0 1 0 2 Y R A U N A J SN1756-8749 ISSN 31

£3.50 As we move into 2010, we can look back characterised by useful exchanges of views on a year that can be described, at the very and openness over passage of information least, as ‘eventful’ for mountain rescue in between teams. WELCOME TO England and Wales. Across the organisation ‘Discussion is an exchange of knowledge; 31 people and teams have responded without argument is an exchange of ignorance’ Mountain Rescue is the fail to a variety of challenges. Robert Quillan. membership magazine for mobile installations ltd mountain and cave rescue in The year began with a return of winter Events of recent weeks have tested APB England and Wales. conditions particularly in the mountains of mountain rescue in its ability to respond to North Wales and the Lake District. True to natural disaster away from the mountains SPECIALISTBLUELIGHTEQUIPMENTINSTALLERS Contributions should be sent to predictions this produced a rash of accidents and, yet again, teams have stepped up to the editor at the address below. Every care will be taken of many of which were serious, both in terms of this challenge and proved their adaptability materials sent for publication injuries to the casualties and the situations to use their skills and resourcefulness however these are submitted at faced by teams. The accounts of rescues, outside their normal field of operations. Many the sender’s risk. notably those on Skiddaw and Snowdon, teams have been involved and have attest to the skills, commitment and tenacity performed exceedingly well, but the actions of team members. It was also evident on of Cockermouth MRT were outstanding. EDITORIAL some of these rescues how important the In addition to all of this we have been Judy Whiteside 8 Bridgefoot Close, Boothstown technological advances have been. No time engaging with the outside world in other Manchester M28 1UG seems to have passed since Paul Horder areas. Thanks to the efforts of Mike France 0161 702 6080 demonstrated early GPS mapping to an acting on our contacts at the Princes’ Charity [email protected] audience of team leaders in Preston. Rob Forum we have established links with Andy Simpson Brookes and David Binks picked up the Centrepoint and WellChild. A day out on 0161 764 0999 baton and ran with it until we have the Hellvellyn and on Ullswater allowed [email protected] valuable tool in use today. mountain rescue to reach out and offer to BUXTONMRTLANDROVER:BEFOREANDAFTER mountain.rescue.org.uk The expanding possibilities of technology other people things beyond their were again demonstrated at the excellent expectations. The day was enlivened by the Pat Starkie meeting in November, again in Preston. The presence of Prince William, and thanks are Member of FIRESA and federation of communications services. 01204 888 151 UU forecast of Warren Berris comes to mind. due to Richard Warren and Martin Cotterill for [email protected] APB specialises in the installation of blue lights equipment into everything ‘The factory of the future will have only two the efforts they put in to make it happen. A UU employees, a man and a dog. The man will similar event is planned for North Wales in from cars to fire engines and other specialist vehicles such as HPs, mountain be there to feed the dog. The dog will be summer 2010. NEXT ISSUE rescue vehicles and control units. We offer an on-site service to limit down 32 there to stop the man touching the We are, therefore, entering 2010 on a high equipment’. note. The only shadow is the economic time of the vehicle, or we can offer our equipped workshops near Copy Deadline: 2009 has seen a very significant rise in the backdrop. Homo sapiens has been replaced 5 March 2010 Peterborough. number of incidents. For some teams this with Homo economicus in many walks of life. Editorial copy must be supplied has been a dramatic rise. Despite this The challenge of the coming years will UU Equipment installed: Blue lights, headlamp flash, as Word document. increase teams have continued to respond probably be to continue to retain the funding Images must be supplied as without fail, albeit with gritted teeth in the face that enables provision of the valuable service 2-tone sirens, rear reds, covert blues, diesel heaters, run lock systems, high resolution (300 dpi) tracker units, strobes, hands free systems for mobile telephones and 2-way JPEG/EPS/TIFF/PDF of the repetition of basic errors of provision we provide. There will be a responsibility to and foresight. ensure that money is spent wisely and more radios, additional speakers (eg. in the pump bay) GPS and satellite Advertising artwork must be There have been a number of excellent effectively than at any previous time. supplied, ready prepared on meetings throughout the year, largely under A quote from W H Auden seems an navigation systems, plus many more. We have a ‘no drill’ policy in place CD or via email as font and are able to install switch panels for specific client requirements. embedded PDF/EPS/TIFF (300 the direction of the training subcommittee appropriate ending. ‘We are here on earth to dpi) or Quark document with all and it is refreshing to see new topics, such help others. What the others are here for I Our engineers are FLM trained and fully competent on working with and relevant fonts and images. as the ‘talking to the media’ appearing on the don’t know.’ UU calendar. All of the meetings have been David Allan Chairman Comment installing the airwave radios now fitted to the fire service. PAGE Langdale Ambleside vehicle during the floods Photo: Paul Burke Features 10 Ten days in Cockermouth Mike Park gives a personal account of the Cumbrian floods EDITOR’S NOTE 23 Mountain rescue’s first sailing team? Articles carried in Carina Humberstone on the Edale/Glossop sailing team Mountain Rescue do not 30 Wish you were there? necessarily reflect the opinions Rick Mayfield takes you to the secret Costa Blanca of Mountain Rescue England James Thacker travels on expedition to Phari Lapcha and Wales. We do not accept 34 The Derby MRT RTC responsibility for information Judy Whiteside reports on the Derby presentation at supplied in adverts/advertorial. the Team Leaders’ Day, December 2009 38 A brief dip into eponymous medical terms: 6 David Allan takes us from Monteggia Fracture to Raynaud’s Phenomenon 43 Mountain rescue... so, why do YOU do it? For further information contact APB Mobile Installations Ltd John Dutton muses on his motivation Tel: 0845 331 2727 Fax: 0845 331 2722 Web: www.apb-ltd.co.uk Email: [email protected] 46 Training – who delivers and why? Unit 18, King Street Industrial Estate, Langtoft, Peterborough PE6 9NF Bob Sharp concludes his series on team training 50 Flash and the Magic Bivvy Bag mountain John Coombs continues Flash’s search dog training

Regulars

4 National news 4 Dates for 2010 6 Regional news Contents 25 Sponsorship news 27 What’s on offer 33 Incident statistics 37 Basecamp and support news

PA G E 2 MOUNTAINRESCUEMAGAZINE JANUARY 2010 JANUARY 2010 MOUNTAINRESCUEMAGAZINE PA G E 3 Nikwax BaseWash and Wool Wash ‘Every time I’m outdoors I’m reminded how incredibly effective Nikwax is’. Martin Chester, Chief Instructor and British Mountain Guide. including a white space for only means of comms as Knott of Derby MRT gave effect. The use of other When you’re out in all weathers training and keeping everyone safe teams to write in details of radios failed. The value of an account of a road traffic teams, particularly from out on the mountain, you need to know your clothing will keep you their own events. These mountain rescue being accident involving one of side the region, to ease the comfortable. Efficient technical baselayers are have already been been involved at Gold Command, their Land Rovers on a blue problem of the high work key to comfort and temperature control and distributed to teams but the both before and during the light response three years load was discussed and using Nikwax ensures you get optimum artwork is also available as incident, was noted. ago – a case which took there was a degree of performance from them. It is essential that baselayers have good a pdf from the Members’ Similarly the importance of some two years of legal enthusiasm for extending wicking properties – the ability to absorb area of the website, under mountain rescue taking a wrangling before reaching this practice. Further talks sweat, distribute it around the garment and Fundraising. leading role in the review a conclusion. The between Mountain Rescue dry quickly. Nikwax BaseWash and Wool and future planning was importance of maintenance and the BMC on the topic Wash deliver this for both manmade and TEAM LEADERS DAY recognised. Mountain records for the vehicle, and of prevention and natural fibres. SWALEDALE rescue team members training records for the education were supported. BaseWash has been created specifically for cleaning synthetic baselayers Refreshes The meeting, hosted by were the only people driver were emphasised. It was recognised that G and removes odours G Speeds up wicking William Lumb and comfortable on the roof The effect of the protracted more work on the figures is G Allows the garment to dry faster keeping Swaledale MRT at their tops during evacuation of nature of the episode on necessary in order to focus you comfortable Wool Wash cleans and NATIONAL base, deep in the heart of people by helicopter. The the driver and his family efforts of preventative work maintains the natural qualities of wool G Improves wicking ability MOUNTAIN AND Yorkshire, was one of the amount of debris in the was highlighted. [Read the and fortunately there is G Garment dries faster G Refreshes and removes CAVE RESCUE best attended and well floodwater was a serious, full story on page 34.] now a volunteer willing to odours. Both BaseWash and Wool Wash enhance the presented to date, with a and to some extent Adam Hearn talked about carry this out. performance of your baselayers and optimise your AWARENESS DAY comfort in whichever condition you find yourself – and sharp focus on some unforeseen, hazard – tales Teesdale & Weardale MRT The meeting in 2010 will be May Bank Holiday (3 May) while odour control won’t necessarily save lives, it will currently very hot topics – of woolshop stock and, in the light of the hosted by Derby MRT. is set to be the first of these be appreciated! For more information, call Nikwax on swift flowing water, blue unravelling and knotting recent floods, it was days, which we hope will 01892 786400 or visit www.nikwax.com light driving and the sharp under the water, silently interesting to note how well EQUIPMENT UDATE become an established increase in callouts. weaving a lethal cat’s developed this team is in Richard Terrell writes...This

feature in the calendar. L Ewan Thomas gave an cradle of trip wires, or the its response to water year has seen more teams yourself. You don’t need to be vehicles and have them Think ‘Lifeboat Flag Days’! account of the current full shop windowpane, related incidents. applying to the equipment an equipment junkie, but must weighed with kit on board. The idea is that teams will national position on water pushed out by the torrent, The afternoon focused on subcommittee – maybe be able to produce typed and At the recent subcommittee organise their own events related issues, the pausing only to tilt slightly the rising number of due to the recession? We clear minutes. All welcome to meeting, we discussed the locally, to raise funds for importance of which was from the vertical before callouts experienced in have run three equipment apply. ‘vision group’ findings and the their own organisations, made clear by Mike Park’s sailing off downstream on some areas of the country. checking courses, in South development of guidelines for a against a background of account of the floods the tide... Ged Feeney produced Wales, the Peak District TRAINING NEWS variety of topics, to sit nationally produced Cockermouth. [Read a full A discussion of the MR figures illustrating a rapid and the North East. We Mike Margeson writes... It is alongside those we have for publicity, aimed at raising report from Mike on page response to floods and rise for the Peak District hope to hold three next again encouraging to report the team member and party leader. the profile of mountain and 10.] There were many swiftwater incidents in the and Wales but a less year in the same regions – autumn round of courses have We decided to bite the bullet cave rescue across learning points – not least future brought general dramatic rise elsewhere. dates will be published in been very well attended, well and tackle perhaps the most England and Wales. The of all that radios and agreement that this should Within the Lake District, it the new year. I would organised and well delivered. difficult first with rope rescue. purpose is not to raise mobile phones are be regional rather than appeared the burden of a personally like to thank Phil The Medical Seminar attracted We would like to make funds for the national pot generally not waterproof! team based. Ewan will take very high rise was being Beard for running these nearly a hundred team progress and have a first draft but to support teams in The waterproof phones now this forward. carried by three teams but courses. We currently have members and medical for the May meeting. their own efforts. Posters used by Cockermouth Steve Hilditch and Robin overall the district showed the Katie stretcher on loan professionals. The programme have been produced – team members became the only a moderate rise. from Scotland – this will be was well balanced between TRAIN THE TRAINERS While we have many It was suggested that going round the regions new information, update and professional and highly the publicity over the next year. Finally, review of what we already competent folk in teams, campaigns of would you like to be deliver. Perhaps the most delivering training in well JOINT IMRA & UK CONFERENCE previous years may involved with the notable for me came from the focused, planned and executed MR(E&W) SUBCOMMITTEES Places: TBA have had a negative equipment subcommittee? Long Falls session where the AND BUSINESS MEETING Date: 10–12 September (2 days) training sessions, but you can Places: 80 Location: Dublin City University, Dublin effect and led to If so, we are looking for a frequency of chest injuries was always learn new skills. We will Date: Saturday 15 May (One day) Contact: Peter Howells OBE MStJ more callouts. There secretary to take the quite a surprise and one to be Location: Lancs Police HQ, Hutton 01633-254244 and 07836-382029 be looking at the content of Contact: Peter Smith 01706 852335 was no evidence minutes at the meetings. If aware of, alongside the such a day and for anybody [email protected] [email protected](E&W) available to indicate you are interested, please importance of vacmat, collar who feels they could contribute, SUBCOMMITTEES that the preventative drop me a line – richard@ and oxygen use. SEARCH PLANNING & MANAGEMENT AND BUSINESS MEETING rterrell.orangehome.co.uk – The Team Leaders’ Day also please contact Richard Holmes. REFRESHER Places: 80 measures to date L Places: 30 Date: Saturday 20 November (One day) had produced any giving a brief outline of had the highest turn out I have WEBSITE TRAINING Date: 25–26 August (2 days) Location: Lancs Police HQ, Hutton seen, with an obvious RESOURCE FOR ALL Location: University of Wales, Bangor Contact: Peter Smith Contact: Dr ASG Jones MBE As above emphasis on flood response We mentioned in the last 01248 716971 and 07811 041227 and swiftwater rescue. A good magazine that we are really TEAM LEADERS DAY variety of other inputs included SEARCH FIELD SKILLS Places: 50 keen to develop this resource. Places: 30 Date: Saturday 4 December (One day) the presentation about a road Many teams have excellent Date: 27–29 August (3 days) Location: Derby MRT HQ traffic collision, whilst on blue Location: University of Wales, Bangor information and training Contact: Peter Smith ...don’tforget... lights, involving a Derby team Contact: Dr ASG Jones MBE As above MOUNTAIN AND CAVE RESCUE resources so let’s share them. As above AWARENESS DAY vehicle and member of the Date: Monday 3 May (One day) We do not need to keep 2010 public. The most interesting Location: Across England and Wales recreating the wheel. Please SEARCH PLANNING & MANAGEMENT Places: 40 action point for me was not just send any training resource as a Date: 30 August – 3 September (5 days) training ORDNANCE SURVEY OUTDOORS SHOW to check that driver records and Date: 26 – 28 March (Three days) PDF to help develop a national Location: University of Wales, Bangor training documentation are in Contact: Dr ASG Jones MBE Location: NEC Birmingham downloadable library to As above calendar order (I’m sure we all have that [email protected]. in hand!) but rather to take the

PA G E 4 MOUNTAINRESCUEMAGAZINE JANUARY 2010 JANUARY 2010 MOUNTAINRESCUEMAGAZINE PA G E 5 BREWERYBRIDGEUNDERSEIGE

On a lighter note...

...when Prince Charles visited Cockermouth to meet the gathered rescue organisations at the Cockermouth base, in addition to spending much time with the assembled team members and expressing his appreciation for their help, he was asked for a donation to the mountain rescue charity by local builder Ashley Gill, who found the Cockermouth MRT collection box buried in silt while clearing the Black Bull pub in the town. Mr Gill, a builder from Whitehaven, said, ‘I don’t think he had any cash on him. I thanked him for coming up to the area – it’s much needed.’ On his visit to other flood-hit parts of Cumbria, Prince Charles had highly praised the work of the emergency services and gave a particular mention to the work of Mountain Rescue in responding to the floods. L ASHLEYGILLPRESENTINGTHEMUDCOVEREDBOXTOSTEVEBRAILEY,CHAIRMANANDDEPUTYLEADER COCKERMOUTHTEAM[RETIREDCHAIRMANJOHNDEMPSTERANDRETIREDTEAMLEADER,JIMCOYLEARE INTHEBACKGROUND]WHILSTPRINCECHARLESMETOTHERSINVOLVEDINTHERESCUES.THEBOXISTO PHOTOS:COCKERMOUTHMRT BEKEPTINITSRESCUEDCONDITIONASALASTINGMEMORYOFTHEWORKDONEBYTHETEAMS DURING THAT DREADFUL NIGHT AND FOLLOWING DAYS

biggest bags of chocolate buttons known to MID PENNINE mankind (apparently) – and in mostly torrential rain. GANNETT FOUNDATION AWARDS The next course is over the weekend 15–17 ROSSENDALE TEAM £21,750 October 2010, with all four participating teams from this year due to take part. Any other teams L News of the very generous award – to enable the WBROMARTINSTRAY(WESTRIDING team to buy new waterproof kit – came through to interested in taking part, please contact Garry MASONICCHARITIES)ANDJACKPICKUP(CRO Rhodes at [email protected] for details. CHAIRMAN)FLANKEDBYMEMBERSOF Rossendale & Pendle MRT team chairman Graham WENNINGLODGE(BENTHAM) :DIFFICULTRESCUEONCHALLONERSTREET Dalley early one November evening. And, needless BELOW: MEMBERSOFCALDERVALLEYSRTAT THEIR CHEQUE PRESENTATION CHECKINGPROPERTIESONMAINSTREET to say, the bush telegraph was hot for hours! The NORTH EAST Gannett Foundation is awarded via the Newsquest MAINSHOT INSET: group who publish local newspapers across the GO OUTDOORS STAFF AND country, including the Lancashire Evening CUSTOMERS SUPPORT CLEVELAND role of mountain rescue team liaison The Patterdale team base was flooded and its Telegraph and the Westmorland Gazette. It’s a This year has seen the staff and customers of Go throughout the five days, assisted by Ian vehicles evacuated to higher ground so that the nationally run enterprise whose aim is to support Outdoors in Stockton working together to support Clemmett, Penrith team leader. Cockermouth boat and Land Rovers were readily available for local organisations and charities in specific their local team, Cleveland SRT, through sponsored Bronze Command was actually based in the rescue response in the Glenridding and Pooley projects. Applications are invited twice a year via walks, use of a mobile and an in-store climbing Cockermouth MRT HQ and had strong Bridge areas as the flood waters rose. In addition to the newspapers involved, the final decision being wall, as well as collection jar donations and even representation from the Cockermouth team. replacing equipment, many teams are now looking made in London. sales of team merchandise. Their sterling efforts Swiftwater rescue technicians from several to expand their swiftwater rescue capabilities, by Team leader Andy Simpson, said, ‘We have taken have raised in excess of £2700 towards the ‘CSRT teams performed invaluable work evacuating providing additional training for team members and RESCUE TEAMS RECEIVE £30,000 on twelve operational trainees in the last four years Base Appeal’. Team members and supporters were residents, checking properties and providing purchasing further resources. BOOST TO FUNDS and it’s been a very slow process to kit them all out delighted when the company also decided to LAKE DISTRICT support for other emergency services and utilities [An in depth article by Mike Park, Cockermouth team Members of Calder Valley SRT and the because of our financial situation. sponsor the team’s two Land Rovers and the workers. In the Keswick area, Keswick MRT were leader – who played a major role in the Cockermouth Cave Rescue Organisation were delighted LAKES TEAMS SUPPORT THEIR ‘Some of the waterproof kit that our members have Incident Control Vehicle with a further £4000. More fully involved and pulled in additional support was emergency response – and reports from Nick Owen, recently Go Outdoors provided £1000 worth of to hear that each team was to receive FLOODED COMMUNITIES been wearing is around thirteen years old, so its from neighbouring teams in the North East, with Langdale Ambleside team leader, and Paul Cheshire, raffle prizes in aid of the team for an event which £30,000 from the West Riding Masonic Richard Warren writes... During the unprecedented well past its sell-by date.’ teams from Mid Pennine and North Wales providing on behalf of the Keswick team, on page 10 – with was expected to raise a further £3500 towards the Charities during the Autumn. To celebrate rainfall which fell on Cumbria in November, over The award will enable the team not just to replace very important standby roles. more anticipated in the April issue. Editor.] base appeal. 150 years of charitable works in the historic 400mm being dropped on the central fells, all the team waterproofs but to buy a whole new The rescue teams involved are now calculating the L county*, every Masonic Lodge was invited twelve of the LDSAMRA teams were involved in the ‘working wardrobe’ for every single team member. page8 cost in terms of damaged or lost equipment in WASDALE TEAM ACKNOWLEDGES to nominate a charity for a grant, then one rescue operations, either directly or as back-up to So, many thanks to the Lancashire Evening urgent need of replacement, not only for use during LONG SERVICE charity project was selected from each of their neighbouring teams. Over a thousand homes Telegraph and the Gannett Foundation. further flooding events, but for regular fell or crag At the Wasdale MRT AGM, held 16 November 2009, the county’s five areas, receiving a one-fifth were evacuated over the period 29–30 November, share of £150,000. based rescues and searches. Several teams four of the team’s senior and long serving retired primarily in the towns and surrounding areas of BOLTON TEAM HOST FIFTH JOINT Prince Frederick Lodge, of Hebden Bridge, needed to restock radios, dry suits, buoyancy aids, members were presented with long service awards Cockermouth and Keswick. During this period, FOUNDATION COURSE nominated CVSRT’s vehicle replacement throwlines, climbing hardware and other valuable along with engraved glass tankards. mountain rescue teams provided the initial and lead For the fifth year running, Bolton MRT organised a project, while Wenning Lodge, of Bentham, and much-used equipment. At least two recently role response to rescues within the ‘fast flowing’ Joint Foundation Course in Mountain Rescue in nominated CRO’s Depot redevelopment. The purchased team Land Rovers from floods across the county. All the rescue work was October, based at Bibby’s Farm Scout Campsite former enables the team to replace a 22-year- two of the Lakes teams suffered under the coordination of Cumbria police and the and Activity Centre, at Heath Charnock. The old, high maintenance, V-8 Land Rover with a significant flood damage whilst Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service in Gold, Silver weekend is aimed at newer team members (6–12 brand new, specially adapted model, while carrying out rescue work in and Bronze Commands. LDSAMRA were well months experience) and is intended to cover the latter will pay for the completion of a new the Cockermouth and represented in Gold Command by Mike Graham of subjects not generally covered at a team level and control room and extended training, Ambleside floods. Penrith MRT who was called in to fulfil the important to consolidate course members’ experiences to garaging, equipment storage and visitor date. Instructors were drawn from the teams facilities, at Clapham. attending, including three from Bolton, North East LEFT TO RIGHT: BILL PATTISON (26 YEARS: 18 AS TEAM LEADER, PLUS SERVICE Wales SRT, Rossendale & Pendle MRT, Cheshire * For those too young to remember the WITH THE NORTH EASTERN TEAMS PRIOR TO THIS. BILL RETIRED IN 1999 changes of April Fool’s Day 1974, the West Lowland SRT and Calder Valley SRT. The 28 BUTREMAINSASTEAMPRESIDENT;JOEMOODYRECENTLYRETIREDFROMTHE LIZMACDOUGALL,MANAGEROFGOOUTDOORS Riding of Yorkshire stretches from Sedbergh TEAM (40 YEARS); DAVE BARRAS (26 YEARS: NOW RETIRED, AND AN HONORARY trainees had a constructive weekend, interspersed L PRESENTSACHEQUETOALLANMANN(TEAM MEMBER); MAURICE PRINGLE (25 YEARS PRIOR TO RETIRING AS CHAIRMAN A TREASURER) to Sheffield and Slaidburn to Selby. NUMBEROFYEARSAGO,ALSOAPASTSECRETARYANDNOWVICEPRESIDENT) with the usual fun and games, hearty British breakfasts, liberal quantities of beer, and the

