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7 W 5 6 A - 8 L 7 E 4 9 S £4.75 WELCOME TO ISSU E 57 Mountain Rescue is the membership magazine for mountain and cave rescue in England and Wales. fir st EDITORIAL Word Judy Whiteside MIKE FRANCE 07836 509 812 [email protected]

Andy Simpson I am aware that some of what I am going to that these will be excellent meetings for 0161 764 0999 say was in my AGM report, but listening to developing good practice, cascading [email protected] some comments, from some members, I feel information from team to team through the Caroline Davenport I need to try and reach as many of you as I people who will sit at that table. Remember 01270 878 324 can. I am also aware this magazine goes to these are new meetings for us, so they may [email protected] non-MR members but it’s also good for them take a little time to develop. Please help us mountain.rescue.org.uk to know that we aspire to be an open make them work. organisation. This is a good time to remind you there are I have now held the position of MREW some officer posts available. You asked for NEXT ISSUE chairman for two years and most of my views time limits on posts (rightfully so) but that only ISSU E 58 about the organisation have not changed. I works if you are prepared to fill the vacancies. Editorial Copy Deadline: continue to say this because I believe it: team I do understand time is precious and Friday 9 September 201 6 members are the face of mountain rescue, balancing family life, work and then MR is all you should and do decide how it’s done at the but impossible, but some of you have the skills Editorial copy must be supplied as Word document. front end. MREW is here to support you in to step up and help. Images must be supplied as carrying out that task, but sometimes we do Julian Walden, Derby MRT leader has high resolution (300 dpi) need your help in doing that. offered to act up and cover the water group for JPG/EPS/TIFF/PDF. I believe it’s about working together. I think us as Andy Lee stood down as water officer in Advertising artwork must be we had a good AGM with some very positive May. We still have vacancies for the supplied, ready prepared on things that are now being developed. I am fundraising manager, the press officer and a CD or via email as font embedded high resolution very happy that you ask questions of us, your new post of communications and media PDF/EPS/TIFF (300 dpi). questions make us listen, reflect and ensure manager. Please read the job descriptions — we are acting on your behalf. However, I don’t they are on the website, in full — and why not think it’s acceptable for members to be rude give it a go? to officers just because we sit at the front, I am Insurance is a very important area of work for more than happy for you to disagree with any us and, with Neil Woodhead standing down points made — we do make mistakes and the from the role of insurance officer in May, we best way to deal with them is to learn, sort are thinking that this area of work should be things out and put things right. Please outsourced like the legal role and the day-to- remember MREW officers are just like all of day finances. These areas can be very time you — volunteers. They are mountain rescuers consuming and they must be right. There has Cover who have offered to help at national level, so been a lot of pressure on individuals who have why would we no longer act or think like you covered these roles, so I think it is now time to stA coouplre oyn the Coast to Coast about mountain rescue? pay for these tasks to be done by companies. walk were taking a shortcut via My other concern is that some of you think The other great bit of news — which I guess the tricky Sour Milk Ghyll when the we would keep the difficult questions or you will all have heard about by now — is the lady fell, injuring her knee. Search information from you. Everything we do at support from JD Foundation. We need to Dog Isla swiftly located the lady, who was then stretchered down national level is on the website for you to see. embrace the offer and help them where we to the farm © Keswick MRT. I hope by now you have seen the questions can. An important message for us is that, just asked of us at this year’s AGM. Following the because we now have this funding, we cannot meeting, I asked Dave Close to forward these sit back. Our insurance bill to cover your on to you. Our learning here is that, before the vehicles, the top-up of the accident policy and next meeting in November, the new questions the public liability policy is around £ 100k per will be sent out with the paperwork. Being annum, so we need to keep fundraising. But accused of only taking the easy questions is this new money means we can look at things PLEASE NOTE not true and is just not fair. The only reason for we only dreamed about in the past. Articles carried in Mountain pre-questions is so that any research can be Like all our spending, you will be involved. Rescue do not necessarily undertaken to give you the correct answer. We need to build our reserves — we don’t reflect the opinions of Mountain The good news from the AGM is you agreed have rainy day money. We need to look at Rescue England and Wales. to take the Operations Group forward. What what we really need to develop the We do not accept responsibility we now need is someone from your regions organisation and communicate with you about for advertising content. to represent you at these meetings. Mike that. If you have any good ideas, things we Margeson will chair the meetings and Elaine haven’t done because we couldn’t afford it, Gilliland will act as secretary. I think and hope please let me know. ✪

SUMMER 20 16 MOUNTAIN RESCUE MAGAZINE PAGE 3 national news in this issue MmR e etin gs EW BUSINESS AND Satu COMMITTEES rday 19 November 20 Lanca 16 shire Police HQ, Hutton MREW BUSIN ESS AND COMMITTEES Saturday 20 May 201 7 Lanca shire P olice HQ, Hutton To book in , contact: D ave Close secretary@m ountain.rescue.org.uk Or speak to the relevant officer fo Update on Peer Review subcommit r your tee — contact details Tim Cain, Kev Camplin, Tim Cox, available on the MR EW website. 10 John Bamforth and Dave Hughes

SAR-H update: John Hulse looks at the 13 ‘downwash issue’ when dealing with the new helicopters

Party Leaders at the ready : Elaine 31 Gilliland reports on this year’s course

MREW PRESIDENT PETER BELL RETIRES FROM THE ROLE To mark his retirement from the post, Peter was The new Bell stretcher: awarded a commemorative plaque at the Mike Margeson and Paul MREW AGM in May. 33 Witheridge on the making of

Involved with mountain rescue for 56 years, Peter was our very own MREW stretcher a founder member of Ambleside Fell Rescue Team, formed to support the Langdale team (the two teams are now merged as Langdale Ambleside MRT), and has been involved both locally and nationally in MR for many years. The Larkin Frame: Probably best known for his Practising with the new eponymous stretcher — used by 48 cave rescue kit, with mountain rescue teams, through Paul Taylor its various ‘marks’, since the early- 1970s — Peter was his usual modest self, preferring to quietly retire without fuss. ‘I didn’t expect any sort of formal announcement,’ said Peter, ‘but the public thank you and presentation to mark my what’s in at a glance retirement was much appreciated. The role of president NATIONAL: 6- 17 CAVES: 38-41 has been an enjoyable and not-too-arduous one and I have been pleased to be able to help mountain rescue OBITUARIES: 14 & 24 WEATHER: 44-45 in various ways during my ten years in the role’. INCIDENT STATS: 35 BENEVOLENT FUND: 48 TEAMS: 18-30 GEOLOGY: 50-52

SUMMER 20 16 MOUNTAIN RESCUE MAGAZINE PAGE 5 E MREW PR consultant and media trainer Sally Seed looks at an aspect of

H media coverage from the past few months and suggests things to be T learnt for future media relations. national news N Using facts, figures and stats I

Have you had a chance to grasp so it’s also an ideal one to use in • Make a note of the quirky figures in your to look at the new MREW discussions with media or in communications team that don’t make it to Rob. This might Annual Review of the Year with supporters. be how much vehicle fuel did you use last 2016? It’s got a lime green The other useful message from the stats for year? How many torch batteries? How much THE JD FOUNDATION cover with a flood rescue media is about rock climbing and mountain time dedicated to swiftwater training or PLEDGES GAME- picture so it’s hard to miss! biking. Basically, the decline in rock climbing medical updates? How many packs of If you haven’t browsed it incidents continues BUT incidents relating to biscuits consumed back at base? How many CHANGING SUPPORT yet, I suggest that you do, mountain biking have increased alarmingly. bacon butties during that weekend-long TO MOUNTAIN RESCUE not only so you know what’s It’s worth looking at your own team stats and search? If you can quantify some of these in it and can recommend it seeing if they’re consistent with the trend then you’ve got them to hand to reinforce ENGLAND AND WALES or use it with supporters and stakeholders, and, if so, maybe making something of it with statements in press releases, or as the core

m but also because of some of the useful local bike shops or clubs — many of those of ‘silly season’ Facebook posts (with a photo) At the MREW AGM in May, the JD Foundation o c . media gems in its pages... involved in mountain biking will have no idea if there’s not much else to say. – the registered charity of JD Sports Fashion e m i about MR and the trend in data could be a • Bear in mind the national context with plc which owns the Blacks outdoor group – t s • Back cover map and summary . A regional

m good hook for getting in touch. your local activities. The Annual Review is a pledged a level of support for MREW which

a breakdown of MREW isn’t necessarily the e

r great summary of the numbers of incidents will have a significant impact on mountain D

most earth-shattering source of facts and • Your end of things . So how can you use . r of different types and the scale of something rescue over the next three years. e

t figures but there is a lot of useful information facts and figures to add weight to your press

a like the December 2015 flooding activity. If e to be found here. releases, social media posts and your h you can establish your own team’s or region’s e

c • How many teams are there across the conversations with journalists? The money will come from revenue generated through the carrier bag charge scheme introduced by the government. An

a contribution to those bigger numbers, then p

S country? • Have your key dimensions up to date initial cheque for £218,273 was presented to MREW chairman Mike France by Traci Corrie, chair of the JD Foundation, at that tells a stronger story too. ©

• Where do cave and mines rescue fit in? and in your head (or on a paper in your the AGM in May. This will be followed by regular donations of approximately £45,000 per quarter (depending on bag

e I hope some of these are useful when

p • Which major urban areas fall into MR pocket). That’s number of team members,

y revenue), giving an anticipated £ 180,000 per annum for the next three years and amounting to nearly £750,000 over the t

dealing with your media contacts. Journalists s regions and does this create more search how long the team’s been active and number period of the support. w love facts and figures and MR has plenty of e

N requests? of incidents last year as a minimum. Some ‘We spend a lot of time asking people to help us with our work,’ says Mike, ‘so for someone to come to us and offer interesting potential to tell its story through a • And, an obvious but important one from awareness of your ‘hot spots’ or local trends support out of the blue is overwhelming and very much appreciated. To receive a cheque for a few thousand means we can few key numbers. the bottom of the page, how would someone could be useful too, but it needs to be backed sometimes make changes. To receive a cheque for this value is a game changer. It will give us the means to look at our If you have recent experience of this or in trouble call out mountain rescue? up by the figures if you can. For teams in long-term strategy. We are absolutely delighted’. something related to share, please get in traditional holiday areas, do you know how ‘Mountain Rescue is a vital commodity,’ explains Traci, ‘but, as a non-profit organisation, you are reliant on the generosity • Rob Shepherd’s stats and incident touch with [email protected] or many collection boxes you have out and and support of the public to maintain this valuable community service. That’s why we chose you as our environmental charity records . The spread on pages 6 and 7 is via the Editor. Thanks. ✪ about and how many local businesses and we’re delighted to be able to give our support and help with long term planning’. probably the most obvious source of media support you in this way? As well as the funding from the JD Foundation, Blacks, part of the outdoor division of JD Sports Fashion plc — which also headline material and there is one stat that includes Millets and Ultimate Outdoors — will be working with MREW on a number of projects over the next three years. stands out from 2015. It’s in the green box ‘We’ll be looking at designing specialist clothing together, featuring the MREW logo and information in stores and on the right hand side and I haven’t yet developing a longer-term strategy so that some of this generous support is invested in creating a more sustainable found someone who isn’t impressed by it. HOW MANY PACKS OF BISCUITS CONSUMED BACK fundraising base for the future,’ adds Mike It’s not the big number, the 92, 01 9 total of AT BASE? HOW MANY BACON BUTTIES DURING THAT volunteer hours. It’s the fact that there WEEKEND-LONG SEARCH? QUANTIFY SOME OF THESE Top: Presentation of the cheque in May. Left to right: Bill Whitehouse, MREW fundraising officer, Traci Corrie, chair of the JD Foundation, Mike were only 15 days in the whole of the year THEN YOU’VE GOT THEM TO HAND TO REINFORCE France, MREW chairman and Lee Bagnall, managing director, Blacks Outdoor Group without a mountain rescue call-out . That’s STATEMENTS IN PRESS RELEASES... a stat that immediately means something to almost anyone and it has an impact. It’s easy

ICT UPDATE: We have arranged with three The next twelve months could government The party leaders’ courses committees, so it’s not always do be careful about what you batteries, powerpacks and manufacturers to loan us be our busiest ever and I look departments now include a section on media easy to get together, and not all publish. That seemingly witty torches at cost using the existing MARK LEWIS digital equipment. A small forward to working with the alike, so make relations, delivered by Sally the avenues we go down show comment can do untold arrangements. I think it’s safe to say that the working group, which we hope expertise and support of ICT the most of it. Seed. Hopefully, those most a return. Sadly, the relationship damage! Basecamp membership last six months have been will include some of our other committee members, both Teams can likely to come into contact with with Go Outdoors has faltered On a more positive note, we remains steady. Revenue from disappointing despite our best SAR colleagues, will test the locally and nationally. buy extra the media during incidents will recently. They do still sell our have had some successes this the film continues to trickle in efforts with progress in some compatibility of the key functions copies at a now be better equipped to field pin badges through their year (not least, of course, the too (currently at £3,436.36). areas. The ICT committee had we’ll need to use. Tests will be PUBLICATIONS discounted enquiries and get their outlets but there news from the JD Foundation, Elsewhere, watch out for the planned on a ‘Mini Tech Day’ carried out prior to the kit being UPDATE: £1 plus p&p team’s story across appears to have reported above.) Dizzy Blonde this summer! In updating teams on the new made available for teams to (cover price clearly and concisely. been a loss of Varta will be continuing their July and August, Robinsons channel allocations, and loan. Despite the agreed digital ANDY SIMPSON £2) from Judy via editor@ enthusiasm among support for another three years. Brewery will sell this seasonal demonstrating digital radios standard being Tier III, there is As Sally notes above, this mountain.rescue.org.uk. FUNDRAISING senior managers to Last year, the second year of ale in their 300 or so pubs in and their functions. still a lot for teams to learn on year’s Annual Review is now We hope to launch the new UPDATE: continue with the their initial two-year agreement , North Wales and the north west Unfortunately, we’re the compatibility between published. We’ve increased website some time during the BILL WHITEHOUSE level of support we they lived up to its ‘Proud to of England. Five pence from still waiting for the manufacturers. the print run this year in the summer. As part of this, a series previously enjoyed. power mountain rescue’ slogan every pint will go to a charity MCA and Ofcom to Moodle online learning is now hope that teams will also use it of downloadable info sheets The national fundraising This may, in part by providing teams with 31,000 selected by each pub and finalise the spectrum up and running, as Mike Greene to augment their own material. have been produced which team is very small and be down to free or at-cost batteries. Each we’re happy to say we’re one allocation so all the demonstrated i n May. Three It’s a handy fundraising tool should be extremely useful for widely spread and many comments left on team also received a bundle of of the recommended charities. stakeholders can regions have received training and conversation opener with informing new (and old!) team members are double — even social media regarding an error Varta products worth £200 to discuss operational to help roll out and initially supporters, colleagues in the members, the media and triple — hatted, with in one of their catalogues. use in their own fundraising. PAGE 9 requirements. manage the application. emergency services and potential supporters. commitments to other There’s a lesson there: Please Teams can now continue to buy >

MOUNTAIN RESCUE MAGAZINE SUMMER 20 16 SUMMER 20 16 MOUNTAIN RESCUE MAGAZINE PAGE 7 PAGE 6 national news

PAGE 7 >

MEDICAL UPDATE: MIKE GREENE

Following last year’s survey, we can now better understand the role played by healthcare professionals in MREW and how they can be supported. The provision of PHTLS courses and VLE will support some of these needs. I’d like to remind teams of the need to comply with the legal responsibilities of keeping controlled drugs and the importance of reporting any possible concerns to the MREW Medical Officer, who holds the Above: Testing of the original Bell stretcher using a mini. Right: licence for the Key members of the Lyon production team directly involved in the new stretcher project. organisation. Three VLE Moodle modules are now EQUIPMENT UPDATE: available: Casualty Care Certificate Learners, Casualty JOHN WEALTHALL Care Administration and Faculty Following on from the MREW AGM in May, Chris Bagworth has kindly stepped and CPD. A series of ‘Show forward as the new vice chairman of the equipment committee. He will also and Tell’ videos have also been continue with his position as secretary of the committee too, so welcome Chris commissioned. These have and thank you. been produced in conjunction At the end of the last financial year, there was a certain amount of money left with DMRT and are now over from the last of the NHS grants. This has been used to purchase more available on the VLE. casbags and vacmats via Aguille and Snowsled respectively and I’d like to thank TRAINING UPDATE: both those companies for carrying on this work. They are available to teams, at no cost, if your current item is damaged beyond repair or has reached the end of its working life. Email me via AL READ [email protected], if your team needs one. The last year has seen a The new Bell stretcher is selling well, with nine now sold and the likelihood of two more orders number of key areas develop soon. Bear in mind that half the cost of one of these stretchers is met by MREW and again, if you with training, including the Water want one, get in touch. Please remember that any Mark 2 stretchers will no longer be serviced First Responder and 4x4 Off- once their current certificates expire and will, therefore need to be replaced. Road Instructor training, as Please contact me with any issues involving your current stretchers or a replacement one. well as the continued delivery Can I ask that you do not contact Lyon Equipment direct on this matter. of the SAR-H S92 and AW 139 stage 2B and 2C training at regional level. I’m grateful for all involved in the different aspects — thank has significant advantages when 20 16-20 17 which will enable difficult searches, you for your ongoing support. teams work together and one more national level training. but this would be Sadly, we’ve also lost a number of the secondary benefits of Most of this will be delivered best delivered of key people who helped regional delivery has been the regionally, but sometimes nationally, using develop, deliver and support greater interaction of teams. there are clear advantages experienced many aspects of training over Ongoing challenges include to bringing together team search managers. the years. maintaining delivery standards, members to develop more Likewise the Party Training should not be an end helping teams to access good advanced skills and abilities Leader course to itself — it should come from quality training which meets and this would be hard to do had favourable operational requirements — and operational requirements and at a regional level. For example, feedback — not least because the role of an operations group ensuring that we meet the the development of a 3-day it brought people from a wide and the peer review process expectations of external Advanced Search Planning and range of teams together. will help frame our direction. agencies. Management module will Nationally-funded training, We received a significant maintain the knowledge and PAGE 11 working to a national syllabus, training grant from Libor for skills of search managers for >

