User:Nic.holmes

VEMA High Angle Rescue
Country	South Africa
Branch	Volunteer Unit
Type	Mountain Rescue, Urban search and rescue, Rope rescue
Role	Support
Size	10 active members

VEMA High-angle rescue Unit (H.A.R) is a Non-profit / Public Benefit Organization that operates within the boundaries of Kwazulu Natal. VEMA HAR is made up of 10 highly motivated and dedicated members; including highly trained paramedics and experienced rock climbers. The unit is the only volunteer rescue unit of its kind in Kwazulu Natal that has its own high angle rescue trained paramedics. The unit is self funded by the members, and where possible the unit has sponsorships for equipment.

The unit trains on a regular basis in different terrains and conditions so we can be prepared for any emergency. We currently train with the South African Air Force (15th Squadron) doing helicopter evacuations during both daytime and night time and at times with the SAPS Search and Rescue Unit. The unit also works with National Sea Rescue Institute for maritime rescues. The unit responds to any call to either carry out or assist in rescues, whether technical or not. This even includes assisting the SPCA with animal rescue, where one of the members has specialised dog rescue harnesses and equipment specific to animal rescues and recoveries. Because the unit is a support service, they therefore assist any emergency service that requires high angle rescue. As a rescue unit, all members are on 24hr standby.

The unit have assisted the Fire Department and Durban Metro Police with rope access to vehicles that have gone down embankments, to retrieve bodies or injured occupants. They have assisted in the search and recovery of injured and decreased climbers and have, with the assistance of 15th Squadron, evacuated injured rangers and workers from KZN Ezemvelo Nature Areas. The unit has also been called upon to evacuate ill seafarers off ships at sea. And carried out numerous animal rescues in and around the Durban area, with the longest one taking just over 4 hours to get a cat out of a tree.

VEMA HAR as an organization has attained extremely high standards of service and excellence. All memebers strive to be an ethical and professional in the organization setting high goals to be proactive in this changing environment where emergency services are diminishing in standards and enthusiasm.

Not one of the members are paid for their services, they all have day time jobs ranging from medical proffessionals to engineers and conservationists.

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  Helicopter insertion
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  Flying a patient out in the Air Taxi configuration
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  Abseiling down a tower at night for a training exercise
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  The whole team with Airforce Pilots
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  A loaded rescue basket waiting for helicopter pick up.

[1] www.vemahar.co.za