PA G E 6 MOUNTAINRESCUEMAGAZINE JANUARY 2010 JANUARY 2010 MOUNTAINRESCUEMAGAZINE PA G E 7 Latest news from

Cornwall SRT, who were providing rescue cover for We’ve had a really busy time SOUTH WEST an event on Bodmin moor, provided two search finalising the many products teams. The Dartmoor teams sent additional JOINT WORKING WEEKEND we showed at the summer Nicki Lyons MBE, chairman of Dartmoor SRT manpower from Ten Tors cover and two further MEMBERSOFDARTMOORRESCUEGROUP shows, but everything is SARDA handlers joined the search. Some even got (Tavistock) writes... Every May, 2500 kids in 400 L ATTENDING TO EXERCISE CASUALTIES coming along fine. The a lift to the search on a military helicopter released teams are let loose on Dartmoor to take part in the Torque Nuts have proved from Ten Tors cover. One of the search dogs members onto Dartmoor to find and treat the Ten Tors Challenge. The four Dartmoor teams assist very popular indeed, and located a tee-shirt in the river, in an area not casualties. The exercise was a great success as the organisers – the Army – by providing rescue many people have added previously searched and the police helicopter was this is the first time anything like this had been tried cover for the two day event which, incidentally, them to their winter racks. immediately sent to the area. The lad was found by all agencies involved, on this scale. Visitors to celebrates its 50th year in 2010. Each team works The Ultra O Oval carabiner alive in the river and recovered to dry land. A the exercise and weekend included The Rt Hon from their own base – Ashburton are sited at by Paul Durham has also been in big fantastic result and a clear demonstration of the Geoffrey Cox MP,Cllr John Hockridge, Cllr Christine Sittaford, Okehampton in the Army camp at Bowland Pennine MRT demand, coming as it does excellent joint working of all the teams in Devon and Marsh and Wing Cdr Mike Symons ATC. Okehampton, Plymouth by the Holming Beam in all locking combinations, Cornwall. On the Sunday there were various workshops for range hut and Tavistock on Amicombe Hill. as well as a standard straight members to attend including search dog handling, The 2009 challenge promised and delivered good gate. This oval is definitely DRG TRAINING WEEKEND micro-navigation, 4x4 recovery, river crossings, weather. For this we became more thankful as the the nicest handling oval Dartmoor Rescue Group conducted its annual rope work, first aid and communications. weekend’s events unfolded. Friday evening had Media skills course about, I-Beam back Weekend Training Exercise at Okehampton Battle started with an off-moor callout to a missing seven- construction and keylock camp on the weekend of 28/29 November 2009, CORNWALL TEAM FINALLY FINDS year-old, who was found, none the worse for his nose make it light and easy with participants from all four Dartmoor teams PLACE TO CALL HOME gets 48 hour baptism ordeal, very quickly by DSRT Ashburton. The teams to use. (Ashburton, Okehampton, Plymouth and Cornwall SRT has taken up a lease on an old fire dealt with a few incidents on the Saturday, with the On Saturday 3 October team leader beauty. nothing found, we were stood down. The Aero range has two Tavistock), Devon and Cornwall Police, Devon Fire station situated in the mid-Cornwall village of St evening proving to be a testing time for all. Phil O’Brien and myself drove up to The rest of the day was spent in No missing persons report being additions, the Aero HMS and & Rescue Urban SRT, search and rescue teams Dennis and, after a lot of elbow grease and a lick of A young lad had gone missing in the Eggesford Patterdale team base in Cumbria for various media interview scenarios received by the police or other the Aero Screwgate. Billed as from Cornwall, Exmoor, Wiltshire, Hampshire, paint, the base is now open for business. Just off area near the Taw river. The Dartmoor teams the Media skills course. Little did I culminating in a filmed interview. Oh sightings, we packed up and headed our entry level lockers, in Staffordshire, SARDA, Kimmeridge Coast Guard the A30, minutes away from Goss Moor and with supplied both foot teams and four SARDA know I’d soon be needing the skills how the camera likes some more than home circa midnight. reality these are two excellent and Devon and Cornwall 4X4. During Saturday, the the China Clay landscape on its doorstep (often (England) handlers, Exmoor SRT provided gained so quickly. others. Each of our two minute Fast forward to 07:50 on Monday value locking biners both of group conducted a multi-agency exercise based on referred to as The Cornish Alps) the team will have members and a control role. Most of the Dartmoor We joined other team interviews were played back and morning and my mobile rolled out its which are hot forged and an extreme weather event during a Ten Tors no shortage of good training venues close by. As a members and SARDA handlers had been on the representatives from across the critiqued – by all present. The day was Nickelback ring tone (‘I want to be a feature keylock noses, which Dartmoor training weekend. Following severe rain, former fire station, the premises is ideally suited to Ten Tors all day Saturday but, having had a few country, as far a field as the Peak very rewarding and generated rock star’ – what’s wrong with that?!!) gives a whole new meaning wind and then mist, 103 Air Cadets from Devon and the team’s needs with a large space for vehicle hours rest, joined in the overnight search. Devon District and Dartmoor. confidence and reassuredness in our It was Radio Lancashire. ‘Were you to the phrase ‘entry level.’ Cornwall Air Training Crops had found themselves storage, an office, crew room and plenty of storage Cave Rescue also providing available manpower. Introductions over, we were asked to abilities to best represent ourselves, involved in the search last night, blaa, If you haven’t checked our involved in various scenarios for members of the space. One of the two vehicles will be kept there As daylight arrived, the lad had not been located. recall when we had last seen an our teams and our service in equal blaa, blaaa.’ Twenty minutes later I’m range of pulleys and rigging search and rescue teams to (although it is capable of taking both). interview with a politician who gave a measure. talking live to Tony Livesey. plates yet, it’d be worth a deal with. The rescues were Members from other teams holidaying in Cornwall direct answer to a direct question. The I’ve heard it many times – ‘if you Having had the time to prepare and quick visit to our website coordinated by Devon and are welcome to pop in. Team training nights are room fell silent and the beards grew don’t use the skills, you soon lose scribble a few notes on a piece of dmmwales.com, as our Cornwall Police, Devon Fire and Thursdays but you can stop by on other nights by even longer. These, we were to them’ but I hadn’t even had the time card (not paper, that makes a noise range is greater than before Rescue Service and controllers arrangement. Contact the team leader, Jim realise, were the skills we were about to absorb them before they were and can be picked up by the – and all made in Wales. from the rescue teams, working Gallienne or chairman, Andy Brelsford (jim@ or to be taught. We were given examples needed for real. microphone – something else I There is also a together to deploy 150 team [email protected]) for more information. of poor interviews with the ‘ball’ being At 20:30 on the Sunday evening, my learned). comprehensive range of passed back and forth between the pager began bleeping. A call to Out came his first question. ‘Yes we steel and high strength interviewer and the interviewee, search the River Ribble in Preston were their only voluntary biners with greater gate NORTH YORKSHIRE POLICE SEARCH AND RESCUE AWARDS question and answer, question and following a report that two anglers had organisation... able to support the strengths for the industrial It was with great pleasure that I, along with Tony Jones, attended this event answer. Then recalling my footballing seen a female walk into the river only emergency services… that was not markets. on behalf of MREW. This is the second year of this very successful venture, days of long ago when told your an hour earlier, saying to them as she the biggest problem… the biggest hosted by Graham Maxwell, Chief Constable of North Yorkshire Police. opponent can’t score if he hasn’t got floated by, ‘Don’t worry, I won’t get problem… was our lack of transport… Mountain and cave rescue at both team and national level are very the ball, it all clicked into place. Being tangled in your lines…’ that’s why we’re wanting money for a appreciative of the recognition that is afforded by the police on these asked a question by a reporter would On arrival at the RVP we were met new minibus...’ Then he cut me off. occasions. There was a clear demonstration of the excellent relationship be, from this day forward and for ever by every available blue light owned by The TL was listening and soon the that exists in North Yorkshire between the statutory and voluntary services and ever amen, the MR equivalent of the emergency services in sound of Nickelback filled the air once in search and rescue operations. giving me the dribbling skills of Tom Lancashire. The Fire Service rescue again. Complete success he reported. Awards were made both to teams and to individuals who had been nominated for outstanding service. The special awards in the latter category Finney, Jimmy Greaves and George boat had been deployed, as had two I recommend the course to all in our went to Pete Dean (CRO), Paul Smith (Cleveland SRT), Andy Crossley Best. All of whom I have seen play on bank search teams. service who are involved in generating (Scarborough & Rydale SRT), Mac Bryant (Swaledale MRT) and Harry Long the hallowed turf of Deepdale Very quickly we were tasked with PR/awareness/fundraising or wishing (Upper Wharfedale FRT). (Preston North End) for all you south searching the remaining two banks, to get across to the media any The awards to teams were received by CRO, Cleveland SRT, Scarborough of the great divide, the M62. But upstream and down from the RVP. operational issues surrounding our & Rydale SRT, Swaledale MRT and Upper Wharfedale FRT. enough of these footballing This was the second time in four activities. It was encouraging to see the support from the police authority at the event metaphors. weeks we’d donned our new water Finally, it was discussed that and the awards were presented by Jane Seymour, chair of the Authority. Flt The purpose was to illustrate how search gear, dry suits, PFDs, and whenever fire officers are seen being Sgt Spence Braithwaite from ARCC also attended the occasion in recognition of the support to SAR given by the RAF. to, when given an opportunity, get throw bags, and for the first time used interviewed, they always wear their Although the event occurs under the direction of Grahame Maxwell, an across to the audience your agenda these in conjunction with our newly helmets even when they are miles enormous amount of work is required from Jon Rushton in order to bring and not just that of the reporter. acquired Lenser LED D14 away from any form of falling debris! It things together. Jon also plays a significant role on maintaining and Sticking in the words ‘volunteer searchlights. was suggested we should all be furthering the good operational links between the police and mountain and service’ at every opportunity along The searches were conducted interviewed with a radio ariel sticking cave rescue. It was therefore particularly pleasing to see Jon receive with those other beauties such as ‘no slowly and methodically, particularly up one nostril, finger nails encrusted L PUL 100 TRIPLE recognition for this with an award from the teams within the area. Perhaps guaranteed funding’, and ‘we need as we were operating within the tidal with peat and a pristinely coiled rope a step that other regions might note. David Allan ATTACHMENT money to buy new sawdust plaiting reaches of the river, at night and on an draped around our necks. I await the PULLEY kits for every team member’, you outgoing tide. After three hours with arrival of the first photo.

PA G E 8 MOUNTAINRESCUEMAGAZINE JANUARY 2010 JANUARY 2010 MOUNTAINRESCUEMAGAZINE PA G E 9 Cumbria Floods 2009

Main Street – now a ‘street river’

Rooftop rescue service Waterloo Street Family of geese take up residence outside the by Mike Park hairdressers Main Street Team Leader Cockermouth MRT Jennings Brewery. Joined by two of our vehicles – At least one in five of the people in this area were traffic management is going to be a headache here. not going to leave their properties, and those that his is written from a personal perspective, as a diary of what the 10:15am Arrive at base and, already, some of the My wife phones to ask if I think the hairdressers will agree to insist on bringing bags and suitcases full of Cockermouth team did during the severe flooding that hit Cumbria in late team have showed up. We send out a voicemail to still be open in town. ‘Should be,’ I reply. Flooding possessions. The team is accommodating, but this TNovember. Throughout, we were assisted by Wasdale, Keswick, Penrith, all of the team now, and start getting gear ready. A or not, you can’t stop your wife getting her hair cut! is eating into our time. Coniston, Teesdale & Weardale and Swaledale MRTs, along with the Maryport call from Mike Graham (Penrith MRT) at Gold Local police are on Waterloo Street, which is at the Work calls to ask if I intend turning up for a meeting Inshore Lifeboat. The team and I can’t thank these teams enough for the valuable Command, police HQ in Penrith makes me aware bottom of High Sands Lane, running parallel to and started ten minutes ago! I reply in the negative. assistance they provided to us throughout this memorable week. of the situation throughout Cumbria and the fact that bordering the Derwent. 11:15am The Cocker now rising rapidly – the Keswick is flooding, and Ambleside and Kendal are Brewery footbridge crosses the Cocker here, and Brewery bridge hit by several large logs and Day One: Thursday 9:30am Call from the local police inspector, dealing with local floods. He has alerted all teams already the river is two blocks off the top of this branches, shaking the entire bridge. We decide to 19 November concerned about the rising levels of the rivers in throughout the Lakes and given a heads up to bridge. Waterloo Street always gets the butt of any cordon it off with police barrier tape. The walls of Cockermouth. Wants me to consider calling the 5:30am Up as usual – off to Cockermouth Sports teams from out of the county. We agree we will only flooding in the town, and already residents have put gardens, which are now holding back the river are team out to deal with possible flooding. I agree to Centre for the twice weekly early morning circuits. move teams into different areas through the control ‘floodgates’ across their doors, and are piling up showing signs of collapse, water streaming through start things moving and to meet with him at our It’s absolutely tipping it down, and I’m soaked to of Gold Command. sandbags. There is an argument going on between the mortar. Try phoning the inspector, to advise him base at 11:00am. Switch computer off, and pop my the skin, before we even get started on the gym 10:45am Quick brief with our team – agree who two neighbours on who should have more of the situation and the immediate threat to lives, but head round the door to tell my boss that things gear. will do what and where, and what equipment must sandbags! I misdial and spend three minutes shouting down a aren’t right in Cockermouth and I am leaving work 7:30am Drive home down Main Street in be worn and used. I’m told the police inspector is tied up with flooding phone to a colleague at work about how the bridge again! (Understanding bosses – best thing since Cockermouth and it’s still raining. 11:00am We walk down Station Street and onto up river in Keswick and will be delayed. Police are is unsafe and walls are in danger of collapsing! sliced bread!) 8:30am Showered and changed and back on the Main Street, some of us fully kitted up in dry suits, now advising residents to leave their homes and go The water in the streets is now knee deep. We Driving back over the fell even more difficult as the road doing my usual commute to work over the fell most in buoyancy aids, feeling totally out of place to a reception centre set up in the local secondary concentrate on moving people in immediate threat ALLPHOTOSCOURTESYOFCOCKERMOUTHMRT flooding is getting worse. On the way over, I get in road. Get the feeling this isn’t going to be just an amongst people who are going about their daily school. We begin helping police with door to door of being trapped in their homes. Also decide to touch with the team’s three deputies and most of Main shot: RAF over ordinary day – this rain is still coming down and the lives, shopping and going into the pubs for an early checks, advising residents and offering assistance move the vehicles out of Waterloo Street and up to the swiftwater rescue trained team members, to Cockermouth from Papcastle roads are starting to gather some water. lunch. Continue down High Sands Lane, which and transport out of the street. However, these the top of High Sands Lane, as we can’t risk losing give them the heads up. Call in at home on the way Inset: Team vehicle on Waterloo 9:00am In the office, I switch on computer and start leads from Main Street down to the river Derwent people have been flooded numerous times before, a vehicle in the rising waters. I’m asked for my first to pick up my personal gear as I now have a feeling Street dealing with emails that don’t seem to stop! where the river Cocker flows into it, opposite and another flood is not going to shift them again! radio interview, by a reporter inappropriately we are going to need everything available.