SUMMER 20 16 MOUNTAIN RESCUE MAGAZINE PAGE 9 national news Peer review: Six months in PAGE 9 > . T R M UPDATE KENDAL DAVE HUGHES e

OVERVIEW TIM CAIN n i n

n We’re now one month post-peer review but I have to say the collective relief at the The widespread flooding in e P The third peer review finished in June with feedback to end of that weekend was almost palpable. ‘We did alright, didn’t we?’... ‘Not as bad Cumbria and York tested, on d

Kendal MRT sent to the team exactly three weeks later. n

a as I thought’... ‘Couldn’t have gone better, I think’... However, this is only the start. an operational level, some of l

The process of reflection and discussion between the w the concepts being developed o B reviewers after the visit has proved very worthwhile. We now have the reviewers’ thoughts, and a mountain of notes captured on flip charts, to start by the Major Incident Task © Although somewhat time consuming, it ensures breadth, making sense of. The next stage will be breaking down the review into a number of distinct areas Group. In the main it worked clarity and assurance in the feedback which would so we can plan how to share good practice and improve our weaker areas. This will be the core well, but we do have areas otherwise be difficult for individual feedback to achieve. of our improvement plan. Some areas will need more work than others and we may start polling that can be developed further, UPDATE other teams (initially probably via the Facebook group) about how they do things. Similarly we’re and flooding is only one type happy to help others by sharing our best practice. of incident. BOWLAND PENNINE This process may take some time! However, no matter how long it takes, and whether or not We do have to engage with there is a follow-up in future, the question set provided by Tim is an excellent framework for others on a wider basis and I hope the feedback distils, for the MR team whose review it is, a fair and accurate reflection KEV CAMPLIN looking at how a mountain rescue team works. We can challenge ourselves against it as we see we have re-established links of their situation, processes and self-assessed performance. The feedback itself has fit. Speaking personally, I’d be happy to go through the process again (in a couple of years, with the College of Policing via developed since Bowland Pennine conducted their review back in November. Reviewer & TIM COX maybe), to see if we’ve improved as much as I hope. the Police National Search comments and suggestions are now included, where appropriate to the observations, Bowland Pennine MRT participated in The peer review itself will change over time, some aspects of our review were more comfortable Centre. We now have the because teams were keen to hear what the visitors felt about aspects of team process. The peer review over the weekend of 6/7 than others and the process has some rough edges, which Tim is polishing all the time! I’m happy opportunity to talk about what peer review process remains, however, an opportunity for participating teams to gain greater November. This was followed by a to talk to anyone about any aspect of our experience. Contact me via [email protected]. ✪ we do to the new Police self-awareness of their own situation. feedback meeting with Tim on 17 Search Advisers (PolSAs) as The table below gives the state of play in terms of who has booked a review, whether the December. Actions were identified at they come through their process has started and if feedback has been delivered. this meeting as needing the team’s courses, and to review consideration and attention and these proposed changes that affect generally derived from the reviewers police search training and Team Review Date Started Feedback Delivered asking searching questions. capability, via the NPCC Search Governance Board. Bowland Pennine Nov 20 15 There remain some Following closely on the heels of the review, Wasdale Feb 20 16 challenges with SAR-H training storms Desmond and Eva put the team’s Kendal May 20 16 — some regions had difficulty capability and resilience to the test and Dartmoor Plymouth June 20 16 gaining access to the aircraft although we were able to respond very NEWSAR July 20 16 due to limited time, due to a positively, it brought into focus many of the SARA Aug TBC number of the new aircraft aspects highlighted by the peer review in terms Woodhead Sept 20 16 being delayed in arriving of multi-agency working, interoperability and RPMRT Nov 20 16 during the work-up phase. major incident planning. Quite a lot of water The take up of Stage 1A NNPMRT March 20 17 has literally passed under the bridge since then training was good, but we Cleveland July 20 17 so what have we done in the six months since need to maintain that level as Bolton Sept 20 17 the review? we transition in to steady state. A Trauma Risk Incident Management (TRiM) ‘PEER REVIEW WAS A DEMANDING PROCESS BUT VERY WORTHWHILE.

. The SAR-H group is engaging training course has been arranged regionally, T THE KEY... IS TO KEEP THE REVIEW ONGOING AND ‘LIVE’ AND NOT LET IT R with the MCA and Bristow to M with four team members signed up to GATHER DUST IN A DRAWER AND THAT IS DOWN TO US. I CAN ONLY e

As we learn from the process, we are adapting to develop an optimum way of conducting l identify and address issues as

participate, and another planned for next year. a RECOMMEND THE PROCESS TO ALL TEAMS’. reviews. Dartmoor SRT Plymouth will be using the latest form of review with the first day now d they arise but the role of the Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service (LFRS) s a group, the regional SPOCs split into four parts: W

attended a familiarisation visit to our base at

© and SAR-H link members is Part 1. SWOT analysis, where the team states their perceived strengths, weaknesses, Ray Lane and this is being followed up with a vital to make it all work. opportunities and threats. joint water training exercise. Although we work The changeover to the Part 2. Discussion about processes and policies, operations and training. The whole closely with the ambulance, air ambulance and UPDATE WASDALE JOHN BAMFORTH ARCC being run out of the review team explores these subjects with the team’s key stakeholders. police we haven’t previously worked closely MCA National Maritime Part 3. Subgroup discussions exploring medical, equipment, TRiM and technical rescue. with LFRS. Three months after completing the main part of the peer review exercise, we invited Operation Centre seems to Individual review team members explore these subjects with the team’s leads for each. A Water Incident Manager (WIM) has been Tim down to base to one of our committee meetings. The purpose was to clarify have been relatively smooth Part 4. Open forum. The review team meet wider team members to get their views on identified for training in this coordination role. some of the points made in the response from the review team. I have to say at this but if issues do arise they can the team’s processes and performance. A written major incident plan is currently point that the response to the questionnaire was very detailed, comprehensive and be directed to the SAR-H Day Two remains a field exercise, where the team has the opportunity to demonstrate its being formalised, along with reviewing and hugely constructive. Our queries were relatively minor in comparison. In the interim group to discuss with the operational processes and performance. updating our Standing Operational Procedures period between the response becoming available and this final wrap-up meeting MCA at the next user group The current Peer Review pilot lasts until October 2017. There are, therefore, still opportunities (SOPs). We are endeavouring to work more we had collated some of the responses into themes to make the meeting more meeting. closely with our partners, and this includes targeted. for teams to take advantage of the process. Teams who are interested in conducting their own The future funding of training major incident planning and training. reviews should contact me as soon as possible. Currently 25 volunteers have said they are has some uncertainty. We can The team has not lost sight of the issues As a team, we only have so much time and have decided to look at areas that represent the happy to help other teams with their reviews. Acting as a reviewer is an excellent way of seeing access Libor funds on an identified by the peer review and we are greatest risk to the team. One of the areas was having the right amount of skills in the team, which how other teams do business and deciding if the process might be good for your own team. annual basis but that will actively pursuing more improvement in our covers a number of facets from recruitment (we find this has been an issue for the last few years), Again, if you’d like to be a part of the review team pool, please contact me. eventually stop. It is difficult to operational procedures. A number of initiatives to probationer training and dealing with training competencies as the membership changes and Looking forward, we hope to gather those who have been involved in the process to decide provide a long term plan have been formulated which will come to more skills are required to be retained. I am guessing many teams will also find this whole process how best to exploit the learning for the benefit of all teams. Possible initiatives already under without a reliable funding fruition in the next six months, so a further to be an issue. We don’t have all the answers yet but we’ve started to focus on building up crag discussion include training for reviewers; team progress reviews, one year on from the main stream — to develop and review after a year will see significant and medical skills in the team and have agreed to set up a recruitment campaign. review, with the intent of helping the team achieve some of the goals recognised out of the deliver training that a team developments. This will not be the end of the All in all, peer review was a demanding process but very worthwhile. The key to getting the value review process; and short ‘mini-reviews’ looking as single subject topics ie. Medical. The member feels is useful, enjoys process as it is not practical to do everything at out of it is to keep the review ongoing and ‘live’ and not let it gather dust in a drawer and that is outcome goal for the peer review pilot is to embed the process across teams so we have a and has a positive impact to once and some issues of a less pressing down to us. I can only recommend the process to all teams. Good luck! ✪ any casualty. ✪ system we can use as and when we want to ‘have a look in the mirror’. ✪ nature can be covered at a later date. ✪

PAGE 10 MOUNTAIN RESCUE MAGAZINE SUMMER 20 16 SUMMER 20 16 MOUNTAIN RESCUE MAGAZINE PAGE 11 SAR-H issues SAR-H Downwash Photo © Keswick MRT. JOHN HULSE

The S-92A can create a higher downwash than the Sea King in a number of circumstances such as a ‘still-air day’, or when the downwash is funnelled down a gully or by other terrain features. This is due to the need to keep an eleven-ton aircraft in the air using a narrower rotor disk than the Sea King. This high movement of air is typically in a column/ doughnut shape below the aircraft. MITIGATION The downwash has to be locally managed by the MRT on the ground; there is little the crew can do to influence the magnitude of the downwash apart from being somewhere else. The ten key steps you can take should include:

1 5 Ensure all team members who are The incident site lead call sign needs yourself immediately to a suitable interacting with the aircraft are to clearly communicate with the anchor point or equivalent. Do not current with their iSAR training which aircraft to plan the operational phase come out of the strop unless you are deals specifically with downwash and work around the incident site. If absolutely sure you will be safe. management. you are not ready for the aircraft, 10 2 then say so and ask them politely to Be aware that: Ensure suitable eye and ear PPE is stand-off until you are ready! a. On initial approach to the hover used by all team members when in 6 you can expect dust, snow, water, or near the ‘hot-zone’. Secure all equipment and personnel loose plant materials etc, to be lifted 3 BEFORE the aircraft arrives on scene. and blown around. Ensure strong, clear and effective 7 b. Downwash may well dislodge incident site management discipline. Do NOT try to walk around when the rocks etc, so try to work to one side 4 aircraft is overhead. of the natural fall-line. Avoid working Keep the number of personnel in the 8 in gullies if at all possible. ‘hot-zone’ to the absolute minimum If unsecured equipment gets blown c. When working near trees with the needed for that phase of the away in the downwash or winching aircraft overhead, downwash can operation. Ensure unauthorised process, do NOT try to run after it. break or dislodge large branches. people do not enter the ‘hot-zone’. Recover it after the aircraft has d. When working in snow-covered Some teams implement a very stood-off. areas, the risk of avalanche may be effective path-blocking method 9 increased by downwash. when dealing with crowded When being winched out onto locations. hazardous ground, plan to secure SUMMARY Downwash is a generic issue when working near any larger civil or military SAR helicopter. However, by taking suitable precautions and carefully managing the incident site, much of the potentially hazardous nature of the downwash can be safely mitigated.

MOUNTAIN RESCUE LOVES OVERBOARD

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SUMMER 20 16 MOUNTAIN RESCUE MAGAZINE PAGE 13 national news OBIT TONY JONES MBE 1939 – 2 016 MREW vice president Dr A S G Jones (AKA Tony Jones) died on 6 May , aged 77 years, after suffering a degenerative illness for a number of months. Chris Lloyd looks back over his remarkable life and lifelong CHANGING commitment to the cause of mountain rescue. CHAIRS AROUND THE Tony was a major influence on University College of Wales, Bangor Tony was also a member of the mountain rescue in the UK. Born in and, in 1966, became a full member of Climbers’ Club. For many years he was NATIONAL TABLE India, the son of an officer of the British OVMRO. He was subsequently hut warden at Helyg, their Ogwen hut. Indian Army, as a young boy he moved appointed a team leader, an office he He was also a member of the Alpine We have vacancies on the back to his mother’s home country of held until 1998 and, in 1969, he was Club and, despite his weakened leg, he management team so if you South Africa. Childhood polio left him elected chairman, a position he held for summited Mont Blanc, Mount fancy getting involved at with a weak leg but, growing up in the 21 years. Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya. national level — or think you shadow of Table Mountain he soon Being a single man and living in Soon after his arrival in Bangor, Tony know someone who might fit took an interest in the mountains and university halls, where he was warden, joined the local fire service. In 1970 he the bill — email Dave Close he could devote his free time to studies was able to put this experience to good via secretary@ of mountain rescue. He was chairman use when the drying room of the mountain.rescue.org.uk of North Wales Mountain Rescue Clachaig Inn, Glencoe, caught fire. for a full job description. Association for forty years and became When the fire engine arrived, he involved with the then Mountain Rescue volunteered his expertise, using the Publications and Information is Committee. Over thirty years, he was hose to save the fine selection of malt changing its name, to reflect the involved with several committees, whisky displayed behind the bar. huge expansion in areas of including radio ‘communications’, was On 26 May his funeral, in Bangor responsibility over recent years. vice chairman for several years, and cathedral, was attended by members Andy Simpson is currently later a trustee. of mountain rescue across England continuing in the post as chairman , Tony encouraged innovation. In his and Wales, alongside the RAF and 22 although his ten-year tenure was early days, his good friend, Dr Ieuan Squadron, the police, MCA and RNLI. up in May. TRIP TO THE POLO 2 016 Jones realised that with better first aid A number of eulogies demonstrated ‘Marketing and Communications’ at the accident site, the better the the huge influence and diverse will be led by a Marketing and outcome for the casualty. Ieuan devised contribution Tony made and the service MIKE FRANCE Communications Manager who a series of first aid courses for both RAF ended with a small local choir singing a (pretty much as before) will keep and civilian teams. Tony was soon stirring rendition of Nkosi Sikele Afrika, Soon after the Duke of Cambridge became our an overview on all aspects of the teaching these to team members the national anthem of South Africa. patron, we were invited along to one of his polo group’s activity, both internally around the country. Following a visit to A book should be written about this matches, which raise money for his various the US, he helped bring the American unusual and remarkable man: born in and externally. charities. At the time we were told these were style of search management back to India, brought up in South Africa, with The role of Press Officer will now ‘one offs’. But, thanks to the Duke, his polo the UK. the Welsh surname of Jones, who be separate. He or she will be manager Andrew Tucker and Beaufort Polo Club, Through his contacts in the US, he responsible for raising the profile we were asked back again this year and, if I am established close contact with the of MR through the media and not mistaken, this is the eighth year running, so USAF PJs (special forces medics) other channels. These individuals let’s keep our heads down and our fingers stationed in England who came to will be expected to work closely crossed for next year. Snowdonia to train. In fact, Tony with each other, external became an honorary PJ member, their professionals such as the editor motif of a pair of green feet proudly and social media, website and Some of the money received has helped us fund the Princes’ Forum charity days, which I think Tony enjoying the snow and ice, ice axe tattooed on his buttocks. PR advisers, as well as the chairs we would all agree bring as much pleasure to us as they do the children and young people we ever at the ready. Photos © OVMRO. In 1992, Tony’s contribution to of all the other departments. entertain. This year, it was a great opportunity to say thank you to the JD Foundation by inviting mountain rescue was recognised by Daryl Garfield will step down as them to be our guests at this special day out, watching William play polo. Traci Corrie and Victoria joined the Mountaineering Club of TV’s ‘This is your Life’. Being a man Vehicles Officer in November, so Grimshaw joined Elaine Gilliland and myself, leaving at 7.00am to be in Gloucestershire for South Africa, a membership which he who did not enjoy publicity, nor possess this post will be advertised from 11.00am. kept for sixty years. Through this, he a television, there was some trepidation then. Andy Lee stepped down as This is one of those days when you don’t wear your boots or your red jacket, so you do hope for became involved with mountain by the three Ogwen members who sunshine. We may not have had the sunshine but at least it didn’t rain. I did notice at the end of the Water Officer immediately prior rescue. organised the event when the Wessex day that Elaine had given up on her heels and was walking barefoot on the grass. Some people to the May meeting. Julian Having graduated in Marine Geology, helicopter landed and Michael Aspel regularly wore a kilt of Scottish tartan! are born to wear boots. Walden, team leader of Derby he moved to the UK in 1963 to further jumped out with the red book. As he He led with single-minded authority. He Lunch at 12.15pm, was followed by the charity auction, with some great things to bid for (all out MRT, will be caretaking the role his studies at Aberystwyth University, walked up to Tony and said ‘Dr Tony was a generous man, always willing to of my range) including tickets to Wales v South Africa, a day out with Maserati at Goodwood, a until November, so any queries and joined the university Jones, this is your life’, it was fortunate help fledgling team members with his champagne tasting trip to France, thanks to Pommery and a Piaget Polo ‘FortyFive’ watch that went related to water, please direct mountaineering club. there were enough good friends vast knowledge of mountain rescue. He for £4 ,100. The Maserati Royal Trophy started at 2.30pm with Maserati versus Piaget. The Duke In 1965 when Ogwen Valley around to make sure Aspel wasn’t told was respected for that authoritative them to him via waterofficer@ played in his normal number 4 shirt for the Maserati team. It was an action-packed game, watched Mountain Rescue Organisation began, what he could do with his red book! knowledge which had been gained by mountain.rescue.org.uk. by an enthusiastic crowd, and Maserati won 9 to 6½. it was trusted groups of mountaineers In 1995, Tony was awarded the MBE, thorough research and the university of Bill Whitehouse is currently After the presentations and afternoon tea (more food), it was time for the next match, an who staffed the team. The Aberystwyth a thoroughly deserved honour for years life. For those who knew him and looking after the Fundraising international between Piaget Young England and the Young Ireland team (guess who Elaine was group was one of these and Tony’s of dedication to mountain rescue. worked with him, they will know that it Officer post, in lieu of a new cheering on). Another action-packed match. introduction to mountain rescue in the When he resigned as a team member was a privilege to have known Dr ASG appointment to the chair and we It’s always a long day, but we were well looked-after and coming away with yet another large UK. Having gained his Phd, he moved in 1999, he was made an honorary Jones MBE. ✪ are also looking for President , cheque makes it all worth while. to lecture in Marine Geology at member. Vice President and Assistant Top: William in action © Mike France. Left: Elaine Gilliland, Victoria Treasurer . Grimshaw, Traci Corrie and Mike meet William and Harry.

PAGE 14 MOUNTAIN RESCUE MAGAZINE SUMMER 20 16 SUMMER 20 16 MOUNTAIN RESCUE MAGAZINE PAGE 15 How to get in touch with not just the officers and trustees but also some of the key specialist advisers who assist in running the organisation: producing the magazine, maximising PR opportunities, developing and maintaining SARCALL and securing insurance cover on your behalf. who?

