A number of SEBEV SAR members took part in a multi-agency exercise on Dartmoor hosted by the Dartmoor Rescue Group (DRG). The scenario revolved around a Major Incident being declared during a Ten Tors Event and code named Exercise Saxongate.

The main exercise took place on Saturday and involved elements of the Armed Services, Devon & Cornwall Police, Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service’s Urban Search & Rescue team and was based at Oakhampton Camp. Volunteers from the DRG, HM Coastguard, Lowland Search Dogs, Wessex 4x4, Staffordshire SAR, Hampshire SAR (HantSAR) Wiltshire SAR (WilSAR), ISIS and SEBEV formed the majority of the 40 odd search teams, together with 120 MISPERS from various CCF groups.

Large areas of the Moor were searched in rapidly deteriorating weather. SEBEV members located and assisted in the rescue of at least seven “victims”, most of whom had to be carried by stretcher over boggy ground to waiting ambulances after being treated for life threatening injuries.

On Sunday there were a number of workshops which included first aid, Land Rover rescue, rope work, SARDA dogs, navigation, radio comms. and water rescue. A formal exercise debrief is being assembled.

Apart from the exercise there was plenty of opportunity to liaise with colleagues and a full social programme. The facilities of the Camp were excellent.

Once again the benefits of multi agency team working were demonstrated and a number of learning points of direct relevance to SEBEV Search and Rescue were noted and will be fed back. SEBEV members attending were Chris Curry, Sam Dines, Cliff Mandville and Keith Ball.

The Ten Tors event takes place one weekend in May, every year, and is limited to 2,400 individuals - 400 teams of six teenagers.  The teams, depending on age and ability, undertake hikes of 35, 45 or 55 miles between ten nominated Tors over two days. Teams are self-sufficient, carrying everything they need to survive two days on the Moor.

The Dartmoor Rescue Group was started in 1968 and is affiliated to the Mountain Rescue Council. Currently the Group consists of four Search and Rescue Teams (SART) based in Ashburton, Okehampton, Tavistock and Plymouth.