PA G E 1 0 MOUNTAINRESCUEMAGAZINE JANUARY 2010 JANUARY 2010 MOUNTAINRESCUEMAGAZINE PA G E 1 1 Cumbria Floods 2009

5:00pm Request air assets, already deployed street with another strong current. We form a line amazing to watch as the crew are having to deal throughout the county, to support the rescue and and wade out into the current, water getting deeper with overhead wires and television masts, on top of evacuation of trapped residents. as we advance – still 3m short of a lamppost on the gusting winds and continuous rain. 6:00pm Water on Main Street now neck deep. We other side. I’m attached to the end of a throw line, Again, we wait for the Sea King’s return, during formulate plan to deploy swiftwater teams into ‘slack and have a go at swimming to the other side. The which we are able to get a good look down and pools’ in the town, to work through the back streets current catches me and I just miss grabbing the across Main Street, shouting reassurance to people to trapped residents in the six areas. Croft Bowling corner of a wall. The lads pull me back to safety, trapped on the opposite side. The chopper returns Green, between South Street and Main Street, floating on my back. We reassess and try from and strops are dropped for us. We move out. identified as one of these pools – to reach it, we further upstream, belayed off a bollard. I make the 9:30pm Back in base for a cup of soup. Gote need to be winched down from a Sea King. wall, dive over a hedge into slack water and belay to Road to the north of the town now impassable 7:00pm Main Street now unnavigable – estimated the lamppost. We now have a diagonal running line meaning a further 300+ people could be trapped. to be a ‘Grade 5 river.’ Water on Main Street now a to ferry-glide across on. The pod comes over one Bronze Command has moved into the fire HQ, maximum depth of 2.5m. at a time. A warning shout, but Steve catches a because of concerns the power may fail in our base. 8:00pm Police advised of six people trapped on wooden gate in the chest – he’s just winded but it’s ARCC has sent a pilot to control the helicopters –a the upper floor of the Black Bull on Main Street. a close call. Leave the running line in-situ as we may big relief to our base team, as things have become They report the building shaking under their feet. A be coming back this way. extremely busy in the last two hours. team of six swiftwater rescue technicians (SRTs) – We cross the slack water, climb a wall and drop into 10:00pm Bronze meeting with police, fire and two Wasdale, four of ours – are picked up from the the Black Bull beer garden, skirting tight to the wall, rescue, ambulance service, the Environment playing field just above base and winched down into as the water is being sucked through a wrought iron Agency, International Rescue, the Red Cross; the Croft Bowling Green, 100m to the south of the gate and disappearing into a black-hole that was the RSPCA, NHS, RNLI and RAF. Where did all these pub. The plan is to lower the first two into the water. back door to the pub. We warn each other that this people come from? Make mental note to ensure we They indicate to the winchman if they’re happy with is somewhere we don’t want to go, as the water is have at least one member from the team present in the conditions – thumbs down, we pull them out, only 20cm from the top of the door. This was the this room at all times to represent mountain rescue thumbs up, we all go in, then work our way to the point we all recognised we were safer out of the and communicate the situation from the sharp end. back of the Black Bull as best we can. Once there, water, and on the roofs, an environment more suited I’m invited to a Silver command meeting, to discuss we locate the people, and identify a safe place for to a mountain rescue team! the tactical situation and asked to accompany Cocker Bridge with tree the winchman to evacuate the trapped people. We climb onto the flat roof at the back of the pub, representatives from the other agencies in a ‘risk Should we find things too dangerous, we’re to be and soon make contact with its six inhabitants. They appraisal’ flight over the town. But, before this, I winched out from the original drop-off. If everything appear fine, considering their ordeal (it seems some goes pear-shaped and we’re unable to get out or be have administered their own medication of one or winched out, we’re to spend the night in a building two pints of Jennings) and the RAF is soon winching Right: Checking Main Street until the waters subside. them to safety. properties Standing up front in the cockpit of the chopper, I find Awaiting the helicopter’s return, we the whole scene below me totally unrecognisable, find three women in an adjoining third as the usual landmarks have just disappeared under floor flat. They’re safe and happy to sit dressed in her Uggs and long tweed jacket. Get this dirty brown water. After a minute, things start to it out. Further along the roofs we find a over with and help push her car back onto dry land. become more recognisable as tops of belisha family of four including two young 1:30pm Now withdrawn from Waterloo Street and beacons are still flashing despite being up to their children. The boys, aged six and ten are the area to the north of Main Street bordering the necks in river! We spot the Black Bull and the keen to go in a helicopter, so we rope the Derwent. Main Street now up to knees and police bowling green behind. First two lowered down. entire family over to our pick-up site. closing it to vehicles. South Street, which leads off Thumbs-up, they swim to the perimeter wall. The Below our roof we find a pregnant lady Station Street down to the footbridge across the running water at phenomenal speeds. The water attended to by our team doctor. rest lowered into the neck deep water – a surreal and her partner, and next door an older Cocker, experiencing heavy flooding – water already level at its peak is no greater than 50cm but, Keswick, we hear, are still busy dealing with their moment. We ‘pod-up’ at the wall (a term invented couple. The pregnant lady and her partner halfway down the street and you’re up to your waist because of the draw of water from Main Street, the own town, but Wasdale are en route with their boat. by our SRT instructor, Dave Watkinson of Patterdale are roped up to us, but we decide the older by the bridge. Fire and rescue already on scene flow around this junction banks the water with a Maryport Inshore Lifeboat also mobilised, aiming to MRT – a character and a half!) We pick our way couple will not be able to come to our walking and carrying people out of their properties. difference in level of up to a metre. The sheer assist us in the north of the town, now separated down side streets to a set of garages, where the location safely. The chopper returns and Evacuating properties at the Again, we encounter resistance from residents. scouring effect of this flow, creates a 1.5m deep hole from us by an ever-widening Derwent. Finally, sit current becomes too strong so we climb on to the winches out our fresh six. Again they return, back of Waterloo Street Around this time the Cocker ‘jumps’ out of its bed across the width of the street, 6m in length, cutting down with the police inspector (now returned from garage roofs. Dropping down the other side we’re in with the winchman going through the and starts hitting the streets. South Street is about through tarmac and base coat exposing gas, water dealing with flooding in Keswick), fire and rescue, more slack water, but the way forward is across a window to pull out the older couple. This was 2-3 metres higher in elevation than Main Street, 200 and electricity lines. The force of the water further and the ambulance service – our first of many metres to the north, so water now cascading down down Challoner Street bends concrete lampposts Bronze Command meetings. Quickly agree to split the streets leading from South Street, thundering flat and tears garage doors from their hinges. Street and map the flooded areas of the town into six towards Main Street at speeds of up to 25mph. becomes a ‘no-go’ area for us – now have to areas. Most of these are naturally divided by actual Very real danger of being swept down these streets evacuate people through the relative slacker water, rivers, or the ‘street rivers’ we seem to have Again the chopper returns, by the sheer force of water. Team immediately starts back yards and over walls. Blocks of housing and inherited. Highlight our genuine concerns about the winchman going through accessing properties through the bay windows flats are inaccessible islands unreachable to us and properties along Main Street and Challoner Street the window to pull out the along the street, plucking people trapped in ground the other emergency services. regarding their structural stability against the force floor rooms, unable to even get upstairs. Whilst 4:00pm Leave team dealing with the evacuation and weight of water. (Water on Main Street is chest older couple... amazing to carrying one elderly lady from her living room, one north of South Street to attend meeting with police high and rising.) watch as the crew have to team member asks if she wants to take anything at base. I’m stopped by a lady from Sainsbury’s Boats from the RNLI, fire and rescue and the with her. ‘Oh, you can bring me knitting if you worried about one of her colleagues who has turned Environment Agency have been launched on Main deal with overhead wires wouldn’t mind love,’ she replies. up there after being in the water rescuing his Street to evacuate residents still trapped. We work and television masts, on top Sea King over the rooftops Once South Street cleared, we move into the area of grandmother. The young lad’s soaked from head to to the north of the Derwent, evacuating houses and of gusting winds and houses and flats north of South Street and south of toe, shivering violently and struggling to control his flats on Derwent Side and Derwent Mills. Main Street. Challoner Street, leading off South breathing. I march him the 100m up the road to our continuous rain. Street and connecting down to Main Street, now base where he’s quickly put in the shower and PA G E 1 2 MOUNTAINRESCUEMAGAZINE JANUARY 2010 ‘JANUARY 2010 MOUNTAINRESCUEMAGAZINE PA G E 1 3 morton EUV gets to Cumbria Floods 2009 HART of the matter The Morton EUV, incorporating the Morton Med-Unit, stand up front in another chopper to guide floating by. They find some police was initially developed for the Scottish Ambulance another mountain rescue pod drop into a slack barrier tape and tie it round their Service, the aim to produce a vehicle for mountain water pool, north of Main Street, adjacent to the heads ‘karate kid’ style. rescue situations. Based on the Polaris Ranger 6x6 it now flooded police station. The risk appraisal Back to work, we finally manage to get offers class-leading off-road capability. flight takes place, during which I find us in a a boat into Waterloo Street and The rear mounted Morton Med-Unit can simply be parking hover with two other Sea Kings, parked evacuate the remaining residents and removed allowing the vehicle to be utilised for other like taxis along the length of Main Street. The pets. Early evening, we drive across the purposes. The unit can be manufactured to suit strops are lowered for three women located by river to check out flats in Derwent Mills. individual specifications and can also be adapted to our pod. Here we find a gentleman, on fit similar utility vehicles. medication and with breathing difficulties. The EUV can also be fitted with a winch which can Decide to carry him, using our stretcher, a easily be interchanged from the front to the rear of the Day Two: Friday job made more difficult because some of vehicle. Overall the EUV can be fitted with various 20 November the water still chest deep, and the patient additional equipment to suit individual requirements. 12:00am Boats once again trying to launch can’t lie down. Last job of the day is In addition to the Morton EUV a purpose built trailer is on Main Street. Force of water may have recovering a computer containing all of the also available – as well as being used for transporting slackened, but the level hasn’t dropped and the vehicle, the fact that it is a fully enclosed trailer medical records for Cockermouth and the After the flood... removing hidden obstacles prove hazardous. Our pod is tree from Cocker Bridge allows it to be utilised as a mobile incident unit surrounding area, and £35,000 worth of recovered from the north of Main Street by RNLI. providing protection from the elements. drugs, from a flooded doctor’s surgery. 2:00am Flying again. Dropped into Irene A side personnel door is fitted to allow access in and Gold decide to close all the bridges crossing Court, a slack water pool north of Main Street, out of the vehicle. As with the EUV, trailers can be the Derwent and Cocker. A number of roads and south of Waterloo Street. Word comes from supplied to suit individual requirements. also close due to landslides or potential the RAF crew, that all crews are now showing landslides. Call it a day at around 11pm, but A.Y.Morton & Co Ltd, The Old Station, Station Road signs of fatigue – they will stay on station, but some of the team have to sleep at base as Strathaven, Lanarkshire ML10 6BE should only winch for ‘life threatening’ situations. they can’t get home due to bridge closures. Please contact us for further information and prices Winched down again, water feels colder than I make it home, get something to eat. My on the Morton EUV, Morton Med-Unit and trailers Tel: 01357 last time. We work our way through numerous wife is asleep, so decide not to disturb her 522311 Email [email protected] www.mortonatv.co.uk yards and squares, reassuring trapped and sleep in the spare bed in the kid’s residents, and wading chest deep in extremely room. Have to smile when I find the girls’ In 2004, the Ambulance Service Association (ASA) and the Department of polluted flood water. Work our way north to doors tastefully decorated with blue police Health asked the ASA Civil Contingencies Committee to look into the Waterloo Street and find it totally impossible to barrier tape! feasibility of ambulance personnel joining other emergency personnel to cross to the houses and flats on the opposite work within the inner cordon (also known as ‘the hot zone’) of a major side, bordering the Derwent. Van in River Derwent hazardous incident. This led to the establishment of the Hazardous Area Hear of the collapse of the Northside Bridge and Day Three: Saturday Response Team (HART). A Y Morton & Co Ltd are delighted to announce loss of PC Bill Barker. The choppers are 21 November that the HART team are putting twelve morton EUVs onto their fleet of immediately called to Workington to begin 7:00am Bronze meeting. Asked to emergency response vehicles. searching for the police officer. I guess it doesn’t provide local knowledge to a number of sink in just what this tragic news means, but it teams made up of police and fire officers to lingers in the back of the mind to stay alert and check and search 800 properties throughout the Day Four: Sunday Swiftwater watch out for each other. Later hear reports flooded area of town – massive task! Speak to 22 November rescue training in (false thankfully) of a further bridge collapse with Mike Graham in Gold to catch up with the bigger 8:00am Waters now receding and spend day several people seen falling into the river. picture and agree to call Penrith MRT to cover doing more individual tasks. Bit more time the Lakes or on your Locate care home with ten elderly and disabled for us in Papcastle, north of the Derwent, available to start doing some housekeeping. A own patch residents, plus three staff. Assess it safer to effectively another country, cut off from us due to nightmare moment in the town – at the back of As we’ve seen from recent flooding events, teams are increasingly leave them till daylight and reassure them thus. the bridge closures. the Black Bull, checking out the damage now being called to give assistance in flood and swiftwater rescue situations. Make our way to Main Street, sit on a car roof Gordon Brown visits. With Steve (team the water has gone, I notice there are people Training is essential to ensure teams operate in a safe manner and eventually picked up by a passing inflatable. chairman) and Chris (a deputy), get a chance to clearing out the debris in the pub. Wander over alongside other agencies. The Gold Standard in this area remains the I have a shower to wash off my gear and warm chat to him. He enquires how long we’ve been to chat and am invited in to see the damage. Technicians programme, training teams to operate alongside other up. Get head down for a couple of hours. A truly involved, and seems surprised at the length of The water on the Thursday night was only 20cm agencies to established protocols, enhancing safety and providing team unbelievable day! time mountain rescue teams have been from the top of the door, thundering into the members with a recognised qualification. 9:00am Bronze command meeting identifies working. We point out that, as volunteers, we back bar. Walking through the door, I notice the Other programmes to consider are the Awareness and Bankside levels. the properties where we know for certain people can choose how long we work, especially as it’s ceiling is another 20cm higher than the top of These programmes match the fire services’ team types and give are trapped. Prioritise vulnerable people and our town that’s suffering. He promises to help, the door. But as I walk further in, the ceiling provide an excellent starting point properties, and agree plan for evacuation. Day as best he can. drops a good 50cm as I step down into the front for team water safety. If you’d like any advice regarding water training spent evacuating people with the aid of Early afternoon we’re given additional task of bar. Pinned up on top of the bar is a you can contact Howard Crook Wasdale’s ‘Ducky’, an inflatable canoe which checking out the rural communities and heavyweight beer garden table and bench affair. who is actively training with the can carry three people – ideal for the narrow properties bordering the Cocker up to I am quiet, as I contemplate how any of us could police, fire service, paramedics alleyways. Sea Kings on scene again Crummock Water, and the Derwent up to have possibly survived if we had been dragged and extensively across mountain evacuating people in the properties we still can’t Bassenthwaite Lake. I set a tight deadline on the into this man-trap. Leave the bar and wander rescue. access. News this afternoon that PC Bill Barker’s team of 8.00pm to complete this work – helps back up the street. Howard is happy to advise on cost body has been found along the coast at Allonby. focus their minds! David Cameron visits today. Again find myself effective options in terms of Manage a half hour break to spend time with my 7:30pm 912 properties now checked and chatting to a visiting VIP.He seems to have good equipment and training and can two daughters, aged seven and ten – walk down searched throughout the town. Team, with help understanding of how mountain rescue works – provide all levels of mountain rescue programmes including train the to the water’s edge at the bottom of Station of Wasdale MRT, have checked out all the rural either that or he’s been well briefed. Find him to trainer programmes for the new MR bankside syllabus. Street and stare out at what was a familiar properties, 30 minutes ahead of schedule. Town be very sociable and genuinely concerned for Howard offers an accelerated technician 3-day programme tailored to your team, run either in the Lake District or on your home patch, full PPE scene, now so alien. Kids upset to see the their now being guarded by an RAF squadron and the predicament of the area. provided. For further information contact Howard on 01539 739050 or usual haunts, the toy shop, the baker’s, the thirty Civil Nuclear Constabulary police officers. Today should have been the traditional ‘switch email [email protected] bookshop, now standing in a metre and a half of We call it a day. on’ of the Christmas lights on Main Street – smelly brown water with litter bins and barrels usually a well supported event, and one the

PA G E 1 4 MOUNTAINRESCUEMAGAZINE JANUARY 2010 JANUARY 2010 MOUNTAINRESCUEMAGAZINE PA G E 1 5 MR or PR – Media Relations or a Plague team has rarely missed. It certainly wasn’t going to find out later that it has been washed down a mile representatives of all the emergency organisations happen on Main Street tonight, but it would be a from the Trout Hotel. Walk back, crossing what and have a private meeting with the family of PC Bill of Reporters shame not to do something to lift the town’s spirits, so appears to be thickly insulated electric cables, 20-30 Barker, then walk down the street to meet the we decide to get our own tree and have a temporary metres in length. On closer inspection they turn out to residents of Cockermouth. I’ve spoken to ‘the by Andy Simpson switch on. Thus, at 5.30pm, team members, family, be complete tree roots! Prince’s people’, explaining that I want to give the MREW Press Officer friends, a few civic dignitaries, and a hastily gathered whole team the opportunity to meet the Prince. by Nick Owen brass band, switch on the lights around a ‘temporary Day Six: Tuesday They’re concerned a crowd might disrupt his The Cumbria incident produced massive media activity over Christmas tree,’ just until the real one can be lit. 24 November schedule, and suggest I limit the team to two or three Team Leader the weekend of the floods and since then in follow-up articles 6:00pm Police Superintendant Andy Towler (Silver members! Well, maybe I’ll be invited to spend some and programmes. From what I saw, mountain rescue had its fair 12:00pm Rest of the county has officially moved Langdale Ambleside MRT Command) calls a meeting and a twelve hour time in ‘the tower’, but I ask the whole team to come share of coverage – regular mentions on television and radio by

into the ‘recovery’ phase. Cockermouth remains in PHOTO: PAUL BURKE partnership is formed, made up of the emergency down to the base and form a ‘crowd’! visiting dignitaries as the floods were happening, front page of ‘rescue’ phase with a further 130mm of rain forecast. The Times and several articles and mentions in the press, radio agencies, United Utilities, the local and county After meeting the civic dignitaries, the Lord Lieutenant Thursday. 8:00am considerable time. The ambulance Four team members still at the base throughout the service will be resident in our base and TV, particularly by Prince Charles when he visited council to remove, or make safe all significant risks makes a mistake and directs the Prince to the right, Many people woke up to day, monitoring river levels. Rest on standby. extensive flooding. Homes and for some time, while their station is Cockermouth and Keswick a couple of weeks after the event. from the streets of Cockermouth, to enable the public instead of left, heading straight for the ‘crowd.’ He 7:00pm Time out to attend eldest daughter’s businesses flooded, cars washed decontaminated, dried out and There are some who said we didn’t get the coverage we to go back to their properties and start the recovery spends fifteen minutes talking to us, before finally Christmas play. Rain so heavy hammering on the away, boats sunk and many repaired. Rainfall has been deserved at the time but I think we did as well as can be process. This will be done before dawn tomorrow! moving on to representatives of the emergency school roof, the kids have to shout out their lines. people stranded. Local ambulance described as ‘one in a millennium’ expected. Arguably, when the public and team members who Team sorts out a shift system to provide cover for the services... couldn’t have organised it better if I’d tried! event, which, given it’s only four 9:00pm Back in town, river levels rising, but still station completely flooded – thought we hadn’t been mentioned enough took time out from next 24 hours as we move into this recovery stage. Chatting with the Prince, he mentions that all the ambulance, police and fire service years since we suffered a ‘one in their own interviews and meetings with visitors to push MR to the ‘two blocks’ from causing further flooding. 10:00pm Main Street now populated with public he’s met so far have said that mountain rescue spent day operating from our 100 years’ event, is a bit of a front, there was a very positive knock-on effect in subsequent 11:00pm We’re happy there’ll be no further numerous contractors and utility people. It’s busy were key to the whole incident, and he felt we hadn’t base, with 4-wheel drive support worry! It would have helped coverage. As I write (early in December) I’m still getting enquiries flooding and I officially stand team down. Quick pint considerably if people took notice again but it’s still a massive mess. Home to bed. had the recognition we deserved. He then gives a being provided to the police and from the media, and all this at a time when questions are being in the 1761, one of the few remaining pubs in town. ambulance, along with swiftwater of ‘Road Closed’ signs and didn’t television interview, thanks all the emergency asked in both Houses of Parliament as to what the Government rescue back-up to police officers continue to drive into deep water is doing to support MR. Day Five: Monday services, but specifically mentions the work that Day Seven: Wednesday out and about. People rescued without thinking through the Mike Park and the Cockermouth team did a magnificent job of mountain rescue carried out. consequences! Even the flashest 23 November from flooded vehicles, various handling the media, with the team secretary given the job of co- 25 November 1:30pm Attend the Mountain Rescue Search 4-wheel drive is still a car, not a 6:30am Head down Station Street and onto Main care workers transported to visit ordinating enquiries and Mike giving interviews when it was Back to work – but, even now, interrupted by having Management Conference near Penrith. One of the vulnerable people in the boat. Boats tend to be pointy at the Street – can’t believe the transformation. All the convenient to him – the media got what they wanted and Mike to go for recommended immunisation injections. front, are waterproof underneath, speakers, from the Met Office, has been providing us community and base used by was able to get on with his job. The only downside I’m aware of debris, the wool, the bins and barrels have and don’t have doors that open Both arms now really sore! with excellent detail forecasts throughout this incident Environment Agency and council was a spurious call from a journalist who said she’d heard a disappeared, the streets are swept and all the glass employees working on limiting the below the waterline. and to all Lakes teams for the last year prior to this. report of someone injured on Skiddaw. The Keswick team were taken away. damage, trying to clear drains and Day Eight: Thursday 26 He mentions that ‘exposed parts of Cumbria had Sunday suspicious from the start but that didn’t stop them deploying 11:00am Provide downstream cover, whilst fire providing sandbags. Also became 402mm of rainfall in the period 20:00 Wednesday to A district nurse transported to thirty people to the hill before the woman admitted she was just service oversee a crane removing three trees wedged November an information point for those vulnerable patient in Langdale. testing the system to see if mountain rescue could still respond Half day at work, as afternoon spent meeting, Alan 09:00 Friday. Also 24 hour totals exceeded the UK’s trying to get in or out. into the Cocker Bridge on Main Street. Heaviest tree to the mountains despite their commitment to the floods. I Johnston, the Home Secretary, at the temporary all time 24 hour record which had previously stood at weighs six tonne and comes out of the river bed like Friday. 24 hours Monday understand she has now been charged with wasting the time of police station. Keswick, Wasdale and Penrith teams 297mm in Dorset in 1955.’ The New Independent Island a reluctant wisdom tooth. Then dangle two bridge With considerable difficulty an emergency service, something which carries a tougher Republic of Ambleside has inspection engineers over the river in a basket to all get ‘normal’ callouts today. Postscript: In the coming months, I’m sure there will getting about due to continued penalty than wasting police time. rejoined the mainland. Base still in assess the damage. We are gratefully relieved by be an official debrief and lessons will be learned from flooding and consequent damage, As press officer I found the situation incredibly frustrating in that use by the ambulance service Keswick and Wasdale teams. A massive salmon Day Nine: Friday this. LDSAMRA will produce a report from this, which team continued to provide back- I wasn’t sure what my role should be. Should I go to Cumbria because theirs is full of poo, being will appear in the April edition of Mountain Rescue up and support to local police and and risk being seen as the ‘top table’ muscling in on a local jumps in the water in front of us, swimming up the 27 November just down stream of the sewage ambulance. With many local incident? Should I get someone local to try and take control of Cocker. Life goes on. Attend PC Bill Barker’s funeral with members from magazine. plant. They’ll be there for a while. roads still impassable, our what appeared to be a media frenzy, which could either work for 3:00pm Check out a white van, just appeared in As I said at the start, this article has been written from Wasdale and our team. Streets of Egremont lined with vehicles’ four-wheel drive and us or against us if we didn’t handle it correctly? As it turned out I the Derwent’s river bed, on its roof, as the water has my personal perspective and, no doubt, I will have Tuesday people wishing to pay their respects. Find whole deep water wading capabilities couldn’t have got close to the action if I’d wanted to, the local receded. We have to cross two fields to reach the van. mixed up some of the timings and missed who did A nervous day and night: more event sombre and sobering (a little too close to continued to support local severe weather warnings. Base person I might have asked to intervene was working in the floods Five days ago these fields were covered in straw what.... if this is the case, I apologise, it wasn’t home). Rest of day spent making arrangements for a communities and visitors. The only manned all day and drivers anyway and the teams in question had it all under control. It does intended, it was my water soaked brain! stubble; today they’re a desert covered in a metre Royal visit to the base tomorrow. access to The New Independent available for direct contact by beg the question, however, would all teams and regions have the deep layer of silt and rocks, cut through with deep I’ve no doubts that this whole incident was carried out Island Republic of Ambleside via NWAS if required overnight. foresight to do what Mike did? I like to think that we can rise to channels up to 4m deep, where the water has taken Day Ten: Saturday by, and wouldn’t have been possible without, all of the newly commissioned Kirkstone Passed without event. any occasion but this usually relates to rescue situations. Does a path of least resistance. Pools in the bottom of the mountain rescue team members involved, doing Pass Road Bridge, and there was our flexibility extend to what might at first appear to be less 28 November concern the surface may wash To put things in perspective, we these channels teem with finger-length salmon fry. We what they do best – working as a TEAM. Thank you. important matters, but those which have the potential to raise or 8:00am HRH Prince Charles visits town. He’s to fly away. Thankfully it didn’t. got away lightly compared with seriously lower people’s perceptions of what we’re about? head for the van – would be sadly ironic after all this Cockermouth and Whitehaven. in, come to our base to meet civic dignitaries, Unfortunately, one of our vehicles In the same way that flood and swiftwater rescue has come to time to find it occupied but, thankfully, it’s empty. We was badly damaged when part of Some team members suffered the top of most teams’ agendas due to the potential enormity of a road collapsed. Luckily, the property flooding, but seem fairly the incidents which might ensue, the media and how we handle occupants okay, and vehicle pragmatic about it. Some were them needs serious consideration, preferably before the next narrowly avoided falling into deep frustrated by their inability to help, At this time, our sympathies are with the friends and family of PC Bill Barker who, major incident. Do you have contact with your police force’s water. either because they couldn’t get tragically, lost his life in the line of duty at the height of the floods early on Friday 20th. press office? Do they know who to contact during an incident? out of their houses, get to It all started for Keswick MRT with a call from Cumbria Police at 09.30am on the Do you liaise with your LRF on media related matters? Is your Saturday Ambleside or didn’t fit the criteria Thursday morning... and we finally closed our base late on Saturday afternoon, after team ready for the next media onslaught? I’m sorry to say that my Continued to provide support to we’d called for ie. swiftwater dealing with various ‘non-urgent’ requests from Silver Command at the Keswick Town team is probably as unprepared as any other, preferring to police and ambulance. Water rescue techs and drivers Council offices. Further assistance was again sent to Cockermouth during the day on levels receding and work to clear (preferably both). I also received respond/react as the need arises. I think, as an organisation, we Monday. road access continuing – so able offers from two team members need to be a bit more sophisticated than that. For someone in About a dozen Keswick MRT members suffered damage to their own homes and to reduce our commitment. Final from the Avon area, on holiday in your team, media training (and I too missed the last session) is businesses, with the flooding being worse than in 2005. job to transport a district nurse to Langdale, but there was nothing important if we are to make the most of the opportunities (and All in all, we provided approximately forty hours of continuous cover and, at its height, home visit in Chapel Stile at they could do, since they couldn’t bear traps) the media present to us. sixty personnel were operating from the Keswick team headquarters. 9.00am. Access continued to be The last media training session was well attended and well The team feel that all the agencies worked extremely well together and would like to get to Ambleside either. I kept their difficult to some areas – floodwater received by those who went. If there’s the will out there I will thank and applaud:– The fire and rescue service, Cumbria police, the Lake District number in case anything kicked by Paul Cheshire still present and extensive damage happily arrange for another session and include a discussion on National Park, Teesdale, Swaledale and Kirkby Stephen rescue teams, the Royal Air off in the valley and the team to many road surfaces and edges. what our co-ordinated response might be to a given situation. Keswick MRT Force, Silver Command and, by no means least, Bryson’s Ltd for all the pies and cakes! couldn’t get through, but it didn’t. PHOTO:KESWICKMRT Clean up will take some Just let me know on [email protected]

