History One
of the key events that lead to the formation of the MCSA is an incident
in September 1889 in which a party of ladies and gentlemen was caught
by the infamous ‘table cloth’ on Table Mountain and the party was forced
to spend a cold night on the mountain. This incident set the ball
rolling and in 1891 the MCSA was formed which from the onset, has had as
one of its objectives the organising of search and rescue parties to
provide assistance to fellow mountaineers and general members of the
public. MCSA Search and Rescue has been involved in some 3000 rescues
since its inception and today responds on a weekly basis to various
incidents (the Western Cape being the most active region). To this day
Table Mountain and surrounds remains the area that is responsible for
the most mountain rescue operations in South Africa. Organisation Currently MCSA search and rescue comprises of 6 permanent Search and Rescue teams in various parts of the country (refer to diagram). The MCSA Search and Rescue teams are run on a volunteer basis. The teams work with organisations such as the South African Air Force (the first joint SAAF-MCSA helicopter operation was conducted in 1957), WSAR (Wilderness Search and Rescue: Western Cape – link to http://www.wsar.co.za/ ), Off Road Rescue Unit (link to http://www.offroadrescue.co.za/ ), SA Police, SASAR (South African Search and Rescue Organisation) (link to http://www.sasar.gov.za/) and the ARCC (Aeronautical Rescue Co-ordination Centre) and others. Team members include mountaineers, medical professional (e.g. paramedics and doctors), guides, rope access and high-angle professionals in addition to volunteers occupying a wide range of (day-job) professions. The MCSA Search and Rescue equipment includes several kilometres of rope, response trailers, mountaineering equipment, radios, laptop computers as well as specialised rescue equipment suitable for helicopter and land based operations in wilderness environments. Competencies and Services MCSA Search and Rescue’s primary competency lies in dealing with emergencies in non-urban environments (i.e. typically remote, wilderness and or mountainous areas). MCSA Search and Rescue is able to offer assistance, on a volunteer basis, to persons involved in bona-fide emergencies based on resource availability. A wide range of competencies are maintained through a programme of regular training. Competencies include amongst others: survival and movement in difficult wilderness/mountainous areas, rope rescue, helicopter based rescue, wilderness medicine and -patient care, radio communication and search management. MCSA Search and Rescue’s own involvement in search and rescue is offered free of charge. MCSA Search and Rescue services relates to searches (e.g. overdue or missing parties, lost aircraft), rescues (e.g. injured or stranded climbers or hikers, aviation accidents) and the recovery of mortal remains in inaccessible areas. EMERGENCY NUMBERS FOR MCSA SEARCH AND RESCUE Note that the numbers are listed in order of priority. The numbers in bold are the primary emergency numbers. Correct as of Nov 2011. Western Cape Convenor : 082 338 3176 - Andy Wood Convenor: 082 499 9656 - David Nel For mountain security / crime related incidents in the Cape national park s call: 086 110 6417 http://mcsacapetown.co.za/activities/rescue
Hottentots Holland Convenor: 082 393 0407 – Gela Tölken
South Cape Plettenberg Bay/Knysna/George Tel: 10177 (Metro) Convenor: 082 339 1240 – Drew Scott Convenor: 082 323 4349 - Rogan Hindmarch http://mcsasc.wordpress.com/search-rescue-2/
Eastern Province Tel: 10177 (Metro) Tel: 072 324 4985 (Vodacom) Tel: 073 755 2250 (MTN) Convenor: 082 572 5671 - Jason Schoeman
KwaZulu-Natal Durban / Pietermaritzburg Convenor: 082 990 5876 - Gavin Raubenheimer http://kzn.mcsa.org.za/search-rescue
Gauteng Johannesburg / Pretoria Convenor: 083 274 1116 – Dean vd Merwe Note the Gauteng team also covers the Free State, North West, Limpopo and Mpumalanga
MCSA National Convenor Rob Thomas - 082 652 1490  |
