Rescue Organisations

Cave Rescue
Cave Rescue in the UK falls under the responsibility of the Police who call upon the services of a number of volunteer Cave Rescue Organisations around the country. These consist of teams of local cavers who have training and specialist equipment.

Calling out Cave Rescue
To call out Cave Rescue, dial 999 and ask for "Police" and then "Cave Rescue". If using a mobile phone, ensure that you are put through to the correct Police Force for the region you are in.

Be prepared to give information to the police including:
 * Name and location of cave
 * Numbers in the party
 * Any injuries in the group
 * Any other important factors such as 'is the cave flooding' or 'has there been a collapse'

The police will pass your details to the local Cave Rescue controller who will probably contact you back to get more details. Because of this callback, please stay by the phone, or stay within a mobile reception area.

Local Cave Rescue teams
All UK Cave Rescue is provided free of charge by volunteer Cave Rescue teams. All are charities and rely on donations to fund all aspects of their operations.

The British Cave Rescue Council is the representative body, co-ordinating information between teams and representing teams at national and international levels.


 * Cave Rescue Organisation - covering the Western Yorkshire Dales, Lancashire and Cumbria, including Malham and the Three Peaks, Kingsdale, Leck, Casterton and Dentdale.


 * Cumbria Ore Mines Rescue Unit - covering the abandoned ore mines of Cumbria


 * Derbyshire Cave Rescue Organisation - covering the Peak District and surrounding areas


 * Devon Cave Rescue Organisation


 * Gloucestershire Cave Rescue Group - covering mainly the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley


 * Gwent Cave Rescue Team - covered South East Wales. Team dissolved in August 2009 and area responsibility taken over by South & Mid Wales Cave Rescue Team.


 * Mendip Cave Rescue - covering the Mendip Hills and surrounding areas in South West England


 * Midlands Cave Rescue Organisation


 * North Wales Cave Rescue Organisation - covering the caves and mines of North Wales


 * Scottish Cave Rescue Organisation - covering the whole of Scotland


 * South East Cave Rescue Organisation


 * Swaledale Mountain Rescue Team - covering the Northern Yorkshire Dales of Swaledale and Wensleydale


 * South & Mid Wales Cave Rescue Team - covering South and Mid Wales


 * Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association - covering the Eastern Yorkshire Dales including Wharfedale and Nidderdale