Over the years the equipment used has changed considerably. In the first instance the team used ex-army equipment such as radios, rucksacks and heavy hemp ropes and rope ladders. As time went on lighter but more expensive materials were used. Many of the hardware items such as stretchers have also been developed to be lighter in weight, whilst being safer and more comfortable for the casualty. The equipment is checked, serviced and repacked after use on a regular basis by wardens. Much of it needs changing frequently to comply with present legislation and manufacturers recommendations and this can prove to be an expensive exercise.
Land Rovers
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| UWFRA runs two Land Rover Defenders, Fell 1 and Fell 2 |
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| Fell 1 - Prepacked ready to go |
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| Fell 2 - Going Off Road |
Fell 1
Fell 1 is a 110 TDi five seat Utility Station Wagon. Fell 1 can be converted into an off road ambulance and is fully kitted out with enough communication, rescue and medical equipment to handle most mountain and cave rescue incidents.
Fell 2
Fell 2 is a 110 Tdi eleven seat Station Wagon. It is used as a personnel carrier and / or off-road ambulance. Fell 2 carries enough equipment to handle a simple, non-technical, mountain rescue, and is able to safely transport a loaded stretcher across rough ground to the roadhead.
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Equipment TrailerThe equipment trailer contains support equipment for a variety of rescues where specialised equipment is needed.
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Incident Control VehicleAs UWFRA operates over such a large area there is often the need to take the controller closer to the incident, for example during large searches and prolonged cave rescues. |
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CanteenUWFRA's canteen is used on protracted rescues, normally on long searches and cave rescues (eight hours or more) where the team requires watering and feeding in order to sustain the rescue effort. |
Communications play a vital role in any rescue, whether it be above or below ground.
Surface
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Like other mountain rescue teams UWFRA uses high band VHF radios for surface and vehicle communication. These give reliable and good (just slightly better than line of sight) communications. The vehicles and the Hut are equipped with more powerful VHF sets and can be used as relay points when required to extend the range of the hand held devices. Callout of team members is achieved by MDS text messaging, the whole team is contactable in minutes. |
Underground
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For underground to surface communication UWFRA uses two types of phone, a Hey Phone and/or Mole Phone. These are very low frequency radio systems that have the ability to transmit directly through rock. The phones although different work along the same principles and require the underground and surface sets being placed vertically above and below each other. Once achieved, good voice communication can be made. Caver to caver communication underground is achieved by using a military spec pitch phone. The pitch phone is a waterproofed high band radio with a headset attached. They are particularly valuable when hauling casualties up long pitches. |
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| Picture from SARDA England website - dog in question, Cavos |
UWFRA regularly calls in and practices with members of the Search and Rescue Dog Association (SARDA).
SARDA dogs are highly trained at air scenting. They are invaluable in searching large areas of open countryside for casualties in bad weather and at night, saving many man hours!
For more information about SARDA see their website: www.sardaengland.org.uk
The team has two fully graded SARDA dogs, Gyp and Tara
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| Search dog Gyp (right) with handler and team member Kevin | Search dog Tara with handler and team member Andy |