PA G E 1 6 MOUNTAINRESCUEMAGAZINE JANUARY 2010 JANUARY 2010 MOUNTAINRESCUEMAGAZINE PA G E 1 7 ResQcraft to the rescue in Cockermouth Outreach Rescue – More specialist training for The now very real threat of catastrophic flooding caused by sudden professionals rainstorms (and rising sea levels) means rescue services need effective new news ways of rescuing flood victims. When the The scale of flooding and the challenges it sets for organisations floods hit Cockermouth, Leyland-based often means that joint working is required. Boundaries between SIT (Specialised Inflatable Technology Ltd) organisations are broken by the urgent needs in dealing with the assisted Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service response phase of flooding. Organisations with slightly different (MFRS), at short notice, to enable the new capabilities are forced into working together. state of the art inflatable rescue craft to be Breaking down these boundaries can occur at a much earlier deployed to assist in the operation. stage than at the incident. Meeting and establishing a mutual Seaworthy inflatable craft were desperately understanding of each organisation’s capabilities can be achieved needed for house-to-house rescues – and before any operational need arises. To a large extent, this has fast. Luckily, MFRS already had one new already happened across many parts of the UK with mountain ResQcraft from SIT, another due to be rescue team members training (and operating) with, and delivered for testing. The company went alongside, other emergency services at an operational level. Team into overdrive to complete the ResQcraft in members get to know who they are likely to interact with and how just twelve hours and testing turned into they can achieve the operational aims and objectives. real live rescuing, saving people trapped in In larger scale incidents the role played by volunteers, such as their homes. mountain rescue, becomes more ambiguous. Team members are The new ResQcraft, supplied to MFRS with present on the front line, contributing to the operational aspects 40hp outboard motors, carry up to eight of the incident, but links back in to Silver/Gold Command are less persons. John Lloyd Young, boat instructor well developed. At regional level it is not always clear who represents the voluntary emergency responder. Dealing with other and front line firefighter said the craft teams from outside the area is more difficult because there is no ‘performed extremely well in testing single method of contacting teams or Silver/Gold Commanders conditions. Just what we needed. The main high street was under several DALES CAMPAIGN AIMS TO representatives as yet. The capabilities of mountain rescue are not feet of water and so we were able to deploy the engines too. These conditions HELP PEOPLE GET IT RIGHT clearly understood by the other blue emergency services, but certainly put it to the test! The results... excellent performance all round.’ The three teams of the Yorkshire hopefully the experiences of recent flooding will inform and ensure SIT produces a range of rescue inflatables designed for the emergency and Dales Rescue Panel are taking the initiative with a campaign to help people we all work for the best outcomes. rescue services including sleds, paths, rafts, boats and air jacks – all Outreach is the longest get it right if they need help away from a metalled road. developed to meet the requirements of rescuers in the current climate of high established and widest range of Tiring of the confusion which seems to exist in the public mind about what flood risks and the need to reach casualties in the fastest possible time. specialist rescue courses to do when the unforeseen happens in a remote location, the teams – Cave Rescue Organisation, Upper Wharfedale FRA and Swaledale MRT – For further information about SIT and its available in the UK – call 01248 decided to run a campaign in the Dales, targeting as many products, email 601546 to find out more. accommodation providers, shops, and information centres as possible. [email protected]. The initiative has been enabled by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority and North Yorkshire Police. Experts in water rescue Seasoned outdoors people know that, when they ring 999, for a rescue solutions to suit your needs team, they should ask for ‘Police’, then for ‘mountain rescue or cave Given the trend towards wetter summers and flooding across the UK, rescue’. However, a high proportion of the people visiting the Yorkshire regular training of personnel and appropriate water rescue kit is crucial. Water Dales are casual visitors, many of whom don’t know how to get help if rescue response by all emergency services relies on the resources and there is an accident or if someone is missing or overdue. Often, in that capabilities of all the agencies involved, good operational arrangements fraught time immediately after an accident, less experienced people ask for between responders and the level of public awareness and education of the an ambulance, without thinking – and sometimes without telling the risks associated with open water. Currently a wide range of agencies, ambulance service dispatcher – about the remoteness or inaccessibility including police, fire and rescue, mountain rescue, HM Coastguard and the of the site where help is needed. RNLI could be called upon to undertake a water rescue. Coordination is The campaign uses an A4 poster to promote a card which folds to credit paramount and many authorities are currently undertaking a full review of their card size, with dispensers provided for outlets. The card fits easily into a water rescue arrangements to ensure clarity on roles and responsibilities. wallet, purse or, preferably, a first aid kit. Between them, the three teams Water rescue capability currently covers flooding, coastal water, rivers and aim to put posters and/or card dispensers into 300 outlets around the area, streams, gorges, lakes, canals and abandoned industrial works. where operators are willing to help their local team to give appropriate Core to MFC Survival products is the range of rescue sleds. The original advice. The advice given will be well-known to team members and MR inflatable rescue sled is available in various sizes ranging from 3-15 man, and magazine readers: features a flat bottom, making it the perfect solution for rescue and evacuation G If you need help, beyond the road network, you probably need a rescue in shallow water. The recently developed Motorised Rescue Sled, combines team; all the popular features of the rescue sled with the added benefit of a G Call ‘999’, ask for ‘Police’; ask them for a mountain rescue team motor – great for shallow water and G If using a mobile, say which county you are in ideal for use on inland waterways or G Give both grid reference and a verbal description of where you are flooded urban areas. Also in the G Answer any other questions and stay by the phone, or where you have range are the popular Airtrack a signal, and keep the line clear, so you can be called back. inflatable rescue path, the RP3 A second phase of the campaign, currently under development, will put rescue platform and the Fire Hose links to training and safety advice on the teams’ websites. Inflation Kit. The idea for the card came from the one done by teams in the Lake District, To ensure teams are well equipped but the purpose is slightly different. The Dales environment is not so harsh, with the correct PPE, MFC Survival so it was important to use illustrations that people could associate with supplies a full range of water rescue their own activities. The snowstorm, Sea King and search dog imagery kit, including life jackets, PFDs, drysuits and throw lines, available as a doesn’t really epitomise a day in the Dales! The main message is aimed completely customisable kit, or as Level One or Level Two DFRMO kit. A fully at helping people to get the best out of the emergency system, should bespoke design and manufacture service enables you to tailor equipment to they ever need it. After that comes raising of awareness of the three teams your specific needs. L To find out more on MFC Survival’s water rescue equipment, or to discuss page21 a potential collaboration, contact MFC Survival Ltd on 01443 433075, or email [email protected] or visit www.mfcsurvival.com

PA G E 1 8 MOUNTAINRESCUEMAGAZINE JANUARY 2010 JANUARY 2010 MOUNTAINRESCUEMAGAZINE PA G E 1 9 team profile

Vikings of the North by Gari Finch Cleveland SRT

We are Cleveland Search and Rescue Team, place in the peripheral lowlands and urban and our call sign is Viking. Not all of us look fringes. The number of despondents and like Vikings; some do not have beards. Alzheimer’s we now search for has steadily And whether we behave like Vikings is for increased, so far this year we have had others to say! about eight in this category. Similarly over We were formed in 1965 along with the years our number of callouts has Scarborough and Ryedale Mountain Rescue increased. We now average the high thirties, Team, to provide cover for the North York and this year, up to November, we are at forty. Moors National Park. Our patch is the north We work for two police authorities, Cleveland western part of the moor with the conurbation and North Yorkshire, and two ambulance of Teeside on our northern boundary. The services, North Eastern and Yorkshire. Both moors average 1300 feet or so and are well police authorities are very supportive and the used by walkers, climbers, mountain bikers, callout system with them works very well. The horse riders etc. Ironstone mining, jet mining callout system with the ambulance services is, and alum quarrying were, at one time, after a lot of hard work on both sides, common activities and their remains can be improving dramatically. seen at many locations. We have a base which, amongst the normal We have always had around fifty to sixty functions, houses two of our vehicles, a Land members on our callout list; currently it is 53, Rover and our large control vehicle. In addition with ages ranging from the early twenties to we have a lock up garage a few miles from seventy. In our first ten years or so we were base, which houses our other Land Rover. primarily a search team looking for lost walkers Base is an old mining transhipment depot, on the long distance walks like the Cleveland which became a road depot for part of Way and the Lyke Wake Walk, which go Cleveland County, and then was leased to us through our area. Now, over forty years later, for fourteen years. The remains of the railway about three quarters of our callouts are platform can still be seen (good for ‘training’?) rescues – the usual things: crashed mountain We managed last year to purchase the lease bikers, fallen horse riders, fallen climbers, but it is in urgent need of refurbishment. We crashed para gliders etc. Sometimes it’s are currently trying to raise funds to achieve animal rescues, cragfast sheep and dogs (not this refurbishment, and hopefully soon will usually together) and cattle that have have a base of which we can be proud. wandered into the many ironstone drift mines. We are part of NESRA and are frequently Once we were called to locate a pack of involved with the other NESRA teams, hounds that had followed a fox into a drift especially Scarborough our sister team. Inter- mine. The fox knew the way out, the hounds team cooperation is excellent, even if the did not! accents of some of the more northern teams TOP: NORTHYORKMOORSLANDMARK,RALPH’SCROSS MIDDLE: PARTOFTHETEAMOUTONATRAININGEXERCISE We still get searches but, in common with are difficult to understand at times! In essence, ABOVE: TRAININGONROSEBERRYTOPPING many other teams, our searches often take we are a bunch of busy, happy Vikings. L page19

and enhancing the value of their websites. good description, with place names and distances – fortunate, as the ten- Between them, the teams have many anecdotal examples of how calls have figure grid reference provided to the MRT had one incorrect figure, putting been misdirected, through errors or lack of awareness on the part of the it 20km out and into a different county! caller or through hitches in the system. Generally, if the initial call is properly One caver, having specified which police station he wanted to deal with a directed and provides the right information, the right help will arrive more callout, spent so much airtime ringing 118 118 that the duty controller quickly. couldn’t ring him back. When the controller reached him, by car, he was The Phone Book lists mountain and cave rescue alongside the statutory still on the phone! services, but does not make clear that they should be called through the Publication of the posters and cards was made possible by a 50% grant police. from the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, which has an interest in How about the person who asked for cave rescue, at Malham, but was people’s understanding and enjoyment of this special area, while the design given Humberside Coastguard? Or the woman who knew she wanted a work and printing were contributed at net cost by the print and design unit mountain rescue team but asked for all three of the options given by the 999 of North Yorkshire Police. service (police, fire and ambulance). The local ambulance crew arrived to Walking clubs and other outdoor organisations or find two people in a whirlpool at the flooding Ingleton Waterfalls. At this groups wishing to supply cards to their members, point, a mountain rescue team was called. please send a SAE, saying how many cards you need, The main first aid training organisations teach people to ask for an to Going Out, Cave Rescue Organisation, Clapham, ambulance, without referring to anything different for remote locations. Lancaster LA2 8HH. Mobile phone calls from high points may go to a mast in a different county. Any other enquiries to [email protected], goingout@ On one occasion a police helicopter was dispatched from one county, to a uwfra.org.uk or [email protected]. distressed walker in a second county, but ran into cloud in a third county. In another incident, someone calling for help to a collapsed walker gave a

JANUARY 2010 MOUNTAINRESCUEMAGAZINE PA G E 2 1 Mountain rescue’s first sailing team? by Carina Humberstone, Skipper

It’s not unusual for Edale and Glossop Unfortunately, or fortunately depending on teams to work together, but on a boat? Last how you look at it, we were overtaken by April, five members of Edale and two from other boats quite quickly. Sadly, we finished Glossop tested their teamwork and the race near the bottom of the fleet. The only navigational skills as the first ever mountain positive point being that we were put in the rescue crew to enter the Emergency Services bottom class for the rest of the races where Sailing Regatta in the Solent. This event has we could compete for trophies on a more been running for six years and is formally equal footing. known as the UKFSC or UK Firefighters The other races were always exciting and Sailing Challenge. However it is now open to great fun. We finally became a serious all blue light emergency services and fire, contender over half way through the regatta, ambulance, police, and now mountain when we realised that our propeller was rescue crews from around the UK compete being put in gear whilst sailing. This caused annually. a huge amount of drag and slowed us down My husband and I are both in Edale team enormously. (I will mention no names, but all and we are both keen sailors. He is a is forgiven as on his own boat, this action Cheshire firefighter so when I read about the would fold the prop and thereby reduce regatta in one of his service magazines I drag). Suddenly we were coming mid-fleet endeavoured to find out if an MR team could rather than right at the bottom. The effect this enter. Once that was confirmed, it was all had on the crew was very uplifting. We were Out of 31 boats, our results were: 29th, systems go: sort out time off work and then back in the running again. We had always 31st, 30th, 23rd, 18th, 17th, 27th and 19th. get a crew together. Although there were been very competitive throughout and We came 26th overall and sixth out of eleven plenty of Edale team members keen to take nothing was going to dampen our in our class. However we think we could do part, unfortunately, some couldn’t get time off enthusiasm, but now there really was no quite well next time, with the prop issue work or had other commitments and I only stopping us. sorted out and individual strengths identified. managed to get five signed up. The boats are One of the most memorable aspects of the The 2009 UKFSC MR crew would like to usually manned by a crew of eight and so we regatta was testing our nerve by crossing in publicise this regatta amongst MR teams really needed to boost our numbers to have front of a huge container ship constrained to across the country and hopefully get some a fighting chance in the competition. I heard a narrow shipping lane, rather than ducking other MR crews to compete against. If we can that some members of Glossop might be round the back like most of the fleet. get three MR crews entered we can compete interested in joining us and finally managed Thankfully we did have enough space and as for our own MR trophy. We already have a lot to get a crew of seven together – Carina and a result of this very scary manoeuvre we more interest within Edale and Glossop Andy Humberstone, Trevor Lawton, John moved towards the front of the fleet. Having teams and between us we hope to be able to Coombs and Andy Cass from Edale with Rick to shout ‘Starboard!’ at other yachts bearing enter two crews next year. Fry and Dave Morgan from Glossop. down on us because they hadn’t seen us and If you are interested in entering a team, the It was a bit hectic on the first morning but we had right of way was another test of nerve. regatta takes place on 27/28/29 April 2010. thankfully the winds were light and the race We managed to avoid any collisions but other Boats are usually crewed by a team of eight was delayed, allowing us a bit more time to boats were not so lucky. It was also very which means a cost of about £220 per crew get sorted. When the race finally started we pleasing when our token dog handler, John, member which covers the charter of the had two crew members, Trevor and Rick, came into his own, with the navigation. It yacht, your accommodation (on the yacht), down below listening to the instructions over seems our navigator was the only one taking berthing fees at Cowes for two nights and two the radio and plotting the course on the chart. into account the strength of the tide. As we three course meals at Cowes. It is a fantastic Meanwhile the crew on deck was getting headed away from the other boats we soon regatta, particularly if you are interested in ready for a very competitive start. It is quite started overtaking them as the flow of the tide sailing but find ‘big’ regattas like Cowes too nerve racking being just feet away from up to took us towards the mark, rather than beyond expensive or too scary. You have the option 30 other yachts, under sail power alone; it. Unfortunately these great navigational to sail with or without a spinnaker; the fleet trying to cross an imaginary start line and skills lay undiscovered until the last day of was split roughly half and half this year. At the avoid each other at the same time. The races. Seven MR team members living on a UKFSC regatta they even give the hooter went, we pulled the sails in tight and 37 foot yacht was also quite memorable, not instructions out in layman’s terms and give accelerated (slowly) into the wind. We necessarily for all the right reasons! you tips on how to leave the marina and even shouted down below to find out what bearing However, the long lasting memory is of how how to sail! More information can be found we needed to sail on to get to the first buoy. all the other emergency services welcomed at www.ukfsc.org.uk Mick Stead is the ‘Hold on!’ came the reply. Hold on? I us into the regatta. They were all intrigued as organiser and a very approachable man who couldn’t believe it! We needed a bearing to how we heard about it and got ourselves ...yes, sailing will help you with any queries. now! involved. The regatta is aimed at bringing ‘How much time until we start?’ the together the emergency services and Postscript: At present my employer has navigators asked. encouraging novices to get involved in turned down my application for unpaid leave so ‘We have started!’ I replied. Silence. sailing. The organisers like to have some it is not looking likely that I will be sailing or ‘Well just follow the boats in front.’ novices on the boats but all our team entering a Peaks team into the 2010 regatta. ‘We are in front, I replied. Silence again. members had varying levels of experience on However, I hope that at least one other MR team The first leg of a sailing race always tries to yachts and other boats, from a couple of will enter and that this wasn’t just a one off but get the boats to tack (or zigzag for you days to twenty plus years. It was a fantastic the start of an ongoing tradition. Please get in landlubbers), directly into the wind. So we regatta, great to be involved in the touch if you would like more information sailed up into the wind as best we could until ‘community’ of the emergency services and [email protected].

our navigators were up to speed. have some friendly competition. Sailing

PA G E 2 2 MOUNTAINRESCUEMAGAZINE JANUARY 2010 JANUARY 2010 MOUNTAINRESCUEMAGAZINE PA G E 2 3 Thanks to the sponsors, suppliers What’s and manufacturers who support us. onOf f

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Goodyear Brand Manager, Michelle Fisher said, ‘We were overwhelmed at the standard and number of entries received. It’s great to see so many people wanting to show their support for this lifesaving charity. We’re delighted to be able to support Mountain Rescue by creating this calendar.’ Andy Simpson, MREW Press Officer said, ‘Our volunteers have access to some of the most breathtaking views, but due to the nature of search and rescue operations, they don’t often get the chance to appreciate it. Twelve photographs depicting the country’s most stunning ‘This calendar is a fantastic way to draw people’s attention to scenes have been chosen to appear in an exclusive calendar to our organisation and raise the funds necessary for us to raise awareness of one of the UK’s vital emergency services. continue providing top level assistance to those that find The Mountain Rescue 2010 calendar is made up of snapshots themselves in difficulty.’ from across England and Wales, as seen through the eyes of The Mountain Rescue calendar features landscape scenes outdoor enthusiasts and it’s already selling like hot cakes! ranging from the Lake District and Snowdonia through to views Tyre giant Goodyear, which supports Mountain Rescue England of lowland areas such as Dartmoor. and Wales by funding the roll out of GPS navigational equipment, The calendar is available with a recommended donation of £5 appealed earlier this year for those with a love of the outdoors (plus p&p) from as well as to send in their most impressive snaps for a chance at inclusion www.mountain.rescue.org.uk in the calendar. through individual mountain rescue teams. Sponsorship news

JANUARY 2010 MOUNTAINRESCUEMAGAZINE PA G E 2 5 Thanks to the sponsors, suppliers What’s and manufacturers who support us. onOf f

Free Entry for Mountain Rescue Personnel plus Mountain Rescue Magazine Reader Offer! To help support the work of Mountain Rescue, The Outdoors Show is offering free tickets to all mountain rescue personnel! To request free tickets for your team email [email protected] The show is also offering readers of Mountain Rescue Magazine a special ticket offer with adult tickets at just £11, saving £7 on the standard ticket price. Quote RESCUE1 when booking at OutdoorsShowExtra.co.uk or call 01559 934 439

The Outdoors Show is back, and with a astonishing stories and information on stunning speaker line-up and lots to see mountain rescue and how you can get and do, it’s set to be better than ever – involved. packed with around 250 exhibitors, including many top brands, famous Kit, kit and more kit! The Outdoors Show is the premier event celebrity speakers, dozens of attractions to see and purchase the latest kit while (many of which are ‘have a go’ activities) experts will be on hand to advise on what and three participation events. And best suits your needs, including clothing, alongside the show is the exciting new tents, navigation, footwear, backpacks, TriLive 2010 – aimed at both experienced camping accessories, safety and and first time triathletes, this is the only emergency gear and so much more, you triathlon show north of London. can be sure to find everything you may Doug Scott Meet the people you read about! need for any forthcoming outdoor back in his Everest days Mountain Rescue’s large stand will be a adventures. There are always lots of star of the 2010 show. Watch a team of great deals too, so be sure to bring a designed to provide a textural and foot- six rescuers scale the heights of the NEC rucksack to get all your gear home, or feel area, in which to trial walking boots, to perform an amazing crag rescue just pick one up at the show! insoles and custom-fitting options from display. While on flat ground talk with leading footwear providers. Not stopping experts offering first hand advice, Celebs at the show! there, it will also host the Walking Stage Get your hands on what are set to be in which respected walking authors Kev hottest tickets in town to confirm your Reynolds, Paddy Dillon and Pete Hawkins seat for inspiring talks from top are already confirmed to speak. celebrities, with the show’s strongest line-up ever – Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Get Active! Kate Humble, James Cracknell, Ben Maybe you are looking for a new challenge Fogle, Simon King and Doug Scott, plus for the new year? You want to do your bit more to be confirmed. in raising some money for charity? Sign up now for one of three events being Not to Miss! hosted by The Outdoors Show and TriLive Stop by the SkyMasters as elite 2010; The Outdoors Show 100 Bike climbers scale the dizzy heights of the Ride, The Outdoors Show Run or The NEC whilst racing head to head over the TriLive Duathlon. All three take place unique climbing wall. Plus if you’re an across the weekend and there is Elite climbing experienced climber; don’t miss the something for individuals of any level to in the SkyMasters opportunity to get involved with the participate in. Plus all competitors get a Climbing Masterclasses, hosted by free ticket to the show! current British leading champion and British bouldering team coach Gaz Show opening times: Parry. The Wilderness Camp, brought Friday 26 March 10am to 5pm to you by Bushcraft & Survival Skills Saturday 27 March 9am to 6pm Magazine will include ‘have a go’ Sunday 28 March 10am to 5pm activities including firelighting and axe forging, as well as talks and demos Check out the website at from bushcraft experts Ian Maxwell, OutdoorsShowExtra.co.uk for more the worlds best animal tracker and information, and to purchase your Tristan Gooley, an expert in natural tickets, or telephone 01559 934 439. navigation plus much more. Show details and content are subject to Sir Ranulph Fiennes change. Ticket refunds are not available appearing at the show New for 2010! The Fit For Comfort Walking Zone is as a result. Sponsorship news

