Rescue refers to operations that usually involve the saving of life, or prevention of injury.

Tools used might include search dogs, search and rescue horses, helicopters, and the "Jaws of Life" and other hydraulic cutting and spreading tools used to extricate individuals from wrecked vehicles. Rescue operations are sometimes supported by special vehicles such as fire department's or EMS Heavy rescue vehicle.

Ropes and special devices can reach and remove individuals and animals from difficult locations including:

• confined space rescue
• rope rescue
• cave rescue
• fast water rescue
• ice rescue
• mines rescue
• search and rescue
• urban search and rescue
• wilderness rescue
• ski patrol
• Vehicle Rescue

Rescue operations require a high degree of training and are performed by Rescue Squads, either independent or part of larger organizations like a fire, police, military, first aid squad, or ambulance services. In The U.S., they are usually staffed by medically trained personnel as NFPA regulations require it.

Old meanings

In former centuries the word "rescue" had other meanings: for example, there is an old record of a countryman living where Wythenshawe is now, being prosecuted in a local law court for "making rescue" of a pig which had been seized as a distress in non-payment of rent.

See also

• Animal Rescue
• Technical rescue
• Diver rescue
• Lifeboat
• Extraction (military)
• Extrication
• Rescue robot