PRESS RELEASE AND PHOTOS FROM SDIS 30. Shortly before midday, the Gard fire service was called out to an underground rescue operation at a location known as ‘Grottes des Espèches’, in the municipality of Sauve.
Following a recommendation from CODIS 30, the Prefect of the Gard immediately activated the specific ‘ORSEC’ contingency plan designed for this type of rescue operation. (Rescue operations at specific sites).
Two professional firefighters (from the St Hippolyte du Fort and La Grand Combe fire stations) were diving underground as a leisure activity.
One of them, having lost his way, was forced to take refuge in an air pocket due to his limited supply of breathable air, 120 metres from the cave’s exit.
His colleague immediately alerted the emergency services and dived back down to find him, before resurfacing.
The personnel and equipment, rapidly deployed by SDIS 30, enabled our colleague to be rescued in around 1 hour 30 minutes. The route involved some narrow passages and required the breathing apparatus to be removed for a few metres.
Our colleague’s rescue was carried out by a pair of fire service divers and the lead diver. They delivered several full air cylinders, enabling the whole team to return.
The ‘victim’ (a 49-year-old man) was taken by his colleagues to ALES Hospital for a routine check-up.
His medical assessment, carried out immediately upon his exit from the cave by a fire service doctor, is entirely reassuring.
The Prefect’s Chief of Staff, the Sub-Prefect of Le Vigan and the Departmental Director of SDIS 30 were at the scene.
The experience of these firefighters, their calmness, composure and adherence to procedures undoubtedly contributed to the complete success of this operation, which was perfectly coordinated by all those involved, in particular CODIS 30.