You may be able to work your way into this role by starting as a coastguard watch assistant and applying for promotion when you've got more experience.
To apply, you'll need literacy, numeracy and IT skills.
Search and rescue (SAR) volunteers in the UK provide a vital service, working alongside the police, fire, ambulance, and Coastguard services to locate and assist people who are lost, injured, or in danger, often in challenging environments such as mountains, forests, or at sea. The majority of SAR team members are unpaid volunteers, but some professional roles exist within organisations like HM Coastguard or the RNLI. Volunteers train regularly in first aid, navigation, rope work, and teamwork, and must be prepared to respond to emergencies at any time. The work can be physically demanding and emotionally challenging, but it is highly rewarding, providing a direct positive impact on local communities.
There are around 3,500 volunteer search and rescue team members across the UK, supporting professional services in over 70 teams.
Professional search and rescue roles, such as those in the Coastguard or Mountain Rescue, typically earn between £20,000 and £35,000 per year depending on experience and location.
Volunteers can be called out at any time, day or night, and may spend several hours or more on a single operation. Most teams expect a minimum commitment of a few hours each week for training and callouts.
Works as part of a specialist team to locate and assist people in difficulty in mountainous or remote areas, using navigation, first aid, and rescue equipment.
Volunteers with organisations like the RNLI to respond to emergencies at sea and along the coast, rescuing people in danger and providing first aid.
Specialises in locating and rescuing people from collapsed buildings or urban disaster sites, often working alongside fire and emergency services.
Find out what search and rescue volunteers do and the types of situations they respond to.
Search and Rescue (SAR) volunteers can be involved in activities such as locating missing persons, providing first aid, and assisting in natural disasters. You can learn more by visiting the websites of organisations like Mountain Rescue England and Wales, Lowland Rescue, or the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).
Learn about the time, training, and physical demands required for volunteering.
SAR volunteering often involves being on call, working irregular hours, and training regularly. Physical fitness and resilience are important, as the work can be demanding and sometimes emotionally challenging. Contact your local SAR team to understand their expectations.
Stay healthy and build confidence in navigation, first aid, and outdoor survival.
Regular exercise, hiking, orienteering, and learning map reading are useful. Many teams require a basic level of fitness and the ability to work in tough conditions. Consider taking an outdoor first aid course or joining groups like Scouts or Duke of Edinburgh for relevant experience.
Obtain certificates in first aid and, if possible, water or mountain safety.
First aid training is essential and often a minimum requirement for SAR teams. Some teams value additional qualifications such as water rescue, climbing, or radio communications. Local colleges or voluntary groups may offer these courses.
Identify search and rescue teams in your area and contact them about volunteering opportunities.
Most regions of the UK have SAR teams specialising in different environments such as mountain, lowland, or coastal. Visit their websites or look for open evenings where you can meet members and learn more about joining.
Attend induction, training sessions, and pass any required assessments to become an active member.
New volunteers usually go through a probationary period involving regular training sessions, team-building, and practical exercises. This is a chance to develop your skills, demonstrate commitment, and prepare for call-outs.
Explore relevant apprenticeships that can help you kickstart your career in Search and Rescue Volunteer (often professional roles exist too). Apprenticeships offer hands-on experience and training while earning a wage.
A Search and Rescue Volunteer often engages in emergency response, rescue operations, and safety enforcement, which closely aligns with the responsibilities of a Coastguard. Both roles involve maritime or wilderness rescue efforts, require training in emergency procedures, and focus on saving lives in challenging environments.
You can get into this job through:
You may be able to work your way into this role by starting as a coastguard watch assistant and applying for promotion when you've got more experience.
To apply, you'll need literacy, numeracy and IT skills.
Voluntering is a good way to get experience of working in the coastguard service. You could volunteer to become a coastguard rescue officer.
You'll need to be:
As you get more experience, you could apply for a paid position when vacancies are advertised.
You can apply for jobs with HM Coastguard if you have relevant skills and knowledge. Jobs include call centre operations and maritime watch services.
You'll need a good standard of literacy and numeracy, and good eyesight and hearing.
For some jobs, it may be helpful to have experience working at sea. This might be from:
You can find out more about becoming a coastguard from:
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