West Cornwall Search & Rescue Team Finishes 6th at SAR Games in Norway

Cornish Volunteers Take on Kraken Attack and Minefield in Norway

A Cornish search and rescue team has come back from their first international competition with a top-10 finish, after spending 24 hours tackling everything from a simulated Kraken attack to delivering a baby in a car.

West Cornwall Search & Rescue Team finished 6th at the international SAR Games in Norway last weekend, going up against some of the most skilled search and rescue teams in the world.

A Demanding 24 Hours

The volunteer-led team worked through roughly 30 scenarios in just 24 hours, including complex search operations, first aid challenges and simulated emergency incidents. Strong winds in the early hours of Saturday morning made things even harder.

Team member Phil said the event was both challenging and rewarding.

“The event was particularly testing, with strong winds in the early hours of Saturday morning curtailing things slightly,” he said.

“We had to contend with 30 scenarios in roughly 24 hours, including a Kraken attack, a minefield, and even ‘delivering a baby’ in a car.”

Cornish Spirit on the World Stage

Team member Sal took on the role of umpire during the competition, assessing other teams on their search techniques and casualty care, while also supporting the team behind the scenes.

Team Chair Andy paid tribute to the volunteers who travelled to Norway.

“For a team making its first international appearance, finishing 6th is a fantastic achievement,” Andy said. “We are incredibly proud of our volunteers, who represented West Cornwall and the wider search and rescue community with skill, dedication and true Cornish spirit.”

The team also thanked supporters back home, saying their encouragement played a vital role throughout the event.

Award-Winning Volunteers

West Cornwall Search & Rescue Team is a volunteer organisation that assists emergency services with search and rescue operations across the region. Last year the team received the King’s Award for Voluntary Service, and it is a member of both Mountain Rescue England and Wales and the British Cave Rescue Council.

The team hopes to build on this 6th place finish and return to future international competitions.

To support the team, you can make a donation via their website.