Search And Rescue (SAR) careers (UK)?

Question

What non-military careers are avaliable in SAR throughout the UK? There is voluntary work (eg, RNLI) or military institutions (eg, RAF helicopters). Are there no civilian equivalents?

I always thought the SAR helicopters were their own organisation, not affiliated to the Navy/ RAF...have I been proved wrong?

Thanks!

Answer 1

SAR is conducted by all branches of the armed services and HM Coastguard. Civilian rescue is normally carried out by the RAF and at sea by HMCG as well. The RNLI is entirely voluntary and attends to inshore, onshore and offshore incidents.

Depending on the circumstances the Army and Navy are sometimes involved in SAR missions especially if it involves military personnel, downed aircraft or large numbers of people.

There are very few careers within civilian SAR as the actual team members are volunteers. There are a limited number of administrative posts but these aren't exactly career options.

There are different types of SAR work such as mountain, cave and fell rescue or Search and Rescue Dogs.

These links have more info...

UK Search and Rescue: http://www.uk-sar.org.uk/
MRC England and Wales: http://www.mountain.rescue.org.uk/
MRC Scotland: http://www.mrc-scotland.org.uk/
SARDA: http://www.nsarda.org.uk/
Cave Rescue: http://www.cro.org.uk/
Cave Rescue: http://www.caverescue.org.uk/

Answer 2

The Navy, and Coast guard. Coast Guard Especially. air force has Parajumpers, and they are the best at SAR. they are special operations and usually answer yo emergency calls, like a pilot going down, or a high combat rescue, etc. but its training is as hard as navy Seal training. but Primarily, I would say Coast Guard and Air Force. navy does a little bit here and there.,

Answer 3

Yep you are wrong, some of SAR roles are under taken by pilots who have retired from service. Air Ambulence is a voluntary role, again flown by ex-military pilots