JANUARY 2010 MOUNTAINRESCUEMAGAZINE PA G E 2 7 Incident Management: Don’t forget you Managing the Initial Response can find us on Facebook! What’s Thanks to the sponsors, suppliers to a SAR Incident The fanbase continues to grow – fast and manufacturers who support us. heading towards 700. Who’da thought on it, eh? And it’s been positively heart- Of f courses warming to read some of the messages of support left there over the last few months, not least of all during the time of the floods in Cumbria. This course is a new addition to the courses offered by MREW and will be delivered in the north of England It just so happened that I was sat at my Macpac Gear Deal desk all through that Friday, having early 2010. We have been presenting this course throughout the UK since 2000, the date of the first Initial Macpac has long been associated with making Terra Nova discount Response course, but only recently received recognition from MREW. The course was developed through already had an update from a mountain Secure yourself a team member discount on Terra Nova rescue friend in the Lakes that things gear that lasts, with no compromise on design a collaboration of SAR practitioners in the UK and USA. products – the process is simple. All you need to do is were hairy – and getting hairier. So, and materials. Our equipment is renowned for Background EyeTV set to Sky News in one corner of its durability – perfect for the tough use it gets register an account using the link below, then email Terra Nova G Statistics from past incidents show that in the UK around 95% of searches for missing persons are the screen, Firefox set to BBC news, from your team members. As a result we asking to be added to the Outdoor Professionals price list, concluded within the first twelve hours, 80% in five hours and numerous tabs to other news would like to offer your including your name and address details so they can trace your sources, I was able to keep bang up to G This time period is referred to as the Initial Response Phase, and how it is managed can have an team the following prices account easily. date and regularly update the important bearing on the outcome of the entire incident for 2009. www.terra-nova.co.uk/Checkout.aspx? Basecamp page. Messages of Every incident has an Initial Response phase action=register&redirectto=/Login.aspx G sympathy and support were very G Search management training was becoming overly complex and not appropriate for managing this Terra Nova will confirm that you have been added to the price quickly being posted from rescue team Packs RRP MR phase of an incident list and can buy through the site at the reduced rate. Prices members in other areas as well as non- Pursuit Classic [W, S2, S3] 110 65 G A new, more cohesive and logical approach was needed. team fans far from the mountains. will be displayed at the full RRP until a member logs in. You Ascent Classic [W, S2, S3] 130 75 Another development seems to be that, can do this as soon as you revisit the site – The course finally, people feel they too can post Ascent Classic XPD [W, S2, S3] 180 105 when prices will change to the offer prices – It is a practical, hands-on course that focuses on the needs of the individuals with the responsibility for news and stories to the page rather or view the full RRP prices and log in at the managing the Initial Response phase of a search. It has been designed to meet the needs of those people than waiting for me to do it – always a Sleeping Bags check out. The offer prices will then who have the responsibility for managing the Initial Response phase of a search for a missing person but pleasant surprise when someone’s Sanctuary 900 XP 320 189 automatically be updated. it is relevant to all involved in an incident so that everyone has a grasp of the ‘big picture’ which in turns beaten me to it! And, believe it or not, Sanctuary 700 XP 280 165 Initial emails and any queries should be helps with the overall success of the operation. This includes both volunteer and statutory bodies. there are days when I’m not completely Sanctuary 500L XP 250 147 glued to the screen, and may not be directed to shopping@ The method terra-nova.co.uk as more people pick this up able to update the news as it happens! Tents focuses on the practical rather than theoretical Favourite postings since we started? and responses will be quicker. G Microlight 200 120 Well there was the apparently mass G is based on a set of procedures that are logical and sequential Olympus 370 220 G is supported by documentation that provides an audit trail of decisions made. suicide by 28 cows in Lauterbrunnen, in Switzerland. Thank God not quite under Hemisphere 550 320 The two day course is based on the Six Step Process, which is a simple yet versatile template for a our mountain rescue jurisdiction! response to an operational problem. Participants work individually. The instructors provide the necessary Speculation ran amok about whether Order Process SAR Products theory and lead the students through a series of tabletop incidents supported by a manual and wild dogs or other ‘critters’ had The order must originate from an officer of the SAR Products is pleased to offer any mountain rescue team (except documentation designed by the authors. By the end, students are able to manage these incidents with spooked the beasts. Or did they just team [Secretary/Equipment Officer] and is for Oldham MRT and Mountain Rescue (England & Wales) who purchase the minimum of input from the instructors. Since 2000, the course has been further developed to have a bad case of the blues? the benefit of team members only. Orders can equipment from SAR directly) 25% discount – at the end of the year, Then there was the NZ SAR TV incorporate UK Missing Person statistics, UK based map problems, UK based documentation that is be made via email [email protected] MR(E&W) will receive 10% of all MR sales. *The deal does not include commercial alerting viewers to the fact acceptable to the police and used as a standard in Ireland. or by post James Thompson, Macpac UK the Pro Alp as we only sell this at trade, but this may change in time. that yetis don’t actually exist and the Agent, 32 Rivelin Park Crescent, Stannington, We feel it is best delivered regionally with a mix of volunteer and statutory bodies to reflect a multi agency mountain rescue service really is your For further information, go to response to a SAR incident. This also provides an opportunity to customise courses to local needs and only hope if things go wrong – so stay Sheffield S6 4GF www.sar-products.com or contact Lee Allport, Product Manager, Specialist Access & Rescue include local map exercises. Experience has shown that this is the most cost effective way of delivering safe! ‘They think they’re indestructible’, • Payment to be made with order Products Ltd. this fundamental of search and rescue to a broad local group rather than restrict it to a small, exclusive said the director. Mmmm, I think we • Cheques payable to ‘Macpac’ – these prices might have met a few of those over T: +44 (0)1457 873400 F: +44 (0)1457 872373 group of individuals. It allows for a broader understanding of search management principles for a larger include VAT @ 15% here in the UK. M: 07793 816627 group of individuals who will be involved in an incident so that • Postage will be free for orders over £250 – everyone is involved and understand the process. Elsewhere, the VAT debate rumbles on, and mountain rescue incidents continue £10 for orders below If a variety of local agencies who might be involved in a search to tot up, soliciting regular comment – James can also be contacted by phone on incident attend, then much valuable liaison can be achieved not always entirely compassionate! And 07971 478063, should you need to discuss any during the course and any local issues dealt with. This local I hope we’ve also managed to details with him. and bespoke approach is unique to the courses we offer. persuade a few of fans to join the real Basecamp (only £24!!) to support all For further information, contact Pete Roberts on mountain rescue teams in England and Goodyear tyres: discounts for teams and team members [email protected] or for further details on the Wales – we’ve certainly sold a couple of courses we offer and free publications, go to either handbooks. I’ve also added a few Goodyear have pledged to supply a speed rating) and the terrain on which Any queries in relation to the above, www.searchresearch.org.uk or ‘favourite pages’ to the Basecamp maximum of FOUR free 4x4 tyres to each vehicle is likely to be used. please contact Penny Brockman via www.isaralliance.com page, so you can keep tabs on some of each of the mountain and cave rescue email – treasurer@ Additional Tyres the people who support us, like grough teams during each year of their mountain.rescue.org.uk Any additional tyres needed by teams PETEANDDAVE‘INCONTROL’ATA and the Orange House. partnership agreement, for those tyres or telephone 01633 254244 or mobile RECENTNNPMRTEVENT may (subject to availability) be bought So, thanks for your support and interest. that require replacement through wear 07775 851737. online from www.hiqonline.co.uk at 5% If you’re not already Facebooking, get and tear. This applies to tyres only and Or Andy Simpson via email – andy@ yourself a profile and show your support off the price specified from time to Dave Perkins and Pete Roberts have been active members of Northumberland National teams must pay for any charges for andrewsimpsonadvertising.co.uk by becoming a fan. Help us generate time. Park MRT for some 35 years each. They are currently deputy leaders for operations and valves, balance and fitting. or telephone 0161 764 0999 or mobile awareness and spread the word about training respectively. In 1997 they formed a registered charity called The Centre for How? Teams should first notify Penny 07836 717021. Search Research – www.searchresearch.org.uk – and have presented their courses mountain rescue. Team Member Purchases throughout the UK and Ireland, and are regular presenters at conferences in the UK, US Brockman with the team name and Team members can also purchase tyres address, the name and contact details and Canada. They co-author the UK Missing Person Study with Ged Feeney and are Facebook is a for their own vehicles (subject to currently updating their Field Skills course and adding a new Search Group Leader registered of the person responsible, details of the availability) online from course to their list of courses offered. Their courses are specifically designed to meet the trademark of vehicles officially used by the team Facebook, Inc. www.hiqonline.co.uk at 5% off the price needs of UK practitioners. (make and reg no, tyre size (including specified from time to time. Sponsorship news

PA G E 2 8 MOUNTAINRESCUEMAGAZINE JANUARY 2010 JANUARY 2010 MOUNTAINRESCUEMAGAZINE PA G E 2 9 to explain, in hushed voices, how they had could do no wrong on this medium and casual Secret already planned a trip to the face in the swings of the axe led us swiftly upwards. The coming autumn. large face was giving up its secrets one pitch Four years later, Andy Turner and I walked at a time gradually pulling us upwards towards Wh re the? up the popular trekking route to Gokyo and success. Costa rounding a corner the face came into view – Next up was a steep ledge system, a the same blank canvas. Andy knew the weakness through the major rock band. It was approach well following his previous trip, my turn to take the sharp end, running the which sadly ended wallowing in powder snow rope across the steep ledge. The snow at the bottom of the face. resembled sugar, continuously collapsing and Blanca After a couple of days rest and acclimatising falling silently onto the snow field one hundred with a bivouac on Gokyo Ri, we were eager to metres below. More tricky climbing followed attempt the face. A 4.30am alarm woke us with some tenuous high steps and some seemingly minutes after the noise of the wobbly hooks allowing a pull onto what some largest German trekking party had subsided. folk might call a ledge. Tapping the large ‘gift We made our own silent preparations before like’ belay spike with my hammer, I watched leaving the relative comfort of the teahouse. dumb struck as it wobbled before I pushed it Making steady progress towards the bottom back, now useless for my intended purpose. of the face, we were forced to struggle through Phari Lapcha’s geology was again having the moraine to the bottom of the wall. Just other ideas as I tried to batter in a good peg, after first light, we set foot on the mountain the placement ringing at the first blow, and the I wanted to take my mind off the rain lashing working slowly up the unconsolidated snow. side of the crack falling off at the second. against the window – an all too frequent Looking up the face, a small ice pitch was Eventually a second peg and a belay. I occurrence in Fort William in the winter! guarding access to a second larger snow shouted ‘safe’ – a woefully inadequate term Reaching for the latest copy of High Magazine field. Moving together up this we would soon for the situation! Andy followed, jettisoning I flicked to Mountain Info, longing for some be making faster progress. Three pitches of more of the ledge onto the ice field, before words of wisdom from Lindsay Griffin, an Scottish IV and, much later than anticipated, moving around the corner and disappearing . we were wallowing in hard slab that was from sight. The climbing sounded hard – let escape to bigger and better things. Lingering Rea on a picture of Phari Lapcha in Nepal’s breaking up under our feet. much scraping of crampon points and El Khumbu region, my pulse quickened. I looked Recalibrating our approach to Himalayan hammering of gear combined with the silent at the north face, mentally tracing the lines of alpinism, we took a belay in a cave on the left fear transmitted down the rope. snow-ice dribbling down the wall. hand side of the snow field, Andy taking the Andy’s muffled shouts came around the by Rich Mayfield A couple of days later my hopes were lead allowing us to move together towards a corner. It wasn’t good; Phari Lapcha’s

dashed. A chance meeting with Owen Samuel steepening rock band. A weakness led up left L The White Coast in the south of Spain has gorges. Barranco del Inferno and Andy Turner in the Nevisport bar led them with poor snow giving way to ‘hero neve’; we page30 long been famous for its bolted sport climbing. (Gorge from Hell) is the most With the driest and warmest Mediterranean popular, 600m deep and 6km long, climate in Europe, winter sun holidays from it’s well equipped and even has a the UK are booming. small via ferrata at the end. But this I’ve lived and worked there for ten years and is only the tip of the iceberg! I regularly (BMC equivalent) and local town halls have one thing that has stuck me is the Arab/ descend four other gorges; some are dry funded these developments in order to mixed emotions in Moorish influence on the Costa. They invaded whilst others have permanent fresh water capitalise on the tourism trade. If the Moors in 710AD and were finally ousted by the running through, perfect for a hot summer’s had been in Spain during the early 1900s, Spanish in the 1400s, leaving behind a wealth day. The new Cicerone guide lists many of the perhaps the birthplace of via ferratas wouldn’t of fortresses, secret paths and infrastructure most popular trips. (ISBN 13: 9781852845087) have been the Dolomites. The Costa now has three major lines – El Cid 450m, Sax 80m, and phari lapcha that still exists today. Slowly I’ve been visiting The Ridges: The Moors also climbed the the secret places, far from the crowds and highest peaks, seeking out easily defended El Ponoch 250m. clip-up crags. So apart from the obvious what vantage points in order to control the fertile El Cid is the oldest and longest, and a real by James Thacker has the Costa got to offer? valleys. The Serria Bernia ridge is the most adventure with some loose rock and The Gorges: The Moors explored these dark popular, complete with Moorish fort. Three spectacular views inland from Alicante. Sax is and dangerous places, knowing that once abseils, lots of easy but very exposed the shortest but does boast a wire bridge. El they were in them they would be untouchable, scrambling and one pitch of grade F4, makes Ponoch, is the newest, best-equipped and surrounded by huge cliffs and fast rivers. it a tiring and brilliant day out. The Segaria perhaps the most spectacular/scary of the These one thousand year old secret paths Ridge, is spectacular on perhaps the best rock three, and can be extended via grade 3 they built are still used today to access the of any ridge I’ve done on the Costa. scrambling to the very top. All are easy days El Realet has a small fort and is taking no longer than three to six hours for a perhaps the oddest of all, with cliffs slow party. either side up to 300m tall, it doesn’t Best time to visit: September through nd feel high, because the mighty 1408m to May at a high Puig Campana with its 1km high inestr . Best airports: Alicante, Murica in the F pana cliff towers over you all day. People South or Valencia to the North, all the cheap Cam use the words ‘knife edge’ to descried Puig airlines fly to these destinations. Crib Goch, here we use the word ‘knife Best way to get around: You’ll have edge’ because you can’t hold onto the to hire a car. Search online for hire cars at top, it’s too sharp! Two to three days is the airport. Small cars can be as cheap as the usual time to complete this ridge, €100 a week. with easy scrambling– or take on the Best place to stay: The Orange House main challenge of the pinnacles with has camping, bunk rooms and posh rooms. pitches up to F6c. There are over a A small shop sells maps and guide books, dozen other ridges that I know of via ferrata lanyards and helmets are available which get traversed regularly. to hire and we have an English speaking Via Ferrata: Okay so the Moors didn’t guiding service. theorangehouse.net build these, but it kind of fits in, FEDME

PA G E 3 0 MOUNTAINRESCUEMAGAZINE JANUARY 2010 JANUARY 2010 MOUNTAINRESCUEMAGAZINE PA G E 3 1 L page29

‘expando-flakes’ had slowed us As we started the gully proper, QUARTERLY INCIDENT REPORT FOR down and were now slamming us more hero neve appeared, into reverse. ‘It’s OK, I’ve got a encouraging squeaky jabs of the ENGLAND AND WALES couple of knife blades in,’ came axes with minimal effort. Time was JULY–SEPTEMBER 2009 Andy’s message as he carefully now pressing on and we opted to retreated to the belay. Sadly, we had dig a ledge to the side of the main The following is a listing of the number of incidents attended by MR teams in England and Wales during the period to accept that our attempt was over gully line, carefully organising from 01/07/2009 to 30/09/2009. It is grouped by region and shows the date (day/month) the incident began. It is not and carefully descended the face ourselves in a semi-recumbent comprehensive as many incidents have yet to be reported. with the aid of abalakov anchors and position in the soft snow. Settling in down climbing on the easier for the night we watched the Lake District Snowdonia Nat Park 14/09 sections. alpenglow over Everest, Lhotse and Cockermouth 01/07, 03/07, 12/07, 16/07, 21/07, 24/07, 27/07, 09/08 South Snowdonia 01/07, 06/07, 20/08, 22/08 Late that evening we arrived back Makalu before thanking ourselves for 17/08, 23/08, 24/08, 16/09, 29/09 at the Gokyo teahouse, our choosing an objective under 6000m Coniston 02/07, 07/07, 18/07, 05/08, 13/08, 19/08, 19/08, 25/08 Peak District enthusiasm deflated and uncertain and covering ourselves in a of what to do next. After ample sleep lightweight bothy bag, our only 26/08, 27/08, 02/09, 13/09, 21/09 Buxton 10/07, 13/07, 25/07, 01/08, 04/09, 04/09, 19/09, 19/09 and vast quantities of egg fried rice, protection from the continuous hiss Duddon & Furness 01/07, 15/07, 27/07, 13/08, 25/08, 07/09 19/09 discussions resumed. Should we of spindrift. Kendal 25/07, 25/07, 11/08, 26/08, 28/09 Derby 12/07, 21/07, 30/07, 11/08, 13/08, 13/08, 18/08, 23/08 attempt the same line again? Was Slightly startled I woke up and Keswick 03/07, 05/07, 07/07, 08/07, 08/07, 16/07, 17/07, 17/07 29/08, 30/08, 31/08, 01/09, 12/09, 20/09 the ice really that thin on the central looked at my watch; the luminous Edale 05/07, 13/07, 22/07, 24/07, 25/07, 01/08, 01/08, 01/08 line? Would the ceaseless tide of glow told the story... 2240. I had 23/07, 24/07, 24/07, 25/07, 26/07, 27/07, 27/07, 28/07 noisy German trekking parties ever been asleep for about four hours. 02/08, 02/08, 07/08, 08/08, 09/08, 11/08, 11/08, 13/08 24/08, 30/08, 04/09, 05/09, 09/09, 13/09, 13/09, 19/09 end? Scoping the face again, we Adjusting my position, I tried to get 16/08, 19/08, 20/08, 23/08, 24/08, 28/08, 01/09, 02/09 19/09, 19/09 back to a fitful night’s sleep – the noticed the water ice of Snotty’s 02/09, 02/09, 08/09, 12/09, 14/09, 16/09, 20/09, 21/09 Glossop 24/07, 24/07, 04/08, 06/08, 05/09, 06/09, 09/09, 13/09 Gully on the subsidiary peak on mark of any alpine bivvy. The 30/09 13/09, 27/09 Phari Lapcha West and decided to restless night continued with much Kinder 11/07, 11/07, 06/08, 12/08, 04/09, 05/09, 05/09, 13/09 make an attempt to repeat this rubbing of my toes until daylight and Kirkby Stephen 01/07, 15/08, 10/09 Bullock-Bracey masterpiece. eventually sun warming our small Langdale Ambleside 08/07, 11/07, 13/07, 13/07, 13/07, 13/07, 14/07, 16/07 13/09, 26/09, 27/09 Negotiating the moraine at the ledge. 17/07, 17/07, 19/07, 23/07, 25/07, 25/07, 29/07, 08/08 Oldham 05/07, 12/07, 13/07, 02/08, 04/08, 08/08, 12/08, 12/08 base of the wall again, we made I was first up, the breakfast pitch 10/08, 11/08, 15/08, 16/08, 21/08, 24/08, 29/08, 30/08 03/09, 11/09, 14/09 steady progress up to the spot was all mine, and I managed an Woodhead 06/07, 21/07, 24/07, 04/08, 24/08, 13/09, 13/09, 19/09 where we had cached some insignificant 40 metres before a 02/09, 05/09, 07/09, 09/09, 09/09, 18/09, 19/09 equipment, and quietly geared up, belay combined with a screaming fit Patterdale 07/07, 11/07, 19/07, 23/07, 23/07, 24/07, 24/07, 25/07 South Wales relieved it was still intact.* More of hot aches brought things to a 28/07, 28/07, 09/08, 19/08, 20/08, 26/08, 28/08, 06/09 temporary end. Andy, led Brecon 02/07, 11/07, 11/07, 12/07, 13/07, 16/07, 20/07, 21/07 plodding allowed us to start up the 06/09, 06/09, 06/09 large snow cone at the base of the comfortably upwards on the iron 23/07, 28/07, 30/07, 01/08, 03/08, 06/08, 08/08, 27/08 Penrith 23/07, 24/07, 24/07, 24/07, 28/07, 28/07, 28/07, 09/08 gully, a small ice pitch guarding hard water ice while I took myself 31/08, 17/09, 25/09, 25/09 access to an easier series of snow into the office. We started to swing 14/08, 21/08, 02/09, 06/09, 12/09 Western Beacons 10/07, 13/07, 16/07, 30/07, 01/08, 03/08, 08/08, 17/09 ledges guarded by steep walls. the leads before I belayed at the Wasdale 12/07, 17/07, 19/07, 23/07, 27/07, 09/08, 09/08, 16/08 Central Beacons 02/07, 10/07, 13/07, 16/07, 20/07, 21/07, 23/07, 30/07 Andy led quickly and quietly base of the final crux pitch. 02/09 upwards as we started our second This pitch was steep, and we were 01/08, 01/08, 03/08, 08/08, 17/09, 25/09 foray onto the face, his feet soon now just under 6000m. The effort Mid-Pennine Longtown 02/07, 11/07, 20/07, 21/07, 03/08, 28/08, 31/08, 25/09 disappearing from view. was clear as I tensely watched Andy I nervously followed and we soon resting his head on his tools half way Bolton 01/07, 05/07, 05/07, 07/07, 10/07, 12/07, 14/07, 15/07 South West England started moving together, both of us up the steep pitch. The 15/07 Cornwall 12/07, 20/07, 30/07, 19/08, 19/08, 23/08, 30/08, 01/09 feeling insignificant amongst the ‘Turnemator’s’ brief pause ended Bowland Pennine 05/07, 08/07, 10/07, 15/07, 06/08, 07/08, 14/08, 16/08 massive walls at the base of the face. and he fired upwards disappearing Exmoor 01/07, 02/07, 11/07 30/08, 24/09, 29/09, 30/09 But any rhythm we’d gained soon from view. We soon started moving SARA 21/07, 03/09 diminished into wallowing in deep together again onwards into the sun Calder Valley 17/07, 27/07, 10/08 snow, a situation Andy was all too and onto ridge just short of the Rossendale & Pendle 05/07 familiar with, given his previous summit. Sitting quietly we took in the Yorkshire Dales CRO 04/07, 04/07, 04/07, 04/07, 10/07, 11/07, 12/07, 12/07 attempt. More lung busting effort led view with the mixed emotions of NE England us to a steep gully line cleaving failure and success, before down 18/07, 05/08, 06/08, 15/08, 30/08, 31/08, 02/09, 06/09 Cleveland 03/07, 04/07, 11/07, 14/07, 23/07, 26/07, 27/07, 30/07 through the upper wall, the obvious climbing to a small rib and rapping 12/09, 12/09, 15/09, 19/09 line for those who didn’t want to steadily to the glacier. 15/08, 02/09, 08/09, 24/09 Upper Wharfedale 13/07, 17/07 attempt the obvious WI7+ challenge North of Tyne 01/07, 18/07, 13/08, 21/08, 22/08 * Rumours travel fast in the Khumbu: of Snotty’s Direct! we had already heard of Nick Bullock Northumberland NP 01/07, 04/07, 18/07, 13/08, 21/08, 22/08, 29/08, 05/09 Andy fired in a good belay before I RAF and Andy Houseman’s expedition’s Scarborough 15/08 led up and leftwards into the RAF Valley 21/07, 14/08, 21/09 premature end following the theft of all Swaledale 13/07, 19/07, 07/08, 21/08, 02/09, 15/09, 26/09 confines of the gully, revelling in their kit! Teesdale & Weardale 07/07, 12/07, 14/07, 01/08, 23/08 , 24/08, 06/09, 09/09 excellent neve reminiscent of Green SARDA Gully on Ben Nevis. Sadly, any such James Thacker is supported by England 05/07, 04/08, 14/08, 16/08, 25/08, 30/08, 30/08, 22/08 enjoyment was short lived as I was North Wales forced to quit the now blank gully Haglofs www.haglofs.co.uk. 02/0901/09, 03/09, 12/09, 13/09 Snotty’s Gully ED1 WI5 M5+ Aberglaslyn 18/07, 12/08, 14/08, 20/08, 12/09, 13/09, 26/09, 27/09 line by a ramp system to the left. This Lakes 03/07, 17/07, 19/07, 06/08, 14/08, 14/08, 21/08, 28/08 c1000m. Phari Lapcha West (Dawa Llanberis 03/07, 18/07, 21/07, 01/08, 01/08, 01/08, 02/08, 02/08 led enticingly upwards until I was Peak) 5977m Third ascent. The 30/08, 16/09 06/08, 08/08, 10/08, 14/08, 14/08, 14/08, 15/08, 15/08 rewarded with loose snow plastered expedition would like to Wales 06/07, 14/07, 18/07, 18/07, 21/07, 14/08, 30/08, 21/09 on top of even looser rock! A bit of acknowledge the generous 18/08, 20/08, 24/08, 29/08, 30/08, 02/09, 12/09, 12/09 South Wales 02/07, 10/07, 13/07, 16/07, 18/07, 20/07, 21/07, 21/07 digging yielded some ‘pseudo- support of The Mark Clifford Award, The British Mountaineering 19/09, 19/09, 25/09, 26/09, 26/09 protection’ and I levitated upwards 28/07, 30/07, 01/08, 03/08, 28/08, 31/08, 03/09, 25/09 Council, The Mount Everest North East Wales 05/07, 18/07, 18/07, 19/07, 27/07 with a single knife blade interrupting Foundation and The Alpine Club. Ogwen Valley 04/07, 16/07, 18/07, 20/07, 20/07, 25/07, 09/08, 19/08 Non specialists 06/07, 01/08, 01/08, 13/09 the clean arc of the rope. Eventually As well as the continuing support a collection of slightly doubtful from: Mountain Equipment, 25/08, 25/08, 27/08, 27/08, 29/08, 30/08, 30/08, 06/09 blocks constituted a belay and Andy Haglofs, OMM, Camp Four, Lyon 09/09, 19/09, 20/09, 21/09, 23/09, 26/09 Coastguard 05/07, 10/07 Equipment and CauseandFX. followed before leading through on Outward Bound Wales 06/07, 27/08 more ‘Himalayan horror terrain.’