CHAIRMAN: MIKE FRANCE VEHICLES: DARYL GARFIELD s CHAIR OF TRUSTEES: PAUL AMOS [email protected] vehiclesoffi[email protected] [email protected] m

Represents mountain rescue with Government, the Works with the police, Government and teams in all e An Emergency Management and Leadership

a emergency services, other SAR organisations and The matters ‘vehicles’. Development consultant, Paul also lectures on field Vice chair: Paul Smethurst: [email protected] e Princes’ Charities Forum. A member of Woodhead MRT. t operations at Coventry University and teaches flood

e rescue management at strategic level. He was with s t Hereford and Worcester FRS for fifteen years.

u t

VICE CHAIRMAN: MIKE MARGESON WATER: JULIAN WALDEN r

wateroffi[email protected] t n [email protected] STEVE WOOD

Wo rks to establish the necessary guidance and l Works on operations and governance, supporting the [email protected] e standards to ensure the safety of members in a water officers in their roles. Currently developing a peer review Steve is well known within the SAR community through environment. Julian is a member of Derby MRT. a process. Team leader of Duddon and Furness MRT. his work at Mapyx Limited which has long been a n m supporter of all charitable rescue organisations. r

e ICT: MARK LEWIS SECRETARY: DAVE CLOSE ictoffi[email protected] e t g [email protected] or Develops com ms technology across mountain rescue. PETER DYMOND

Acts as an interface between teams, regions and the Mark is a member of Western Beacons MRT. x [email protected] a MREW management team. He is a member of Vice chair: Iain Nicholson: [email protected] Peter’s professional background is with the UK e

n Dartmoor SRT (Ashburton). Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and the Coastguard Rescue Service, the volunteer emergency

a EQUIPMENT: JOHN WEALTHALL response arm of the MCA. equipmentoffi[email protected] FINANCIAL DIRECTOR: John takes over from Richard Terrell, looking after all m

PENNY BROCKMAN things equipment. He is a member of Duddon and r [email protected] Furness MRT . Penny continues in the role in lieu of a new appointment. l u MREW CHAIRMAN: MIKE FRANCE

She manages MREW finances and the administration of a [email protected]

o grant monies and continues to review the financial Part o f Mike’s remit as MREW chairman is to represent n

y systems. Penny is team leader of Central Beacons MRT. the interests of the organisation at trustee meetings, to

ASSISTANT SECRETARY: r ELAINE GILLILAND ensure the smooth running and continued governance [email protected] e of the organisation. t MEDICAL: MIKE GREENE Assists Dave Close in the secretary role. Elaine is a member of Bolton MRT. n medicaloffi[email protected] i SHIRLEY PRIESTLEY Represents mountain rescue in medical matters to the [email protected] Government, the emergency services and IKAR, and Shirley has been a member of the Scarborough and maintains the morphine licence. Mike is a member of TRAINING OFFICER: AL READ Ryedale MRT since 1990, during which time she has Wasdale MRT. trainingoffi[email protected] undertaken a variety of roles at all levels. She is also Develops trai ning and guidelines for team members at treasurer of the Benevolent Fund. all levels across a range of disciplines. Al is a member of Ogwen Valley MRO. PRESS OFFICER: ANDY SIMPSON Vice chair: Tim Cain: [email protected] PHIL PAPARD pressoffi[email protected] [email protected] Deals with the press, TV and radio, and supports teams Phil has been a member of the Cave Rescue in their own publicity, chairs the communication group BCRC: BILL WHITEHOUSE Organisation for over forty years, serving as controller, (PISC) and is also chairman of Rossendale & Pendle MRT. [email protected] training officer and chairman. He retired as Principal Vice chair: Judy Whiteside: [email protected] As chairman of BCRC, Bill represents the interest of Inspector in the HSE in 2012, after 25 years. cave rescue and supports the management team. He is also a trustee of the Benevolent Fund.

EDITOR: JUDY WHITESIDE SAR-H: JOHN HULSE STATISTICS: ROB SHEPHERD [email protected] [email protected] statisticsoffi[email protected]

t Provides design and editorial services for the The creator of SARCALL and a team leader of the Collects and collates incident information from the teams. A s

r magazine. Outside her role as editor, she assists in a Ogwen Valley MRO, John continues to lead on the member of Llanberis MRT and North Wales CRO, he is also s i

l number of areas in communication, publications SAR-H migration process . involved with SARDA Wales.

e and marketing and supports the fundraising group. s a Judy is also secretary of the Benevolent Fund. i i v c INSURANCE: NEIL WOODHEAD PR SUPPORT: SALLY SEED PROCUREMENT OFFICER: d e [email protected] [email protected] DAVIE THOMSON Member of Kinder MRT and chairman of the Benevolent Supports Andy Simpson and Judy Whiteside in their

a procurementoffi[email protected] p Fund. He is consulted by the management team and roles and provides PR advice and support to MREW Davie will be looking to establish an effective purchasing policy, s other specialist advisers on insurance matters, helping and teams where required, seeking to improve including an online catalogue and training modules in how to ▲ to manage the insurances we have in place. He will communication both internally and externally. Sally negotiate better deals at team level. He is a member of ...turn to page 41 for also offer basic help and assistance to teams with also helps deliver media skills training. Swaledale MRT. their general queries. BCRC contacts

PAGE 16 MOUNTAIN RESCUE MAGAZINE SUMMER 20 16 SUMMER 20 16 MOUNTAIN RESCUE MAGAZINE PAGE 17 team news

LAKE DISTRICT REVIEW OF THE MOUNTAIN RESCUE RESPONSE TO FLOODING IN CUMBRIA, 5-7 DECEMBER 2015 MIKE GULLEN OPERATIONS OFFICER LDSAMRA

The debrief which followed the floods in December last year identified some common themes and key pieces of learning. A full version of the report, covering operational issues, infrastructure (including welfare facilities), tasking and SARCALL, resourcing and interaction with partner agencies, is available from Mike via operations@ ldsamra.org.uk. The following is a summary of the recommendations and improvements suggested.

● Teams deploying outside their normal ● Consider undertaking a radio survey of departure through to tasking. Consider area should go with a level of self-sufficiency Carlisle and other Cumbrian towns to separate log for out-of-county deployments in terms of maps, decontamination, food and determine optimum rebroadcast locations and improved welfare. drink for at least the first few hours. Those for MR radio and then present these in the ● When deploying water resources outside attending command posts should go team appendices to the MIP. This would of a team’s area follow the Defra Team equipped with a suitable phone or other IT to facilitate using MR radio and GPS tracking in Typing Scheme. Regional Silver will look to provide WiFi where none is immediately future. buddy people up where numbers dictate. available. Funding for phones used in this ● Highlight to police, NWAS and CFRS the ● Work with CFRS to improve operational way might be considered by LDSAMRA. need for facilities in their buildings to support relationships (where they are weak). Also ● Support national efforts to develop a MR cells in any future major incident, in consider recommending to FRS nationally common way to mark cleared houses. particular IT and WiFi access. about improving the awareness of tactical ● Consider the provision of specialist ● Publish each team’s radio frequencies in advisers of MR capabilities and limitations. equipment for evacuation of care homes or the MIP and SARCALL regional/national ● MREW should develop a national animals. Gain more familiarity with reception contacts page. protocol on how to request MR support from centre capabilities. Both might be ● Review the LDSAMRA conference call other regions (and potentially also Scotland). incorporated in future pre-plans. facility. ● Another regional major incident exercise ● LDSAMRA should consider further the ● Agree the proposed SARCALL tasking should be held and related training provided. potential for Bowland Pennine and other Mid- system with police and NWAS. Present it in A group of base operators and team leaders Pennine personnel to act as MR advisers at the MIP and include in future training. should be developed to help run such NWAS control room in Broughton during ● Identify SARCALL advisers, either inside incidents, with enough capability to operate major incidents. or outside the region, at the start of a major 24 hours for 2–3 days. The exercise might ● Consider the following in any grant incident. also include representatives from partner applications post-incident: small rafts for ● Establish a resourcing plan for Silver, agencies. Alternatively, look to involve more working inside houses, satellite navigation Bronze(s), Police HQ and other key roles near MR personnel in countywide exercises. systems, floating torches, water radios. Also the start of the incident that can be ● An LDSAMRA Task and Finish Group is consider whether central purchasing would maintained for a period of days. needed to take forward these help improve equipment standards (and ● Improve continuity for out-of-county recommendations. ✪ reduce costs) for the region. teams by dedicated contact point from

PAGE 18 MOUNTAIN RESCUE MAGAZINE SUMMER 20 16 team news

MID PENNINE QUEEN’S AWARD FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE FOR BOLTON TEAM The team was recognised in May for its service to the community, following a year which saw them dealing with 99 call-outs and playing a key role in flood rescue and support both ‘at home’ and further afield during December. The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service is the highest award given to local volunteer groups in recognition of their outstanding work in their communities. Bolton was one of 193 charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the Award in 20 16. The award was created in 2002 to celebrate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee and winners are announced each year on 2 June, the anniversary of her coronation. The team will receive the award from the Lord Lieutenant of Greater Manchester, Warren Smith KStJ JP DLitt LLD later this summer. In the meantime, Garry Rhodes MBE, who retired as team leader in March this year, represented colleagues at Buckingham Palace in May. ‘It was a privilege and honour to represent the team at the Royal Garden Party. The Top: Bolton team members assembled. award is recognition of every member’s Left: ‘One day, Alastair... all this will be yours...’ contribution and service to our community Above: Left to right: MREW Chairman Mike France, Garry and his partner Ann, MREW Press and it is a particular honour to receive it in the Officer Andy Simpson. Photos © Bolton MRT. Queen’s ninetieth year’, said Garry. The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service Committee chairman, former broadcast longest-serving team leaders in MR across partner of twenty-four years, Ann, and their journalist Sir Martyn Lewis warmly the UK. two grandchildren Megan and Oliver and has congratulated ‘all of the inspirational When Garry took on the role, a call-out plans to travel the mountains at home and voluntary groups who have been rewarded was an unusual occurrence but the team abroad in his motorhome. for their community work’. The judging panel, now regularly attend around 100 incidents a On Saturday 11 June the team held a he said, ‘were struck by the quality and year. The biggest increase is due to the dinner to acknowledge Garry’s dedication breadth of all the successful groups’ and ‘the many ‘ambulance assists’, supporting and commitment to Bolton MRT and the thousands of volunteers who give up spare NWAS in the treatment and evacuation of people it serves. Meanwhile, taking up the time to help others in their community’. casualties, which often involves working gauntlet as team leader is Alistair Greenough alongside the North West Air Ambulance. who joined the team in 2002. BOLTON’S GARRY RHODES STEPS Since he became team leader, Garry has DOWN AFTER 36 YEARS been involved in over 2,000 incidents, CALDER COMMEMORATIVE WALK attended over 1,135 Wednesday evening When Garry Rhodes MBE joined Bolton On Saturday 30 April, members of Calder training exercises and 325 standby rescue MRT — initially for two short periods in the Valley SRT past and present, supporters, cover events, including involvement in the early- 1970s and then again in 19 80, before families and friends gathered for a 2002 Commonwealth Games events held rejoining yet again in March 1983 — no one commemorative walk as part of their fiftieth around Rivington, which forms part of the could have imagined the impact he was to anniversary year. team’s patch. have on the team and its members. The walk was particularly significant In May 2008, he was awarded the MBE for But, having served 36 years, with 27 as because it reflected part of the ill-fated route ‘services to Bolton Mountain Rescue Team’. team leader, he has stepped down from the taken, on 29 November 1965, by Robert and, in December 2002, received the very post. Garry became the seventh team leader Akrigg, the reservoir keeper who set out in rarely presented Bolton Civic Medal. for Bolton in 1989, having previously served blizzard conditions with his son Donald, to He may have stepped down, but his as deputy leader and team training officer. commitment to mountain rescue continues, His commitment to the team is nothing short as an ‘ordinary’ operational team member. of phenomenal — as all who know him will PAGE 22 He can also now spend more time with his > attest — and he now ranks as one of the

SUMMER 20 16 MOUNTAIN RESCUE MAGAZINE PAGE 21 team news

PAGE 21 >

Above: BPMRT TL Kevin Camplin presents MREW 25 year Long Service Certificates to Paul Heap and Iain Nicholson. Below: Iain with Search Dog Mij, who retired in March 2 01 2 having undertaken over 200 searches with 14 missing person finds in her seven years’ service.

Derby team member and paramedic David Whitmore receiving his Queen’s Ambulance Service Medal from Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace in June.

Top: in attendance were eight team leaders past and present, photographed for posterity and chronologically from the left to right: Current team leader Ben Carter, Al Day, Mick Smith, Graham Astley, Dave Kingham, Pete Farnell, Peter Smith OBE and Malcolm Proctor. Above: Team members and supporters gathered for the Commemorative Walk. CALDER ANNIVERSARY BOOKLET NOW ON SALE check rain gauges in the catchment area. The limited edition booklet traces the Parting company at the junction between team’s origins, recounts numerous incidents Reaps Water and Dicken Dyke, Robert set off from the archives and offers a unique towards Raistrick Greave. Donald returned to glimpse of life then and now as part of Calder the rendezvous having completing his tasks, Valley Search and Rescue Team. but Robert never arrived. Team president Bob Uttley said, ‘It’s It is known that Robert checked the wonderful that the team has gone from gauges near Raistrick Greave, but from there strength to strength over the last fifty years on, his route is not confirmed. From here, the and is now a respected emergency service commemorative walk followed footpaths to operating over 400 square miles of West the point where Robert’s body was Yorkshire and working alongside the police, eventually discovered on 6 February 1966, ambulance and fire service. During its when the heavy snowdrifts thawed and existence, it has dealt with upwards of 900 severe weather abated. call-outs. Most of these fall within Yorkshire, Donald Akrigg and his wife were able to but we have also assisted other rescue join the walkers for the whole route, along teams outside this area’. On Wednesday 4 May, Kinder team members were honoured to be

with Chris Ambler, who worked for the water T The booklet is available from the team’s invited to provide hill-safety cover for HRH Earl of Wessex. board at the time. Chris, along with CVSRT Above: Team member Clive Green demonstrates the ‘Nossac’ stretcher and a Whillans harness at online shop at www.cvsrt.org.uk for just £8 president Bob Uttley and Peter Legg (one of C Heptonstall Quarry, near Hebden Bridge in 1974. The Nossac was named after the late Don Casson, plus £1 p&p (UK only) or from any team I Prince Edward undertakes numerous official duties for the Duke of the local landowners) all provided some who was a team leader in the early days. Don had set up a training exercise at Blackstone Edge Edinburgh Award Scheme (which celebrates its sixtieth anniversary this

member. Alternatively, donate £5 to the team R additional information surrounding the area where he placed himself in one of the narrow crevasse holes at the top of the crag. He was a big year). On this occasion, he was walking from Lea House, Edale via Jacob’s

via the link on the T and initial search. bloke and the team couldn’t get him out! The stretcher was subsequently developed to extract shop and they will Ladder and Kinder Downfall to Bowden Bridge, Hayfield, in the company of casualties from inaccessible places that couldn’t be reached with a conventional stretcher. Sadly, S Also in attendance were eight team this piece of equipment history has been lost in time. Photo from the Calder archive. send you a link to I a number of DofE groups. Members of KMRT escorted the Prince and the leaders (past and present), photographed for access the digital DofE groups along the route with, fortunately, no requirement for the team posterity and chronologically from the right: D members to demonstrate their first aid and rescue skills! Even the weather

flipbook version. All Malcolm Proctor, Pete Smith, Pete Farnell, proceeds, of course, played its part on the day and a fine outing was enjoyed by all including our Dave Kingham, Graham Astley, Mick Smith, K go towards keeping Royal guest, who made a point of trying to speak with as many of the hail), the conditions underfoot were difficult to the starting point for some welcome

Al Day and current team leader Ben Carter. A the team operational. attendees involved as possible and who was generally noted to be leading There are some gaps due to previous team negotiate, but helped all the walkers gain a refreshment at the Pack Horse Inn at

E from the front for the majority of the day. leaders being absent or sadly deceased. better understanding of the difficulties Robert Widdop. The perfect opportunity to recount P On reflection, even following official would have had finding his way in the stories from the past and remember the Left to right: Pete Roberts, Dave Blyth, Oli Pratt, Prince Edward, Ken Blakeman and Dan footpaths on Saturday in spring weather blizzard conditions. teams origins. Heighway © Kinder MRT. (albeit changeable with bright sunshine to Eventually all participants made it back to

