SARZA - Cape

Train hard, rescue easy!

SARZA Cape members got out of bed early on a cold Saturday morning and set off to the mountains for seven hours of intensive training.

Some team members were completing their Level 3 Wilderness First Aid and first visited the Western Cape Metro EMS Rescue Base, where they were introduced to various stretcher and splinting systems. They also had the opportunity to inspect and familiarise themselves with ER24 and Metro EMS ambulances and the equipment used by paramedics.
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At SANParks’ Silvermine Nature Reserve, SARZA Cape members were split into two teams and tasked with finding two injured persons (simulated). Team 1 soon found and treated their patient and walked them out to safety. Team 2's patient was 60 metres down a steep slope and required treatment, packaging and hauling up the slope. The team built a twin tension rope and mechanical advantage system to fulfil this purpose. When Team 1 returned to the base, they were just in time to help Team 2 haul the patient up the mountain to safety.
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The entire training session was run under the Incident Command System (ICS), ensuring proper management and documentation was taking place throughout the day. Our dedicated team at the incident command post were put through their paces, managing two simultaneous incidents while keeping in constant radio contact with the teams in the field.
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This training day was a great opportunity for our experienced rescuers to both refresh their skills and share them with our newer members.

Thank you to Western Cape Department of Health & Wellness EMS, ER24 EMS (Pty) Ltd. and South African National Parks for making this training possible and to all the SARZA Cape members who gave up their Saturday to sharpen their skills!
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To support SARZA Cape and ensure our volunteers can continue serving our community, donate via SnapScan, BackaBuddy or direct deposit.
https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/sarza-cape-2024
Email us about sponsoring a specific item on our wish list: [email protected]

SARZA

On Wednesday, 10 July 2024, SARZA Cape was tasked by Western Cape Disaster Management (WCDM) to assist with delivering humanitarian aid to various Cederberg communities cut off by heavy flooding.
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SARZA - Cape worked closely with the Western Cape Government, WCDM, Western Cape Department of Health & Wellness EMS and Rescue, West Coast Disaster Management, Cederberg Local Municipality and Ward Councillor Andre Mouton to deliver humanitarian aid generously donated by Gift of the Givers to the people in the Wupperthal region. SARZA Cape operatives assisted with communication, logistics, and 4×4 skills and transport.
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We thank the lovely people of the Cederberg region and Gift of the Givers for the privilege of serving them.
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To support SARZA Cape, donate via BackaBuddy, SnapScan or direct EFT.
https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/sarza-cape-2024
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Thank you, Clarence Ford and CapeTalk, for hosting SARZA - Cape on your Everyday Heroes slot.

Listen to the segment:
https://www.primediaplus.com/everyday-hero-sarza-search-and-research/

Support the search, rescue and disaster response of our volunteers by donating via SnapScan or BackaBuddy, or sponsoring a specific item on our wish list:
https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/sarza-cape-2024
Email: [email protected]

SARZA

SARZA - Cape's chairperson was interviewed on The Gareth Cliff Show this morning. Have a look at 1:36–1:55. Thank you, The Real Network.

To find out more about our highly trained volunteer unit, visit: www.sarza.org.za
SARZA

Thank you to all our volunteers for your hard work and to our sponsors for your support:
Leatherman
Awesome Tools Distributors
PVM Nutritional Sciences

To support our search and rescue work:
*Donate via SnapScan
*Donate via BackaBuddy (www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/sarza-cape-2024)
*Sponsor an item on our equipment wish list (contact [email protected])
*Cover a training course
*Sponsor a rescuer's uniform and PPE
*Sponsor a rescuer's radio
*Cover our fuel costs for a rescue, a month or the year.



https://www.youtube.com/live/8wfhcQEZA3U?si=JxruqPiiZ4IhwW5z

#GCS LIVE | Fauci's Grilling | Mental health in Soweto | Search & Rescue Heroes Catch The Gareth Cliff Show LIVE every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 06:00 - 08:00 AM only on

It was an honour to work alongside SAPS SAR, SAPS K9 and all the other search and rescue teams on the ground in George.



SARZA - Cape
SARZA
SARZA - Free State
SARZA - Lowveld/Nelspruit

SARZA was deployed by Western Cape Disaster Risk Management (WC DRM) to assist emergency services in George after a building collapsed on 6 May 2024, trapping 62 construction workers in the rubble.

Our first team from Cape Town arrived on the scene about eight hours after the collapse. They worked through the night and most of the next two days, assisting with logistics, communication and rubble removal, and utilising specialised equipment to help to rescue victims. Two SARZA members with USAR experience contributed significantly during the early phases of the rescue operation.