PA G E 3 2 MOUNTAIN RESCUE MAGAZINE JANUARY 2010 JANUARY 2010 MOUNTAIN RESCUE MAGAZINE PA G E 3 3 attendant for written statements. of proof required in a civil case is lower than The advice from Tony Rich was that the driver the criminal, so there was a real risk that needed his own legal representation, and at liability could be put on the driver or team. Team Leaders’ Day his own cost – this was something the team On 30 May, Derby team members met with Accident could not finance from charity funds. However, solicitors and the claims manager – more checklist MREW would act for the team, if required. statements taken. The team’s Management Ensure that you and anyone else The Derby MRT RTC They should obtain statements from the Document was a significant factor in this G vehicle crew (already done!), and locate the evidence gathering. (Another key point: vast in the area is safe by Judy Whiteside (based on their presentation) Land Rover maintenance records. (Key point: amounts of background paperwork were G Only give your name, address, the could you, in a similar situation, put your hand requested for the purposes of the civil claim – vehicle owner/registered keeper erby team leader, Steve Hilditch, and chairman, Robin Knott, presented a salutory tale for mountain on your team vehicles’ entire histories?) The training records, team policies and guidelines.) (Secretary), insurance details and the rescue team members across the UK, not least those tasked to jump behind the wheel for a blue light MREW Executive should also be advised. Two months later, on 28 July, a collision vehicle registration number. Notwithstanding the advice that the driver expert met with DMRT; a further six weeks on, Dresponse. Talk of the ‘Derby RTC’ has rumbled around now for three years, so it was good to hear the G Do not accept any fault or liability should bear his own costs, the team agreed in early September, team members met the facts of the event and its excruciating dragging out over two and a half long G Notify the team leader, chairman, years – at huge emotional (and potential financial cost) for both the driver they did not wish to see him out of pocket, insurer’s QC in Birmingham (much more secretary and vehicle officer involved and his team – including a false dawn, one year in. although it wasn’t immediately obvious how paperwork!!); and finally, on 27 March 2009, they would achieve that. There followed much the case was settled out of court for what is G Do not give a statement to the police This was the first vehicle collision Derby attendant called insurance and legal wrangling!! believed to be a six figure sum. It was noted until you have legal representation, team had experienced, in 45 years of all three On 4 October 2006, the Land Rover was that most of this time involved the haggling and even if they arrest you for not doing so. mountain rescue response. e m e r g e n c y released for repair and back in service six wrangling between insurance companies with (You are likely to be in shock and upset, On the 29 September, 2006, the team services and the weeks later. On 12 October, the driver was little input by the team – apart, that is, from the and may use words which could later received an urgent call to a casualty in Dove Derby team formally interviewed by police. mountain of paperwork they were required to be interpreted differently to your Dale at 13.23hrs. Seventeen minutes later, the leaders. There Four months later, on 8 February 2007, the produce! intended meaning.) message came through that the team Land started a chain of DERBY MRT LAND CPS charged the driver with ‘Driving without Needless to say, there were many learning Take details of any witnesses Rover had been involved in an RTC. events which ROVER ROVER due care and attention’ – a major blow to points from the experience. Steve and Robin G Ambulance Control called to check the team would preoccupy everyone concerned. It would seem that stressed that, whilst the team had dealt well G Take photos, make notes, sketches viability for the response, in light of the the thoughts and mountain rescue being categorised as a with many aspects of the situation, there were and records of conversations collision. The answer was yes. Indeed, the first deeds of Derby ‘professional emergency service’ had actually also things they could have done better. G Show this checklist to any police team vehicle arrived at the given RV point at team members raised the level a notch. The driver was to be officer who may question your actions. 14.00hrs, the casualty was duly treated and for far longer treated as any other member of the emergency What they did well evacuated by team members. than any could services would be under similar • The team had strong management The Land Rover had been travelling north- have anticipated. circumstances. • The team is a limited company BELOW TOP THE BLACK ROVER MIDDLE: TEAM LAND ROVER west on Broadway – at an estimated 40- The female was Three possible press statements were • Supported the driver and the attendant BOTTOM: SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT 45mph in a 40 zone and under blues and cut out of the car prepared – with the help of a professional (medically and psychologically) twos. A black Rover 620 turned left out of wreckage and press contact – acknowledging the charge; if • Shared the workload between the team Cumberhills Road into the path of the Land taken to hospital. found guilty; if found not guilty. leader, chair and secretary Rover, failing to ‘give way’. It then proceeded M e a n w h i l e , On 16 February, police interviewed the • Made early contact with MREW to turn right into Winksworth Road, without police officers at injured female driver – who could not • Had team member documentation and indication – resulting in the Derby driver, the scene interviewed the Derby driver under – Steve, as team leader, to look after internal remember anything about the crash. training records, including driver having swerved to avoid it, hitting the offside caution. Steve Hilditch and Robin Knott stuff, and team members; Robin, as chair, to In March, a barrister was appointed by the authorisation). of the Rover. travelled to the scene, deciding en route how deal with any external agencies; the team team’s insurers but there were concerns about It should be noted that all Derby MRT drivers they might best organise their efforts – Robin secretary to deal with any press enquiries the fact that, living some distance away, he had What else they did well are ‘approved’. The forty year old driver in would look after the ‘legals’ and insurance, (anticipating an immediate response). The no knowledge of the local system. And who • Prepared press releases in anticipation of question had eighteen years experience with Steve would look after the team members. recovered equipment also needed sorting to was he representing – the team or the need the team under his belt, had been blues and This being a ‘crime scene’ (life threatening remain operational. insurers? • Found the driver a good legal twos trained for five, and was an advanced injuries involved) the Land Rover was Later that evening, all team members were The ante having been upped, the Derby representative first aider and professional first aid instructor. impounded by the police for testing. But, with informed by pager. The secretary contacted driver also requested his legal representative • Collated the paperwork His attendant was also male, with forty years no way of knowing how long that vehicle the insurance company. Robin called Tony appoint a barrister – but who would pay for • Had a team benevolent fund with wide as a Derby team member. The Land Rover 130 might be out of service, what about all the kit Rich, MREW legal adviser; Andy Simpson, that? More legal wrangling! powers to make grants and managed to (2003) was registered as an ‘Emergency therein? Steve and Robin managed to MREW press officer; and the Peak District Between March 2007 and August 2008 (no cover all driver costs from that fund. Ambulance.’ negotiate the removal of equipment and drugs MRO chairman; and drafted two possible less!) a series of court dates were set up and The female Rover driver sustained serious not relevant to the RTC – which were duly press statements – one should the casualty cancelled by the CPS (a situation which must What they did not do well head, chest and pelvic injuries in the collision. weighed to be taken into account in the not survive the incident, one should she live. surely have been nothing short of torturous for • Have knowledge of ‘best practice’ The Derby crew were not injured but obviously assessment of the overall weight of the Steve made contact with the team doctor and the team member concerned). at an RTC in shock. In fact, the driver administered life- vehicle. the team chaplain/counsellor (whose support Increasingly exasperated and keen to resolve • Did not take sufficient photographs of saving first aid to the injured woman. His Back at the team base, roles were confirmed they consider themselves very fortunate to the situation, the driver’s legal representative the scene have had), and pressed both the driver and (prompted by the team, thanks to advice from • Give enough support to the driver’s family. Peter Howells) pushed the CPS to ‘put up’ or ‘drop out’. Alleluia! On 10 January 2008, all Recommendations charges against the driver were dropped (to • Make your team a limited company the tune of around £2,500 legal costs.) Cause • Set up a team or regional benevolent fund for celebration... • Carry an accident checklist in all vehicles ...or was it? Just when they thought it was all • Have formal procedures for driver approval over, and breathing a collective sigh of relief, and training came a phone call and letter from the solicitors • Keep a vehicle log – who drives and when acting for the team’s vehicle insurers. Three • Keep training records months had passed. Relative normality had • In the event of such an accident, make resumed. Now came news of a civil claim for early contact with MREW legal and press damages against not just the Land Rover • Identify a good criminal legal representative driver, but also Derby MRT. for your drivers to engage. (And don’t wait till Once again, the team consulted Tony Rich as it happens! Have this in mind before it does!) ABOVE LEFT: THIRD PARTY DRIVER’S VIEW RIGHT: OUR DRIVER’S VIEW MREW legal adviser. It transpires that the level Driving

PA G E 3 4 MOUNTAIN RESCUE MAGAZINE JANUARY 2010 JANUARY 2010 MOUNTAIN RESCUE MAGAZINE PA G E 3 5 Basecamp to Basecamp Trek to Annapurna Sanctuary IN AID OF MOUNTAIN RESCUE 9-25 April 2011 Join us on this amazing trip in first impressions will probably be very (ABC) where you will be surrounded person), a Sidar (head guide) and Spring 2011 and you’ll not just have different to the ones you have at the by the really high mountains of the kitchen staff. a holiday to remember, you’ll be end of your trek! Himalaya. It’s a great place to spend G Celebratory dinner in Kathmandu supporting mountain rescue teams From Kathmandu, we fly to a night. to toast the success of the trip across England and Wales. Our Pokhara in the west of Nepal. A very A well earned ‘day off’ then at ABC It won’t include: Basecamp to Basecamp trip to the different city, it’s far more relaxed and – feel free to simply rest and soak up G International flights Himalaya, in partnership with a great place to chill out at the end of the atmosphere, or visit a nearby G Visa Community Action Treks, takes you the trek. glacier, before we retrace our steps G Meals in Kathmandu and right to the heart of some of the The trekking begins on the fourth over the next few days, via Dovan, Pokhara other than breakfasts highest mountains in the world – the day, with a relatively easy five hour Chomrong (feel the benefits of more G Travel Insurance Annapurna Sanctuary. walk through forests to the village of oxygen!), Ghandruk (a pretty village G Tips (important in Nepal) We start out in Kathmandu –a Landrung. Days five and six take in a surrounded by paddy fields) and the G Personal items like gifts, drinks, place loaded with mystical promise 6–7 hour walk following the Modi river village of Birethanti. Back in Pokhara, laundry etc which doesn’t disappoint. It is a to Chomrong, and a climb through you’ll be in a comfortable hotel with And the catch (if you could call it fascinating yet chaotic city with a bamboo forest to an altitude of 2340 the chance to explore this wonderful that)? Well, in return for this complete mix of cultures and you’ll metres via the Modo Khola valley. On place. And there’s nowhere finer to memorable trip, we ask you to have a full day here, at the start of the day seven, we break through the relax after a trek than Pokhara with its pledge to raise a minimum of £500 in trip, to explore the temples, markets 3,000 metre barrier, passing the many bars, restaurants and German sponsorship for Mountain Rescue. and streets of this fantastic city. Your famous Hinku cave where Sir Chris bakeries! Of course, there’s no upper limit on Bonington took shelter on his Then it’s a short, early morning how much you can raise – the more approach to the Sanctuary in 1970. flight back to Kathmandu. Whatever the better! So why not come along – Here you can expect to feel some you felt about this city before, it will enjoy the beautiful mountains of the signs of the altitude but your guide feel like a metropolis now!! Himalaya, store up some memories will give you plenty of advice about The guide price of £1200 and support mountain rescue teams what to look out for and the (to be confirmed) includes: in England and Wales at the same precautions you should take. G Flights from Kathmandu to time! Day eight takes us to the Pokhara and return We need you to register your intent Machupuchare Base Camp (MBC) G Transfers in Nepal to join the trip, in order to finalise and the real gateway to the G Accommodation for three nights the details. If you’re interested, or Sanctuary. A cluster of huts provide in Kathmandu and one in Pokhara for more information, please contact a basic village atmosphere but you with breakfasts Neil Roden via email at are quite high and it will be cold at G Full board on the trek to include [email protected] night. Next day, a short 2–3 hour walk all meals, camping equipment, takes us to Annapurna Base Camp service of porters (up to 15kg per

Guinness World Record attempt at the Longest Climb THE HEIGHT OF EVEREST ON AN INDOOR WALL raising funds for Mountain Rescue

Tom Lancaster and Jonathan Briggs are and earn fifteen seconds of fame, this is two bands and DJs attempting to set a new Guinness World Record friends trying to do some real good in the world playing throughout with The Longest Climb, and hoping to raise a and, with your help, they can achieve it. Tom the anticipated minimum of £10,000 for each of three charities asks us to spread the word, and follow their twelve to twenty – Mountain Rescue England and Wales, HeartUK training progress on thelongestclimb.net or hour marathon and Amnesty International. search for ‘thelongestclimb’ on Facebook, attempt. If there’s They plan to climb the height of Mount Everest – Twitter, and YouTube to keep up to date with their any way you can 8,848m – in one stretch, at the Westway Indoor latest photos, blogs and videos. help them raise TOM ON THE WALL Climbing Centre in London – a staggering 737.5 ‘We believe we can easily beat our target of awareness of what times each up the 12m wall! Racing against £10,000, set a new world record, and really they’re doing, they’d really appreciate it. each other, the first one to complete the distance make a difference to our chosen charities,’ says They’re also talking to Blue Peter and The One will walk away with a new Guinness World Tom. ‘Please support us and help us make the Show about going on air to promote the event, Record, and very sore arms! world a better place!’ and will be contacting radio stations nearer the Ridiculous? Impossible? Moronic? Perhaps. But The Longest Climb happens on 26 June, and the time. So give them your support and help the this is not just a vain attempt to steal the limelight boys are hoping to make a big event of it, with fundraising effort. JANUARY 2010 MOUNTAIN RESCUE MAGAZINE PA G E 3 7 How has the new MR CasCare MCQ exam performed? A brief dip by Jonathan White

into eponymous Those of you who have taken the Casualty Care exam in to ensure that they return to John Whittle all completed the past year will have noticed that the format of the MCQ MCQ answer papers. This will enable us to improve the medical terms 6 has changed from simple true/false answers to ‘most paper further. correct answer from a choice of five.’ This brings the exam I have publicised widely the need for help in writing the David Allan continues in line with most other medical exams taken in this country. MCQ questions. As we are limiting the questions to the We have now got an exam which is better at testing medical MREW Casualty Care syllabus there will be a natural limit to his examination of what’s in a name knowledge, rather than the ability to guess the right answer the number of different questions which can be – but then surely this is what the exam should be doing. constructed. In view of this, it is essential that past and Figure 1 possible to be sure of the exact diagnosis documented and there are instances of become Professor of We have also requested that all answer papers be current MCQ question papers should not be made public, without X-ray evidence although, remarkably, people claiming to have been injured in the Physiology in Breslau where he returned to us to allow analysis. This allows us to see how nor used for revision or practice. I am still looking for more Monteggia described the exact nature of this hills, diving etc. The large majority are male founded the world’s first the questions are performing so that we can make questions and, if you are keen to help, the following injury 100 years before X-rays were available. patients. A small group use children as the physiology department. He was adjustments to the paper in future years. And we can see instructions will help to write ideal questions. Please email Vascular damage does not occur and the medium for presenting with symptoms of possessed of a very versatile whether there appear to be gaps in the knowledge of any suggestions to me via jcwhite@ doctors.org.uk. injury is best managed by simply splinting illness – ‘Munchausen by proxy’ and it is also enquiring mind, discovering particular teams. We are now going to start feeding this 1. Each item should focus on an important concept, and with a gutter splint, vacuum splint or similar. recognised that animals may be used instead sweat glands, doing the first information back to teams. focus on problems that would be encountered in real life. Operative internal reduction and fixation of of children. work on finger prints and I am aware there have been concerns that the new exam 2. Each item should assess application of knowledge, not would be harder than the one it replaced. It is certainly recall of an isolated fact. this injury will almost always be required. Karl Frederich Heironymus von identifying plasma. For his work harder to pass the exam if your medical knowledge is 3. The stem of an item must pose a clear question, and it Giovanni Ratista Monteggia was an Italian Munchausen (Figure 2) was a German Baron in astronomy a moon crater lacking. However, virtually all of the questions are based on should be possible to arrive at an answer with the options surgeon born in Milan in 1762. In 1795 he who lived from 1720-1797. He served in the and an asteroid bear his name. only two basic texts. If you learn sufficiently from the covered. became professor of Anatomy and Surgery at Russian Army and travelled quite widely. He At the height of his career, student notes produced by NESRA (a teaching media for 4. All distractors (ie. incorrect options) should be the University of Parnia. He died in 1815 from established a reputation for relating stories of letters were reputedly simply Mountain Rescue Casualty Care) then I am sure you will homogenous, ie. they should fall into the same category syphilis contracted when he sustained a cut remarkable events always purported to be addressed ‘Purkyne, Europe’! pass the MCQ exam. If you supplement that learning with as the correct answer. whilst performing an autopsy on an infected true. Riding to the moon on a cannonball and ‘Casualty Care in Mountain Rescue’, edited by John 5. Avoid technical item flaws that provide special benefit patient. shooting stags with cherry stones are typical Raynaud’s Ellerton, then you should do extremely well. It will also be to testwise examinees or that pose irrelevant difficulty. examples of his claimed exploits. Phenomenon beneficial to be familiar with the 2005 Resuscitation And finally, in case you were wondering, we currently Munchausen Guidelines. Basing the questions on these standard texts have no plans to alter the practical exam. A G Maurice Raynaud was a Syndrome Purkinje Fibres helps to address the problem that French physician who described medical experts not infrequently In 1951 Richard Asher introduced this term These are the specialised cardiac muscle the condition bearing his name in disagree with how things should be in an article in the Lancet. He used it to cells that are responsible for conducting 1864. done, which I am sure can be describe the group of people who feign electrical impulses around the heart. They The condition is characterised Monteggia confusing for the non-medic. illness or injury in order to gain travel from the sinu-atrial and atrio- by constriction of the small fracture The November meeting of the hospitalisation, investigation and above all ventricular nodes to reach all the muscle of arterioles in the extremities, most medical subcommittee considered the This is an unstable fracture /dislocation of attention. Because they move on to avoid the heart (Figure 3). As the impulses travel commonly the fingers, leading to problem that this exam is now used by the forearm (Figure 1). It is sustained by a fall detection it has also been described as the along these fibres they generate the P- pallor or cyanosis (Figure 4). In a variety of organisations, including onto the outstretched arm with rotation of the wave and QRS-complex of the ‘hospital hopper syndrome’. mild cases this appears simply as Cave Rescue, Mountain Rescue of forearm at the point of impact. Rather than a electrocardiogram. Myocardial infarctions The ‘patients’ are very well informed about an exaggerated response to cold Scotland, and some ALSAR teams. fracture of both the radius and ulna, the ulna the conditions they mimic, and present with that involve these fibres result in disruption exposure. As the condition There will be different priorities and fractures and the head of the radius is convincing stories to the extent that many of the regular rhythms of the heart. worsens, the attacks may occur specialist areas for these different dislocated from the elbow joint. The have been admitted to ICUs and some have Jan Evangelista Purkinje was a Czech without exposure to significantly organisations, but we have decided presentation is that of a very painful unstable undergone surgery. Abdominal pain is anatomist and physiologist who lived from cold conditions. Initially it was that, as this is the MREW Casualty injury with some deformity of the forearm and perhaps the commonest clinical picture they 1787–1869. He graduated from the believed that was a disease in Care exam, we will not be providing inability to use the hand at all. It is not assume but histories of trauma are well University of Prague and went on to itself but, more recently, the view different exams for different is largely held that it is an organisational requirements. Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 indicator of an underlying Statistical analysis of the answer condition although twenty years papers over the past year has shown may elapse before it is fully that, of the three hundred or so we manifest. The commonest have received approximately, 90% causative disease are arthritis have passed. Although it is not easy linked, but trauma and cold injury failing someone, it is unfortunately – particularly frostbite – may be inevitable if we accept we have to set responsible. a certain standard of attainment. The The condition usually appears MREW Casualty Care qualification is certainly not a ‘simply turn up and between the ages of 18 and 30 collect your certificate’ type of years and is much commoner in qualification. We are also aware we females. Cigarette smoking and haven’t received all of the answer caffeine aggravate things. Most papers which have been completed, cases can be managed simply by which gives us sub-optimal statistical avoiding cold exposure. analysis. We would urge all examiners Medical

