SDMRT is a California nonprofit corporation, a member of the nationwide Mountain Rescue Association, and a recognized leader in the field of Search and Rescue. We go anywhere we are called, including Northern California. Joint searches, which make up most of the Team's operations, are usually conducted with the San Diego Sheriff's Reserve Search and Rescue Bureau, other Mountain Rescue teams or other volunteer teams. The Team was founded in 1967 and has logged over 800 missions since then.

Team History

The San Diego Mountain Rescue Team (SDMRT) was organized in 1967 following a dramatic, near-fatal stranding and rescue of two mountain climbers on 10,154' Picacho Del Diablo, deep in Baja California, Mexico. Four members of the Rock Climbing Section of the Sierra Club’s San Diego chapter participated in that rescue. Upon returning to San Diego, they talked about the need to develop a search and rescue team in case others were in trouble in Baja and in San Diego County. The team was formed in March 1967, and adopted a profile of Picacho Del Diablo as its emblem.

Following consultations with two experienced California mountain rescue teams, SDMRT recruited new members, purchased equipment, and trained toward the level of proficiency required for admission into the national MOUNTAIN RESCUE ASSOCIATION (MRA). In 1968, the Team passed tests in technical evacuation (cliff rescue), search and tracking procedures, and snow and ice rescue to become the twelfth MRA-accredited mountain rescue team in California.

Operations

Our team is a close knit group of men and women dedicated to providing professional search and rescue services in any weather, at any time, and on any terrain. We operate under the direction and control of the agency responsible for search and rescue at the operation site, usually the local county Sheriff's department.

SDMRT averages about 30-35 missions each year, being distributed about evenly throughout the year. Most are searches, however the Team does participate in a number of rescues each year. As of 2007, the Team has participated in over 1000 operations since its foundation.

Constant, realistic, and thorough training is necessary to maintain the high proficiency in SAR skills required for our missions. Every Rescue Member and Trainee is expected to attend one classroom training and one weekend field training each month. Training’s cover the wide range of skills necessary to perform SAR operations: technical rescue evacuation, survival, navigation, search procedures, helicopter operations, rock climbing, winter operations, tracking, night searching, first aid, and others. Trainees must pass all skills tests required by the Team and the MRA before becoming a Rescue Members and proudly wearing the blue-and-white MRA patch on their uniform's right shoulder. In addition to regular monthly Team training’s, SDMRT participates with other MRA teams and the Sheriff's SAR Bureau in joint training’s.

SDMRT is financed entirely by dues and contributions. Members are all volunteers and personal equipment, training, and travel costs are paid out of the individual voulunteer's pocket. Since the team receives no public funds we depend on the support of the community for medical supplies, search and rescue equipment and other team expenses. As a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, donations to the San Diego Mountain Rescue Team are tax deductible. Please visit our Donation page if you're interested in contributing to the team.