Reinforcements from SARZA Cape, Gauteng, Mpumalanga and Free State joined Team 1 and a shift rotation system was implemented so that the teams could get some much-needed rest. All SARZA members had returned home by 12 May 2024, but the unit remained on standby in case WC DRM required further assistance.

SARZA Cape would like to thank National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) Wilderness Station 23 for providing accommodation for our team, and the generous people of George who kept us fed and hydrated.

Then, to our wonderful colleagues at SAPS, Fire & Rescue Services, Metro EMS, Disaster Risk Management and K9 SARA, as well as all the volunteers who worked alongside us in the rubble, we salute you. Your dedication, professionalism and altruism were shining lights in the darkness of this disaster scene and gave each victim the best possible chance of a positive outcome.

Last, but not least, thank you to our generous sponsors: PVM Nutritional Sciences and Leatherman. We used your products daily.

SARZA is a highly trained volunteer unit and relies on sponsorship and donations to fund our rescue efforts. Please support our work and reduce the burden on our volunteer members by donating via:
*SnapScan
*BackaBuddy: www.backabuddy.co.za/champion/project/sarza-cape-2024
*Direct deposit: FNB Account no. 629 1778 3103.



SARZA - Cape
SARZA
South African Police Service
George Municipality
LoveGeorge
Western Cape Government
K9 Search and Rescue Association of South Africa
PVM Nutritional Sciences
Awesome Tools Distributors
Leatherman

Awesome donation – awesome things happen when one partners with the right people.

Thank you so much to Awesome Tools Distributors for their generous donation of Leatherman multitools!

We are privileged to have received this donation and are excited to put these versatile tools to good use. Our rescuers are, by nature, gadget-driven creatures and a Leatherman tool is without a doubt a 'must-have' for outdoors people.

The Leatherman Bond will be put to work out in the field as our regular rescuers will each receive one of these incredible die-hard tools.

SARZA rescuers are responsible for equipping themselves with uniform and gear and then give of their time freely to perform rescues. These tools will most certainly lighten the financial burden felt by many in our team, who approach each mission with passion and dedication.

Awesome Tools and SARZA – an awesome partnership!

Take a look at what they have to offer at https://www.instagram.com/leatherman.sa/ and https://www.facebook.com/Leatherman.ZA

SARZA - Cape
SARZA
Awesome Tools Distributors
Leatherman

On Monday, 8 April 2024, SARZA Cape was deployed by SAPS Water Policing and Diving Services subsection Search and Rescue (SAPS WPDS SAR) to the Wemmershoek area to assist in the recovery of an agricultural worker who had fallen and sadly succumbed to their injuries.

Working alongside teams from SAPS WPDS SAR, the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness EMS and other rescue units, SARZA provided the vital communication link between teams in the field and the command post and assisted with technical aspects of extracting the deceased, documentation and incident command.

In extremely challenging weather conditions, the deceased worker was placed into a stretcher and moved down a steep cliff face before being carried back to the incident command post, where they were handed over to SAPS and Forensic Pathology Services.

We extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased at this difficult time.

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SARZA
Western Cape Department of Health & Wellness
Mountain Club of South Africa
Delta Search & Rescue

This past weekend, SARZA Cape assisted at the 2024 Warrior Race #2 at Devonbosch, Stellenbosch. Alongside Immediate Medical and the Warrior marshals and lifeguards, our members kept an eye on the participants as they tackled everything from lifting cinder blocks to running up near-impossible slopes and clambering through muddy trenches.

Well done to every Warrior, whether Elite or a first-timer! The camaraderie of the team entrants was especially wonderful to see. Next year, we’ll join you in the thick of things by entering a SARZA team.
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SARZA - Cape
SARZA
The Warrior Race
Virgin Active SA
Devonbosch Stellenbosch
Immediate Medical

Thank you, PVM Nutritional Sciences, for your generous donation of 30 boxes of PVM Energy Bars! We use these bars to assist patients who are energy depleted. Energy makes all the difference when combatting hypothermia and fatigue during a rescue, so rest assured that your donation will save lives.
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SARZA - Cape

21 lives saved in 45 minutes!
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This past Saturday, 16 March 2024, our SARZA team rescued lives in a very different way. Seven SARZA Cape members joined efforts at the Western Cape Blood Service Donation Centre at the Cape Gate Shopping Centre to boost the supply of this life-giving medical resource ahead of the upcoming school holidays. Holiday periods put extra strain on our blood stocks because more people travel and the frequency of traffic incidents increases.

The staff at the Cape Gate Donation Centre were friendly, welcoming and efficient. Within an hour, all seven of the SARZA team had donated blood and were on their way home to recoup their strength for a day or two before being rescue-ready again. Among those donating were two first-time donors and two new SARZA Cape recruits.