PAGE 22 MOUNTAIN RESCUE MAGAZINE SUMMER 20 16 SUMMER 20 16 MOUNTAIN RESCUE MAGAZINE PAGE 23 OBIT team news TED BURTON MBE Left and below: Jamie Pattison in training and 1932 – 2 016 then the real thing. It was with great regret that Buxton Mountain Rescue announced the death of honorary team member Charles Edward (Ted) Burton MBE in On day four, Jamie’s team finished in six Ambulance Service, North Yorkshire Fire and March. Ian Hurst & Roger Bennett write about his life. hours with the second place team 58 Rescue, Yorkshire Air Ambulance and minutes behind. On the last day, again the Cleveland Police. This is in addition to police team came in first place with a time of nine representation from operations, legal, Ted joined the team in the early working with all the Peak District teams. hours and nineteen minutes — an amazing communications, emergency planning, the 1970s and was appointed team leader In the 1999 New Year’s Honours List, four hours and one minute ahead of the next dog section and the force control room. in 1975, and the next few years saw he was awarded the MBE for ‘his placed team — winning the race as the only The meetings are now mainly informative massive changes and developments in services to mountain rescue in the Peak team to complete the course within the and, where issues are raised, they are mountain rescue within not just the District’. allotted time. balanced and quickly addressed to the point Buxton team, but the Peak District Ted became ill earlier this year and To safely undertake such a feat, prior where Jon now arranges a meal in the force Mountain Rescue Organisation and the was admitted to Stepping Hill Hospital, planning and preparation was essential. With canteen prior to the meeting, allegedly to Mountain Rescue Committee (now Stockport. He passed away on 20 all his food and equipment being dragged bribe us into attendance. MREW). During his tenure as leader, March 20 16, aged 84 years. His funeral behind him in a pulk, only the bare Jon routinely attends the quarterly North the team was invited to become a was held at the Methodist Church, necessities could be taken, in order to East Search and Rescue and Yorkshire division of the St John Ambulance Chapel-en-le-Frith on 6 April. The minimise weight. To train for the event, Jamie Dales Panel meetings along with regular Brigade, unique in England and Wales church was full with family and friends spend many days in the Northumberland visits to individual teams. at the time. Further achievements and all mountain rescue teams in the National Park dragging an old tractor tyre The five teams are now regular speakers included establishing a team base in a Peak District sent representatives. A behind him, in addition to trips to Norway and at sergeant and inspector promotion courses disused quarry building at Dove Holes, sea of red jackets lined the church drive NORTH EAST the Cairngorms in Scotland. and POLSA refreshers. We have also which provided the team with a for Ted’s arrival, a wonderful tribute. benefited from input into our training meeting room, equipment and vehicle Buxton team provided the pall bearers THE ICE MAN COMETH programmes with subjects as diverse as storage. This led onto a programme of and his coffin was carried in with dignity. FAREWELL AND THANK YOU TO PC JESOP, working with and around police fundraising to improve and modernise Mike France, MREW chairman, gave a Northumberland National Park MRT Ted picking up his JON RUSHTON FROM THE NORTH dogs, negotiation skills and emergency the team’s equipment and vehicles and fitting eulogy, followed by two of Ted’s MBE. All images © announced in May that team member Jamie planning, all of which Jon has initiated. is recognised as the beginning of the grandsons — a moving and Eve Burton. Pattison had become ‘an Iceman’, having YORKSHIRE TEAMS modern team we see today. enlightening experience. won the inaugural Berghaus Iceman Polar Ian Hugill writes: For the last nine years of Jon is quiet spoken and mild mannered. However, senior officers and the teams all Ted stood down as team leader in His final journey was to the its deepest condolences to Ted’s wife Race. This extreme, self-sufficient 100 km so, PC Jon Rushton has been the single 1989 and took on the role of team Macclesfield Crematorium for a private Eve, who was also an active team race over remote arctic Greenland is billed point of contact between North Yorkshire know when he has corrected us. Many a president for a while. He was also service for family and close friends. member for many years, and to her as the world’s toughest arctic race. Jamie’s Police and the five volunteer mountain and senior officer has had ‘advice’ from Jon (Sir, appointed a PDMRO incident controller, Buxton Mountain Rescue Team sends family. Rest in peace Ted. ✪ team for the event included Natalie Taylor, a cave rescue teams in North Yorkshire. with all due respect…). Equally, teams have British Army doctor and Scott Webster, a As a serving police officer, Jon’s day job is been ‘reminded’ more that once that the professional Mountain Guide. a lead Police Search Adviser and trainer and police have primacy for inland search and During the event, Jamie and his team had much of his work with the teams has been rescue when we may have exceeded our to fight with their surrounding environment over and above this, frequently in his own time. remit. In receiving this advice you know you before they could even think about the race. It would be an understatement to say that have ‘been told’ without any bad feeling and SPECIALIST DEMANDS CALL FOR WE KNOW MORE THAN JUST They had to avoid polar bears, deal with when Jon took over, there was work to be as such it is well received. temperatures down to minus 30 degrees done to develop relationships with the Jon retires later this year and, knowing that A CM SPECIALIST SOLUTION THE ROPES Celsius and blizzards from polar arctic voluntary sector and he took to this with the June liaison meeting was the last he would chair, the teams took the opportunity CM Specialist Vehicle Division applies superb craftsmanship and conversion Our passionate climbers and mountaineers earned their experience on the storms that prevented any movement from gusto, quickly establishing a quarterly police skills to a range of standard production vehicles in the blue and amber light sharp end. Long weekends in Snowdonia, the Lakes, as well as trips to the their tents for two days. liaison meeting. Early meetings were to present Jon with a token of their gratitude sector ensuring long service life and maximum protection. For almost Alps and Patagonia have let them push themselves and our kit to the On day one, Jamie’s team finished the leg fractious and protracted, however, they soon to see him on his way. twenty years, we have lead the field in the build and installation of bespoke limit. That’s why our staff can offer you real advice not just what’s on the in seven hours and three minutes, an hour developed into a meeting of minds and All from the Cave Rescue Organisation, body conversions and integrated electrical and communication systems to label. and sixteen minutes faster than the team in building of trust. Cleveland MRT, Scarborough and Ryedale fleets for the police, fire, ambulance authorities, the military, security We understand how important it is for you to have confidence in the kit second place. It wasn’t without its Over the years, the scope and attendance MRT, Swaledale MRT and Upper Wharfedale organisation and government agencies. you buy. Which is why we offer our Explore More members a free two- challenges, however. ‘Quite early on during has expanded to include Yorkshire Fell Rescue Association wish Jon and family We are a trusted conversion partner of many major manufacturers such as year extended warranty on any products they buy, from the cheapest BMW, Volkswagen Group, Iveco, Mercedes, Peugeot and Vauxhall, enabling a long and happy retirement. spork, to the most expensive hardshell. Sign up for free online or in store the first day, I realised my ski boots were a us to provide a one-stop shop facility for any fleet solution. From sourcing It will not be the last time we see Jon, as today. To get hands on the latest kit visit us in store, or explore our entire little too tight and slightly uncomfortable. I the base vehicle through to livery and delivery, our customers have only rather quickly loosened these off in an the annual North Yorkshire Police Search and one point of contact. All projects are fully managed in-house throughout range online. attempt not to slow us down when I really Rescue Awards Dinner will be held on 1 July their life-cycle including the design, quality control, supply chain management at Tennant’s Auctioneers function rooms integration and post-production engineering services. should have spent more time on this to get it 20% DISCOUNT* where, along with esteemed guests, we will All our engineers are academy trained on a variety of response packages. FOR MOUNTAIN right. After a couple of hours of skiing, the This protects the vehicles warranty and gives the customer confidence in RESCUE MEMBERS sun was high in the sky and it was a glorious get the chance to say goodbye to Jon at a the vehicle conversion. Our team of experts have the perfect mix of qualified day, which made balancing pace and more social gathering. Yes the well- *Not to be used in conjunction engineers, coach builders and auto electricians. The consistency of CM with any other offer or discount. managing one’s personal needs such as established awards dinner is another of Jon’s Specialist’s design and application leads to reliable and robust emergency Selected lines are exempt. Only initiatives to recognise the work of the teams valid on production of your eating, drinking and staying on the right side vehicle installations. Mountain Rescue England and and raise their profile across the county. Wales Volunteer identification of chilly very challenging’. TO FIND OU T MORE: CM SPECIALIST VEHICLE DIVISION, WIGAN card in store or use of discount The event organisers prevented the Jon, you will be a hard act to follow but we code online. Offer expires ROAD, WESTHOUGHTON, BOLTON BL5 2EE. TEL: 01942 815600 31.12.16. competitors from racing on day two and are reassured that you are ‘on the case’ to WWW.CMSPECIALISTVEHICLES.CO.UK OR FOLLOW US ON TWITTER: three due to the arctic storm which went in ensure the right volunteer from the force @CMSVD. Jamie’s favour. ‘I was slightly pleased about steps forward. THE UK’S LARGEST CLIMBING RETAILER this as it gave me a day’s grace to catch up STORES NATIONWIDE • COTSWOLDOUTDOOR.COM on managing my feet and my intake of food Above: Jon Rushton pictured with Gari Finch of PAGE 26 and fluids.’ Cleveland MRT © Ian Hugill. >

PAGE 24 MOUNTAIN RESCUE MAGAZINE SUMMER 20 16 SUMMER 20 16 MOUNTAIN RESCUE MAGAZINE PAGE 25 team news

PENMACRA TEMPLAR WAY CHALLENGE EVENT RAISES OVER £10,000 FOR ASHBURTON TEAM

The annual 18-mile sponsored walk, from the Haytor Information Centre in Dartmoor National Park to Shaldon on the Devon coast, is Ashburton team’s largest fundraiser, bringing in around a third of their annual running costs. ‘We get called around 30 times a year,’ says Craig Scollick, ‘not just on the moor, but the lost, missing, injured and vulnerable across Devon and sometimes further afield to major incidents like the recent floods at EMERGENCY CARE OUTDOORS York. We rely on public donation for over 90% of our funding, so everybody who has taken Emergency care in the outdoors is a challenging and rescuer alike. Think of it this way, we should with all emergency services, to create a training part or supported this year’s event has task that is faced by rescuers in a diverse range always aim to provide the highest level of care programme that is appropriate to the environment, effectively helped to save lives’. of environments. These environments demand a that can be achieved whilst recognising the evidence based and skilfully delivered. This The event has become increasingly range of skills and attributes from those involved constraints place upon care delivery by the helps ensure that when organisations are working popular, with many familiar faces returning in the provision of such care. Technical, clinical, environment and other factors. together, they don’t just have an understanding and plenty of new faces too. Bovey Tracey’s intellectual and ethical decisions must be made of each other’s technical capabilities but also Mayor, Ulli Arnold, set the walkers on their if the casualty is to receive high quality care, THE GOLD STANDARD IS THE have a common understanding of their clinical way for the event, now in its sixth year. to 21-year-olds who cover a combination of HIGHEST LEVEL OF CARE WHEN capabilities as well. The main sponsor this year was Plastic THE WORLD ISN’T PLAYING FAIR! 35, 45 and 55-mile routes over Dartmoor. Emergency Care in the Outdoors (ECO) is a Surgeon, a nationwide surface repair The weather on Dartmoor can bring series of courses that gradually build upon each When you add other, non-environmental elements specialist with headquarters in Bovey Tracey. challenging conditions that the participants other. The courses enable the student to enter into the mix – logistics, communications, team The team at Plastic Surgeon contributed have to navigate through whilst crossing the with little or no clinical skills and progress to skill mix, ergonomics and other agencies – the £5,358 of the £ 10,000 total with the staff difficult terrain, and all the Dartmoor teams the same level as entry level winch operators potential for ‘human factors’ adds even more raising funds that the firm then topped up to employed across the UK on helicopter search play a pivotal role in the event. fuel to the fire. add to the total. and rescue (equivalent to Emergency Medical DSRT Ashburton team members were High quality care – the Gold Standard – can Technicians). ‘We’d like to extend a very big thank you based at Sittaford Moor Gate on the edge of Dartmoor Ashburton team members on duty only be achieved through teamwork and a for the Ten Tors © DSRT Ashburton. Final point, the level of clinical capability counts to all the participants, their supporters, team Fernworthy forest from the Friday to Sunday. greater understanding of how those teams work. for nothing unless the care provider can members, Plastic Surgeon and Sibelco who The event requires constant presence from Many rescue organisations have recognised the contextualise that care in an appropriate manner. have also sponsored the event again this the teams, should a participant get in to The unexpected call-out meant last need for a patient-centred approach when dealing year,’ said Alan Pewsey, the team’s difficulty. With the camp set on Friday minute alterations to the patrol deployment with the injured and ill in outdoor environments. Outreach Rescue Medic Skills is based in fundraising officer. ‘Early feedback from evening, a number of team members were on the Saturday morning. The event is now There are some excellent providers of clinical North Wales, and is currently supports students participants and team members alike is that settling down for the evening when a call-out restricted to the north moor so, by putting education catering for outdoor environments, from non-governmental organisations, UK and they thoroughly enjoyed the day and we’ll came through, separate to the Ten Tors, ensuring their knowledge, experience and skills smaller foot patrol teams around areas of sometimes known as the ‘Gold Standard’. overseas SAR-H services, the MoD, RAF MRS definitely be looking to run the event again are reflected in the courses they deliver. which required a number of members from expected participant routes, we’re able to The concept of ‘Gold Standard Care’ should be and civilian mountain rescue. next year!’ Outreach Rescue Medic Skills (ORMS) aims to all the Dartmoor teams to meet at Meldon react quickly to any casualties. explored. It’s tempting to assume that the Gold join this community of practice with the launch Reservoir and search for a missing person. As participants started to filter through Standard is defined by what can be read in a TO FIND OUT MORE, CALL 01248 601546 OR of its new range of courses catering for this At 2.00am, all were stood down with from their Okehampton start it was only a textbook or a journal. Whilst this is an excellent EMAIL [email protected] CHALLENGING TIMES IN MAY AS niche area of clinical care. members of other Dartmoor rescue groups matter of time before a number of minor starting point, as it ensures that care provision is WWW.ORMS247.CO.UK TEAMS PROVIDE VITAL SUPPORT ORMS has drawn upon over 35 years experience redeployed at 7.00am the next morning. The injuries required assistance but it was mid- evidence-informed, this fails to recognise the of mountain rescue, helicopter search and rescue, FOR TEN TORS missing person was located two hours later, fact that outdoor environments are dynamic, emergency care and our experience in dealing after being spotted by a member of the ever-changing and often hazardous to casualty Mike French writes: Started in 1960, the Ten Tors challenge is organised by the British public and was evacuated by mountain PAGE 29 > Military to offer expedition style walking for 14 rescue personnel.

PAGE 26 MOUNTAIN RESCUE MAGAZINE SUMMER 20 16 SUMMER 20 16 MOUNTAIN RESCUE MAGAZINE PAGE 27 team news

PAGE 27 >

afternoon before a more significant deployment was required. With fine and TEAM STALWART sunny weather, dehydration was always LEAVES UPPER going to be a prevalent factor. A number of participants started to suffer, with one WHARFEDALE requiring helicopter extraction in the Upper Wharfedale FRA said a afternoon. very reluctant goodbye to Chris As the foot patrols started to make their Booth in April, as he prepared to way back to the forward operating camp and depart for life in the US. Sittaford Moor Gate, the weather began to cool and some low level cloud rolled in. This ensured the teams remained on high alert as

S Over forty years with the team, Chris has helped save many lives, both above and some participants were still active on the below ground, and has served as assistant surface leader, chairman and controller – all E moor. A number of the newer trainees made whilst holding down a very demanding and senior position with his day job. L a sterling effort, preparing the evening meal. A surprise celebration dinner at the Gamekeeper’s Inn at Long Ashes, Threshfield, saw Cooking in any tent is always tricky but A Chris presented with a MREW 40-year Long Service Certificate and UWFRA’s Life cooking a delicious meal for a large group of D Membership Award. Doing the presentation, UWFRA chairman Peter Huff stated that only hungry search and rescue team members twelve other members had been honoured this way during the 67 years the team has

with limited resources is no easy feat. E been in existence and this clearly showed just how much respect Chris has in the team.

The search managers remained alert R Chris, who is moving to Kansas USA with work, had a great evening recounting tales of listening to the radio link with the I his time in the team. ‘I’ve had the most amazing experiences with so many highs, when

Okehampton operations but finally got the H we save people’s lives, to the lows when tragedies have had to be faced, but the greatest

call to stand down at 10.00pm on Saturday. S memories have been the camaraderie and the wonderful life-long friends I’ve made over Twenty minutes later, we heard that a the forty years. I may be relocating far away but I will continue to follow the team’s every K participant required assistance in the White move and wish them continued success in all they do’. R Ridge area, near to Ashburton team’s Above: UWFRA Chairman Peter Huff presents Chris with the MREW Long Service

location. Valiantly, team members climbed O Certificate © Upper Wharfedale FRA.

into the Land Rover and made their way Y down through the forest tracks to the ridge. It was agreed that this individual needed to be removed from the event but, after liaising with the military in Okehampton, it became clear that transport back to the base wasn’t NORTH DARTMOOR TEAM going to be available. Instead, police transport was organised and the participant GETS OFF TO GOOD START WITH was delivered safely to the Okehampton CROWDFUNDING base in the early hours of Sunday. The team launched a crowdfunding Team members made their way back to campaign in May, hoping to raise £ 10,000 Sittaford Moor Gate and prepared the towards a new training facility. Twenty-eight vehicles and kit ready for another day of foot days on, they had 35 backers and £1,900 in patrols before quietly slipping into their the bank, a great start to their fundraising sleeping bags at about 3.00am. efforts. They did it through Crowdfund All the team members, including those out Cornwall, billed as ‘the world’s first regional in the middle of the night, met at the Control crowdfunding campaign enabling Cornish Vehicle at 7.00am in the morning to be projects to unlock funds from the crowd’. assigned patrol coordinates. Local 4x4 rescue volunteers provided additional vehicles to move the patrols to their locations and, shortly after 7.30am, all the teams where mobilised and en route. SIMPLE IS BEST! Sunday proved quieter, with many of the teams observing the participants from a SARCOMMNET is an independently-funded distance. With Sunday being the return leg digital radio repeater network for volunteer back up to Okehampton for all participants, search and rescue groups. the numbers began to thin with just a few of RELIABLE, RENEWABLE, RESILIENT the 45 and 55-mile groups putting in the last LIFE-SAVING RADIO! efforts to reach the finish line before the 5.00pm cut-off. Once everyone was safely WWW.SARCOMM.CO.UK 08456 425337 off the moor, team members made their way back to their respective camps to pack up and head for a well-deserved carvery meal.

PAGE 28 MOUNTAIN RESCUE MAGAZINE SUMMER 20 16 SUMMER 20 16 MOUNTAIN RESCUE MAGAZINE PAGE 29 team news Small Group Leadership Course in Mountain Rescue or ‘Party Leader Course ’ SOUTH WEST APB mobile installations ltd ELAINE GILLILAND SPECIALIST BLUE LIGHT EQUIPMENT INSTALLERS The first weekend in June saw the delivery of the second updated Party Leader Course at the SWERA TRAINING EVENT Kingswood Centre, Colomendy, North Wales organised by Elaine Gilliland, Steve Nelson, Iain WEEKEND 7 –9 OCTOBER 2 016 Ashcroft and Becky Waudby.

