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Mountain rescue refers to search and rescue activities that occur in a mountainous environment, although the term is sometimes also used to apply to search and rescue in other wilderness environments. The difficult and remote nature of the terrain in which mountain rescue often occurs has resulted in the development of a number of specific pieces of equipment and techniques. Helicopters are often used to quickly extract casualties, and search dogs may be used to locate them.
Mountain rescue services may be professional or volunteer. Professional services are more likely to exist in places with a high demand such as the Alps and many ski resorts. In the United States, for instance, professional and volunteer ski patrols at established ski resorts, and National Park service units undertake mountain rescue as part of their activities. However, the labour-intensive and occasional nature of mountain rescue, along with the specific techniques and local knowledge required for some environments, means that mountain rescue is often undertaken by voluntary teams. These are frequently made up of local climbers and guides. Often professional services may work in co-operation with voluntary services. For instance, a professional helicopter rescue team may work with a volunteer mountain rescue team on the ground. Mountain rescue is often free, although in some parts of the world professional organisations may charge for their services. But there are also exceptions, e.g. Switzerland, where mountain rescue is highly expensive (some 2000 to 4000 USD) and will be charged to the patient. In more remote or less-developed parts of the world organised mountain rescue services are often negligible or non-existent.
In the five national parks of the Canadian Rockies, mountain rescue is primarily the responsibility of Parks Canada wardens. Voluntary self-registration is available at information centres and warden offices whereby if a climbing party does not contact Parks Canada by a pre-determined day and time, Parks Canada will initiate a search. However, parties should be self-reliant and not expect a search to begin until the next day (Parks Canada will usually initiate a search the same day if weather and daylight permits). Search and rescue costs are currently paid for by park entrance fees.
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Search and Rescue :: Emergency Services
Aberglaslyn Mountain Rescue Team - Provides search and rescue cover in the North West of Wales; offers a team profile, incident listing, and background on fundraising.
Meta Description: [ Aberglaslyn Mountain Rescue Team - Tim Achub Mynydd Aberglaslyn covers a large area of North West Wales and the Snowdonia National Park ]
Brecon Mountain Rescue Team - Assists the police in search and technical rescue for climbers, walkers and the general public in south and mid Wales. Information about training, call-out log, fundraising and contact details.
Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team - Voluntary search and rescue services in the Brecon Beacons National Park, Mid- and South Wales. Includes history, training and call out information.
Meta Description: [ The Central Beacons Mountain
Rescue Team operates in the Brecon Beacons National Park, and Surrounding areas of mid
Wales and South Wales. ]
Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team - One of the busiest search and rescue teams in the country, covering Snowdon and the Llanberis Pass; includes an incident log, FAQ, publications list, and information about their partners and sponsors.
Meta Description: [ Llanberis Mountain Rescue, safety advise, information, photography ]
Longtown Mountain Rescue Team - Provides search and rescue cover for the eastern part of the Brecon Beacons National Park (the Black Mountains). Includes their history, callout log, with information about their facilities, training, recruitment and fundraising.
North East Wales Search and Rescue - Information about their membership, recruitment, training, call-outs, and fundraising.
Meta Description: [ The Home Page of The North Wales Seach and Rescue Team, NEWSAR ]
North Wales Mountain Rescue Association - Coordinates the existing teams in the area; includes links to Search and Rescue teams in North Wales.
Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue - Voluntary search and rescue organisation in Northern Snowdonia. Informaztion about team membership, call-outs, training, resources and contact details.
South Snowdonia Search and Rescue - Assists in mountain and civilian searches; information about their activities, membership, bases, and contact details.
Western Beacons Mountain Search and Rescue Team - Voluntary organisation offering its services in the western Beacons and areas covered by South Wales and Dyfed Powys Police. Includes a history, with information about training, call-outs and fundraising.
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