Did you know that every blood donation has the potential to save up to three lives? Visit the Western Cape Blood Service’s website to find out more.

Support SARZA Cape by donating via SnapScan or BackaBuddy.
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Well done to all the cyclists who took part in the 2024 Cape Town Cycle Tour yesterday! Did you know that SARZA Cape was part of the team that had your back?

SARZA Cape rose early – some at 03:00 – to make sure the 15 refreshment stations were race-ready for the 30 000 cyclists they needed to support. Members were stationed at the race command centre, the start and each refreshment station on the 109 km and 42 km routes.

In addition to being the vital communication link between race command, medical services and teams along the route, SARZA Cape was responsible for reporting temperature, weather conditions and refreshment fluid levels. The team also managed the ‘sweep’ operation, making sure that no cyclist was left behind.

We are super proud of our members and of SARZA Cape’s major contribution to the smooth running of this massive event – the largest individually timed cycle race in the world.

Thank you to the organisers of the Cape Town Cycle Tour for entrusting us with this event and to LNX Solutions, who provided our members with excellent radio equipment for race day.

SARZA members volunteer at events like these to raise funds for the unit’s equipment, training and rescue costs. While the unit receives a donation for its work at these events, members volunteer their time.

Donate via SnapScan or BackaBuddy to support the unit – help us help you.

SARZA - Cape
SARZA
Cape Town Cycle Tour
LNX Solutions
City of Cape Town
Mediclinic Southern Africa
ER24 EMS (Pty) Ltd.

SARZA Cape is here to serve, without judgement or prejudice, and we will continue to support our emergency services and serve our community in any way we can.

That said, the recent Lion’s Head incident brings a quote by Timothy Keller to mind:

'Love without truth is sentimentality; it supports and affirms us but keeps us in denial about our flaws. Truth without love is harshness; it gives us information but in such a way that we cannot really hear it.'

The two go hand in hand.

Care and service were demonstrated by our SARZA volunteers during a Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR) incident on Saturday night. But the truth is that this incident was 100% preventable; it could have been avoided had there been better decision-making.

Along with saving the emergency number, 021 937 0300, we encourage our fellow wilderness users to consider what it truly means to be ‘wilderness safe'. Before heading out into our mountains, ask yourself:

1) Have I planned to have fun, but in a safe manner?
2) Am I wearing the right clothing for my adventure?
3) Am I prepared for a change in weather?
4) Do I have enough water?
5) What will I do should an emergency arise?
6) Am I following the rules of the area I am about to enter?

Read the full WSAR report here:

https://www.facebook.com/WSARWesternCape/posts/792300249610359

📷 SARZA Cape member

SARZA - Cape
SARZA
Wilderness Search And Rescue WSAR Western Cape
Western Cape Department of Health & Wellness
South African National Parks
City of Cape Town

SARZA was recently recognised as an official volunteer rescue organisation by Western Cape Disaster Management and Fire & Rescue Services. We are delighted that this huge honour and privilege has been bestowed upon us.
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Chief Director of Western Cape Disaster Management and Fire & Rescue Services, Colin Deiner, said, 'We are proud to be associated with such a professional organisation, who [has] always stood ready to assist in any circumstances.'
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Mike Muller, Chairman of SARZA Cape, said, ‘It has taken ... hard work and dedication ... to gain the trust and confidence of the professional services we work alongside. We are extremely proud of our team and look forward to many more years of cooperation between local and national government and SARZA.’
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To support SARZA Cape's efforts in 2024:
*Donate via SnapScan or BackaBuddy
*Contact the committee about 'adopting' a newbie
*Sponsor an item on our wish list
*Pledge to cover our running costs or consumables for an event, a month or a year.
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SARZA - Cape deployed on 13 January 2024 as part of a Wilderness Search And Rescue WSAR Western Cape team to Krom River in the Du Toitskloof mountains, where we assisted the Western Cape Department of Health & Wellness EMS to recover a deceased hiker in very difficult terrain.

The team of CapeNature, SAPS, Metros EMS and SARZA Cape personnel climbed to the patient's position and prepared them for extraction, before carrying and lowering them to where the Western Cape Department of Health & Wellness/ Air Mercy Service (AMS) rescue helicopter was able to hoist the patient out of the very narrow gorge. The patient was flown to a nearby landing zone and handed over to the SAPS members on scene.

SARZA Cape would like to thank all involved: the Cape Nature team who not only assisted with the recovery, but also set up a radio relay system to ensure communication; Metro EMS Cape Winelands; SAPS and SANRAL for their invaluable assistance.

Our thoughts go out to the family of the deceased at this difficult time.

Photographs: A Coetzee