Devon Cave Rescue Organisation

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Devon Cave Rescue Organisation

Devon Cave Rescue Organisation is more commonly know as DevCRO and was formed in 1965 when a number of local cavers looked at Cave Rescue in Devon

30/07/2026

We absolutely loved collaborating with after our recent rescue at Hound Tor hit the news, thanks to a cheeky bottle of Fairy Liquid.

Thanks to Bang Boom Creative for the video, and to for working with us, as always 🙌❤️

20/07/2026

We've been making headlines recently, and our latest rescue drew the attention of one of the UK's biggest brands! 🎉

A huge thank you to Joy Of Clean (Fairy) for the shoutout, the brilliantly personalised 'Fairy Rescue Team' bottles, and for their generous donation to our teams. Because on this job, washing-up liquid genuinely made the difference between a stuck child and a safe one.

Our sister team Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team - Ashburton were first on scene at Hound Tor after a young girl slipped while moving through a narrow tunnel system between the rocks, trapping her thigh under one of the main blocks, and that's when they called us in.

Working together in hot, difficult conditions, our Team Leader Olly had the brilliant idea to grab a bottle of washing-up liquid to ease the way, and it turned out to be exactly what was needed. With the combined efforts of Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service (Bovey Tracey Fire Station), HART, BASICS Devon, South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, and Devon Air Ambulance, we were finally able to extricate her. She'd been trapped for around four hours but stayed in great spirits throughout, and was well enough to walk away after assessment. That's the kind of resilience that makes this job worth it.

Massive credit to everyone involved that day, a fantastic piece of multiagency work and a real testament to the skills and professionalism of every volunteer and statutory agency on scene. Special thanks to Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team - Ashburton for the teamwork, and to Bang Boom Creative for capturing these shots! 📸

We're incredibly grateful for support like this that helps us keep doing what we do. 🙏

Want to help fund our Team? Donate here: https://dcro.org.uk/donate

24/06/2026

Yesterday afternoon, Devon Cave Rescue Organisation was requested by the police to provide additional assistance at an incident involving a young person trapped in a rock cleft at Hound Tor.

On arrival, crews found that the casualty's thigh had become firmly wedged between rocks beneath the Tor after she slipped while making her way through a narrow tunnel system. Working alongside colleagues from DSFRS, South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, HART, Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team - Ashburton, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, BASICS Devon, and Devon Air Ambulance, a careful assessment and rescue plan was developed.

The rescue proved to be a meticulous and challenging operation, with teams working for over three hours in hot conditions. Thanks to the combined efforts of all agencies involved, the casualty was successfully freed and was able to walk off the hill after being assessed by ambulance crews on scene.

A special thank you to all the responding agencies whose teamwork ensured a positive outcome.

And finally, while rescue equipment, technical skills and teamwork all played their part, the real hero of the day may well have been a bottle of Fairy Liquid, which proved invaluable in helping bring the incident to a successful conclusion.

A fantastic example of multi-agency cooperation and a happy ending for a young adventurer.

19/05/2026

Over the last few weekends, medics from Devon Cave Rescue have been working alongside our colleagues from Dartmoor Rescue to complete two Pre‑Hospital Trauma Life Support courses, delivered by Kings Paramedical Services.

Ongoing professional development ensures we stay competent, and up‑to‑date with the skills needed to provide the highest standard of care in challenging underground environments.

Devon Cave Rescue Organisation is Devon’s underground search and rescue team. We’re a volunteer-led service, on call 24/7, 365 days a year. To learn more, or donate to our cause, visit dcro.org.uk.
In an emergency, dial 999 and ask the Police for "Devon Cave Rescue Organisation".

04/05/2026

Here are some photos from a recent team social trip to explore GB Cave in the Mendips. The team trains in various underground environments, which enables them to respond, adapt, improvise, and overcome when it matters.

Devon Cave Rescue Organisation is Devon’s underground search and rescue team. We’re a volunteer-led service, on call 24/7, 365 days a year. To learn more, or donate to our cause, visit dcro.org.uk.
In an emergency, dial 999 and ask the Police for "Devon Cave Rescue Organisation".

01/05/2026

Devon Cave Rescue were called out to assist a multiple agency response following the discovery of an unexploded World War II bomb in Plymouth.

The device, uncovered at a building site, prompted a major multi-agency response involving emergency services, military bomb disposal, and rescue units. Hundreds of residents were evacuated as a safety cordon was established around the area and the team was called in to assist with the evaluation alongside colleagues from other organisations.

The incident demonstrates the strength of joint working between multiple agencies. A huge credit to everyone involved in bringing the situation to a safe resolution!

Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team - Plymouth
Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team - Ashburton Devon & Cornwall Police South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service Devon & Cornwall 4x4 Response Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team - Tavistock Rapid Relief Team UK

01/04/2026

It’s been a busy weekend for the team. Several members supported the Peninsula Mountain and Cave Rescue Remote Rescue Medical Technician training weekend, delivering interactive workshops on Saturday morning followed by a multi casualty scenario on Dartmoor that afternoon. Our team then assisted with running the assessment day on Sunday.
Meanwhile, other members of the team hosted a cave experience trip for the Tavistock Round Table , a charitable social organisation for men in their 20s, 30s and early 40s. They have kindly made a generous donation to the team as a thank you.
Devon Cave Rescue Organisation is Devon’s underground search and rescue team. We’re a volunteer-led service, on call 24/7, 365 days a year. To learn more, or donate to our cause, visit dcro.org.uk.
In an emergency, dial 999 and ask the Police for "Devon Cave Rescue Organisation".

Address

Buckfastleigh
TQ110DD

Website

http://www.dcro.org.uk/

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