A $15,000 funding boost from the Otago Community Trust will help Wānaka Search and Rescue (SAR) continue to deliver its services.

The entirely volunteer-run Wānaka SAR supports NZ Police and the NZ Rescue Coordination Centre with specialist search and rescue services and is one of the busiest SARs in the country, averaging 55-65 operations in a busy year.

Wānaka SAR chair Bill Day told the Wānaka App the funding would go a long way, supporting everything from base building upgrades to rescue gear and training.

He said it will allow the local SAR to purchase tools like slings, prussics, rope bags and hammers and drills for the alpine cliff rescue team; dive torches, dry suits, avalanche probes and canyoning rope for the swift water rescue team; and tramping boots and high visibility vests for the sub-alpine teams.

It will also help fund pre-hospital emergency training for SAR members across all disciplines.

“This is very advanced first aid training that needs to be renewed on a regular basis,” Bill said.  

“We also structure it so that it is relevant to our more challenging conditions, such as delivering care on a 45 degree slope.”

The OCT funding will also help fund some upgrades for the Wānaka SAR base, including a driveway upgrade and a new storage shed.

“The remainder is allocated for helicopter training,” Bill said.  

He said this training teaches the SAR team to get safely in and out of helicopters with injured people in difficult situations and conditions like “when the helicopter has just one skid on the ground or is hovering about a metre above the ground”. 

“We also get the rescue dogs - and in particular the new pups - trained and comfortable with getting in and out of an operating helicopter.”

Learn more about Wānaka SAR or make a contribution here.

PHOTO: Supplied