training, and the team carry out weekly sessions in everything from ropework to water rescue, whether in bright sunshine or a gale-force storm.
CASE FILE I
NDSART spent two days in Plymouth, supporting the evacuation of residents around the Keyham area, after an unexploded World War II device was found in a resident’s garden. During the week, over 10,000 residents were evacuated to various emergency shelters providing food, water and somewhere to sleep during the stressful period.
The incident brought together all emergency resources across Devon and Cornwall and involved eight Mountain Rescue Teams.
The emergency response also included Fire and Rescue services, Coastguard, Police, Devon and Cornwall 4x4 Response and Navy in the largest evacuation in the UK since World War II.
CASE FILE II
South West Ambulance Service Trust called the NDSART to locate and evacuate a youth group from a remote area of Dartmoor. The location was 2km from Fur Tor, which is renowned for being the most remote Tor on Dartmoor.
One member of the team was suffering from a medical condition and could walk no further.
NDSART and Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team - Tavistock worked together in deteriorating weather conditions and as darkness closed in.
Support from the Coastguard Helicopter at St Athan’s was requested. Unfortunately, they could not access the site after several attempts due to low cloud.
As a result, a stretcher extraction was necessary. This was carried out over difficult terrain, in driving rain, and thick mist to meet NDSART Land Rovers, located near Great Links Tor, and returning via the Peat Railway track to the Fox and Hounds Inn, at Lydford.
The casualty was handed over to the care of SWAST Ambulance personnel at 00:50, Sunday Morning.
KEEPING SAFE
Just because it’s summer and the sun might be shining, it’s worth taking the time to prepare for any hike or trip out on to Dartmoor. Always pack the following:
- Paper map and compass
Digital navigation and mobile phones have their advantages, but a vast area of Dartmoor has little to no mobile network coverage. On these occasions, a paper map and compass are vital as they don’t require batteries to operate, nor a signal!
Take the time to learn how to navigate, using a paper map and compass - Ordnance Survey has lots of tutorials on how to safely navigate using this method.
NDSART recommend OL28 Dartmoor - Active Map from Ordnance Survey.
- Extra clothing and warmer layers
Dartmoor is wet all year round. Mud, peat, and bogs can’t always be avoided. When stopping for breaks the cool breeze and lack of movement can leave you feeling cold.
- Plenty of fluids and food
On a hot day and when hiking long distances, you can require up to 8 litres of water to replace the fluids lost from sweating. Use a water filter or purification tablet to fill your water bottle(s), from running streams, or make a detour to a nearby village/town shop to replenish fluids. Pack a minimum of 2 litres of water.
- Waterproofs
Dartmoor’s environment is constantly fluctuating, and the weather can change at a moment’s notice. It’s not uncommon to have all types of weather on Dartmoor in one day - sunshine, rain, hail, snow, and gale-force winds.
- A shelter
NDSART Members pack group shelters for 4-6 persons. These are pole-less shelters that, can be deployed quickly and, protect you, a friend (or two), and your rucksacks from the elements. They are lifesaving in an emergency and very convenient when stopping for a break.
- Torch, spare batteries, charging cables, a power bank and an emergency whistle
Even if you don’t plan on being out after dark, it’s good to carry a torch with spare batteries if you stay out once the sun sets. A power bank is a useful charge your electronic devices such as your phone. Never use your phone as a torch - It’s a waste of your battery that could be used to get help if required.
An emergency whistle is a clear and loud means to attract attention when things go wrong. Six blasts of the whistle repeated every minute is the international distress signal.
In an emergency when you require help from Mountain Rescue - Call 999 and ask for the Police, then Mountain Rescue.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Like all Mountain Rescue England and Wales teams, across the country, NDSART is made up entirely of volunteers who at a moment’s notice leave their day jobs, family, or friends to help those in need. Whether lost or injured, all year round, any time of the day, whatever the weather. NDSART receive no government funding and rely solely on donations from the public, to remain operational.
If you would like to donate to help the team, please visit the link below:
https://www.justgiving.com/dartmoorsearchandrescue
Or scan the QR code to donate.
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