DEAN FIELD STUDIES CENTRE, PARKEND, NR Supported by the Libor funding, the course to reflect on what their expectations of the from Exmoor, Dartmoor, Ogwen, Aberdyfi, LYDNEY, FOREST OF DEAN, GLOUCESTERSHIRE enables teams to develop people within their course are. There’s also a session on police Aberglaslyn, Kinder, Woodhead, Calder, own environment after they have come expectations of MR to initiate the understanding Brecon and North East Wales to come together SWERA is running a training event with both on-site and off-site together with other individuals to identify what of what we are expected to do, and the to learn and discuss local variations to delivery. activities. There will be bunkroom accommodation (bring your leadership is, how it impacts on search and increasing demand on voluntary search and Given expert tuition and mentorship by very own sleeping bag) and limited camping in the grounds. rescue operations, how it may be applied and rescue. We conclude with a networking experienced and time-served members of Breakfast at the cafe, 50 metres down the road, will save you how it can be developed locally. session in a local watering hole so participants teams including Llanberis, North East Wales, having to cook. During the day, lunch and an evening meal can get to know each other. Kinder, Bolton, Penrith and Calder. will be available and there will be a bar on site serving a Saturday commences with rotating I would like to take the opportunity to thank all range of real ales and cider, wines and a variety of soft drinks. workshops focusing on motivation and the instructors and mentors for their time, As specialists in the installation of blue light performance in operations; incident site mix equipment, we can cater for all your needs: On the programme: • PPE inspection (cascare); task allocation and briefing and Blue lights, headlamp flash, 2-tone sirens, rear reporting. These are participative sessions reds, covert blues, diesel heaters, run lock • Scenes of crime • Introduction to boats, where individuals are asked to contribute to systems, tracker units, strobes, hands-free launch & recovery. discussions and presentations are provided for phone systems, 2-way radios, speakers, GPS and • Introduction to throw the groups. satnav systems, plus much more. bagging and wading After lunch, the practical scenarios allow Our on-site service limits down time on the techniques individuals to practice, with guidance, party vehicle, or we can offer our equipped • Demonstration and leadership in operational scenarios including workshops near Peterborough. practical Larkin Frame water, challenging situations with public and • Cave Link underground The weekend follows a programme of media involvement, dynamic risk assessment, ● Blue Light Conversions text messaging development from Friday evening through to fatalities, search and triage. Each participant in Sunday late afternoon and consists of every group is required to be a party leader in ● Airwave Installations ● Vehicle CC TV • Aggressive searching • Fingertip searching participative lectures, learning sessions and at least one scenario. ● Vehicle Tracking • Rock Splitting workshops with practical sessions to apply After dinner two presentations give ● Amber Light Conversions • Stretcher hauling learning to operational scenarios continuously participants the opportunity to learn and ● ● through the weekend. discuss the helicopter requirements and how Vehicle Racking Conspicui ty Cost: Early bird discount The issues faced by party leaders in search to lead the team through fatalities. By 9.30pm, ● Vehicle Lighting price (if booked before 10 and rescue are unique in that each situation participants, instructors and mentors are ready August) of £45 for the weekend, including indoor accommodation can potentially be life and death, not only for again to network and discuss the day. and evening meal on the Saturday evening (veggie options catered themselves, but for that of their team of After an early breakfast, Sunday commences for). Lunch and breakfast extra operational volunteers. The idea is to with two interactive sessions, one being social Rises to £55 after 10 August, (£40 and £50 if camping). encourage individuals to reflect on situations media and public and team control, and the If you would like to see some of what the venue has to offer and what and enable them to make appropriate other being crime scene forensic protocols. rock splitting is all about, see youtube.com/watch?v=19g3ZMFEcPQ, decisions considering themselves, the team The parties are immediately put into five commitment and expertise and all participants from last year’s BCRC Conference. and the casualty. operational scenarios outside and for the next for their fantastic participation over the Full details and booking form is to be available via the SWERA The course teaches participants to stand five hours rotate around the scenarios allowing weekend. The course would not be as website in the near future. In the meantime, contact SWERA secretary back and overview the situation (if enough each member to practise their learned skills. successful if the participants did not interact so Pete Turier via [email protected]. ABOVE: THE UPPER WHARFEDALE FRA VEHICLE team members available) and if not, to be able The groups are debriefed after each scenario well with instructors, mentors and other course to take on a role in the team that allows them to allow ongoing encouragement, confidence delegates. to continue to overview the delivery of effective building and learning. Once again, the feedback has been operations within the incident site. Finally, at around 2.30pm, the groups come exceptional and we expect to run the next MARCH: UWFRA Friday evening is an introductory session back together to reflect on what they have course in November 2016. The actual date of where participants are introduced to the learnt and whether their initial expectations the course will be distributed via team For further information contact APB Mobile Installations Ltd GORGE RESCUE instructors and mentors placed in their have been met. secretaries and advertised on the website respective groups for the weekend and asked The June 2016 course enabled individuals within the next four weeks . Tel: 0845 331 2727 Fax: 0845 331 2722 ✪ Web: www.apb-ltd.co.uk Email: [email protected] An eighteen-year-old man Unit 4, Pinnacle Close, Crowland, Peterborough PE6 0GB had fallen into How Stean Gorge, sustaining leg and pelvic injuries.

He was first treated by Yorkshire Ambulance Service HART paramedics, then stretchered out of the gorge, to a road ambulance.

Photo © UWFRA. Photos: Some of the scenarios, including (above) dealing with an awkward member of the public (beautifully acted by Simon Thresher). Images © Elaine Gilliland.

PAGE 30 MOUNTAIN RESCUE MAGAZINE SUMMER 20 16 SUMMER 20 16 MOUNTAIN RESCUE MAGAZINE PAGE 31 OPENHOUSE RANGE OF DRY BAGS Introducing the Openhouse range of dry bags – the extremely durable, multi-bag system from Openhouse Products – the UK’s leading bespoke bag manufacturers. The dual fitting, waterproof roll top closure allows you to create a strong carry handle and MREW and the ‘new’ BELL stretcher creates a water tight seal. All seams are welded to ensure complete water and weather kit protection. The bags can also be used as a multi-bag system –connect combinations of development and manufacturing story bags together using our strong anchor points and webbing straps to increase your capacity . The strong anchor points use concealed webbing with box stitching to keep your bag Mike Margeson (MREW) & Paul Witheridge (Lyon Equipment) stuff fitted securely and utilise a simple self-contained system for keeping all webbing straps together around the bag. Three sizes are available to ensure that you’re covered no matter where you’re going – available in 5 Litre, 10 Lite and 25 Litre versions. Inner modules are also available for the Many will have heard that new BELL party who would agree to manufacturer, test, to hold bed and handle screw wires in place. 25 Litre version to help keep your equipment separate. stretchers are now available from MREW, but certify and maintain small quantities of the The original supplier no longer made the part few will be aware of the work that has gone in stretcher exclusively for MREW. No small ask. so new tooling had to be commissioned to VISIT OUR ONLINE STORE OR GET IN to make that simple statement a reality. For many years, all the existing Bell produce an improved version. TOUCH WITH A MEMBER OF OUR TEAM When Peter Bell announced he was to retire stretchers used by mountain rescue had been At the same time, the CE certification TODAY FOR MORE DETAILS – from stretcher manufacture, a stretcher serviced and tested by Lyon Equipment Ltd. process began. Technical files were created CALL 0151 647 4044 OR BY ‘succession plan’ became a priority. An During that time, Lyon had built up a containing component specifications, EMAIL SALES@ overwhelming majority of teams use the Bell comprehensive knowledge of the stretcher, its technical drawings, work instructions, bills of OPENHOUSEPRODUCTS.COM and appreciate its robustness and strengths and weaknesses. They were aware materials, clinical evaluations and destructive functionality. They made it clear that if of the MREW project from the start and had testing reports. Product instructions had to be production could continue in some way, they provided significant advice and technical written and essential accessories such as would be keen to see it happen — it would support in the background. The intention had lifting bridles considered. reduce training issues and remove any need always been that Lyon would assemble Eventually, nearly two years after starting, for expensive modifications to vehicles already supplied MREW frames with beds and head Lyon was in a position to confirm manufacture specially adapted for the Bell. guards as a subcontractor. Now, with the of a ‘standardised’ Bell Tangent MR stretcher, The rigorous load testing and certification of project at a dead end, they were approached named the MREW Bell stretcher. The first the Bell stretcher, immortalised by the famous to take on the whole task. production run started in November 20 15 and, mini load test photo (see page 9), needed to Lyon has had a long association with after formal acceptance by MREW, deliveries be continued and developed. From the mountain rescue. Members of staff are directly began in March 20 16 with Glossop MRT earliest days of the Mark 1 mild steel stretcher, involved as team members and there is a receiving the first stretcher of a production run CLARKS VEHICLE CONVERSIONS Peter had worked with mountain rescue strong desire from them not to leave mountain of twenty. colleagues to develop functionality. rescue in the lurch. Has the effort been worth it? Clarks are the number one choice if you’re looking for a passionate business that will The considerable work that had taken place Lyon’s specialist manufacturing area of MREW is now in the position it set out to be deliver on quality, reliability and safety. A family-owned business where we put the through the MREW equipment committee, to business had grown in recent years and, with in. It has the vast majority of team’s stretchers customer first and at the centre of everything we do. We know what makes your conversion survey stretchers in use and look at future the additional resources available in their within a regular, formalised servicing and work and we can project manage your conversions right from manufacturer’s delivery development, had to go on hold as production design and prototyping teams, complete testing regime and detailed records of through to converting, PDI’ing, livery and beyond. of the present product had to be made a stretcher manufacture was technically servicing and maintenance are held. Now, as Clarks takes safety very seriously. So much so, we are fully National Small Series Type priority. Peter kindly handed over to MREW the achievable. stretchers become due for retirement, there is Approved on various manufacturers’ base vehicles, making sure all our conversions meet intellectual property and production rights for Once again, contractual agreements had to a supply of new CE-marked ones available. the rigorous safety standards set out by the VCA. the Bell Tangent stretcher, for us to continue be worked out, intellectual property use A huge thank you must go to Richard Terrell We have been converting vehicles for more than 30 years, so our extensive experience production for rescue team use for as long as negotiated, timescales agreed and small and Ray Davies (MREW equipment and knowledge of the industry means we can handle both the simplest of jobs, from a we see fit. matters like creating complete specifications committee), and Mike Margeson (former simple lighting installation to a sophisticated modular racking system, full blown welfare One of our key aims was to ensure that a and manufacturing drawings for every single MREW equipment officer and currently conversion with toilet or a fully bespoke rescue vehicle. ‘new’ Bell would be CE-marked and medically component, designing tooling jigs and welding operations lead) for keeping an executive drive Whether you’re a fleet manager, lease company, hire company or a rescue team, Clarks approved, making acceptance by external fixtures addressed. going; to Lyon Equipment manager Paul is the only option for your conversion needs. stakeholders much easier. Say it quickly and it sounds simple. The Witheridge and all the team at Lyon Work and The MREW equipment officer carried out a reality is months of detailed work, discussions, Rescue, perhaps most importantly, for their CONTACT DETAILS: significant amount of research and gathered trials and revisions. To make certain the new huge effort; and, finally, to Peter Bell for UNIT 16, CARCROFT ENTERPRISE advice from a number of companies who stretchers would be simple to service and allowing MREW to keep the Bell stretcher alive. PARK, CARCROFT, DONCASTER, specialised in CE approvals. There was maintain, parts would have to be made to fine None of this would have been possible without SOUTH YORKS, DN6 8DD. considerable work undertaken by Richard tolerances, ensuring interchangeability and his continual advice and support. TEL: 01302 784490 EMAIL: Terrell and Ray Davies with a number of allowing stock of spare components to be What next, you ask? Work on the stretcher [email protected] companies to seek a suitable manufacturer. held. review can be taken forward, now we have Various engineering companies were Various CNC machining and fabrication construction secured. A new joining system of approached and frame samples companies were considered and samples of the two halves, telescopic carrying handles, manufactured for trials. Unfortunately, issues each part made for evaluation. A potential and perhaps round tubes for the upper rail. with consistency, certification and pricing finally supplier would be found only for them to The CAD drawings will allow engineering led to the small company we were using going withdraw when they realised the difficulties development and modelling to take place. So, into liquidation. involved, or on one occasion go into it’s over now to the new equipment officer and It became clear that to get a CE-marked receivership! This sourcing process even subcommittee! ✪ MREW Bell stretcher would require a third included the tiny stainless steel shackles used

SUPPORT MOUNTAIN RESCUE Opposite: Formed frame top rails fresh from the CNC ENGLAND AND WALES: bending machine; joints TIG-welded ready for alignment checks; welded frames before inspection TE XT: RESQ 41 PLUS THE AMOUNT YOU WISH and media blasting; and precision fabrication TO GIVE TO 7007 0 OR VISIT company owner with first production run frame. JUSTGIVING.COM/MOUNTAINRESCUEFILM 15 Left: CAD drawings and renderings for product THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT! instructions.

PAGE 32 MOUNTAIN RESCUE MAGAZINE SUMMER 20 16 SUMMER 20 16 MOUNTAIN RESCUE MAGAZINE PAGE 33 Q: What do Adele, Coldplay incidents and SARCALL have in common? Jan•Feb•Mar •2016 . .

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Kendal 7 Scarborough & Ryedale 4 Peninsula e c r i t p s

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Glastonbury is just huge. The largest annual public Keswick 18 (Last quarter: 26) 33 Cornwall 5 Search Dogs e a b t

S t

music event in the UK, visited by about 180,000 o

Kirkby Stephen 4 Dartmoor Okehampton 3 England 10 e n h

t y people over four amazing days. Situated on a a Langdale Ambleside 9 North Wales Dartmoor Plymouth 6 Lakes 3 o t

m

large 900-acre Worthy Farm site between Bristol d d Patterdale 13 Aberdyfi 6 Dartmoor Tavistock 6 Wales 3 e e n t and Yeovil with a perimeter fence some 11km in r u o t u

Penrith 5 Aberglaslyn 7 Exmoor 1 (Last quarter: 14) 16 e q circumference, this annual festival attracts some r

s e r b of the biggest names in contemporary music. Wasdale 9 Llanberis 22 (Last quarter: 13) 21 e

b d l m This year, we were treated to Coldplay, Adele, Ellie (Last quarter: 149) 92 North East Wales 16 RAF u u o n h

s t

Goulding, ZZ Top, Squeeze, ELO, Muse and Laura s Ogwen Valley 29 South Wales Leeming 1 a t h a t t Mvula, together with more than a hundred other S e

Mid-Pennine South Snowdonia 2 Brecon 12 Valley 3 t

big-name acts. o n Central Beacons 8

Bolton 31 (Last quarter: 72) 82 (Last quarter: 9) 4 e s a e

Bowland Pennine 9 Longtown 6 l P

: e The SARCALL involvement at interacting with the DSFRS Silver feature in a complex and high-intensity Calder Valley 9 Peak District Western Beacons 4 Total 399 t o n

s

Rossendale & Pendle 1 Buxton 15 (Last quarter: 5) 30 (Last quarter: 428) ’

Glastonbury all started during a casual commanders, together with response to environment. r o t (Last quarter: 26) 50 Derby 5 i discussion with Chris Onions of Ogwen incidents. All low level fire events at the The SARCALL operational statistics for d E Valley MRO, whilst we were descending festival were managed by the on-site the festival are being processed and will be Edale 6 from Tryfan after the casualty had been Glastonbury Fire Limited. Throughout the provided during the next few months. Kinder 8 flown to hospital. A few months and lots of festival, calls for assistance came via two However, we can safely say that, with all the emails later, with the support of the MREW routes: requests by the festival event features, including SMS messaging, Exec, the SARCALL team had agreed to organisers or direct 999 calls needing logging, Task Manager worked exactly as fully support the Devon and Somerset Fire DSFRS support. we expected. We are now confident it is and Rescue Service (DSFRS) with the use These were routed through to the festival ready for live MR operations. of SARCALL for their Glastonbury Festival fire desk and appropriate assets Teams and regions interested in JUNE: EVERY LITTLE HELPS AS SWALEDALE operation in 20 16. dispatched. Due to the size of the festival, understanding how to use Task Manager CALLED TO HELP TESCO DELIVERY MAN We took the opportunity for several and the sheer number of people, all tasks should contact their regional SARCALL reasons, including enabling us to field-test (incidents) were notified to DFRS Silver at admin for support. We will be providing When a Tesco delivery van careers off the road in Leyburn, before a range of new SARCALL features in a the festival using SARCALL. The response training opportunities in the next few rolling 20 metres down an embankment, who do you call? high-intensity major event and strengthen was managed by the fire desk and Silver months in addition to introducing the facility North Yorkshire Police asked Swaledale to help recover the driver. The 56- relationships with our key partners, together commander in the multi-agency Silver in the Exercise Triton and Exercise Deluge year-old was pulled to safety by the team and it is thought he suffered injuries with learning more about how large multi- room, in one of the big barns on site, with events during July. to his ribs. Tesco later organised recovery of the van. The driver had actually agency operations really work. And all this SARCALL tracking and reporting progress. Finally, we would like to sincerely thank managed to get out of the van but was then stuck on the sheer cliff edge. feeds directly into the MREW Major Incident To ensure SARCALL was used efficiently our numerous colleagues in the Devon and According to Steve Clough from Swaledale MRT, the recovery was exactly the Task Group. at this major event, Jon Whiteley provided Somerset Fire And Rescue Service for their type of rescue they train for. It is really pleasing that the link between training and close support to the point that wonderful collaboration with the SARCALL ‘We were called at 11.45am, were at the scene by 12. 15pm and had the mountain and cave teams within he was embedded in the fire service team team, enabling us to field-test key new brought the driver to the safety of the Yorkshire Ambulance Service by PenMaCRA and DSRFS has been growing — a great opportunity not just to learn more features of the platform at the highest 12.45pm. We used ropes to lower a stretcher to the man, then pull him up over the years with some recent very kind about the very impressive multi-agency profile public event in the UK. It was a the very steep embankment, which was 20 metres below the road level.’ donations of vehicles to all the teams in the Silver operation for the event, but also to pleasure to work with you. ✪ region. fully experience the ocean of mud and Jon Whiteley, who is team leader of enjoy the Adele set on Saturday night! Devon Cave Rescue, regional chairman The key new feature tested at and also one of the system admins for Glastonbury was Task Manager, developed TAYLOR MADE OFFERS 40% DISCOUNT ON PANORAMA ANTENNAS SARCALL, kindly offered to lead the following feedback from the MR Silver and project. Paul Cross of DSFRS was the lead Bronze experiences at the Cumbria and Taylor Made RF was founded by Chris Taylor, having spent 33 years in the Radio, Communications and RF field, gaining contact and the generous assistance of York Floods last December. Those debriefs experience across a wide area of technology. Since 1980, Chris has worked with a vast cross section of RF related products Alex Hanson of DSFRS and vice chairman identified that the SARCALL Incident Log and holds a full amateur radio license (Call sign G0WTZ). He has now branched out with his own company offering a of the Chief Fire Officers Association design could be improved to simplify the greater breadth of products including receivers, antennas and amplifiers. (CFOA) Water Rescue Group was management of complex wide-area Taylor Made RF is happy to offer 40% discount from the retail prices of Panorama antennas (not radios) for instrumental in the success. Alex is also a operations. Task Manager delivers a Mountain Rescue. long term friend of mountain rescue and a hierarchical means of breaking the SAR full member of Dartmoor SRT Plymouth. operation into numerous tasks and then Simply email your needs to [email protected] and you will receive a quotation. We can supply brackets and The operational requirement met by enabling the users to progress each task antenna hardware as well and will be happy to quote with competitive prices. We currently have the Motorola DM-4600 in SARCALL for Glastonbury was to enable through a managed workflow. Given the VHF or UHF at £250 plus VAT while stocks last! Call for availability. The Panorama catalogue is very extensive and while robust, secure remote communication likely requirement of MR to support more Taylor Made RF try and keep a good selection of popular products in the range please try to avoid last minute orders as we between the DSFRS personnel at the wide-area flood operations or challenging do not like to disappoint Exeter Fire Control Room and the DSFRS larger searches, Glastonbury proved an Photos © Jon Whiteley. BASED AT ELSTREE AERODROME WE ARE HAPPY TO ACCEPT VISITORS MONDAY- FRIDAY 09:00-17:30 OR VISIT OUR on site Fire Desk (local control), as well as ideal opportunity for us to field-test this new WEBSITE AT WWW.TMRF.CO.UK HAPPY TO TAKE CALLS ON 01923 884670 .