PA G E 3 8 MOUNTAIN RESCUE MAGAZINE JANUARY 2010 JANUARY 2010 MOUNTAIN RESCUE MAGAZINE PA G E 3 9 drug administration. He principally considered this in relation to analgesia and sedation. This was especially MedicalSymposium 7 November 2009 relevant in the light of the study being conducted by John Ellerton. Interesting information on the half life of by David Allan commonly used analgesic drugs was provided and we were reminded that although i.vi drugs give a very rapid Held in Ambleside, this was arguably the polythene wrapper after only a few minutes involving the post-retirement group and it effect their half life is short compared with those given by best and most informative medical meeting in cold water carried the message in a was therefore very timely to have an account intra-muscular injection. we have held. The quality of presentations graphic if not worrying way. He addressed of the issues that are raised. In addition to a Paul Savage, training officer with the RNLI, presented a was uniformly high and very relevant to the issue of hydrostatic pressure and its concise presentation of the illnesses thought-provoking account of the way in which they have mountain rescue. It was encouraging to see importance to rescuers once the casualty has occurring he dealt with the drug regimes they restructured and simplified their casualty care training. team members in the audience from been in the water for more than a short may be taking and their effect on injuries that The mechanism for identifying serious life threatening Lochaber to Southern Ireland but a puzzle to period. It was particularly interesting to hear may be sustained. conditions, labelled simply ‘Big Sick’, and distinguishing understand why there was no representation the work he and his department are doing on Linda Dykes, A&E Consultant in North these from ‘Little Sick’ where no intervention is deemed from teams closer to the venue. the problem of casualties who die after Wales, talked through the deaths that have necessary was interesting and may have considerable Since the meeting there have been value as we look again at all first aid and casualty care suggestions and requests to make this an teaching in mountain rescue. Working conditions for annual occasion rather than alternate years. mountain rescue are difficult but at least the ground is Those with long memories will recall that in ...arguably the best and usually stationary. The prompt cards that have been the early years we attempted to do just that developed are produced to a very high standard and but, after three consecutive years, it ran out of most informative medical were of great interest to many of the audience. ideas and there was then a gap before we meeting we have held. Theo Weston looked at a number of long falls in the could re-establish the event. Things may Lakes and North Wales. The cases presented by team have changed and if there is good support members from Llanberis and Langdale Ambleside were then we can revisit this. Your thoughts please. drawn from year round but winter predominated. It was of The day began with Mike Greene talking rescue against expectation. Perhaps the been recorded from falls in the mountains of concern to see that only 23% of these seriously injured about fracture dislocation of the ankle and reassurance offered in these circumstances Snowdonia over the past ten years. This has individuals received oxygen on site and only 34% were using this to illustrate evaluation of practice is misplaced. This lecture was full of been part of a study to answer the question, evacuated in a vacuum mattress. The circumstances and audit. He compared the incidence of the important messages and in the light of recent ‘Would having a higher level of medical care were difficult but, nevertheless, these are disturbing injury in the hills with that at sea level and weeks was very pertinent indeed. at the incident site improve outcomes?’ The figures that fall well below our expectations. IKAR demonstrated a significantly higher John Ellerton presented an update on the answer very clearly was no. Out of 46 unequivocally states that all those seriously injured in the occurrence in hill going accidents. He also analgesic study currently being conducted casualties, 43 were dead on arrival in mountains must be evacuated in a vacuum mattress. showed that fracture dislocations carry a under the auspices of MREW. It was hospital, two died within hours of arrival and Head injuries again were the commonest injury and much higher risk of complications than encouraging to note the number of returns only one died after a few days. Post mortem some debate took place on the pros and cons of undisplaced injuries and that failure to received and, provided this level continues examination revealed all to have extensive removing these casualties directly to specialised reduce the dislocation at an early stage over the next twelve months, it should be injuries incompatible with survival. Head hospitals. further increases that risk. Some graphic possible to draw some significant injuries predominated but, rather surprisingly, The final presentation came from Steve Rowe, medical video clips demonstrated the procedure of conclusions and recommendations. It is chest injuries were present in 60% and spinal officer with Edale MRT. He presented the case of a reducing this injury. good to see that mountain rescue is injuries in 30%. It may not be safe to assume climber who had fallen on a Derbyshire edge and Professor Mike Tipton gave another conducting proper studies that will lead us to that the survivors of falls will have the same sustained a compound fracture of the iliac bone of the entertaining lecture filled with vital information evidence-based practice and away from pattern of injuries but, if it were, we need to pelvis and was bleeding profusely. The bleeding was EDALE TRAUMA/MEDICAL WEEKEND 17/18 APRIL for anyone going near water. He gave lucid anecdotal decision making. look for chest injuries more carefully. Virtually controlled with pressure plus the use of the ‘haemostatic explanations for the survival of children ‘in Alan Barton, Consultant in Medicine for the all the deaths were in males under the age of agent’ Celox. He reviewed the use of this product and Edale MRS HQ Price £45 including to book your place. cold drowning situations and very clearly Elderly, gave an account of the common 25 and winter conditions accounted for the showed the manufacturer’s video of its use in an animal Lafarge Cement Works • Course • Lunch Saturday Payment will be required outlined all responses to immersion in cold problems likely to be encountered in the majority of falls. experiment. The jury is still out on this one. There are a Hope • Derbyshire and Sunday • Evening Meal prior the course. water. The video clip of a Royal Marine older population on the hill. All teams have John Williams looked at the pharmo- number of anecdotal testaments to its efficacy but an S33 6RP Saturday Accommodation ‘volunteer’ failing to get a flare out of its recorded an increased incidence of incidents kinetics and dynamics of different routes of absence of any clinical trial data to date. OS 1:25,000 Dark Peak not included in cost. Email SK 16638 82667 [email protected] Snippets from the Journals PREHOSPITAL USE OF KETAMINE risks of ‘escalating’ to intubation, We warn against using excessive injury, the use of ketamine is still Medicine, Innsbruck Medical some other medium as opposed to prolonged physiological healing of within 30 minutes did not develop IN MOUNTAIN RESCUE for example, at sub-zero midazolam doses for sedation, as controversial, although many University, Innsbruck, Austria; being kept dry] improve [survival of replanted teeth. One of the critical resorption, whereas 93% of those 3Innsbruck Medical University, 1 temperatures with patients half- this may impair upper airway mountain rescue physicians use it the tooth after replantation]? factors affecting outcome is the way replanted after 90 minutes of dry Bredmose et al have published Innsbruck, Austria; 4ICAR MEDCOM, an excellent indictment for the use buried on a 45° ice slope or 20 control. In our practice 1-3mg in preference to other induction Bruneck, Italy. Clinical scenario: A healthy 14 year the tooth is handled during the storage did. A statistically significant of ketamine in the prehospital metres down a crevasse, require intravenously is sufficient to agents in the mountain setting. Emerg Med J 2009;26;760-761. old boy involved in an altercation extraoral period. A suitable storage relationship has been shown phase; a study of 1030 patients is careful consideration. sedate adults for up to one hour. ® As of January 2006, ketamine Doi;10.1136/emj.2008.072561 with another boy sustains an injury to medium should have the between the success of treatment impressive. Mountain rescue is a A few additional points are worth As in this study, most mountain became a controlled drug in the his jaw and two of his incisor teeth physiological osmolality in order to and the medium in which the tooth small specialist area of noting. rescue physicians routinely use UK under the Misuse of Drugs Act AVULSED TOOTH BROUGHT IN are avulsed. He attends the keep the PDL cells in as healthy a was stored. However, even when prehospital care in which many ® Intranasal S-ketamine midazolam and rarely see (it has been controlled in many MILK FOR REPLANTATION emergency department with his condition as possible. Milk has an teeth were stored dry, some were still physicians have acknowledged (~2mg/kg) has its advocates in emergence phenomena. other countries for years). As a A short-cut review was carried out to teeth wrapped in tissue paper. The osmolality within physiological limits. treated successfully, showing that the benefits of ketamine for many extreme conditions in which However, they do occur and may schedule 4 part 1 drug, it does not establish whether avulsed teeth nurse at triage asks whether we In-vitro studies suggest that it is dry storage is not an absolute years2. Its versatility and, with parenteral access is impossible, require additional midazolam, require the physician to keep a should be stored in milk to improve need to put the teeth in milk superior to saliva and to Eagle’s contraindication to replantation. careful use, its ability to dissociate although concerns remain on the particularly if helicopter controlled drug register nor obey the chances of successful immediately. You wonder whether medium and other media in terms of Given the importance of rapid analgesia from airway compromise reproducibility of the effect.34 High evacuation is imminent. the safe custody criteria of a replantation. Eight studies were this is ‘nanny advice’ or evidence PDL cell viability. Milk appears to be storage in an appropriate medium, it are particularly appealing. For intranasal doses can produce ® In many countries, ‘ketamine’ is schedule 2 drug, but non-NHS directly relevant to the question. The based? the storage medium of choice in an has been suggested that locations example, having to use simple high plasma concentrations of S-ketamine – the active S- organisations will require a Home clinical bottom line is that storing 45 papers were found. There were emergency situation, although a new where tooth avulsions are likely to airway adjuncts after the ketamine. However, the amount enantiomer unlike the racaemic Office licence to possess it. avulsed teeth in milk or a dedicated three relevant case reports and three storage medium, Propolis, may be occur should be provided with tooth administration of a drug will swallowed varies and leads to a mixture of R and S-ketamine used storage medium does improve the retrospective cohorts. Two further better. It has been reported that the rescue boxes containing such a frequently preclude many of the high variability of effect 5. in the UK6. Therefore practitioners J Ellerton1; P Paal2; H Brugger34 successful replantation rate. papers were found from the length of time that a tooth spends medium. rapid extrication techniques such ® Bredmose et al1 report elsewhere may need to reduce 1Penrith Health Centre, Penrith, Three part question: In [a child with a references. out of the mouth significantly Emerg Med J October 2009 Vol 26 2 as helicopter winching that the approximately 100 patients (up to a fourth) the doses quoted.6 Cumbria, UK; Department of traumatic avulsion of a tooth] does Comments: A viable periodontal influences the incidence of root anaesthesiology and Critical Care [transport of the tooth in milk or Medical patient desperately requires. The sedated with midazolam >5mg. ® In patients with traumatic brain ligament (PDL) is important for resorption. 90% of teeth replanted

PA G E 4 0 MOUNTAIN RESCUE MAGAZINE JANUARY 2010 JANUARY 2010 MOUNTAIN RESCUE MAGAZINE PA G E 4 1 Mountain rescue. So... why do YOU do it? by John Dutton

A few months ago I was lying on the Malvern Hills on a educated group the need for a lowland search team, let dark and drizzly night, waiting for my trainee search alone the motivation to volunteer for such a role is difficult Online mountain technicians to find me as part of a training exercise. enough (and I’m not sure I succeeded). Getting the wider During what seemed like an interminable wait, I started public to understand the concept of helping others with medicine to consider why I was there and, more importantly, why I no personal reward sometimes seems nigh impossible. The British Mountaineering Council was involved in search and rescue. This is not a new Of course, there is the issue of the prestige of being (BMC) has come to the aid of trekkers, thought but not being used to deep personal involved in SAR, although for lowland teams this is rather climbers and mountaineers with a new introspection I have not taken this thought beyond a less evident than those from mountainous areas. We online resource full of expert medical superficial examination; those that have asked have rightly despise those who aim for personal glorification advice on keeping fit and healthy in the always got a quick glib response. However, due to a or who develop ‘ego issues’. But we also tend to shy mountains. A team of medical advisers change in my personal circumstances I have for a change away from recognising the prestige of being involved in has gathered a wealth of information thought quite deeply about this question. such an activity. As a lowlander I respected (and still do!) for people all levels of experience in the The normal (or perhaps not?) quoted motivator is that the members of mountain rescue teams who I saw whilst First Aid mountains. those who do SAR enjoy outdoor activities. They join a hiking the mountains and always thought I’d join such a David Hillebrandt, Medical Adviser to team to combine these interests with helping others who team if life ever took me to a suitable geographical and for Rescue Teams the BMC says, ‘The site is packed full experience problems undertaking similar activities. This is topographical location. I was thus enthused to learn of of potentially life-saving advice and Mountain Rescue specific possibly partly true in my case, my principle penchants ALSAR and the existence of lowland search teams and  acts as a portal to external information MLTB, BCU, RYA recognised are canoeing and hiking, but I’d have a lot more time to this led to my involvement in SAR. My personal self-  sources. Whether you’re an enjoy these activities if I was not a member of a SAR esteem, however battered through other life events,  Scenario based experienced climber or a novice team! Also as a member of a team which operates in a remains strong as I know that I’m willing and qualified to  Public and bespoke courses embarking on your first trek, you’ll find lowland area I am more likely to respond to vulnerable respond when others won’t.  UK wide lots of relevant information and advice.’ person searches and flooding incidents than those Of course I need this type of motivation to encourage The website includes advice on: Call: 01344 466390 involving people getting into difficulty doing the activities me to participate in the regular training (and meetings) G What to do in mountain incidents [email protected] I enjoy. required to maintain the skills to a professional (albeit www.training-expertise.co.uk G Climbing injuries and injury Of course, the love of the outdoors, or more precisely, unpaid) standard, such as the aforementioned Malvern prevention outdoor activities, is indispensible. At the risk of being Hills event. My self-esteem is boosted by my daughters G Travelling at high altitude politically incorrect and putting noses out of joint, some who understand that their daddy ‘helps other people’ and G Nutritional considerations of my current (and past) team colleagues are once exclaimed ‘that’s what you do’ whilst watching a G Frostbite – how to avoid it and to disadvantaged as they do not have this background. But television programme involving a helicopter cliff rescue (I treat it does this equip me to attend the various meetings, did try and explain the slight intricate differences!) G Specific guidance for Kilimanjaro fundraising events and other miscellanea that come with So why do I do it? I guess it is a case of the whole is trekkers the territory? I know that these are essential activities greater than the sum of the parts. I cannot identify one G Accessing the Medex network of doctors for personal advice without which the team would not be able to operate but single motivator for my involvement but certainly the The Professionals Choice For Included in the helpful resources are: I would be hard pressed to call them enjoyable, although outdoor activity, the social ‘crack’ of being with like- G Accident report forms to I do have to acknowledge that some fundraising can be minded individuals and the associated banter, the Emergency Care Products download and keep in your first fun. unfashionable altruism of helping people in need and the aid kit So maybe the answer is that being involved in SAR is professionalism of maintaining training levels are all G A series of mountain medicine enjoyable, the social and the sense of ‘adventure’ or important constituents. However, one of my strongest advice sheets produced by the ‘excitement’ of being involved in a callout. But then again, motivators must be my daughters. In the early days of The Professionals UIAA (the international body for the reality of a callout is far from all-out excitement. Who NorLSAR one of the members said that SAR would Choice for Emergency mountaineering) likes to be rudely woken in the early hours to undertake become more personal once I had a family; never a truer a search in the dark, cold and wet? And doing a search statement was made. When on callout or standby for any Care Products. G A list of essential websites, in thick undergrowth in the heat and humidity of a misper searches, but especially those involving We continue to offer courses and books for mountain summer’s day is not much better! The social intercourse youngsters, my thoughts are of my daughters and when the best product at medicine Free downloadable Medex is of course a vital component; the after-training drinks an anyone now asks why I do SAR I tend to end my reply the most competitive G booklet – Travel at High Altitude essential constituent of team building! However, this with ‘if one of my daughters went missing I’d want prices in the UK today. The site helps to answer questions alone does not warrant being a SAR team member, such someone like me to help.’ such as: social interaction G Diagnostics G How tight is too tight when it being available G Medical Bags comes to climbing shoes? elsewhere and I for G Protective Helmets G Can I take my child to high one tell my new land Getting the wider public G First Aid altitude? search trainees that if to understand the G Immobilisation G What should I do if I get a tick? this is their main Visit the new section at motivation they should concept of helping thebmc.co.uk/medical find somewhere else others with no personal R www.999supplier.com to socialise. It is perhaps reward sometimes Email: enquiries@ unfashionable to be seems nigh impossible. 999supplier.com altruistic in helping others in these days of Tel: 0845 2307630 personal reward, pseudo-celebrity and an overtly materialistic society. In times of local emergency it is 0845 2307631 Dr John Dutton is a member of SARA’s Tewkesbury understandable to develop a social conscience, during Fax: 01329 829276 Station where he holds the position of land search the 2007 floods of the Tewkesbury area many people manager. He was a founder member and team helped those whose lives were disrupted. However, to leader for NorLSAR and was vice-chair of ALSAR volunteer during ‘normal’ times is seen as odd, if not from 2000-2004. As a ‘real’ job he is a Senior outright abnormal. Trying to explain to a group of Lecturer in Ecology at the University of Worcester. teachers and lecturers, by definition a (supposedly) PA G E 4 2 MOUNTAIN RESCUE MAGAZINE JANUARY 2010 JANUARY 2010 ‘MOUNTAIN RESCUE MAGAZINE PA G E 4 3 The industry’s best kept secret… Be-Well Nutritional Products specialise in the manufacture and fulfilment of a wide variety of outdoor food and sports-based products. These include lightweight freeze-dried ration packs and wet boil-in-the-bag sachet meals as eaten by the military, along with a whole range of nutritional products designed for outdoor use in support of extra energy and fatigue assistance. For over fifteen years, Be-Well has supplied its products and services to the world’s most renowned explorers like Sir Ranulph Fiennes and fuelled the crews of such extreme sporting events as the Volvo Round The World Yacht Race. Be-Well are also the preferred supplier for the crews of the Indian Ocean Race and such organisations as British Arctic Survey, the Special Forces and the MOD. Our meals can be bought individually or, if you wish, we will create bespoke 24-hour packs combining other sundries necessary for expeditions such as yours – energy bars, powdered energy and recovery drinks and special long life high calorie biscuits. Basically, anything can kitcrit Orange smoke be included in these packs. Be-Well manufacture their meals in their factory, based in Peterborough, Quicksilver UK Limited are currently and produce ‘own label’ for many other major brands. This gives them Panorama antenna supplying an Orange Handsmoke (SOLAS the power and flexibility to offer members of the BMC and mountain approved) for £9.75 + VAT (most PDMRO With the move panel mount in use for some rescue a unique service which includes free nutritional support, expert teams have supplied a VAT exemption to GPS tracking time, and recently tested the mag advice and the creation of Be-Spoke 24-hour meal packs to suit any form). The project in the Peak District came on vehicles, the mount version. Whilst the panel situation or condition. As an added bonus, if you are a member of the from the concept of collective purchasing quest for mount version has the cabling BMC or Mountain Rescue, Be-Well offer a 10% discount on all products. to get the price down. Through my suitable running through the mounting Check out their website at www.bewellexpeditionfoods.com antennae that bolt as normal, Panorama have company Quicksilver we buy and hold all If you would like to find our more about their unique products and don’t mean utilised some neat ‘figure of 8’ the stock and sell on to the PDMRO at a drilling multiple RG174 cabling that easily passes minimal profit. Because the cost of services, please feel free to contact Rob McOwan on either 07860 519939 holes or having through door gaps into the sending pyrotechnics by carrier or email [email protected] a roof looking vehicles. The 3 metre length is legitimately is very high (£25+) I generally like a ample for most installations, and hand deliver to teams at meetings (I also hedgehog is performance across the six units take a box of them with me for those who always we’ve tested between Langdale forgot to order). desirable! A Ambleside MRT and Bowland It would be great to take this scheme number of Pennine MRT have had excellent ‘national’ as it could (a) benefit other teams have also started fitting the results. Panorama do a number teams and (b) increase volumes and keep GPS systems into some of options for the whips, and both prices down. I am sure via team reps members’ vehicles so that they the solid and flexible VHF whips attending national meeting etc we would can too be tracked (which have proved to work very well on be able to get deliveries to other regions sometimes makes interesting the mount. Full technical details without incurring the cost of carriers. viewing on MR Map!) can be found at While orange smokes have been the most Panorama have recently www.panorama.co.uk, part introduced an antenna that was number is GPSKM for the mag popular product we have supplied primarily aimed at police mount, GPSK for the panel parachute illuminating flares and miniflares systems, but provides an ideal mount. Panorama will offer their to other teams (POA) and can arrange combined GPS/VHF antenna for usual generous discount to safety training and disposal of out of date mountain rescue. It’s available in Mountain Rescue on ordering. (OOD), damaged or failed products. both a panel mount and mag Contact John Thompson +44 For further information call 0161 320 7232 mount version, the latter being (0)20 8877 4444 for more details. or mobile 07973 426531. Or email ideal for personal vehicles. Iain Nicolson [email protected] Within the team we’ve had the Bowland Pennine MRT Darren Wallis Kinder MRT Stuff

