Oldham Mountain Rescue Team hero honoured.

Dave Allport received gifts from OMRT leader Rob Tortoishell.

A man described as a cornerstone of Oldham Mountain Rescue Team has been honoured by his colleagues. 

Dave Allport was recognised for contributing significantly to the team’s success over 50 years.

And his Saddleworth-based specialist climbing equipment business was highlighted as adding influence and knowledge to improve technical rescue equipment and techniques worldwide. 

Dave joined the team in 1971 and over the years has held key roles including Team Secretary, Deputy Team Leader and Section leader.

In1979 with fellow Team member, Dave (Murdoc) Henderson, he attended a week’s advanced mountain rescue course at Glenmore Lodge Outdoor Centre, Aviemore.

Says Dave: “It was here that designs for a new stretcher entered my head and I made drawings. 

“I put these ideas to a local manufacturer but he was not interested - so our team Doctor Andy Taylor jumped in to help and we made the first stretchers in his garage.

“I went on to design the Allp Descender which Andy also helped me with. The Alphin Stretcher started selling through Troll (who I worked for at the time), along with the Allp. 

“The design of the Allp was to do with my new ideas and thoughts for technical rescue so that the crag face rescue could be controlled at the casualty location - thus avoiding  the use of moving ropes above the rescue site, and the need to communicate from the casualty location to those controlling the lowering ropes.

“Over the years the techniques were developed further with a new Pro-Allp descender, the Rocker back-up device and two auto-lock devices  - along with a new design of body splint and an aluminium version of the stretcher. 

“Also at this time I started my own company - SAR Products Ltd - to make the items.  We have trained people around the world in the rescue and access techniques that our equipment makes possible. 

“My equipment designs and techniques are still being used by Military, Fire and Rescue and Mountain Rescue around the world and will continue with my son, Lee and his team.”

“The team’s gift  of an engraved whisky decanter and glasses for my 50th anniversary was brilliant and unexpected; it will be used.”

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