PAGE 34 MOUNTAIN RESCUE MAGAZINE SUMMER 20 16 SUMMER 20 16 MOUNTAIN RESCUE MAGAZINE PAGE 35 APRIL: MARATHON RUNNER COMES TO THE RESCUE

MREW London Marathon runner Nigel Atkins proved himself a knight in shining armour in April when he came across fellow competitor Fran Brown losing her voice whilst screaming at people to keep clear of her wheelchair.

Fran contacted MREW to let us know about Nigel’s good turn. ‘I’d just about lost my voice and was getting quite fed up as it was my first race. I really, really appreciated the fact that Nigel took time out of his race to clear people for me, including changing his pace on the ups and downs to match mine. I hope it MAY: SELFIE-RESCUE GOES didn’t hurt his time too much. I got my target VIRAL FOR EDALE time in the end — a personal best.’ Fran is quite a formidable lady. A C4 A couple stuck on steep ground at Winnats incomplete tetraplegic following a spinal Pass, a Peak District beauty spot, were able cord injury, she has competed as part of the GB para climbing team and is a two-time to guide rescuers by sending them a selfie World Para Climbing Champion. showing their position. For his part, Nigel describes running a few miles with ‘the most inspiring Edale team members made their way to the person I have ever had the pleasure of running with on the way’. pair, using the photo to pinpoint their location. The incident was one of five incidents in a busy Right: Fran Brown with Nigel Atkins © Fran Brown. bank holiday weekend for the team, which saw them clock up their fiftieth rescue of the year. The selfie couple called for help shortly after midday when they got stuck scrambling up a steep bank to the left of Winnats Pass. Team leader James Stubley said, ‘They were uninjured but very much stuck on a ledge near the top of the pass. We were able to access them and assist them to safer ground with the aid of a rope system. ‘What made the job slightly more interesting was this was possibly our first call-out initiated by a selfie. The stuck couple had the presence of mind to send an earlier picture they had taken to the duty leader, as the position they were stuck in could be clearly seen in their earlier selfie. This allowed the team to access their position rapidly.’ Team members and schoolchildern The incident clearly struck a chord with the © Central Beacons MRT. media too, as news of the selfie-rescue quickly went viral. APRIL: ‘SMALL GROUP’ OF 43 CHILDREN Above: Winnats Pass © Edale MRT. LOST ON THE NEUADD RIDGE Central Beacons and Brecon team members got slightly more than they bargained for in April, when they discovered that the small group they’d set out to search for were actually forty-three schoolchildren from Brussels.

There was further confusion over the actual number of school students in f the group. A Central Beacons spokesperson said, ‘We were called to what looked at first to be a very simple call to assist a small group that had got Facebook: facebook.com/MountainRescue.MREW themselves lost on the Neuadd Ridge. Just as we were slowing our Twitter: @mountrescueuk Life response down, because we thought they’d got themselves to safety, the ine message came through that there were actually 43 children unaccounted onl for. But, once we got to the Old Barn Tea Rooms in Pontsticill, we only NEW TO Insurance for Review of counted 42’. casualty care Penthrox Left with the prospect of a lost child, they managed to get a definitive list THE MREW An update on the A comprehensive sent through by email, which was then printed off at the nearby Welsh MEMBERS current position review of AREA on insurance. Penthrox, by Dr Water offices. Meanwhile, team members were sent out, assuming they had a major search for a missing child. MREW CD Les Gordon. Licence Copy of First aid scope Once the list arrived and each child’s name was carefully ticked off, it was the current MREW of practice 2016 agreed there must have been a miscount at the start of the day. Relieved CD Licence. Essential smiles all round! Cumbria floods document on the There was further relief for the school teachers when they heard there was debrief from scope of practice no charge. Coming from Brussels they expected to have to pay for the Mike Gullen. within MREW. services of the rescue teams.

PAGE 36 MOUNTAIN RESCUE MAGAZINE SUMMER 20 16 SUMMER 20 16 MOUNTAIN RESCUE MAGAZINE PAGE 37 cave news

For the final part of the three-year government grant to mountain and cave rescue, we bought nine Larkin Frame units, to go out to those cave rescue teams which requested one.

For anyone who has not seen or the top of the entrance shaft to Miss left-hand end of the top tube, and used a Larkin Frame they are Grace’s Lane Cave, where no natural then down a 31-metre shaft manufactured in Australia from a very anchor points exist. (opposite page, centre) where they high grade and very accurate In the past, the group has used a are both secured to the stretcher. aluminium tube. With the addition of tripod but this had to be positioned on Due to the restricted diameter of the various connecting pieces, this tube the lower ground level. As a result, a shaft the stretcher has to be hauled allows it to be assembled to form two good proportion of the height vertically-orientated with a barrowboy triangular frames with a connecting advantage is then lost. The tripod is (advanced first aider) accompanying tube that pivots around two base of steel construction and very heavy the stretcher during the ascent. For plates as can be seen in the to load onto the group’s Land Rover. additional security, the base plates photograph (opposite page, top left). And, once on site, it requires a have been pinned to the ground The purpose of the frame is to number of people to move it into using 300mm-long pins. In a larger provide a high level belay point for a place. Pulleys and ropes need to be shaft or open, hole the stretcher can PAUL TAYLOR pair of pulleys, out over the edge of a attached before it is erected as its be brought up horizontally-orientated. CHAIRMAN crag or, as can be seen in the height makes this difficult afterwards Once the stretcher and casualty GLOUCESTERSHIRE example shown, being used by the without splaying one of the legs. reach the top of the shaft, the Larkin CAVE RESCUE GCRG to provide a hauling point over Considerable care is required when Frame is gently tilted backwards. GROUP using a tripod to ensure the load This brings the stretcher out of the exerted when hauling is transferred shaft (opposite page, top right) and downwards and not sideways, well away from the shaft, where the causing the tripod to tip over. stretcher and casualty are lowered to In this exercise, the Larkin Frame the floor (opposite page, bottom left has been positioned to the right of the and right), an operation that is not shaft on a raised section of ground. possible when using a tripod — it Prior to hauling, the casualty tests would require a greater level of were carried out to ensure correct handling and care to ensure the positioning so that, when pivoted tripod doesn’t tip over at this point. over the shaft, the pulleys were Although not the first time the group Larkin Frame located directly over the shaft. This had used the Larkin Frame, it was forward position is maintained by a the first time at this particular cave in action rope secured to the right-hand end of site and it proved to be extremely the top tube and adjusted for position successful. It will now be tested out at using a Petzl Rig from a suitable a number of other cave and mine belay point — in this example a sling sites where similar shortages of high around a tree (left). level anchor points cause a problem Two additional hauling ropes are set to the hauling teams. up using Z-Rigs with Petzl Rigs. Our thanks to the BCRC equipment These pass through the lower part of officer and to MREW. This is a fantastic the frame via two large pulleys piece of equipment which we are (bottom left), and then up and over a very pleased to have. ✪ further double pulley located at the

PAGE 38 MOUNTAIN RESCUE MAGAZINE SUMMER 20 16 SUMMER 20 16 MOUNTAIN RESCUE MAGAZINE PAGE 39 ▲ ...turn Brief introduction to the British back to Cave Rescue officers and how page 17 to find them... for who? MREW contacts CHAIRMAN: BILL WHITEHOUSE [email protected] Represents cave rescue with Government, the emergency services, UKSAR and MREW, including fundraising and forward planning. A trustee of the Mountain and Cave Rescue Benevolent Fund and chairman of Derbyshire CRO.

VICE CHAIRMAN: DANY B RA DSHAW [email protected] Assists the chairman in his role and represents BCRC at MREW. Currently taking the lead on the team assessment process. He is chairman of SWERA and Warden for Mendip Cave Rescue since 1979.

SECRETARY: EMMA PORTER [email protected] Ensures comms between teams and BCRC, deals with external enquiries , currently involved with reviewing BCRC incident reports. Represents BCRC at the British Caving Association and lecture secretary for the national caving conference. Emma is the training coordinator of Midlands CRO and member of Gloucestershire CRG.

MEDICAL OFFICER: RICH MARLOW [email protected] Advises on medical matters and keeps teams aware of medical issues of concern to cave rescue. Represents BCRC at the MREW medical committee and represents BCRC at UKSAR. Rich is a Mendip Cave Rescue warden.

TRAINING COORDINATOR: JIM DAVIS [email protected] Addresses national training needs and works closely on the team assessment process and represents BCRC at the MREW training committee. Jim is a member of the Cave Rescue Organisation.

EQUIPMENT OFFICER: MIKE CLA YTON [email protected] Liaises with MREW regarding the Government grant and runs PPE inspection courses for teams. Represents BCRC at the MREW equipment committee. Chair of Midlands CRO, he is a member of Gloucestershire CRG.

COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER: JON WHITELEY [email protected] Seeks to enhance ICT for cave rescue and is BCRC rep to the MREW ICT committee and also PenMaCRA chairman. One of three MREW SARCALL administrators and a rescue controller for Devon CRO.

INFORMATION OFFICER & ACTING TREASURER: HEATHER SIMPSON informationoffi[email protected] or [email protected] Maintains contact details for the fifteen teams. Part of MREW fundraising group and also manages MREW collecting tins. Heather is a member of North Wales CRO and Midlands CRO and a new recruit of the Derbyshire CRO. As treasurer she manages finances and coordinates fundraising.

LEGAL ADVISER: TOBY HAMNE TT [email protected] A solicitor by profession, focuses on pragmatic solutions and believes in communication to ensure .

legal risk is minimised. If a case requires specialist knowledge outside his area of expertise he can p u o

assist in ensuring the right expert is identified. r G

e u c

DIVING OFFICER: CHRIS JEWELL s e

[email protected] R

e

Advises on cave diving issues and liaises between the Cave Diving Group and BCRC. v a C

r e t s e c u o FOREIGN SECRETARY: PETE ALLWRIGHT l G Represents BCRC at the European Cave Rescue Association and liaises with overseas cave ©

rescue bodies. e g a m I

SUMMER 20 16 MOUNTAIN RESCUE MAGAZINE PAGE 41 PÁRAMO WINS THE GUARDIAN

DOWN JACKET NO . SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS AWARD T R M

GOOD IN THE RAIN? k c

Páramo was announced winner of the ‘Bold Move’ category in the 2016 awards, i

If it was water resistant would you wear it w recognising the significance of the British company’s sign-up to the Greenpeace s e

more? Well, for just £7.25, you can convert K Detox Commitment earlier this year. The first outdoor company to sign up, they / e

your down jacket into a hydrophobic use- g

are leading the outdoor industry in ensuring hazardous, persistent pollutants n a anywhere piece. Down jackets are invaluable are excluded from textile production. r G for keeping you warm on the hills: their high The Guardian explains: ‘Páramo is one of the few PFC-free outdoor brands b o

warmth-to-weight ratio makes them that year- R currently on the market. In a demonstration of industry leadership, the apparel ©

round go-to piece of kit. But anyone who’s

company came out publicly this year to support Greenpeace’s call for an end o t

been caught in a downpour wearing a down- o

to the use of this toxic chemical in outdoor gear.’ h filled garment will be all too aware of the Páramo demonstrates that waterproof performance does not require PFC P soggy mess it becomes: heavy, clingy and pollution. The sign-up coincided with professional climber, David Bacci, body-warmth zapping. Did you know that successfully summiting Mount Fitz Roy in Patagonia, wearing PFC-free APRIL: BORROWDALE BLAZE water conducts heat away from the body up to Páramo clothing. He chose the exposed East Pillar, the most challenging of 25 times faster than air? More than 40 firefighters and mountain rescue team routes, and endured brutal weather, demonstrating that PFC-free clothing can members from across Cumbria spent more than five hours Enter Nikwax Down Proof, a PFC-free, water-based solution that take on the toughest mountain conditions. A Greenpeace spokesperson said,

. tackling a wildfire in Borrowdale which investigators suspect

has been designed to proof your down products. It’s as easy as r

‘Páramo is setting the highest standard in the outdoor sector and this example e

p could have been started deliberately. 1-2-3. Step one: clean your garment in Nikwax Down Wash Direct. should encourage bigger brands to take the lead for a toxic-free future’. r a

Step two: add Down Proof to your detergent dispenser and give H

MAY: NO CROCODILE TEARS AS A police helicopter from Newcastle was also sent to the scene while u t

your garment another cycle in the washing machine. Step three: S Left: David Bacci in PFC-free DESMOND GOES HOME the National Trust had a second helicopter on standby ready to douse © Tumble dry on a low setting until clumps have disappeared and Páramo clothing summits o the flames from the air. Firefighters were met with a wall of flames up t

loft is restored. You’re all set! Mount Fitz Roy, Patagonia, o So, after a long stay with the Penrith team, Desmond h to a mile wide. Many walked up wearing specialist backpacks and If you have a hydrophobic down product already, keep it in tip-top January 2016. P the Crocodile went home at the end of May. Team condition by just using award-winning Nikwax Down Wash Direct equipment. Others were taken up by the farmer on his quad bike. members delivered him back to his rightful owner, The blaze was spread across 10,000 square metres of grass and (£6.49). It’s formulated to clean and revitalise insulation, whilst who is now back in his own home in Carlisle. restoring water repellency of water-resistant down apparel and FOR MORE INFORMATION ON gorse, on Grange Fell, between Watendlath and Rosthwaite. sleeping bags and has the same ethical credentials as Down Proof. DETOX AND PÁRAMO’S His owner will be glad to know that Desmond has been Seventeen Keswick team members provided support, local knowledge, COMMITMENT TO PROTECT well fed and watered — and not a single team member lost navigation, logistics and welfare, and emergency back-up in the THE ENVIRONMENT, GO TO in the process. Almost seven months on, many of those hit event of any injuries. One team member was also airlifted by the NI KWAX IS AVAILABLE FROM ALL GOOD PARAMO.CO.UK OR CALL OUTDOOR STORES AND ONLINE by the floods across Cumbria have returned to their homes police helicopter to help plot and track the fire. A command centre at RETAILERS. and businesses, but many have still to do so. Hopefully this Keswick team base was coordinated by senior fire officer Adrian is one more happy ending. Holme, who told how physically demanding it was for all involved. FACEBOOK.COM/PENRITHMRT NEWSANDSTAR.CO.UK 20 MAY 2016 FACEBOOK.COM/KESWICK-MOUNTAIN-RESCUE-TEAM

THANK YOU TO ALL THE SUBSCRIBERS, SPONSORS, SUPPLIERS AND MANUFACTURERS WHO SUPPORT US. . T R M

e l a

d MAY: LUCKY SHEEP RESCUED FROM BUTTERTUBS e l a w S

We love a good animal rescue and never a month goes by, it seems, ©

s before teams are dealing with a hapless sheep or two. In May, it was o t

o Swaledale’s turn. A training evening, with one group focusing on some h P indoor rope work and the other heading out to get wet at Richmond Falls, turned into a real-life rescue for team members, when a lone sheep fell down a shaft in the Buttertubs.

The animal appeared uninjured, despite its predicament. ‘We undertake animal rescues not just to alleviate the suffering of the creature, but to prevent passers-by from trying to rescue the animal and getting into danger,’ said a team spokesman.

