PCPM at the 2026 Gariep Dam Experience
From 14 to 16 September, representatives of the PCPM Foundation took part in the 2026 Gariep Dam Experience in South Africa. It was the tenth edition of the interdisciplinary rescue exercises organised by Rescue South Africa. The event is one of the largest initiatives of its kind in Southern Africa.
The exercises took place at the Gariep Dam, which forms the largest reservoir in South Africa. For three days, the dam and its surroundings became the site of intensive training for rescue services, students specialising in rescue and medical care, and representatives of organisations involved in emergency response.
Rescue operations in challenging conditions
Participants practised responding to a wide range of demanding scenarios. One of the most spectacular exercises involved evacuating an injured person in a stretcher, lowered several dozen metres down the dam wall using ropes.
The programme also included operations in confined and smoke-filled spaces, rescuing people from the water, and complex rescue missions in quarries. The scenarios required participants to demonstrate not only strong technical skills, but also teamwork, quick decision-making and effective communication under pressure.
The Gariep Dam Experience is organised by Rescue South Africa in cooperation with South African universities, rescue services and non-governmental organisations. The exercises are attended by students studying subjects related to rescue operations and medicine. Their work is supervised by experienced instructors, including rescue workers, medical professionals and firefighters.
Sharing expertise and developing partnerships
Participation in the event gave the PCPM Foundation an opportunity to exchange knowledge and experience with leading rescue specialists. It also allowed the Foundation to share the expertise it has gained through many years of supporting rescue services in East Africa.
The visit was also important for developing the PCPM Foundation’s cooperation with partners operating within SADC, the Southern African Development Community. The contacts established and experience gained during the event may in the future contribute to strengthening search-and-rescue capacities in Southern African countries.
Participation in the 2026 Gariep Dam Experience was an important and valuable opportunity for the PCPM Foundation. The event provided a space to learn from experienced practitioners, share expertise and build partnerships that can contribute to more effective disaster and emergency response.