PA G E 4 4 MOUNTAIN RESCUE MAGAZINE JANUARY 2010 JANUARY 2010 MOUNTAIN RESCUE MAGAZINE PA G E 4 5 formally) for those who attend courses (in any revamped MREW website and this magazine concerns and I know the vast majority who subject) to pass on their knowledge to other are two obvious examples. MREW is currently enter mountain rescue do so in the members. Often, skills and ideas bought back working on a comprehensive resource facility expectation that they will not be sitting Who delivers and why? to the team encourage members to look for all teams in the UK, to be available as a examinations, grilled through interview or critically at their own practices. This may result web resource so that teams can download graded in some way. Ok, we expect to endure by Bob Sharp in change or serve simply to confirm good sections appropriate to their needs. And we some discomfort, hardship and stress, but not practice. So, for many reasons, the use of shouldn’t forget that our own personal the kind of stress that accompanies outside expertise is critical in shaping the mountaineering experiences, instructional assessment. So, what’s all this about? Well, in his is the final part of the four-part series on mountain rescue training. To recap, the first part looked the future operation of a team. work, membership of relevant mountaineering actual fact, its quite simple and quite logical aims and purposes of training. The second part examined the criteria for deciding what to include in the bodies, and so on all play their part in the to understand, although I suspect it may be programme. The third part focused on some well-known principles for guiding programme delivery, T National associations learning process. It’s vital to accept that difficulty to convince some people. Let’s go including ideas about how best people learn. This final part looks at who should deliver the programme and Mountain Rescue England and Wales training alone is only one route (albeit back to basics. Training is all about people some of the issues and concerns surrounding the thorny matter of assessment. (MREW) and the Mountain Rescue Committee important) to becoming a professional and acquiring new skills, developing expertise in a of Scotland (MRCofS) both offer courses and versatile mountain rescuer. wide number of areas and becoming Who delivers the technically skilled also have a responsibility to wide and varied. This seems a sensible way seminars, which are available to all members. competent members of their team. The key reflect on their own teaching/communication to cover topics where there’s limited expertise For example, MREW offers courses in search Other MRTs point is how do you know these have been training? skills and not step forwards automatically to within the team or where external validation is management, which operate on a residential All teams work in conjunction with other achieved? How do you know that people have In-house take a lead delivery role when their subject is required – as in first aid. One would also basis and are open to members from all UK teams for joint exercises, training and reached the required level of competence? Most (if not all) teams have a training officer the focus of attention. In some cases, they expect outside experts to be well versed in the MRTs. Similarly, the MRCofS has recently sometimes on call outs. Watching another How do you know members can apply all who has overall responsible for team training. might better serve as a technical backup to latest information and skills and therefore initiated its own courses in technical rigging. team carry out a task (eg. setting up an abseil) they’ve learned in training when it comes for It would seem that most teams also have a somebody else who is a more able instructor, bring a level of currency that may be The expectation is that those who attend not or working alongside members from other real on a dark miserable night when the chips training committee comprising individuals with but perhaps less skilled. unavailable within the team. only improve their own experience, teams on routine procedures (eg. line search) are down? One answer is that you wait for the relevant expertise and interest. It’s likely these It’s worth referring back to a point raised in For these reasons, the use of outside confidence and performance in key skills but can be very revealing and sometimes lead to rescues to come along and note how people and others in the team will be involved in the first part of this series about how a team expertise is absolutely vital to the health and also pass on their knowledge to colleagues. significant changes in a team’s procedures perform when they suddenly find themselves delivering the training programme. Indeed, the develops and how individuals gain experience advancement of any team. An over reliance on Courses like this provide opportunities for and understanding. For example, an adjacent at the sharp end. I wonder if many teams recent national survey of training showed that, in areas they’re not familiar with. It can be very in-house expertise can lead to a programme people to share ideas and pick up information team working in a similar environment might adopt this approach? If so, then I have to say in most cases, training is delivered by a wide useful to use ‘non-experts’ to deliver particular that is sterile and unimaginative. People from and skills from recognised experts in the field. adopt very different procedures or use it’s a highly unprofessional way to do things. variety of people most notably members of the subjects. This may sound rather odd but it’s adjacent teams or other mountaineering They also help to promote high standards as different equipment for team itself together with a wide variety of an accepted method used in some areas of organisations can help kick start new ideas, well as a common and consistent approach solving the same problem outside agencies. Very few teams leave sports coaching and education in broader introduce new techniques and generally help towards search and rescue. And from a that may never have been delivery to a single person such as the terms. The method is one that puts people on keep the team abreast of modern practical standpoint it should be more cost considered by the visiting Training Officer or Team Leader although there the spot and, temporarily, takes them out of developments. It’s possible to employ experts effective to organise and deliver courses at team. Other teams may are teams that adopt this strategy. their comfort zone. It’s based on a well-tried to help the team with its particular needs, by national level rather than do these repeatedly have different perspectives In-house delivery is the bedrock of team teaching maxim, ‘See one, do one, teach one.’ engaging them in the actual training at local level. on how safety is managed training. This makes sense because it uses Step one of this process is where somebody programme. For example, many teams in Having said this, there are mixed views on or how risks are assessed. the abundant talent within a team and is cost sees a demonstration of a new skill or Scotland employ instructors from the British the value of nationally delivered courses. The Incorporating new ideas effective. It also reflects the principle of self procedure (eg. how to tie a prussik knot). Step Association of Ski Patrollers (BASP) to run national training survey showed that courses and learning from other reliance which characterises volunteering. two is where they physically practise the skill. qualifying first aid courses. Instructors run like this are important but that they should teams can only enhance a © David Allan Further, team members are on hand and well Step three quickly follows and is the stage courses on the team’s own patch which allows remain optional and certainly not dictate the team’s training programme versed in the particular needs and challenges where the learner endeavours to pass on the them, to a degree, to adapt the material to suit way things should be done. A common feeling as well as its operational of their own team. So, for a variety of reasons, skill to other learners. As a caution, a more the team’s operational requirements. Similarly, expressed in the survey was that national capability. No team should the delivery of training sessions by team experienced member of the team would several teams across the UK employ experts courses should reflect the requirements of consider itself beyond members is common practice and obviously oversee all of this. This technique really from Lyon Equipment Work and Rescue to teams and focus on practices important at criticism. Even the The team leader will generally carry out effective. However, this doesn’t mean that it’s focuses everyone on the skill in question but provide courses in rescue techniques in steep operational level. The survey revealed that the ‘celebrity’ teams can learn regular appraisals... always effective or the best approach. Indeed, it also reminds everyone of the problems of and difficult to access environments. Many best kinds of courses delivered at national from the ‘minnows’. in some cases, in-house training may initial learning which someone who is well other examples could be given. level are those where the principles and Indeed, training sessions disadvantage a team and hold it back from practised often forgets. How many times have Some teams pay for members to attend techniques are virtually common across all where members from different teams get It’s an approach that should be consigned to developing key skills within the wider context you been taught by someone who talks fast, courses at the national mountaineering mountain rescue teams. So, topics such as together are vital to the development of the archives and replaced with one that is of UK mountain rescue. And, even worse, gives too much information and skips over the training centres and other training swift water rescue, first aid, radio mountain rescue. Debate and discussion in proactive and looks at the expertise (or lack) depending on the skills (or lack of) within a fundamentals? Using learners to teach organisations. The Emergency Service Times communications, civil contingency, search mountain rescue is of fundamental of members well before they get to the rescue team, it may lead to the perpetuation of dated learners tends to avoid problems like these. has recently published a guide to relevant management and emergency driving are importance in clarifying and modifying ideas stage. So what am I suggesting? or incorrect practices. I’ll return to these It’s also been shown this helps learners better training courses for the emergency services those where national effort is best directed. on issues of central concern. When team Let’s focus on some fundamental principles matters shortly. understand how skills are performed as well which lists many 100s of different types of There was a strong view in the survey that members get together, they often find that about learning and assessment. These have Ideally, team members should be able to as their appreciation of the underlying courses run across the UK, several of which teams should not be dissuaded from practices someone else doing a similar job has a much been touched on in previous articles. deliver their subject in a style that is principles. This is obviously ‘quality’ learning are pertinent to mountain rescue. The that work on their own patch, even if they better way or a different way of doing it. They informative, enjoyable and effective. It’s been and a bonus of this approach is that it may mountain leadership and instructor scheme is conflict with national provision. can take that idea back to their own team, try No assessment – no mentioned before that technical competence reveal (communication/teaching) skills in a well-established feature of some team’s One final point, which is very important. We it out, and they may discover it works a lot learning! is no guarantee of effective delivery and teams newer members that might otherwise go training programmes. These teams believe should all recognise that formal training is not better than their own way. This is another Firstly, training has aims and purposes. The should always reflect on whether those given undetected. Sounds like a win-win situation! that qualifying members as mountain leaders the only way team members learn. Learning reason why courses, seminars, conferences only way to determine if these are met is to the task of training are the best to do it. benefits the team’s overall level of technical to be a team member is much broader than and other events organised at assess members in some way. Training by Because someone has great technical Outside experts and leadership competence. Typically, the skills and information picked up attending national/regional levels are so important for itself is virtually useless. Assessment tells you expertise in say, setting up a stretcher lower Many teams use outside agencies and courses are taken at residential outdoor courses and team training sessions. Whilst everyone. about the effectiveness of learning and or managing a search, it doesn’t necessarily instructors to deliver parts of the training centres such as the national mountain training learning is enhanced through participation, it training. It demonstrates whether or not follow they are equally competent in showing programme (eg. avalanche awareness, swift centres in Scotland and Wales. It is critical that should not be forgotten that knowledge Assessment Issues learning has taken place and helps shape the others how it’s all done! There may be other water rescue, first aid). This was confirmed by individuals who attend courses like this bring acquisition, attitude change, communication This final section might turn away a few training programme. Assessment completes team members who are less knowledgeable the national training survey. Outside agencies back ideas and technical expertise to share ability, leadership, etc – which are all part of people and I might even lose a few friends! the learning-feedback loop (see article in issue but more effective communicators. So, those come in many forms – other MRTs, technical amongst their colleagues. Training the learning process – are facilitated in many What’s assessment to do with mountain 30) and provides evidence about success and responsible for training should not make rescue providers, driving instructors, military officers/committees have a responsibility to other ways. For example, there are numerous rescue? Why do we need to be assessed? failure. helicopter flights, medical professionals, ensure that opportunities are created within

assumptions about technical expertise and resources available to team members in We’re volunteers and we don’t need that kind L good instruction. And team members who are mountain instructors and so on. The list is very the training programme (and perhaps less printed and electronic form. The recently of hassle! I’m sympathetic to these kinds of page48 in my view

PA G E 4 6 MOUNTAIN RESCUE MAGAZINE JANUARY 2010 JANUARY 2010 MOUNTAIN RESCUE MAGAZINE PA G E 4 7 L page47

Assess everything has to analyse and question the learning academic nonsense! Well, I’ve been an Training attempts to change people is process. There must be some kind of educationalist for forty years but, for most of different ways – to improve their technical interrogation about what has been learned. that time, I’ve also been involved in mountain competence, their knowledge base and This could be, quite simply, the individual rescuer, instruction and climbing. So, I’ve had perhaps their attitude. If teams are serious member reflecting on what they have done an opportunity to link the two parts of my life about each of these components then each and comparing what they did with what they together and especially relate my academic must be assessed. So, if a team is serious should have done – an internal thought know-how to the real world of training in about developing leadership skills and invests process. This approach is highly subjective mountain rescue. If I could distil the last four time and effort is this direction, it needs to find (and lends itself to error particularly if the articles into a small number of practical bullet a way to monitor them. Similarly, if the training individual is prone to delusions of success!) points, what would I say? What would be the programme involves sessions on how to deal but acceptable just the same. Indeed, it’s most important things? Well, these are the key with deceased casualties, it should test probably a very natural thing that learners do points I would wish members to reflect on and whether members remember what to do in anyway. In another situation, team members take back to their own team. these circumstances. might watch each other do something and just G Training is more than practical skills; it’s provide feedback. You could do this with most about imparting knowledge, changing Tools for assessment practical skills – first aid, radio comms, rigging attitudes and identifying special skills that may If assessment conjures up images of people etc. There’s no need for this to be highly be dormant within the team. in rows sitting written examinations or writing stressful. If you’re working alongside fellow G Training content should accurately reflect lengthy assignments then you need to think team members in a relaxed, congenial the team’s operational needs. It should not be things quite differently. For assessment to atmosphere there’s no reason why this biased or dictated by individual enthusiasm work in mountain rescue it’s very important to method cannot be critical and constructive. and prejudices. ‘think outside the box’. There are many and And it might even feel like assessment. G Training is much wider than the formal programme. It’s about applying personal Assessment by mountaineering experience, reading, meeting different people other people, watching others perform and I’ve already alluded to this but above all, accepting that formal training as its still important to note that only part of a much larger whole. different people can be involved G All team members should own training – in the assessment process – its development, delivery and assessment. peers, outside experts, the Everyone should feel a need to be involved training officer, self monitoring and be given opportunities to help. and so on. It might be good to G The best training methods are those that use several people. This not only actively engage learners and provide them © David Allan spreads the workload but also with an opportunity to question and analyse. engages everyone more fully in There is little place for ‘chalk and talk’. the learning/training process. G Make sure people learn. The ability to And this is all part of good team perform once is no guarantee of learning. work. Return to the same topic often and ensure Yes... well when I wrote that you had That’s enough about members repeat things time and time again. absolutely no aptitude for casualty care, assessment for now – I know the G Quality learning is better than quantity what I really meant was... subject is to be raised again in provision. Bearing in mind the last point, be the next issue. I am hopeful the prepared to exclude topics from the annual extremely varied ways to assess people. And subject will generate a few questions and programme so that others can be its important to recognise that many perhaps raise a few hackles – all healthy signs consolidated. Return to the missed topics the techniques can be devised in-house to suit of progress! following year. particular purposes. Consider the following list G Everything the training programme plans of general methods – peer observation, self Finally to achieve should be assessed, be it informal assessment, discussion between colleagues, The Editor has given me the opportunity to self-analysis or formal examination. Methods group presentations, personal logbooks, express quite a lot about training, instruction, should be devised that are valid, sensitive to written questionnaires, practical performance learning and assessment in mountain rescue. individual differences, non-intimidating and and so on. The key thing is that each Looking back at what I’ve written I can see that enjoyable. technique – whichever approach is used – many readers might think its all a load of

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PA G E 4 8 MOUNTAIN RESCUE MAGAZINE JANUARY 2010 Flash and the Magic Bivvy Bag by John Coombs

his article is really about the training technique that I believe is the bricks and mortar of building a search dog. The inspiration for this came from Matt Robertson the SARDA (England) Stage 1 training co-ordinator, Tand the Wickes ‘Good Ideas’ leaflets. (My wife thought they’d give me something better to do than training yet another dog – but for once she was wrong!) What follows is just the first couple of months of a year long process – the initial work you do is critical – it stays with a dog all of its life. I did similar things with my three previous dogs but with a few changes from Matt. The principle is simple: we extend the dog’s favourite game so she will bark at a person hidden in a bivvy bag who she thinks has got her toy.

It’s essential to I lay on the bite roll with the bag The dog must be have skilled dog over my head so Flash couldn’t get really good at trainers to act as it until I decided the moment was playing and barking assistants and right to allow her to play. It is so freely at other * bodies important to get this right first time *people as well as the handler that I rehearsed first without a dog! If the dog has enough ‘drive for its game’ the first time it tries, it will dig, pull, head The handler must butt and jump on the bivvy bag in an attempt have learned skills to win the toy. and timing and have It is important to get the timing right and a good connection don’t let the dog have the toy unless she * barks. We repeated the exercise and, each with their dog time, two or three barks were enough for Flash to earn a reward. I thought if I kept her barking too long she would lose faith in the ‘speak’ as a means of winning her prize. Soon Flash had abandoned the thuggery and intimidation in favour of a lot of noise. Now to use someone else in the bivvy bag, and it must be an experienced trainer. I knew if we got this right, Flash would always believe that any bivvy bag with a human smell would contain a playful friend with a toy. The body had to ensure she knew the only way to get the toy was by standing off and giving voice. Flash was so bombed out on repetitions are usually necessary to get the head and popping out to play with the dog we developed searching and air scenting finds barking to get her toy before we used the dog into a ‘habitual response.’ The number of after a pre-arranged number of barks. for about six weeks before we started to train bivvy bag, that we only had to use a speak barks before reward can be increased – it’s So after some expert help to start the dog the return. That was trained later by command once – the first time we did it – as difficult for me to say how – a good dog trainer off, I could grab some unsuspecting team introducing a second toy to the game we So we didn’t want to start this until Flash was With Flash I started the Magic Bivvy Bag by soon as Flask got the idea, just seeing and has a feel for timing that I haven’t figured out members and go off on my own. That’s what I played with the dog after I arrived at the totally obsessed with her toy. Her experience bodying myself. I teased her with the toy, ran smelling the bagged human was enough to how to describe. did. Fortunately, Flash is a lot of fun to work dogsbody. with the Balabanov game meant that once she off and then got ready in the bag with the toy trigger a bark. The big advantage of the bivvy bag is that, with and there has not been a shortage of We also had to get her used to bodies that had won it, she wanted to bring her toy to ‘tug’ protruding. Next I got an assistant to release Timing the moment of reward is all important once the initial training has taken root, the dog volunteers from the Edale team. were not in a bivvy bag. with me and the bodies – so we were an her. I snatched the toy into the bag just before – if the dog wants its toy it will get the idea after is not reliant on any inducement or input from Readers who know about mountain rescue The foundation work seems to have paid off essential part of her play, and in control of it. the dog got to it. It has to be hidden out of two or three goes, but several training the body. Any dogsbody can be an exciting search dogs will be wondering about the so far. Flash and I look like being ready for (well at least thinking ahead of her!??) reach. sessions to give twenty or thirty successful reward by just laying with the bag over their return find sequence we all use. With Flash, operations and assessment in the spring.

Speak!

Now the toy comes *out for a game Sorry Flash, it HAS WOOF! to be a bark! Search dogs

PA G E 5 0 MOUNTAIN RESCUE MAGAZINE JANUARY 2010 JANUARY 2010 MOUNTAIN RESCUE MAGAZINE PA G E 5 1 Maliphofu School,Lesotho With your help we can make areal difference Report prepared by the MREW organising team and Sentebale’ Maliphofu School project team

Mountain Rescue England and Wales (MREW), in from the mountain rescue teams across the country, partnership with the charity Sentebale, has set out to travel to central Lesotho and build a new double on an ambitious project to help a community of classroom and toilet block. The existing schoolroom children in the Kingdom of Lesotho. Lesotho is a has no electricity, no heating, no lighting and no land-locked country about the size of Wales, insulation to protect the children from the harsh and bordered on all sides by South Africa. Sentebale very cold winters. 136 children in years one to six, was set up by Prince Seeiso and Prince Harry to from a catchment area of around fifteen square help Lesotho’s orphans and vulnerable children. miles, struggle to learn simultaneously in a single The princes set up the charity in memory of their classroom no bigger than a double garage. THE EXISTING MALIPHOFU SCHOOL FOR 136 CHILDREN, YEARS 1 TO 6 mothers, who both worked to improve the lives of Around twenty volunteers from across the regions children in need. will bring skills ranging from bricklaying, joinery, This proved highly valuable, meeting Sentebale plumbing and electrics, but will also be staff, key government department officials, village accompanied by logistical skilled staff, team elders and school teaching staff, builders and doctors, paramedics and nurses. These MREW building suppliers, and visit local hospitals. A medical team members, in addition to providing number of potential pitfalls and problems were also medical support to the team members working on identified that can now be avoided. Funding for the the new building, will spend time at the local project will be separate from MREW funding and Anglican Mission clinic in the adjacent village secured through external donors and sponsorships supporting staff in their battle against respiratory in addition to money raised by participating diseases, HIV, malnutrition and other life threatening volunteers. illnesses. Some very basic medical equipment is in THE SMALL VILLAGE OF HA LETUKA WHERE The above article is a very brief introduction to this MALIPHOFU SCHOOL IS LOCATED short supply and the mountain rescue team medics extremely interesting project. Subsequent issues of may be able to help in some way, in addition helping the Mountain Rescue magazine will provide a more MREW is privileged to have Prince William as its look after some of the 8,000 patients that visit the detailed progress report, as preparations proceed royal patron and, as a continuation of the clinic for treatment each year and transferring skills and team members begin to mobilise for the start partnerships already established between MREW, to the local doctors and nursing staff. of in-country work, April and May 2010. Wellchild and Centrepoint, the Sentebale Maliphofu A further part of the overall project will be the school project is now starting to take shape. The provision of warm mountain clothing and outdoor project involves the improvement of an existing, survival education to the local herd boys who suffer single classroom school in the small village of Ha great hardships from the very cold Lesotho winters Letuka, located high in the Lesotho Mountains at when looking after the sheep and cattle in the around 2,300 metres altitude. The design for the mountains. During the winter, which begins around new classrooms is the responsibility of Sentebale’s May when our teams will still be out there, Capital Projects, Design and Sustainability Team, temperatures fall to well below freezing so the and is taking into consideration use of local volunteers will require self sufficiency for their two materials and optimal site orientation to help cope week stay in the village. with the harsh climatic conditions that this area A visit to the area was undertaken by two of the faces. The aim is for a group of volunteers drawn mountain rescue organisers in late December 2009. THE MALIPHOFU SCHOOL IS LOCATED IN THE OPEN AREA TO THE LEFT OF HA LETUKA VILLAGE : Derek Spink. Dartmoor Rescue Group (Plymouth) Group Rescue Dartmoor Spink. Derek September, in exercise helicopter a during taken, was image ‘The helicopter The Dartmoor. on Peatfrom Princetown of south Cott, just a with moon the of shot a took I evening same The landed. just had With lens. telephoto the put I good old Photoshop of magic the quite was and really, sky dark the up to fill picture, the in moon result.’ the with pleased to Send shot? MR stunning a have you Do editor. the to CD on or [email protected] STUNNING SHOT STUNNING : JANUARY

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PA G E 5 4 MOUNTAIN RESCUE MAGAZINE JANUARY 2010 JANUARY 2010 MOUNTAIN RESCUE MAGAZINE PA G E 5 5