Follow us on FacebookWe kicked off the New Year with our annual training day at Total Access (UK) Limited's excellent training centre, Eccleshall. Following the successful exercise formula used last year Members were once again divided into small groups which then rotated round different training exercises and familiarisation workshops.
The workshops covered a variety of techniques from rigging, to communications, equipment familiarisation and a 'first aid' quiz.
Presentation
Before the main training got underway, colleagues from GCRG presented us with a large Cheque (literally!). The cheque represented MCRO's share of the proceeds from the auction of equipment belonging to our friend and colleague the late Steve Tomalin.
Above: Cheque presentation from GCRG to MCRO at Total Access, Eccleshall, Staffordshire.
Main participants (left of cheque): Emma Porter (MCRO Training Officer), Mike Clayton (MCRO Chair). Right of cheque: Liz Maisey (GCRG Treasurer), Peter Turier (GCRG Secretary), with MCRO team members surrounding the presentation.
Left: MCRO Chair Mike Clayton with the presentation cheque.
Following the presentation and a swift cup of coffee to warm us up, the activities and workshops of the day got underway. Team members rotating round an equipment inspection workshop, workshops to familiarise people with new team kit like the Larkin Frame and the Slix 100 stretcher, plus older items such as the Little Dragon re-warmer, and a refresher on rigging for stretcher haulage. GCRG had also brought along their Cave Link system and the opportunity was taken to learn more about it.
Above: MCRO Rescue Warden Bartek Biela leading the MCRO kit inspection workshop.
Above: The Larkin Frame and Rigging workshops in the Total Access training area
Team members getting to grips with the newly purchased Slix 100 stretcher.
The Little Dragon re-warmer and the GCRG Cave Link sets.