Search And Rescue Worker

Typical Salary

To

Typical Hours

Variable variable

days / nights / weekends on call

How To Become a Search And Rescue Worker

You can get into this work through:

a college course
an apprenticeship
volunteering
applying directly

College / University

You can do a college course in outdoor education, rock climbing or first aid to learn some of the skills you'll need to join a rescue team.

Apprenticeship

You could do a level 4 Specialist rescue operative apprenticeship. This would give you some of the skills needed to work in rescue operations at height or underground, in workplaces like mines, water and power stations.

4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

Routes into this Career

Routes into this Career are not listed for this job.

You may be able to apply directly to specialist rescue worker roles if you've got a lot of experience of search and rescue work, for example from serving in the armed forces, the emergency services or as a voluntary search and rescue worker.

Industries which employ specialist rescue workers include construction, mining, petrochemical, water and energy

Other Routes

Other Routes are not listed for this job.

Skills And Knowledge

You'll need:

a desire to help people
knowledge of public safety and security
sensitivity and understanding
the ability to work well with others
the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
physical fitness and endurance
to be thorough and pay attention to detail
to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Day To Day Tasks

In your day-to-day duties you may:

conduct risk assessments
identify and report hazards
respond to emergency call-outs
give first aid to injured people
work closely with other rescue teams, emergency services and air ambulance
check and maintain equipment
operate monitoring and rescue equipment
train others in specialist rescue techniques and hazard prevention
attend regular training sessions to keep your skills up to date

Depending on your specialism, you may;

work in confined spaces like underground mines
at height like on wind turbines, cranes or platforms
underground or underwater like in sewers

Working Environment

You could work in remote rural areas.

Your working environment may be outdoors in all weathers and physically and emotionally demanding.

You may need to wear protective clothing.

Career Path & Progression

You could specialise in particular industries such as construction and take further specialist training, like crane rescue.

With experience, you could become a rescue team leader, operations co-ordinator or training officer

Volunteering Opportunities

You can gain relevant experience via voluntary search and rescue teams such as Mountain Rescue England and Wales or British Cave Rescue Council. Mountain Rescue England and Wales hold recruitment days during the year, which involve going out with team members who assess your suitability for training.

You'll be expected to have experience in hill walking, reading maps and using a compass. You'll also need knowledge of the rescue team's operational area. Other skills like climbing and first aid will be useful, though not essential.

If you're selected, you'll be given training over a 12-month probationary period. It will include:

search and rescue skills
first aid
casualty and stretcher handling
survival techniques
navigation, GPS and radio communications
working with helicopter teams

After 12 months, your colleagues will decide whether you're ready to join them as a full team member.

Tips & Information

Career tips

For the voluntary search and rescue work you'll be expected to commit a certain amount of your time each month to training and call-outs.

You'll also have to supply most of your own equipment, which must meet the rescue team's safety standards.

Further information

You can find out more about becoming a voluntary search and rescue worker from Mountain Rescue and the British Cave Rescue Council.

Restrictions & Requirements

You'll need to:

be over 18 years of age
have a good level of fitness
have a full driving licence
be able to swim