WSAR executes non-urban rescue. This means that our teams will find themselves off the beaten track while performing a wide spectrum of rescue related services in the wilderness environment. This includes the support to aviation, maritime and NSRI rescue missions that may involve shoreline or sea cliff search and rescue responses.

These dangerous, stressful and demanding work environments are areas to which our dedicated, trained and experienced  members are required to respond to at the drop of a hat when a call for assistance is received. They may not have the time to enjoy a meal or a snack. Wilderness Search And Rescue responses can often run into extended times, and some may even become multi day operations, in remote areas which are sometimes inaccessible to vehicles and helicopters, due to local conditions.

This is where our Care And Support (CAS) program plays a major role. CAS provides the necessary sustenance to maintain and replenish our members on and after the mission. CAS is advanced into the field of operation by our secondary, relief and back up teams, whose primary duties are to deliver equipment, medical and hardware supplies such as ropes and stretchers, which are vital for the patients, the rescuers and the success of the deployment and subsequent casualty evacuation. These teams may only reach the scene or the area well after the initial mission has commenced, like the next morning or much later.

Ideal Care And Support items are:

  • Energy bars
  • Sachets of tuna
  • Sweets and chocolate
  • Dried fruit and nuts
  • Biltong and dried sausage
  • Provita or similar biscuits
  • Energy supplements such as Rehydrate, Smart ORS, Glucogel
  • Water and energy drinks
  • Cup a Soup
  • Sandwiches
  • Fruit
  • Canned food
  • Ice
  • Coffee and tea
  • Long life milk
  • Powdered mix a drink
  • Cans or bottles of cold drink

Some of these items will be sent into the field, while others will be prepared at a staging area or Incident Command Post for the management team, and for sharing with our field team members as they return from the operation.

Requirements and standards for Care And Support items:

  • They have to meet Halaal and Kosher requirements
  • Non perishable for release into the field
  • Perishable supplies are welcome for distribution at staging areas
  • The items must be safe for consumption i.e. best before, sell by and expiry dates have to be observed
  • The items must be sealed and in the original packaging

Our appeal:

We appreciate any support to our CAS program and we would like the public; hiking, mountain bike,  camping and outdoor clubs; charities; NGOs and the corporate sector to please consider contacting us with regards to this survival initiative.

  • All donations are received by the WSAR Trust
  • The trust is a registered NPO which is routinely audited
  • We maintain strict SOPs and governance
  • Feedback will be forwarded to all donors and benefactors

WSAR members are on stand by 24/7/365 in all weather conditions. These CAS items may be the only refreshments that they will receive while executing their mandate, which is to provide the appropriate medical care to the patients, and to execute the safe evacuation of the patients and the rescuers. Equally important, WSAR members provide hope for the family, friends and loved ones of the patients who a suffering as a result of an accident or a disaster situation.

Please CONTACT US if you would like to make a donation.