The Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre (ARCC) must be contacted to assist with any aviation-related accident. The ARCC will arrange and coordinate all search & rescue related activities across Southern Africa.
You do not need medical aid or insurance to access the ARCC. Please do not waste time trying to self-rescue.
Contact ARCC Search & Rescue
- Duty: +27635054164 (24hr)
- Standby: +27635055485
What to do
- State your emergency (Accident, Heart Attack, etc)
- State your location/address (General Area, then GPS)
- Report complications (Scene: Tree Landing, Steep Cliff, Entrapment. Fracture, Bleeding, Breathing, etc)
- Supply your NAME and CELLPHONE number
- Hang up LAST and report back to the accident scene
- Remain accessible via cellphone.
Additional tips
- NB! Never move the patient without a medical team!
- Unclip the wing from the carabiners, making sure to not bump or move the patient. This ensures that a gust does not inflate and drag the patient any further. If necessary, cut the lines.
- In hot weather, keep the patient hydrated with little sips of water and cooled down with a damp cloth. You can also use the wing to provide shade.
- Spread the canopy out to attract increase visibility to rescuers. However, a helicopter will create a lot of turbulence, you should bunch up and secure the canopy before the helicopter arrives so that the canopy does not become a hazard for the helicopter.
- Do not speak to the press. Refer journalists to the SAHPA National Safety Officer, who will arrange for a brief Press Release to be published.
After the Search & Rescue Operation is completed
- Participating in a Search & Rescue operation can be traumatic for everyone involved. There is free trauma counselling available from Mayday-SA.