THENORTHERNECHO.CO.UK 18 MAY 2016 FACEBOOK.COM/SWALEDALEMRT

PAGE 42 MOUNTAIN RESCUE MAGAZINE SUMMER 20 16 SUMMER 20 16 MOUNTAIN RESCUE MAGAZINE PAGE 43 The two-page PDF format of MWIS will The future of mountain remain the core product. From my perspective, early research in 2002/2003 led to the format — at a stage when it weather forecasting wasn’t clear what MWIS would become. At the February meeting, we spoke briefly about the phrase used for the GEOFF MONK MWIS Highlands: ‘How windy on the Munros?’. This question will suit the many ‘Munro baggers’, but not, for example, those . t e l

visiting the iconic summits in the NW l JUNE: THE THINGS WE DO FOR FUN... i p

Highlands, many of which don’t make S When I developed the Mountain Weather Information Service in 2002 and 2003, I felt there a 3,000ft. Our aim was never to exclude Upper Wharfedale team were out in their water kit in early June, providing r a

was much room to improve mountain forecasts. My mission was to provide forecasts, initially S these summits — but we had to start safety cover for the Knaresborough Bed Race, billed as a ‘wondrous spectacle’ ©

across Scotland, covering areas – more or less – where mountain rescue teams operate. The which is ‘part fancy dress pageant, part gruelling time trial over a 2.4 mile s

somewhere. Thus there are tweaks to o t

forecast had to be meaningful to the person standing on a summit. course, ending with a swim through the icy waters of the River Nidd’. o incorporate. h P In an increasingly safety conscious First staged in 1966, the Bed Race pits teams against their fiercest rivals, their erstwhile From the outset, a key issue was the a series of warnings — when conditions are graphics may be best used in initial planning. society, it is important there is an efficient friends or even against themselves with 90 teams of six runners and a passenger — 630 understanding that weather conditions on the benign, there is little written. We are Inspecting different websites every six to mechanism for amendment of people getting wet and sweaty. Apart from one stretch down an almost vertical drop, mountains are often outside those committed to writing as specifically as we twelve hours over a day or so can help in forecasts. Our post-7.00am updates to now deemed too dangerous, the race follows the same challenging course as in 1966 experienced by ‘city dwellers’, and thus it can, yet also presenting the uncertainties. establishing confidence. Are the forecasts forecasts are too late for those setting off with the last stretch the notorious 20-yard swim across the fast-flowing Nidd. was crucial to state clearly the likely impact This has led to the charge that MWIS used very different or changing quickly with at 5.00am to get to the hills, or in the The fastest teams finish an amazing fourteen minutes — sometimes quicker — and even of exposure to the conditions. forecasts can appear pessimistic. That could time? If so, confidence may well be low. Of summer, dawn ascents. MWIS is too the slowest come in well under 30 minutes. Runners have to be fit, fanatical and frankly course, the danger is finding a website that small to have ‘round the clock’ a bit mad, while the passengers have to be light, be good swimmers and be able to shout gives the weather conditions you are hoping forecaster coverage. It is already evident loudly! The perfect description of a water-going mountain rescuer if ever we heard one! for, and then taking that forecast as gospel! that particularly younger people In the immediate run up to the period on the repeatedly check the latest weather mountains, text-based interpretations such graphics before setting off, or where as MWIS will continue to provide detail and mobile phone signal allows, in the car state as appropriate the uncertainties in the park or even on the hill. For MWIS to A man who was paralysed from the chest forecast. provide this form of service alone would down in a fall five years ago made it to In 2015, SportScotland commissioned require significant investment. the top of one of Yorkshire’s Three Peaks in market research, in which a range of users However, MWIS has been and will April, using a self-propelled mountain trike. of mountain forecasts were asked questions continue to be a success. Over the years Jack Morgan said it was physically tough in order to gain a better understanding of the we have received in excess of 4,000

use of the current weather forecast services . going up but the downhill was more worrying.

emails, almost all appreciating the O

R ‘The chance of losing control was higher, and

in Scotland. There were some 2,000 service. I am repeatedly struck by the C

© made it a bit more fraught.’ respondents (far more than anticipated), number of people who say to the effect . o t k His effort has so far raised £1,776 for the u many of whom also added valuable o

. ‘I am on the website nearly every day’. h o P Cave Rescue Organisation, considerably more c comments. The level of response . Checking MWIS forecasts has become e demonstrated the importance attached to than his original £500 target. m a fixture in preparation for days on the i t

s APRIL: JACK CLIMBS PEN Y mountain forecasts. The vast majority of hill. The present discussions are clearly m DONATIONS CAN STILL BE MADE VIA a respondents saw the provision of detailed GHENT BY MOUNTAIN TRIKE e about Scotland. Yet MWIS has after r JUSTGIVING.COM/FUNDRAISING/JACK-MORGAN3 D forecasts as essential and used MWIS as many requests gradually extended FOR CRO ©

s their main authoritative source. This was forecasts to England and Wales — albeit d u particularly true of those who would consider o we have never nearly covered our costs. l c themselves mountain leaders. It is vital we also consider the n i a So what of the future? The survey was an R requirements (primarily on the basis of WATER RESCUE SLED early but crucial part of a review of the mountain safety) of those on the Water Rescue Systems is proud to announce the launch of provision of mountain weather information in mountains elsewhere; and find funding their eagerly awaited Water Rescue Sled. Technical rescue For example, most of us sense 50mph is be a conclusion for the second and third day Scotland. The review is taking account of the to cover the costs. I am therefore very instructor and former British rafting team captain, Lawrence very windy, but how many of us really know forecasts. For example, a small risk of severe increased availability of automated keen to hear views, particularly from the Harris, together with accomplished kayaker and whitewater whether we will be able to stand up, walk conditions needs to be stated (there will be information and the requirement for reliable MRT community, on the value of MWIS. designer Andy Laird, have combined their wealth of with difficulty or be forced to crawl? With those going back-packing who will not have and authoritative weather forecasts — so that Whatever changes and enhancements experience to establish Water Rescue Systems Ltd. The Water precipitation, on windy days on windward the opportunity of seeing another forecast), the public can continue to make informed are made in Scotland, would most Rescue Sled, the first in a series of products for water rescue coastal mountains, showers are often so but with restriction on the total length of text judgements, and so that mountain activities sensibly be extended to the mountains professionals, developed by this technically innovative British frequent, the rain rarely ceases. Paths are available, the most likely, less severe can be safely enjoyed. SportScotland, MWIS of England and Wales. company, boasts a host of design features aimed at improving wet, sections run with water, and waterproofs outcomes may in comparison appear and the Met Office are together exploring Thus, we are very keen to hear the safety and performance on swift water. The sleds have are worn almost all day. Thus the description understated. ways of working together to secure the future views of the mountaineering community received enviable compliments from technical training should be ‘rain’, perhaps prefixed by ‘almost Technology-wise, automated graphics, of MWIS, but also to ensure that the skills in England and Wales. If it is the will of organisations and are approved by R3 SAR and North Wales constant’. available on computer and mobile phone, and strengths of each organisation will the users, how can the future of MWIS based Outreach Rescue. Their new rescue sled features: The language used must work, whether the were becoming available when MWIS was together provide more comprehensive be secured ‘south of the Border’? We • Durable/flexible polymer fabric • 15 low profile handles climber, skier, walker or even mountain biker developed, but have since improved in mountain weather forecasts. In February look forward to responses from across • 3 separate chambers with over pressure valves • Body or stalker is a rare or frequent visitor to the quality as weather forecast models have 2016, the Met Office and MWIS had a the community. ✪ board style stern • Reinforced D rings • Measuring 348cm mountains. Thus the bold headlines (for all), improved. However, in mountain lengthy session following detailed extraction in length by 122cm wide followed by detailed comments for those environments, where severe weather can set of the key responses to the survey. MWIS TO CONTACT GEOFF AND able to assimilate additional information so in very suddenly, we believe there remains a has led in the provision of specific impact SHARE YOUR VIEWS, EMAIL TO BOOK A DEMO OR ARRANGE A VISIT CONTACT as to enhance their day on the hill. The requirement for text based forecasts that driven mountain forecasts, whilst the Met [email protected] [email protected] format, essentially a series of answers to key include comment on the impact of the Office are leaders in the provision of OR CALL 07710410453 VISIT WATERRESCUESYSTEMS.COM question, means that the forecast is in effect weather and the uncertainties. Automated automated graphics.

PAGE 44 MOUNTAIN RESCUE MAGAZINE SUMMER 20 16 SUMMER 20 16 MOUNTAIN RESCUE MAGAZINE PAGE 45 MAY: KINDER s

MAY: RESCUERS BITTEN BY DOG TEAM SAY THANKS d AFTER WALKER FALLS 160FT WITH TO MICHELLE e n PET ON TRYFAN u Local supporter Michelle Ryan u has run two marathons and c

undertaken other fundraising on f s . k

u behalf of the team, amounting . o e c to an amazing £960. . h g g u Team members were very pleased to r o r g

welcome her to base to receive the n © donation from Michelle and show off e l a r

their newest, cutest recruit! i d r e t t MAY: TWO TEAM MEMBERS BITTEN Left: Michelle with team members a o P BY INJURED JACK RUSSELL © Kinder MRT. s f Two Ogwen team members needed medical i MAY: CRICKET BALL INJURY treatment after being bitten in a rescue involving a

man and his dog, who fell whilst scrambling up the a Patterdale team are more used to dealing with trips North Ridge of Tryfan.

and falls on the higher fells but an incident in May r called them to somewhat flatter ground, when a Both man and dog suffered serious injuries in the fall and spectator at a local cricket match was hit on the the team was only alerted after cries for help were heard. head by the ball. Team members were already at their base training when © Brecon MRT. police contacted them. Photo The call-out was one of three fielded by the Patterdale ‘Two team members went to meet the informant,’ said team on the same afternoon, with more conventional Chris Lloyd, ‘but by then, the shouts had stopped. However, outdoor incidents also keeping them busy. The initial call a second call reported a seriously injured walker and injured was to help a walker coming down from Caudale Moor, dog in a gully on the west face of Tryfan. who had severe cramp and was unable to make the ‘A couple had scrambled up the North Ridge with their Jack JUNE: TEAM LAND ROVER descent. Russell but the dog was struggling on the multiple rock steps While team members were dealing with this incident, they so they retreated, carrying the dog. They probably lost the BOASTS, LITERALLY, A ‘ROLL CAGE’ usual path and wandered too close to the West Face. The were called to the aid of a woman who had been hit on the Brecon team found a whole new use for their roll man took a tumbling fall with the dog which was on a leash. head by the cricket ball. The match was being played close cage when they helped out with the WAAT4 DON’T FORGET, YOU ‘The woman was able to scramble down to the casualties to the team’s base, so the woman was treated by team Challenge in June. CAN STILL DONATE TO members who then handed her over to the ambulance then shouted for help. These shouts were heard by people THE MREW FILM service. descending to the car park in the floor of the valley and they The WAAT4 is an annual map reading and navigational made the initial call, and also by a small party under instruction CAMPAIGN Meanwhile, a third request came in, when a 13-year-old event over the Brecon Beacons. in June of each year, across on the mountain. The instructors made their way to offer boy fell and hit his head. He was with a group on Oxford a 30 or 40km route, to raise money for charity. And, for one (CURRENTLY AT £3466) assistance and made the second telephone call.’ Crag, who managed to walk him to the road where he was competitor, the event was more than a navigational challenge, GO TO: Members of the training party descended with the wife and seen by a team member before being taken to hospital. it was another step on the way to his dream of Everest. The JUSTGIVING.COM/ the dog to the sanctuary of Oggi base, just five minutes’ drive Multiple incidents aren’t unusual, of course, but often previous year, Jamie McAnsh could hardly walk a few steps, along the road. Unfortunately, the dog — in pain and shock FUNDRAISING/ require neighbouring teams to lend a hand. In this case, it but this year saw him donning leg callipers and a back brace — inflicted some nasty bites to the hand of his rescuer then MOUNTAINRESCUEFILM15 and, with the assistance of some off-road crutches, attempting was Penrith team members who helped out during all three continued to bite the top of the finger of the receiving team the 30k hike ‘on his own two feet’. Wheelchair-bound Jamie incidents. member. had attempted the event last year but was disappointed to The man, who was still conscious, was treated for multiple injuries and flown to hospital in Bangor where he was only manage 19k. His childhood dream had always been to treated for broken bones and internal injuries. ‘We should climb Everest so this, he said, was the start of that journey. Every team has its loyal thank the instructors from the National Mountaineering You can follow Jamie’s blog at seenobounds.co.uk/2016/ supporters, without whom Centre at Plas y Brenin and a passing member of North 06/21/journey-everest-starts-waat4/ they couldn’t operate, and CHECK OUT THE SHOP AT East Wales Search and Rescue,’ adds Chris, ‘for their FACEBOOK.COM/BRECON-MOUNTAIN-RESCUE-TEAM such a man was Brian Bate. MOUNTAIN.RESCUE.ORG.UK valuable assistance.’ He joined the team as a support member in 2010 FOR MERCHANDISE AND Tryfan from the Glan Dena footpath © Terry Hughes under and constantly turned out in SUBSCRIPTION OPTIONS the Creative Commons Licence. all weathers, at all times of JUNE: LAND’S the day and night, to help END TO JOHN during searches by driving, brewing up, clearing up and Photo © Langdale Ambleside MRT. O’GROATS FOR generally sorting out. He HOSPICE frequently worked behind the MAY: FASTEST BOAT ON THE WATER! JUNE: TEAM scenes, sorting land permission and generally Langdale Ambleside repurposed a few old maps in May, Congratulations to North of Tyne team member Chris SAYS FAREWELL helping team members fashioning them into a boat. Francis, who has just completed Chris Francis’s Big TO LOYAL maintain readiness for their Walk, walking from Land’s End to John O’Groats to Their efforts — christened ‘Map 2’ — brought them a first in the ‘Low SUPPORTER next call-out. His smiling Wood No Wood Cardboard Boat Race’ with a speed of 47 seconds. raise funds for Tynedale Hospice. face, they say, will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Not sure whether that’s one end to the other or time before it sank, He achieved it in just 63 days.You can find out more about Cleveland team members but well done all the same! his walk at chrisfrancisbigwalk.wordpress.com. said goodbye to a team stalwart in June. FACEBOOK.COM/CLEVELAND- WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/NORTH-OF-TYNE-MOUNTAIN-RESCUE-TEAM MOUNTAIN-RESCUE-TEAM

PAGE 46 MOUNTAIN RESCUE MAGAZINE SUMMER 20 16 SUMMER 20 16 MOUNTAIN RESCUE MAGAZINE PAGE 47 News from the Mountain and Cave Rescue Benevolent Fund JUDY WHITESIDE BENEVOLENT FUND SECRETARY

Significant news, this month, is that we have finally now appointed a fifth trustee to the Mountain and Cave Rescue Benevolent Fund, in the shape of Huw Birrel. Huw, some of you may recall, was one of the original instigators – back in 2011 – for a national benevolent fund, along with Dave Allan, so it’s great to have him back on board.

Huw is a familiar face to any who attend the way. The Twirlies on Tour (you’ll have to those members in the south of the country. ([email protected]) or myself. If national meetings, conferences and party read the blog for an explanation!) raised We are also looking at ways rehab and you contact me, please do it in this instance leader courses. He has been a trustee of £3312 and this was the first donation to the mental health care can be accessed across via my [email protected] address. MREW since 2006 and was vice chairman of fund, even before we’d sorted out the legal England and Wales including accessing the MREW training group for five years until stuff. Believe it or not, you can still read all local providers, existing telephone helplines WHO CAN CLAIM? JUNE: INTRODUCING MOUNTAIN RESCUE 2013. He also represents the North Wales about it at twirliesontour.blogspot.co.uk. In and the services offered by the police rehab It’s simple — you may make an application (AND A LAND ROVER CALLED WILL) TO THE teams at national meetings. fact, you can still donate (justgiving.com/ centres. So still very much a work-in- for benevolence if you are a member of any NEXT GENERATION fundraising/twirliesontour, if you’re asking)! progress, adapting to the needs of those England and Wales mountain or cave So that’s the trustees. We’d hoped to who have asked for our help thus far and rescue team and injured on a call-out, Patterdale team has been working with former team member and introduce you to all our regional reps in this anticipating future need. training exercise or any other official activity freelance writer, Anja Phoenix, to create a pack of materials to introduce issue but gathering information and photos or event which was undertaken with, the team’s work to primary school-aged children. This was launched with from one or two coy individuals hasn’t proved REVISED APPLICATION approved by or under the direction of a the handover of the first pack to Mrs Liz Stewart, head teacher, and all the easy, so the rogues’ gallery of trustees will PROCESS mountain and cave rescue team. A family children from Patterdale CofE Primary School, at an event in June. have to suffice! I give public warning, member may also apply, if their claim is As we suspected at the start, the logistics Using a character based on one of the team’s vehicles, Will, the Land Rover, Anja however, to those who have evaded directly related to a mountain or cave rescue of organising meetings between all the has developed the pack and is now excited to see it out and in use in local schools. publication — next time we meet, I WILL be activity, provided this was undertaken with, regional reps and trustees at very short ‘I’ve been writing and creating family walks with my Tale Trails maps for a couple of armed with notepad, stubby pencil and a approved by or under the direction of the notice, in order to discuss a claim — and the years now,’ she says, ‘and got a great response when one of those, Eric the camera!! team. obvious need for decisions to be made Curious of Hallin Fell, featured a mountain rescuer.’ If NOT authorised by the mountain or cave swiftly and efficiently to best help the ‘The Patterdale team hosts several visits each year for local children, from school rescue team, you are NOT eligible to claim. IN OTHER NEWS... claimant — has prompted us to revise the groups to Cub Scouts and others, and we have some really committed young Applications must be approved and signed ...I’m pleased to report that a number of application process with regard to claims for fundraisers too, so we know there’s lots of interest in what we do, but it’s sometimes by a team official before they will be teams and regions have now contributed to physical rehab or counselling. hard to explain. The idea of the pack is to explain what mountain rescue does in a considered. Above: Huw with a rain-soaked Judy Whiteside, Benevolent the fund, and with repeat donations. The current process is that the regional really fun and informative way and to encourage children and their teachers to ask Fund secretary, (left) and Gail Todd, in Robin Hood’s Bay, at However, there remain a few teams and reps consider the details of all claims, by lots of questions, explore the ideas and use the pack as the basis for creative the end of the Coast to Coast. Photo © Judy Whiteside. HOW YOU CAN DONATE TO writing and other projects. regions who have not done so. The regional means of redacted documents (no THE FUND Below from left: A somewhat eccentric capture of reps have been asked to go to their regions personal/identifying details disclosed) which Patterdale team leader, Mike Blakey is also involved in work with children in his ‘day Benevolent Fund chairman Neil ‘Woodie’ Woodhead, and to both encourage donations and are handed out at the meeting and collected Finally, I thought I’d take the opportunity to job. ‘Having someone like Anja involved with the team is a brilliant resource, says trustee Bill Whitehouse and treasurer Shirley Priestley. Mike, ‘as she’s got the expertise and experience to write something like this at enquire why there is a reticence to donate to up at the end. remind people that anyone can give to the exactly the right level and depth for primary school-aged children. the Benevolent Fund from some quarters, The reps are unable to take papers home fund. That includes individuals as well as ‘The pack is colourful and cheerful but also has some strong messages about the and to then feed that back to the trustees. with them. They discuss the case without the teams and regions. The best way to donate range of skills on the team and the voluntary nature of what we do. It should be a Are we getting something wrong? If so, trustees present, then make a is via BACS transfer to the Benevolent Fund great resource for teachers in local schools and we’re looking forward to seeing the please do tell us. The fund is here to support recommendation. The trustees make a final CAF Cash account (clearly marked with who ideas and work that come out of it in the next few years.’ you as team members and your families, decision about the claim and how much and you are!). It’s also worth dropping me a line The pack was launched during a visit to the team base by the schoolchildren, with where appropriate, so it’s important that the to let me know your intention to give so we what sort of support should be offered to the the presentation of the very first pack to Mrs Stewart. ‘Our children are familiar with can keep an eye on the bank account and process works for you. And we can’t do any claimant. mountain rescue,’ she said, ‘but they still had lots of questions during their tour and confirm receipt. The details are: Sort code: of it without funds. In future, rehab and counselling claims enjoyed finding out more, especially about the Land Rover ambulances, the special 40-52-40. Account Number: 00023601. Certainly, the feedback from those who may be discussed via conference call. The stretcher and the team’s boat. The education pack should be really useful in helping Charity number: 1152798. have so far benefited from the fund — and regional reps will be supplied with a lots of other schools, not as local to a mountain rescue team as we are, to find out He joins Woodie, Shirley, Bill and myself at Thank you for your support thus far! from the teams and regions who supported summary/briefing note of the relevant points ✪ more about how this brilliant service and its volunteers work.’ the helm. Woodie, most will know as the their cases — is extremely good. Since its so everyone has a reference point during the Printed copies of the education pack are now being distributed by team members erstwhile MREW insurance officer. Based in start, the Benevolent Fund has dealt with four discussion, devoid of any personal/identifying to other local primary schools and the materials are available to download from the TRUSTEES: REGIONAL REPS: the Peak District, he is a member of the Patterdale MRT website at applications for support. Two of these have details, thus continuing to protect the NEIL WOODHEAD LAURA CONNOLLY (LAKES), Kinder team. Shirley is a member of been for physical rehabilitation, one for confidentiality of the claimant. (CHAIRMAN) KEITH GILLIES (MID MOUNTAINRESCUE.ORG.UK/EDUCATION-PACK. Scarborough and Ryedale team, is a counselling and the fourth for financial The Immediate Support Grant has also NM.WOODHEAD@ PENNINE), DAVE WORRALL financial bod by profession, as well as support. Both rehab cases were dealt with by been increased to £ 1000 from the original BTINTERNET.COM (NORTH WALES), GRANT SHIRLEY PRIESTLEY WHITESIDE (PEAK Top: Head teacher of Patterdale CofE P looking after two still small children. Bill has the Fire Fighters’ Charity at their Jubilee rimary level of £500. This will take time pressure off (TREASURER) DISTRICT), IAN COUSINS recently stepped down as chairman of the School, Liz Stewart (centre left) and the children House treatment centre in Penrith and it the logistics of organising a quorate meeting. SHIRLEY.PRIESTLEY7@ (SOUTH WALES), ROGER from the school are presented with the very first British Cave Rescue Council but continues to would seem that the care received was Documents relevant to these changes will be BTINTERNET.COM KING (PENMACRA), CARL Patterdale MRT Education Pack by creator and work with MREW as chairman of the found to be both beneficial and amended in due course. JUDY WHITESIDE FAULKNER (NESRA), BOB author, Anja Phoenix (centre right) and (SECRETARY) SCURR (YORKSHIRE DALES), representatives of the team, Andy Peac fundraising committee. comprehensive. We would encourage teams and team ock JUDY.WHITESIDE@ PETE ALLWRIGHT (CAVE As for me, I somehow landed the job of and search dog Corrie (front left) and Berni We need to note — lest this is deterring members to keep in mind the service offered ZEN.CO.UK RESCUE). Gilmartin (back right) © Patterdale MRT. secretary after Gail Todd and myself devoted anyone who lives further afield from applying by the fund. If you think you could benefit BILL WHITEHOUSE (BCRC) *SWERA: NO REP a two-week break to walking the Coast to — that there is a second treatment centre in from our help, speak to your regional rep or [email protected] Coast, raising awareness and funds along Devon which would be more accessible for drop us a line, either through Neil Woodhead

