Huw Jones MBE
Mountain Rescue Incident Controller
This month we’ve nominated Huw as our Everyday Hero for his work and service in the UK Mountain Rescue Team and the lifesaving support for his local community in the Central Beacons region.
We caught up with Huw to understand his “why” for joining the Mountain Rescue, but also what the experience has given him as a person.
Growing up in the wild outdoors of South Wales, Huw joined the Air Training Corps and Cadets unit which exposed him to lots of outdoor activities such as mountain exploration, climbing and wild camping. In one instance during this time, he was part of a Search Dogs training drill with Mountain Rescue Instructor. “Once I saw the work of the team, I was instantly attracted to become involved.”
After nearly 44 years in the Mountain Rescue unit, Huw was the Central Beacon Team Leader, responsible for the day-to-day running of the team, operational readiness and his team member’s overall wellbeing.
He has multiple roles during any sort of incident. This could be Incident Controller, Search Manager, Hill Leader, On Scene Commander, and he is also currently qualified in Blue Light and Off-Road Driving, Remote Rescue Medic, Swift Water Rescue Technician.
Huw recollects over some of his most memorable rescues during his time in the unit. “There have been many as you might expect and we always have stand-out memories of our first. My first major incident was 1983 to Pen Y Fan in the Brecon Beacons. A horrible night for weather and outcome. The Team Leader of one of my neighboring Mountain Rescue Teams lost his life whilst saving 3 young people who’d been blown off the summit. The rescue was of the 3 people and the body recovery of the Team Leader.”
Asked how he stays calm in high-pressure situations, Huw responds “I think being proactively exposed, and making myself available, to operational situations over a long period of time definitely helps. Ensuring my involvement in the diversity of SAR (Search and Rescue) work builds experience and learning which I carry into the next missions.”
Reflecting on how his Mountain Rescue service has impacted him, Huw says “a Mountain Rescue life has opened opportunities for travel and outdoor activity experience that otherwise I would not have had… I am convinced I wouldn’t be as comfortable as I am handling life situations.”
In 2017, Huw was awarded an MBE for his dedicated service in the Mountain Rescue unit. “I feel it incredibly humbling that someone felt I was worthy to be nominated for the MBE… I feel that accepting the offer of the MBE was, and is, a recognition of the service provided by Mountain Rescue nationally.”
Huw gave the following advice for anyone interested in volunteering in Mountain Rescue... “Try not to underestimate the amount of time that’s necessary to train, attend incidents and contribute to the functioning of the Team. The more you put in the more you get out.”
Huw was gifted the Luminox RECON Point Man 8825 watch for his service to protect and rescue his local community members in the great outdoors. “I feel very humbled that my name was put forward and that Luminox feel my story of my Mountain Rescue life is a worthy one.
“The “RECON” model I’m wearing now is my first taste of Luminox and so far I am very impressed with how robust it feels, without feeling cumbersome or heavy. Mountain Rescue activity involves a lot of nighttime work during the dark and already I am very impressed with the brightness and clarity of the watch face features in the dark.”
Read our fascinating interview with Huw here, where he talks about some of the shocking experiences he’s had saving lives on the hills of the Breacon Beacons, UK.
