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
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
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
Our members from international search and rescue organisations across the globe are continuing to save lives in the world’s waters. However, the COVID-19 pandemic presents very serious challenges to search and rescue crews, as they care for those they rescue and protect their own well-being.
To address this, we have produced COVID-19 guidance – IMRF COVID -19 Operational Guidelines: Guidance for SAR Organisations and IDRA-ILS-IMRF COVID-19 Drowning Resuscitation Guidance.
We are now moving into the next phase of this project, by producing a pandemic training manual and a range of online resources to help with managing SAR operations safely during future pandemics and other health emergencies. Once these are ready, they will be freely available on our website.
There will also be a live streamed session on this topic at the IMRF’s next international SAR conference, which will be held in October 2021 in Gothenburg, Sweden.
Below are the latest news and important articles related to SAR and COVID-19 (the Coronavirus).
Latest News and Important Articles
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
The Main priorities for all SAR organisations are to minimise the risk of infection for all staff and volunteers and to continue to provide effective SAR and lifesaving services. These priorities should underpin all COVID-19 response planning. Read more
Las principales prioridades para todas las organizaciones SAR son minimizar el riesgo de infección para todo el personal y los voluntarios, y continuar proporcionando servicios eficaces de SAR y salvavidas. Estas prioridades deben apuntalar toda la planificación de respuesta de COVID-19. Read more
COVID-19 is affecting all aspects of society across the globe, including SAR organisations and others who have to deal with drowning victims. Currently, if a non-immunised person starts mouth-to-mouth ventilation on a drowned casualty, the chances of the rescuer becoming infected with COVID-19 are very high and the risk of that rescuer subsequently becoming severely ill - or even dying – are unknown. Read more
Dear Member, At this time of unprecedented disruption, I wanted to send you a personal note as we all face the effects of COVID-19. If we haven’t already been affected, it is inevitable that everyone will be touched by it to some extent, whether it is in our work, our organisation or our own family and friends. Read more