Very few use their Land Rover Discovery for what it was built to be capable of doing. The South Eastern Mountain Rescue Squad (SERMA) is one exception. They have modified a Discovery to aid them in their mountain rescues throughout the Galtee, Knockmealdown, Comeragh and Blackstairs mountains.
SERMA has attended 100 rescues over the last three years, in a variety of conditions hazardous to both themselves and vehicles. The team chose the Discovery to aid in their efforts because of its capability, comfort, and space.
The all-volunteer organization provides the only search and rescue service for those on the mountains of south east Ireland and covers one of the largest areas of any mountain rescue team in the UK and Ireland. They operate 24/7/365 attending to rescues in populated and remote locations.
“There is no other service available to go up the mountains, but we have the skills, the training and the vehicles to do it,” Terry Brophy, SERMA Team Leader. “The great thing about the Discovery is that we can fit a stretcher in the back with the medic seated alongside. Land Rovers are synonymous with mountain rescue in the UK and Ireland and there’s a reason for that – they are by far the best vehicles available.”
The modifications to the Discovery include the addition of emergency and first aid kit, powerful emergency lighting, a roof box, additional interior lighting and rear stowage nets.
The nuts and bolts of the Discovery remain the same. It still has nearly 85 cubic feet of loadspace, which is enough to accommodate a stretcher, and three rows of seating, which helps to get crew members to an incident site.
SEMRA isn’t the first rescue and responder organization Discovery has enabled throughout its long tenure. Land Rover has a rich history of aiding the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, even enlisting them to help with the development of the new iteration of the Land Rover Defender.
Check out the SEMRA team in action during a live training rescue:
Land Rover Discovery – Reaching New Heights with SEMRA
www.youtube.com
SERMA Land Rover Discovery
Photo courtesy of Land Rover
SERMA Land Rover Discovery
Photo courtesy of Land Rover
SERMA Land Rover Discovery
Photo courtesy of Land Rover
SERMA Land Rover Discovery
Photo courtesy of Land Rover
SERMA Land Rover Discovery
Photo courtesy of Land Rover
SERMA Land Rover Discovery
Photo courtesy of Land Rover
SERMA Land Rover Discovery
Photo courtesy of Land Rover
SERMA Land Rover Discovery
Photo courtesy of Land Rover
SERMA Land Rover Discovery
Photo courtesy of Land Rover
SERMA Land Rover Discovery
Photo courtesy of Land Rover
SERMA Land Rover Discovery
Photo courtesy of Land Rover
SERMA Land Rover Discovery
Photo courtesy of Land Rover
SERMA Land Rover Discovery
Photo courtesy of Land Rover
