Any Mountain Rescue Team members here?
Discussion
matchmaker said:
Hilts said:
Of course, makes a change from the usual drivel.
Skied a lot in the Cairngorms but never needed the MRT of course
There used to be an RAF MR team operating out of Kinloss, wondered what happened to them now that Kinloss went the way of Jimmy Hoffa. Maybe just switched to Lossie.
At Lossiemouth now.Skied a lot in the Cairngorms but never needed the MRT of course
There used to be an RAF MR team operating out of Kinloss, wondered what happened to them now that Kinloss went the way of Jimmy Hoffa. Maybe just switched to Lossie.
Sim Rescue scenario just to the North of Pen y Fan. We started at a farm in the Middle of Nowhere (MoN), split into three teams and set off in various directions.
A 'Party Pack' was broken down and carried within the team - I had the large FAK, there's a Neck Brace/Collar, a small shelter, Oxygen, Ropes, Cas Bag, and some other stuff.
My team was quiet in this instance. Initially tasked to search one area, we were soon re-tasked to meet up with the two other teams as they'd found the casualty and we were to assist in 'walking off the hill'.
The casualty was a MisPer (Missing Person) suffering from dementia with mild hypothermia and very confused. Safely found and walked back to the RV area. Kit unloaded, debrief, off we went home.
Weather was either bright sunshine or absolutely pissing it down, and it changed every ten minutes, with tons & tons of midgies. Learnt the very clear lesson that you may look a bit of a knob wearing a Mozzy Head Net, but you'll be the bit of a knob laughing at everyone else. As soon as I got home I ordered one from Amazon and the next day bought some jungle strength DEET.
I'm learning now that standard walking clothing isn't almost necessary. I'm realising that I'm always getting covered in mud, even when it's a dry day so I'm now just wearing waterproof trousers with running leggings underneath, no trousers as such and just a base layer with a waterproof shell. I have lots of other warm kit in the bergen but that only comes out in seriously bad weather and when we're hanging around. With our hill kit and what's required we're probably averaging out at about 20kg. Not much when you're covering general ground but starts to make a difference on the steep stuff.
Have to say my boots are awesome, Aku GTX Pilgrim HL - Wish I'd had them when I was serving.
Here's a piccy of us following Zebra 1, the main team, back to the RV. Pen y Fan is directly behind me.
A 'Party Pack' was broken down and carried within the team - I had the large FAK, there's a Neck Brace/Collar, a small shelter, Oxygen, Ropes, Cas Bag, and some other stuff.
My team was quiet in this instance. Initially tasked to search one area, we were soon re-tasked to meet up with the two other teams as they'd found the casualty and we were to assist in 'walking off the hill'.
The casualty was a MisPer (Missing Person) suffering from dementia with mild hypothermia and very confused. Safely found and walked back to the RV area. Kit unloaded, debrief, off we went home.
Weather was either bright sunshine or absolutely pissing it down, and it changed every ten minutes, with tons & tons of midgies. Learnt the very clear lesson that you may look a bit of a knob wearing a Mozzy Head Net, but you'll be the bit of a knob laughing at everyone else. As soon as I got home I ordered one from Amazon and the next day bought some jungle strength DEET.
I'm learning now that standard walking clothing isn't almost necessary. I'm realising that I'm always getting covered in mud, even when it's a dry day so I'm now just wearing waterproof trousers with running leggings underneath, no trousers as such and just a base layer with a waterproof shell. I have lots of other warm kit in the bergen but that only comes out in seriously bad weather and when we're hanging around. With our hill kit and what's required we're probably averaging out at about 20kg. Not much when you're covering general ground but starts to make a difference on the steep stuff.
Have to say my boots are awesome, Aku GTX Pilgrim HL - Wish I'd had them when I was serving.
Here's a piccy of us following Zebra 1, the main team, back to the RV. Pen y Fan is directly behind me.
CrutyRammers said:
gruffalo said:
Mothersruin said:
Just thought PH would be interested.
And interesting it certainly is!Thank you for posting.
The MRT (and cave rescue, for that matter) guys and gals do a great job.
Interesting stuff to read and also glad to see a mention for Cave Rescue although thats a bit more niche (but it was good to know they where there in my younger years).
