The team has just completed our annual main Mountain Rescue training weekend at Ingram Valley in Northumberland. The full squad were together to improve skills and teamwork. There were trainees coming to the end of their 12 months training period, new trainees just starting out and the current batch of full members. The future looks bright for North of Tyne Mountain Rescue Team.
Saturday 15th September comprised of multiple stations with various skills being taught and practised. These included:
- Rope work and setting up a crag rescue system
- Casualty care and medical skills
- Communications over radios
- The vehicles and their contents
- Other equipment such as the stretchers and how they’re assembled
- How to create and operate a search pattern
- How the search and rescue dogs support the team
- Walking and assisting people on steep ground
- How to manage a scene of crime
Sunday had a multiple casualty search and rescue at Linhope Spout, which put all these skills to the test. The exercise scenario involved searching for a missing helicopter with 6 personnel on board. The ‘casualties’ had multiple trauma injuries and provided great training for all.
Overall, the weekend was a huge success and contributed significantly to the operational effectiveness of the team. A big thank you goes out to the ‘casualties’ who happily gave up their Sunday to lie on the ground in the middle of Northumberland!