PAGE 48 MOUNTAIN RESCUE MAGAZINE SUMMER 20 16 SUMMER 20 16 MOUNTAIN RESCUE MAGAZINE PAGE 49 1 4

with coarse sand. Finer-grained downhill in the spring when the rocks, such as schists, break soil is saturated with meltwater. down into a mixture of stones, Wind activity is a feature of silt and sand. The weathered Scottish mountains, producing debris has been modified by accumulations of sand frost sorting in the surface layers particularly on the Torridonian and by solifluction. sandstone hills (eg. An Teallach, Frost sorting has produced Ben Mór Coigach and Cùl Mór), patterns of coarse and fine on the Trotternish ridge and on material, forming sorted circles Ward Hill on Hoy in Orkney. on flat or low-angled slopes and Where the surface vegetation sorted stripes on steeper slopes. cover has been broken and the 2 Large inactive sorted circles underlying soil exposed, these occur on some summits (eg. sand accumulations are being Ben Macdui, Beinn Fhuarain actively eroded by the wind. It is AFTER THE ICE north of Conival in Assynt, and unclear whether this recent Sròn an t-Saighdeir in the erosion has been initiated by John Gordon Western Hills of Rum), but natural processes, grazing smaller active features, pressure or a combination of particularly sorted stripes, are both. The resulting deflation more common on slopes free of surfaces typically occur on vegetation (Figure 1). On more exposed plateau surfaces, cols

D vegetated ground, the soil has and ridges, with excellent N sometimes been heaved up into examples on An Teallach (Main A L

T low mounds that become image) and Ben Mór Coigach. O Around 14,700 years ago, the Mountains marked the beginning of the in some areas, and blanket bog elongated downhill into ridges Wind activity is also associated C climate warmed rapidly from full present interglacial, the and peat became extensive in and furrows (Figure 2). These with a variety of vegetated S glacial conditions and the last Holocene. During the early part the uplands. F are the 3 nonsorted forms are well patterned ground forms on O ice sheet wasted away, ushering of the Holocene, the climate The last few hundred years developed on Ben Wyvis and exposed slopes. Wind stripes beginning S in a period of rapid changes as was generally slightly warmer, have seen an apparent Glas Maol, but are probably comprise bands of vegetation E

P the landscape readjusted. and end of drier and less variable than increase in slope instability and inactive. and bare soil and are particularly A These changes add significantly today. soil erosion. Increased the Ice Age, there were long Frost weathering of the bedrock On many mountain slopes, the well developed in parts of the C all natural S to the geodiversity of Scotland’s A succession of tree species frequency of storms or extreme periods when periglacial has resulted in a widespread rock debris has moved downhill Cairngorms (Figure 5) and on D mountain landscapes. scenery. spread back into the glens and rainfall events during the so- processes dominated. These cover of debris on mountain to form solifluction sheets, Ronas Hill in Shetland. On N

A Periglacial processes were straths and by 8,000 years ago, called ‘Little Ice Age’ of the mid- involved the action of frost and summits and upper slopes, terraces and lobes (Figures 3 steeper slopes, wind exposure L

John Ruskin active on the mountains, while birch and Scots pine forest had 15th to the mid-19th centuries ice in the soil and rocks, and which varies from coarse and 4). Where the weathering of N I rockfalls and landslides modified expanded over a large area were the likely triggers, but affected the ground that lay blockfields to stony silt according the bedrock has produced very

A (1856) T unstable slopes, and upland from Wester Ross to Strath human activity and especially beyond the glaciers during the to the local geology. For coarse debris, for example in the N PAGE 52 U rivers transported large amounts Spey. After about 6500 years land-use changes probably times of build-up and decay of example, resistant and well- Cairngorms and on Lochnagar, >

O of glacially derived sediments. ago, the climate became more contributed to slope the ice sheets and during jointed rocks break down into Creag Meagaidh and Mount

M Although the climate variable, with the onset of susceptibility in many places. Main image: Extensive deflation periods of more restricted angular blocks that form Keen, large boulder lobes are

E surface covered with a lag of frost- deteriorated again 12,900 years abrupt shifts to wetter glaciation, such as the Loch blockfields (eg. on the quartzites common. Such features H weathered debris, An Teallach. T

ago at the start of the Loch conditions and longer periods of PERIGLACIAL Lomond Readvance. Periglacial of Ben More Assynt and probably formed at the time of Figure 1: Sorted stripes. Figure 2:

G Lomond Readvance, this was a higher precipitation and cooler LANDFORMS processes are still active on Schiehallion). the Loch Lomond Readvance Nonsorted stripes. Figure 3: N

I Solifluction lobes, Cairngorms. brief cold interlude. Around temperatures, interspersed with Although glaciers were the Scottish mountains today, Granites and sandstones and are now inactive. Higher P Figure 4: Solifluction terraces, Ward 11,700 years ago, warming shorter, drier periods. Wet A main agent that shaped although less intensively than in usually weather through granular slopes also frequently display Hill, Orkney. H resumed and the last glaciers heathland replaced woodland the past. They have produced a disintegration, producing a ‘ploughing boulders’. Many are S Scotland’s landscape during disappeared from Scotland. This number of distinctive landforms. surface cover of stones mixed active and creep progressively

PAGE 50 MOUNTAIN RESCUE MAGAZINE SUMMER 20 16 SUMMER 20 16 MOUNTAIN RESCUE MAGAZINE PAGE 51 7 PAGE 51 >

7 and solifluction often create soon after deglaciation, but to 10m high. These features run by wandering gravel-bed rivers small terraces running obliquely some happened as recently as approximately parallel with the flowing in meandering or across the slope. 4000 years ago. The largest contours, with their steeper braided channels that shift Scree slopes commonly occur clusters occur around Glen slopes facing uphill. The whole backwards and forwards across below glacially steepened cliffs. Affric, Kintail and Knoydart, in the hillside has deformed the floodplains, leaving behind As a result of intensive frost Mamores and Grey Corries, and downslope under the effects of abandoned channels and weathering and rockfalls, many in the Southern Highlands. In a gravity, but rather than failing forming suites of river terraces. scree slopes accumulated in few cases, rock slope failures catastrophically, it has bulged Modern floodplains are often ice-free areas at the time of the have led to the collapse of whole out. The long mountain ridges bounded by the bluffs of older Loch Lomond Readvance. sections of mountainside, on either side of Glen Shiel have terraces along the margins of Generally, these are large and producing spreads of large also been modified by rock the glens. Erosion and reworking 5 stable compared with screes boulders on the lower slopes slope failures, which have of such terrace deposits formed during the Holocene, and glen floors below. created notches and narrow provides a continuing supply of which are often active today as Particularly good examples ridges at Saileag and Aonach sediment for the rivers to form debris from intermittent rockfalls occur in the Lost Valley in Glen Meadhoin, and split the ridge of temporary, shifting bars. continues to accumulate. Many Coe (Figure 7) and on Beinn Sgùrr na Ciste Duibhe. Similarly, scree slopes have been Alligin. in Arrochar, The Cobbler owes CONCLUSION modified by debris flows (Figure 6). In the latter case, a large part its remarkable triple peaks to an This series of articles has These are typically triggered by of the rock face collapsed below extensive rock slope failure on its explored the geological and intense rainstorms and the summit of Sgùrr Mhór, south-west slope. geomorphological processes comprise rapid flows of leaving a scar that can be seen and events that have shaped the saturated debris. Particularly from the south shore of Loch RIVER LANDFORMS mountain landscapes of good examples occur along the Torridon and forming a tongue of The glaciers had a major Scotland. The remarkable flanks of the Lairig Ghru, Glen bouldery debris extending over influence on present-day river geodiversity of the latter reflects Docherty and the Pass of 1km down Coire Toll a’ valleys, variously deepening the interactions between the Drumochter. Over time, Mhadaidh Mór. In a few places, them, forming rock steps along geological foundations of the repeated flows from the same including the Trotternish their floors and infilling parts of landscape, long-term changes source areas have built up Peninsula on Skye, and parts of them with large quantities of till in global climate and the cones of debris at the base of Raasay and Mull, large-scale and outwash deposits. River processes of weathering and the slopes, with some of the landslides have occurred where courses in the upper reaches of erosion by rivers, frost and largest below Aonach Eagach in thick beds of Palaeogene basalt Highland glens typically alternate glaciers over many millions of Glen Coe. There is some lavas overlie weaker Mesozoic between steep boulder-bed years. The effects of glaciation, evidence that debris flows may sedimentary rocks. The torrents and bedrock reaches in particular, have left a have been more frequent in the Trotternish escarpment is the with gorges and waterfalls. distinctive legacy that has since D last 300 years. Possible causes site of the largest continuous

N These streams may be able to been modified to varying

A include more intense rainstorms, area of landslides in Britain, with

L shift their bouldery bed material degrees by slope, periglacial T woodland clearance and two of the most spectacular at only during extreme floods, but and river processes. O increased grazing pressure the Storr and Quiraing. Here, can produce dramatic effects Like biodiversity, geodiversity is C

S affecting slope stability. weathering of the slipped blocks when they do so. For example, an integral part of nature. The F of lava has produced dramatic the Allt Mór washed away part of geodiversity of Scotland’s O ROCK SLOPE pinnacles, most notably the Old the access road to the ski slopes mountains has great value not S

E FAILURES Man of Storr. on Cairn Gorm during flash only for its intrinsic qualities as P The results of rock slope failure A Rock slope failures, the deep- floods in 1960 and 1978. part of our geoheritage, but the

C 6 seated failure and downslope have usually been less Further downstream, bedrock variety of different rock types, S spectacular, however, and the D 8 movement of large masses of channel reaches frequently landforms and surface deposits,

N bedrock, are common on rock masses have moved only a separate wider, lower gradient, through their influence on soil

A Figure 5: Wind-patterned vegetation, Sròn an Aonaich, L glacially steepened mountain short distance downslope rather alluvial reaches developed on development, topography, Cairngorms. Figure 6: Debris flow, Coire an Sneachda,

N Cairngorms. Figure 7: Rock slope failure, Lost Valley, Glencoe. than failing catastrophically

I sides throughout the Highlands. infilled glacial valley floors and drainage and micro-climate,

A Figure 8: Rock slope failure, Mullach na Dheiragain, north of When the glaciers melted, the (Figure 8). This has resulted in basins (Figure 9). The rock has also provided a diversity of T Glen Affric. Figure 9: River Feshie, a wandering gravel bed river

N split ridges and distorted slopes. with braided and meandering channels. release of stress in the bedrock sections often include habitats for plants and animals. U resulted in the opening of deep- The largest example is on the impressive gorges, sometimes Moreover, the aesthetic qualities O seated fractures, with slope southern slopes of Beinn Fhada, following lines of geological of mountain landscapes, as M above Gleann Lichd, where rock E You can download the previous articles in failure possibly triggered by weakness (eg. Corrieshalloch clearly recognised by John H seismic events associated with slope deformation extends over Gorge near Ullapool). Many Ruskin, are due in no small part T this series, from mountain.rescue.org.uk/

crustal rebound and uplift of the a distance of 2.5km. Here, the such gorges were probably to their geodiversity and have

G mountain-rescue-magazine.back-issues. upper and middle slopes are

N land following removal of the initiated by glacial meltwaters been a source of inspiration for

I Look for Issues 33, 35, 39, 45 and 50.

P great weight of the ice. crossed by a remarkable series during successive episodes of art, literature, poetry and music. A Most large rock slope failures of asymmetric ridges several deglaciation. The alluvial H S 9 are thought to have occurred hundreds of metres long and up reaches are typically occupied

PAGE 52 MOUNTAIN RESCUE MAGAZINE SUMMER 20 16 SUMMER 20 16 MOUNTAIN RESCUE MAGAZINE PAGE 53 PELI LIGHTEN THE LOAD… Since 1976, the Peli Protector™ case has been the go-to protective case solution for millions of people worldwide. It national news has made an impact in industries from aerospace to photography. Now, Peli goes to the next level. Introducing Peli Air Cases... This new line has been engineered to maintain the same level of durability, but reduce the weight of each case by up to 40% and offer additional sizes to the current Peli Protector and Peli Storm case lines. Peli’s engineering team faced the challenge of building lightness into every facet of the design Another successful Princes’ Charities Day without compromising Peli’s renowned durability. By working with a team of materials scientists, Saturday 26 June saw 45 children and young people Held at Holcombe Moor Army Training Camp, the guests were Peli was able to construct cases that are the from WellChild, Child Bereavement, Centrepoint UK and entertained during the day with a zipwire, search dog lightest protective cases on the market today. Place2Be, together with their parents and carers, attend demonstrations, an off-road driving experience, a mock search Peli Air cases will be available from summer this year’s Princes’ Charity Day, hosted by Bolton, Bowland and rescue and a visit from the police helicopter. Hard to tell who 2016 in several configurations: No foam, Case Pennine, Calder Valley, Holme Valley and Rossendale & had the most fun — the guests or the rescuers, but the pictures with Pick N Pluck™ foam and case with Padded Pendle teams. speak for themselves... Dividers (a redesigned system with a fully-sewn tub, felt surfaces and high-visibility yellow interior). The TrekPak™ system which is a completely new divider system with rigid, customisable panels and locking pins will also be available (Peli Air models only). FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO: WWW.PELIPRODUCTS.CO.UK/AIR OR RING PELI UK ON 01457 869999.

BASICS AND THE FACULTY OF PRE-HOSPITAL CARE CONFERENCE 2 01 6 This year’s BASICS and FPhC Conference will be held on 14/15 October at the stunning Woodland Grange Hotel, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire. The packed programme will have updates on all that’s new in the pre-hospital world, including latest research studies, consensus statements, clinical decision making and trauma guidelines. There will be sessions on retrieval medicine in Antarctica, pre-hospital care in rural Scotland, crush injuries and farming incidents to name but a few. There will be practical workshops, a student poster competition, a student and junior stream and sessions on revision for the FPhC Diploma in Immediate Care. We are also delighted to announce that Dr Kevin Fong will be delivering this year’s FPHC Myles Gibson Eponymous Lecture. Kevin is a consultant anaesthetist at UCL Hospital, and is Anaesthetic Lead for both the Patient Emergency Response Team and Major Incident Planning. He is best known for his television appearances, particularly as an occasional presenter of the long-running .

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PAGE 56 MOUNTAIN RESCUE MAGAZINE SUMMER 20 16 SUMMER 20 16 MOUNTAIN RESCUE MAGAZINE PAGE 57 PAGE 58 MOUNTAIN RESCUE MAGAZINE SUMMER 20 16