More training - repetition of some earlier training and we all practised;
Setting up the belay system
Buddy Checking the system
Belaying
Rope Management
Descending with the stretcher
Managing the descent
If you're wondering why the guy getting ready to descend is all wrapped up on a lovely evening..? Bloody midgies! We were all bitten to buggery (even with DEET and nets).
Also, I couldn't capture the guy far right controlling the descent. They have their upper arm at 90degs from their shoulder and do a circular motion, with their forearm downwards. Hard to explain. The faster they move, the faster the belay lets out. There's also commands for Stop and Lock Off.
No training on the next Wednesday due to this - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-mid-wales-36664...
Setting up the belay system
Buddy Checking the system
Belaying
Rope Management
Descending with the stretcher
Managing the descent
If you're wondering why the guy getting ready to descend is all wrapped up on a lovely evening..? Bloody midgies! We were all bitten to buggery (even with DEET and nets).
Also, I couldn't capture the guy far right controlling the descent. They have their upper arm at 90degs from their shoulder and do a circular motion, with their forearm downwards. Hard to explain. The faster they move, the faster the belay lets out. There's also commands for Stop and Lock Off.
No training on the next Wednesday due to this - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-mid-wales-36664...
Edited by Mothersruin on Tuesday 5th July 05:14
Knots - learn how to do this lot wearing skiing gloves.
http://www.animatedknots.com/indexrescue.php?LogoI...
http://www.animatedknots.com/indexrescue.php?LogoI...
king cheek! 
mebe said:
CrutyRammers said:
gruffalo said:
Mothersruin said:
Just thought PH would be interested.
And interesting it certainly is!Thank you for posting.
The MRT (and cave rescue, for that matter) guys and gals do a great job.
Interesting stuff to read and also glad to see a mention for Cave Rescue although thats a bit more niche (but it was good to know they where there in my younger years).
CrutyRammers said:
mebe said:
CrutyRammers said:
gruffalo said:
Mothersruin said:
Just thought PH would be interested.
And interesting it certainly is!Thank you for posting.
The MRT (and cave rescue, for that matter) guys and gals do a great job.
Interesting stuff to read and also glad to see a mention for Cave Rescue although thats a bit more niche (but it was good to know they where there in my younger years).
One of the specialist sub-groups we have in Brecon is dealing with Swift Water rescues as well. Not something I know too much about yet.
Mothersruin said:
Sim Rescue scenario just to the North of Pen y Fan. We started at a farm in the Middle of Nowhere (MoN), split into three teams and set off in various directions.
A 'Party Pack' was broken down and carried within the team - I had the large FAK, there's a Neck Brace/Collar, a small shelter, Oxygen, Ropes, Cas Bag, and some other stuff.
My team was quiet in this instance. Initially tasked to search one area, we were soon re-tasked to meet up with the two other teams as they'd found the casualty and we were to assist in 'walking off the hill'.
The casualty was a MisPer (Missing Person) suffering from dementia with mild hypothermia and very confused. Safely found and walked back to the RV area. Kit unloaded, debrief, off we went home.
Weather was either bright sunshine or absolutely pissing it down, and it changed every ten minutes, with tons & tons of midgies. Learnt the very clear lesson that you may look a bit of a knob wearing a Mozzy Head Net, but you'll be the bit of a knob laughing at everyone else. As soon as I got home I ordered one from Amazon and the next day bought some jungle strength DEET.
I'm learning now that standard walking clothing isn't almost necessary. I'm realising that I'm always getting covered in mud, even when it's a dry day so I'm now just wearing waterproof trousers with running leggings underneath, no trousers as such and just a base layer with a waterproof shell. I have lots of other warm kit in the bergen but that only comes out in seriously bad weather and when we're hanging around. With our hill kit and what's required we're probably averaging out at about 20kg. Not much when you're covering general ground but starts to make a difference on the steep stuff.
Have to say my boots are awesome, Aku GTX Pilgrim HL - Wish I'd had them when I was serving.
Here's a piccy of us following Zebra 1, the main team, back to the RV. Pen y Fan is directly behind me.
Just out of interest, why Zebra, rather than Zulu?A 'Party Pack' was broken down and carried within the team - I had the large FAK, there's a Neck Brace/Collar, a small shelter, Oxygen, Ropes, Cas Bag, and some other stuff.
My team was quiet in this instance. Initially tasked to search one area, we were soon re-tasked to meet up with the two other teams as they'd found the casualty and we were to assist in 'walking off the hill'.
