The WBCRT began life as the South Wales Cave Rescue Organisation shortly after the South Wales Caving Club was formed in 1946. For many years the SWCC was the only club in the area and provided the equipment and the personnel for cave rescue.In the sixties the Gwent team was formed as new discoveries were made in the Northern outcrop. The Gwent team was based upon clubs active in the Llangattock area. There was little formal relationship between the teams and indeed there appeared to be some insularity. In 1971 tentative moves were made with a view to rationalising the situation. No substantial moves took place until a major incident in Agen Allwedd in 1974 forced the issue and led directly to the formation of the present structure of the SWCRO.Although the separate nature of the teams had no effect upon the outcome of that particular incident it was realised that the lack of equipment compatibility and mutual ignorance of the other teams abilities would be disastrous in an incident bigger than either team could handle alone. Several meetings took place leading to the formation in 1975 of the present SWCRO.

Website: http://www.wbcrt.org/