This Webinar launched the next phase of the IMRF COVID-19 & Pandemic Response project, and also provided an opportunity for participants to share experiences and reflect on lessons learnt from their SAR operational experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more
Many IMRF members either work with aviation assets in maritime SAR operations, or are responsible for providing aviation SAR services. And yet there is no formal international benchmark to ensure quality, safety and consistency of aviation SAR standards. Read more
Vice Admiral Jacques de Solms retired from the Société Nationale de Sauvetage en Mer (SNSM) at the beginning of October 2020, after a long and distinguished career in both the French navy and with SNSM. Read more
The IMRF Future Technology Panel is inviting all members (especially new member organisations) to join the group. Launched four years ago with participants from nine IMRF member organisations, it has gone from strength to strength and we are keen to encourage more members to get involved. Read more
This year, because of the global pandemic, the Lifeboat Crew Exchange could not take place as usual. Instead, Lifeboat Crew Exchange 2020 was held virtually, in the shape of two webinars held on 22 and 24 September 2020. Read more
IMRF associate members, Kariaotahi Surf Life Saving Club have come first in the 2020 Surf Life Saving New Zealand National Awards of Excellence. Read more
By Surf Life Saving New Zealand IMRF Chairman Dean Lawrence has been awarded a Service Award from the national body, Surf Life Saving New Zealand for his long and continued involvement in Surf Life Saving. Read more
The global pandemic has made for challenging times for charities and fundraising organisations. With many events cancelled and faced with a global recession, many are having to make complex decisions about their fundraising activity, future income generation and the work they do. Read more
Last year’s winners of the IMRF’s People’s Choice Award have been given a further commendation recognising the exceptional skills and actions involved in the multiagency rescue they were nominated for. Read more
This month we have spoken to new IMRF member, James Bethell who’s worked in maritime rescue for over 20 years. We started by asking him about his company’s unusual name. ‘Yellow Scorpion’ derives from James’s Royal Air Force (RAF) past. Read more
If you are interested in drowning resuscitation, or have relevant expertise, we need your help! Read More ... Read more
El trabajo internacional de la RNLI a menudo se percibe como una expansión reciente, pero hemos estado trabajando para ayudar a salvar vidas en todo el mundo durante muchas décadas. Read more
The Royal Canadian Marine Search & Rescue (RCMSAR) has organised a day specifically for girls and women to get a taste of maritime SAR first-hand. #Operationthisisyou took place in February - before the Covid-19 global pandemic was declared and subsequent restrictions implemented - and was completely free to attend. Read more
Thank you to all our customers for your patience, while the IMRF Bookshop was temporarily closed as a result of the impact of COVID-19. Read more
While the award ceremony for the IMRF Awards 2020 have been postponed until 2021 because of COVID-19, it’s still a good time to submit a nomination while the details are fresh in your mind… Read more
All around the world SAR organisations are having to adapt to a changed way of life and often dramatic restrictions on movement as a result of the global COVID-19 pandemic. Read more
For IMRF member organisation Les Sauveteurs en Mer (SNSM) in France, the COVID-19 medical crisis has seen their volunteers deployed in many different ways. As an approved civil security organisation, Rescuers at Sea are trained in first aid and emergency rescue and, at the request of the French Government, they can be requisitioned to support the medical teams fighting against COVID-19. Read more
Resuscitation of the drowned person in the era of COVID-19 disease: A common ground for recommendations, identification of research needs and a global call to action Read more
Search and rescue workers often face stresses that are not present in many other fields of work. A job that requires a person to put themselves in harm’s way repeatedly carries a high risk to their physical and mental health. Research indicates that Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) amongst first responders is comparable to that of combat veterans. Read more
The IMRF has 113 members from 54 countries around the world. Our member organisations might be large or small, newly formed or long established. Some members are charities, others are private or public agencies, supporting organisations or industries. We’ve talked to new member the Japan Association of Marine Safety to find out more about their work and the organisation. Read more
The main priorities for all SAR organisations are firstly, to minimise the risk of infection for all staff and volunteers and secondly, to continue to provide effective SAR and lifesaving services. These priorities should underpin all aspects of the provision of SAR services during the COVID-19 or any similar epidemic/pandemic. Read more
This document is for SAR organisations currently facing operating challenges as a result of COVID-19. It is primarily based on guidelines issued by the World Health Organisation (WHO), existing national protocols provided by IMRF member organisations and consensus of an IMRF expert panel. Recommendations by ILCOR[1] and national resuscitation councils have also been included. Read more
Dean Lawrence was appointed IMRF Chairman, in June last year at the World Maritime Rescue Congress in Vancouver. Here we ask him to tell us a bit more about himself and the challenges facing the sector. Read more
IMRF Members work together for many purposes, not just at sea and on exercises. Last year, Chris Hartmann from the Deutsche Gesellschaft zur Rettung Schiffbrüchiger (DGzRS) or German Maritime Search and Rescue Association traveled to Estonia for three days to work with the Estonia Volunteer Rescue Organisation, sharing and discussing successful approaches to fundraising, based on DGzRS’s experience. Read more