The casualty was a MisPer (Missing Person) suffering from dementia with mild hypothermia and very confused. Safely found and walked back to the RV area. Kit unloaded, debrief, off we went home.
Weather was either bright sunshine or absolutely pissing it down, and it changed every ten minutes, with tons & tons of midgies. Learnt the very clear lesson that you may look a bit of a knob wearing a Mozzy Head Net, but you'll be the bit of a knob laughing at everyone else. As soon as I got home I ordered one from Amazon and the next day bought some jungle strength DEET.
I'm learning now that standard walking clothing isn't almost necessary. I'm realising that I'm always getting covered in mud, even when it's a dry day so I'm now just wearing waterproof trousers with running leggings underneath, no trousers as such and just a base layer with a waterproof shell. I have lots of other warm kit in the bergen but that only comes out in seriously bad weather and when we're hanging around. With our hill kit and what's required we're probably averaging out at about 20kg. Not much when you're covering general ground but starts to make a difference on the steep stuff.
Have to say my boots are awesome, Aku GTX Pilgrim HL - Wish I'd had them when I was serving.
Here's a piccy of us following Zebra 1, the main team, back to the RV. Pen y Fan is directly behind me.
Mothersruin said:
Often teams will pull in resources from other areas if their speciality is required, such as cave for example.
One of the specialist sub-groups we have in Brecon is dealing with Swift Water rescues as well. Not something I know too much about yet.
I'm a level 3 SRT, if you can get chance to go for that do, it's great fun.One of the specialist sub-groups we have in Brecon is dealing with Swift Water rescues as well. Not something I know too much about yet.
We've just done some our SRT refresher last week (if you're a declared flood team you need to have routine training and records in place) so 4 hours of wading, cas care etc.
matchmaker said:
Mothersruin said:
Sim Rescue scenario just to the North of Pen y Fan. We started at a farm in the Middle of Nowhere (MoN), split into three teams and set off in various directions.
A 'Party Pack' was broken down and carried within the team - I had the large FAK, there's a Neck Brace/Collar, a small shelter, Oxygen, Ropes, Cas Bag, and some other stuff.
My team was quiet in this instance. Initially tasked to search one area, we were soon re-tasked to meet up with the two other teams as they'd found the casualty and we were to assist in 'walking off the hill'.
The casualty was a MisPer (Missing Person) suffering from dementia with mild hypothermia and very confused. Safely found and walked back to the RV area. Kit unloaded, debrief, off we went home.
Weather was either bright sunshine or absolutely pissing it down, and it changed every ten minutes, with tons & tons of midgies. Learnt the very clear lesson that you may look a bit of a knob wearing a Mozzy Head Net, but you'll be the bit of a knob laughing at everyone else. As soon as I got home I ordered one from Amazon and the next day bought some jungle strength DEET.
I'm learning now that standard walking clothing isn't almost necessary. I'm realising that I'm always getting covered in mud, even when it's a dry day so I'm now just wearing waterproof trousers with running leggings underneath, no trousers as such and just a base layer with a waterproof shell. I have lots of other warm kit in the bergen but that only comes out in seriously bad weather and when we're hanging around. With our hill kit and what's required we're probably averaging out at about 20kg. Not much when you're covering general ground but starts to make a difference on the steep stuff.
Have to say my boots are awesome, Aku GTX Pilgrim HL - Wish I'd had them when I was serving.
Here's a piccy of us following Zebra 1, the main team, back to the RV. Pen y Fan is directly behind me.
Just out of interest, why Zebra, rather than Zulu?A 'Party Pack' was broken down and carried within the team - I had the large FAK, there's a Neck Brace/Collar, a small shelter, Oxygen, Ropes, Cas Bag, and some other stuff.
My team was quiet in this instance. Initially tasked to search one area, we were soon re-tasked to meet up with the two other teams as they'd found the casualty and we were to assist in 'walking off the hill'.
The casualty was a MisPer (Missing Person) suffering from dementia with mild hypothermia and very confused. Safely found and walked back to the RV area. Kit unloaded, debrief, off we went home.
Weather was either bright sunshine or absolutely pissing it down, and it changed every ten minutes, with tons & tons of midgies. Learnt the very clear lesson that you may look a bit of a knob wearing a Mozzy Head Net, but you'll be the bit of a knob laughing at everyone else. As soon as I got home I ordered one from Amazon and the next day bought some jungle strength DEET.
