Rescue


Rescue comprises responsive operations that usually involve the saving of life, or prevention of injury during an incident or dangerous situation.
Tools used might include search and rescue dogs, mounted search and rescue horses, helicopters, the "jaws of life", and other hydraulic cutting and spreading tools used to extricate individuals from wrecked vehicles. Rescue operations are sometimes supported by special vehicles such as fire department's or EMS heavy rescue vehicle.

Overview

Ropes and special devices can reach and remove individuals and animals from difficult locations including:
Rescue operations require a high degree of training and are performed by rescue squads, either independent or part of larger organizations such as fire, police, military, first aid, or ambulance services. In the U.S., they are usually staffed by medically trained personnel as NFPA regulations require it.

Old meanings

In former centuries the word "rescue" had other meanings: for example, there is an old record of a countryman living where Wythenshawe is now, being prosecuted in a local court for "making rescue" of a pig which had been seized as a distress for non-payment of money owed.