"ARAD RESCUE TEAM" Top 5 Page for this destination Arad Travelogue by Martin_S.

Arad Travel Guide: 216 reviews and 533 photos

Eli & Martin, Arad Rescue Team, Israel - Arad

A few words on the Arad Rescue Team:
We are a totally volunteer SAR group of about 25 people, who give their time and efforts to saving lives, the time is all our own. Any contributions we might receive to our non-profit organization are for purchase of extra equipment, not for the members or benifit of the members.
People ask what I get out of risking my life to save someone who is lost, or injured or made a mistake and gotten hung up on a cliff somewhere in the desert, well the answer is that I get a great personal high from coming home after a rescue and telling myself that without my help this person would not be here today. Saving a life it truly something, I recommend that everyone do it at least once, you won't forget it.

The pic is of Eli (Team Leader) and I in the Arad Mall, we were presenting a show of how we do rescues in the desert.

Preparing demonstration of rescue work in Arad

This is me on the lift machine which we used to get to the three story high ceiling to tie off our ropes before the exhibit.

Arad Rescue Team members, Israel

This is Shlomo (far left), Arie (center) and Giora looking up at the ceiling and thinking to ourselves, "Are we going all the way up there on only these little ropes"

Testing the ropes

That's me up on the top, tying off the ropes. It looked high, but was only about 20 meters (60ft).
It would hurt to fall that far, but would most likely not kill you.

Mountain man Martin, Arad, Israel

My friend Imre took this pic of me while we were on a trip, but it would be typical of our dress while on rescue. The military pants, the green shirt of the rescue team... (we also have red, grey and blue shirts, depends on who contributes them to the rescue unit).
I am preforming one of the lifesaving actions that are essential in the cold desert, making a cup of tea with various desert herbs thrown in.
Taken in 2001 in the Maktesh Gadol not too far south of Arad.

Maning the ropes, Rescue Exercise, Arad, Israel

This is another exercise. Here you can see Eli and Gabi on top of the cliff, they are pulling the rope to lift the rescuers off the floor of the valley below them. This work is very, very hard when you are lifting several people, you need to build a system of "pulleys" to reduce the drag.

Rescue Team first aid, Arad, Israel

This is the pic of Elad and Michael who were in the valley below, Elad is "rescuing" Michael. You can see in the pic that Elad is giving first aid and then will strap her into the stretcher for lifting up the cliff and then evacuation by helicopter if required. You see a good pic of our red shirts with our logo.

Arad Rescue Team equipment pack.

Here you can see a typical pack that a team member would carry with helmets, ropes, slings, caribiners, jumars, pulleys, belay device, headlamps, maps, compass, short wave radio and in addition you carry water and food. The average pack weighs in at about 15-18 kilograms without water, food, radio or extras.

Page Updated Jan 2, 2003
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Comments (46)

buenababe Jul 24, 2011 at 5:36 AM Report Abuse

time will come, i'll sit on that picnic table with you, Zohara and Tal... and we'll have barbecue. how cool would that be, Martin?!! ;)
hunterV Dec 7, 2010 at 10:03 AM Report Abuse

Hello, Martin! Greetings to your very hospitable home! ><><><><
rkearns Oct 17, 2010 at 9:06 AM Report Abuse

that's a pretty incredible VT story!
kjogger Apr 20, 2010 at 10:14 AM Report Abuse

Martin s I will be arriving in Arad May 3 to Volunteer for 2 weeks. I would like to meet you and would liker to hike. Please respond. kjogger
marvelous_girl Feb 28, 2010 at 1:17 AM Report Abuse

u have mentioned all kind of tips in arad page
diosh Mar 15, 2009 at 5:21 AM Report Abuse

We have the same 'rule' in my kitchen!
angiebabe Jan 14, 2009 at 3:42 AM Report Abuse

Hi&a belated Happy New Year Martin - been enjoying getting to know a bit more of Arad!the local Arad version of the Flintstones are the best! local insects rather amazing...& to think I sat down on some rocks at Masada with those horrors lurking beneath?!
i-s-a Oct 27, 2008 at 12:27 AM Report Abuse

haha martin...you're as funny as ever :0P thanks for giving me a great laugh. just this month, one of my dreams (china) was realized...israel would be (should be!!!) the next. take care. stay happy.
nada1712 Oct 20, 2008 at 10:02 AM Report Abuse

I have really enjoyed your Arad pages....fabulous, interesting and a fascinating insight to the local nature including the flowers and insects. No wonder you have so many guests!! I am very fond of desert terrain.
blue_sky04 May 9, 2008 at 6:18 PM Report Abuse

Shalom. First time seeing your house photo. I think your igloo house is cute:-) Purim celebration looks fun, but I want to visit Israel for the Feast of Tabernacles celebration.