About Dorset Search & Rescue (DorSAR)

At Dorset Search and Rescue, doing the right thing is at the heart of everything we do. Our volunteers commit to making sound, ethical decisions in high-pressure situations, always putting the safety and well-being of those we search for above all else. Whether it means reporting a concern about a team member's welfare, following proper protocols even under time pressure, or being honest about our capabilities and limitations, integrity guides every mission we undertake. Doing the right thing means being accountable to each other, to the people we serve and to the communities across Dorset who trust us to be there when it matters most.

Who are lowland rescue?

Saving lives is the fundamental purpose of Dorset Search and Rescue and the driving force behind everything we do. Our dedicated volunteers train tirelessly, developing the skills, knowledge, and physical fitness needed to locate and rescue missing or vulnerable people in some of the most challenging conditions imaginable. Whether searching remote countryside, coastal paths, or urban environments, every callout carries the potential to make the difference between life and death. By responding swiftly, working professionally, and never giving up on those who need us, our teams give people in crisis the best possible chance of coming home safely to their loved ones.

Who are SWERA?

SWERA is the South West England Rescue Association — the regional umbrella body that DorSAR belongs to. It was formed in 1978 in response to the growing number of rescue teams being set up in the region, and it represents voluntary search and rescue teams across the near South West of England: Bristol, Dorset, Gloucestershire, part of Somerset, and Wiltshire. It's a registered charity (No. 1031017). Described in its own words as the forum for voluntary mountain, moorland, water, cave and lowland rescue organisations in South West England, its role is coordination and mutual support rather than operational tasking — member teams remain independent and are called out by their own police forces or the Coastguard.