About Us

The Huntsville Cave Rescue Unit is a professional all-volunteer group specializing in cave and high-angle rescue. Cave rescues present a unique set of challenges, such as: remote locations, long distances, difficult terrain, deep pits, and narrow constrictions…and that's just to name a few. Many times these challenges will be compounded or occur in series during a rescue. It is therefore essential to maintain a well-trained team that is versed in a variety of skills and techniques.

The HCRU participates in search and rescue operations throughout northern Alabama, southern Tennessee, and western Georgia, and will respond to farther destinations if requested.

Our membership is comprised of volunteers from a variety of backgrounds. Our team includes firefighters, EMTs, Rope Access Professionals and, of course, cavers. We are a diverse group bonded by common goal; helping cavers in need. The Huntsville Cave Rescue Unit cultivates an atmosphere of collaboration and mutual-respect that allows all members to share their unique knowledge and perspectives within the group; this approach helps us to grow both as individual rescuers and as a cohesive unit. Our strong teamwork, combined with an emphasis on Skill, Knowledge and Safety, helps prepare us to deal with the unique challenges and rigors of cave rescue. 

The HCRU is not an Emergency Medical Agency, although many of its members are licensed medical responders. Our focus is locating, stabilizing, and safely transporting victims to areas where normal EMS operations can be performed.

The HCRU is among the best equipped and most capable units of this type in the country.

While we have specific expertise in cave rescue, we consistently train in other SAR disciplines as well. We also maintain mutual-aid agreements with other local rescue squads. HCRU members go where they are needed and can be found assisting with all manner of Search and Rescue operations (including the occasional dog-stuck-in-cave or cat-stuck-in-tree rescue). The HCRU also makes it a point to volunteer at a number of local events throughout the year. We aim to serve as a bridge between cavers and the greater Huntsville/ North Alabama area while also serving as a valuable asset to all other local search and rescue teams.

The HCRU will work with and assist the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) with the stated goal of: Safe and successful evacuation of the patient from a hostile environment.

The HCRU is ready to assist any person or agency, within the bounds of its charter, as a public service.