I'm learning now that standard walking clothing isn't almost necessary. I'm realising that I'm always getting covered in mud, even when it's a dry day so I'm now just wearing waterproof trousers with running leggings underneath, no trousers as such and just a base layer with a waterproof shell. I have lots of other warm kit in the bergen but that only comes out in seriously bad weather and when we're hanging around. With our hill kit and what's required we're probably averaging out at about 20kg. Not much when you're covering general ground but starts to make a difference on the steep stuff.
Have to say my boots are awesome, Aku GTX Pilgrim HL - Wish I'd had them when I was serving.
Here's a piccy of us following Zebra 1, the main team, back to the RV. Pen y Fan is directly behind me.
One of the other region is designated as Zulu so it's not used by us. Also Bravo is another one. I'll be honest, I was told 'that's the way it is'. Not the greatest answer but one I happy to let go
markmullen said:
Mothersruin said:
Often teams will pull in resources from other areas if their speciality is required, such as cave for example.
One of the specialist sub-groups we have in Brecon is dealing with Swift Water rescues as well. Not something I know too much about yet.
I'm a level 3 SRT, if you can get chance to go for that do, it's great fun.One of the specialist sub-groups we have in Brecon is dealing with Swift Water rescues as well. Not something I know too much about yet.
We've just done some our SRT refresher last week (if you're a declared flood team you need to have routine training and records in place) so 4 hours of wading, cas care etc.
Great work btw with RNLI etc... Brilliant stuff.
Mothersruin said:
markmullen said:
Mothersruin said:
Often teams will pull in resources from other areas if their speciality is required, such as cave for example.
One of the specialist sub-groups we have in Brecon is dealing with Swift Water rescues as well. Not something I know too much about yet.
I'm a level 3 SRT, if you can get chance to go for that do, it's great fun.One of the specialist sub-groups we have in Brecon is dealing with Swift Water rescues as well. Not something I know too much about yet.
We've just done some our SRT refresher last week (if you're a declared flood team you need to have routine training and records in place) so 4 hours of wading, cas care etc.
Great work btw with RNLI etc... Brilliant stuff.
Here's a round up of last Sunday's activities.
Early start for me as it was a 1hr 45min drive for me to get to Dinas Rock. We rocked up, signed in, and were tasked.
I'm in a group of four guys - we're Zebra One. We all have radios. We're further split into Zebra Alpha, and Zebra Charlie - Two guys in each with the boss as Zebra One. I'm the new guy, I get to do lots of comms.
We split the Party Pack between us and work out how we're going to work up the river we've been tasked with searching. River Left and River Right. It's always done on the river flow. We're going River Right, which is on the Left Side from Base and North. As we progressed up the river, we split into pairs. I was with the designated Team Leader, yet the other pair were far more experienced, comprised of the actual leader of BMRT and another senior guy. We were being tested. However, we were both ex-military and slipped into an understanding, it sounds very 'McNabb', but it does work that way. I'd worked with him during a fundraising event before and we'd had a good chat about our experiences and stuff.
We agreed on arcs of search, comms were simple and we knew how to cover each other's movements. We searched further up the river and guess what we found?
Early start for me as it was a 1hr 45min drive for me to get to Dinas Rock. We rocked up, signed in, and were tasked.
I'm in a group of four guys - we're Zebra One. We all have radios. We're further split into Zebra Alpha, and Zebra Charlie - Two guys in each with the boss as Zebra One. I'm the new guy, I get to do lots of comms.
We split the Party Pack between us and work out how we're going to work up the river we've been tasked with searching. River Left and River Right. It's always done on the river flow. We're going River Right, which is on the Left Side from Base and North. As we progressed up the river, we split into pairs. I was with the designated Team Leader, yet the other pair were far more experienced, comprised of the actual leader of BMRT and another senior guy. We were being tested. However, we were both ex-military and slipped into an understanding, it sounds very 'McNabb', but it does work that way. I'd worked with him during a fundraising event before and we'd had a good chat about our experiences and stuff.
We agreed on arcs of search, comms were simple and we knew how to cover each other's movements. We searched further up the river and guess what we found?
Edited by Mothersruin on Monday 11th July 02:51
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