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Team members have been refreshing their skills in different aspects of First Aid and a variety of Cave Rescue techniques both above and below ground.
Our practice locations can range from indoor climbing facilities (such as the excellent training areas at Arco in Eccleshall which we are able to use each year), to "classroom" based theory sessions and full underground practices with members of other organisations.
We also hold 'familiarisation' exercises with local Fire & Rescue teams and other emergency services and members attend training session with Severn Area Rescue Association, Gloucestershire Cave Rescue Group, South & Mid-Wales Cave Rescue Team and other CROs.
If you are an experienced caver and would like to join us, please contact one of the Wardens on the 'Contact Us' page.
Recent Training Events
Land Search Training, September 12th, 2024
Once again, Land Search trained team members joined Severn Area Rescue Association, Wyre Forest (SARA) colleagues for an evening training exercise in woods, near Stourbridge. Search teams were tasked to look for a casualty that had collapsed somewhere in the woods.
Three search teams were deployed into the area. Once the casualty was located, the wheeled stretcher was called for to evacuate him. An added complication was that he was at the top of a steep bank, so transferring the stretcher by a 'caterpillar' of rescuers (passing it from person to person) down the bank was practiced before the wheel was fitted once on a 'level' path.
SWERA Training Day, Forest of Dean, September 7th, 2024
Nearly 80 vehicles and over 100 search and rescue personnel descended on Noxon Park in the Forest of Dean for a major exercise involving teams from across the South West England Rescue Association region. It was an excellent day working together with other cave rescue teams, mountain rescue and lowland teams on a number of interesting and challenging scenarios. Thanks to the organisers, the caterers - Rapid Relief Team (RRT), the casualties, and everyone who participated in making it such a worthwhile exercise... and it didn't rain until it was time to go home ... bonus!
Team members from several Cave, Lowland and Mountain rescue teams working together to recover a casualty from an underground incident. (Pictures: Andy Harris and Emma Porter)
Evening Training Session, August 30th, 2024
Team members took part in a stretcher handling and hauling session on the tower at Tweedale Fire Station. Not to practice hauling up the outside of the tower, but to make use of the confined space inside the tower! One of the biggest obstacles was the lack of high belay points, but with a bit of jiggling we managed to lift the stretcher up.
Evening Land Search Training, May 16th, 2024
Land Search trained team members joined colleagues in the Severn Area Rescue Association (SARA) for an evening training exercise in Nimmings Wood, near Stourbridge. Search teams were tasked to look for a casualty that had fallen on steep ground somewhere in the woods sustaining an arm injury. Unfortunately their mobile phone had failed, so an exact location was unknown.
When located however, it was discovered that there were two casualties. The initial 'caller' with the arm injury, but the second with a leg and suspected spine injury. It put the First Aiders to the test and provided a good chance to use the new SARA VacMat to stabilise the possible spinal injury, before being evacuated on the stretcher.
Thanks to SARA for organising an interesting training session and to the National Trust for allowing us to use the woods and their car park after hours.
Underground Exercise, April 21st, 2024
Exercise briefing at the start of the day. (Picture: Bartek Biela)
Team members met at Snailbeach Lead mine for an underground rescue practice on Sunday 21st April. Reports had been received that an 'Urban Explorer' was missing and believed to have entered the mine. Search teams were deployed and the casualty eventually located, cold and with a broken leg, beyond a 'rock fall'.
The team Casualty Carer and First Aiders treated him while a stretcher team was deployed and a haulage system rigged. Once the casualty was stabilised and placed in the rescue stretcher they were removed from the mine and handed over to the care of the Ambulance Service.
Members of the hauling team waiting to spring into action, while the casualty is being treated. (Picture: Bartek Biela)
Communication from underground to the surface used our through rock µHeyphones (developed by a team member). VHF radios were used to keep in touch with Control that was located further down the valley.
Thanks to Shropshire Mines Trust for allowing us to use part of Snailbeach and the mine buildings for control.
Evening Training, April 12th, 2024
Following on from the previous stretcher packing session this evening we practiced packing a 'live' casualty in the new stretcher and heated casualty bag. Then, making use of the Fire Station tower we tried out a number of different hauling techniques and several different ways of suspending the stretcher. This allowed us to examine the best methods for hauling the stretcher in different orientations (horizontally and vertically).
Preparing the haulage system. (Picture: Cara Allison)
Thanks once again to Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service and the Station Manager for allowing us the use of the tower and yard.
Evening Training, March 8th, 2024
For this training session we made use of the recently donated Ruth Lee rescue manikin to try various stretcher packing techniques. Luckily we were able to carry out the exercises under the shelter of the awning over the appliance bay at the fire station, so although it was a little chilly we were dry!
Mmm ... might need more than a splint!
Thanks to Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service and the Station Manager for allowing us the use of the yard.
Stores Session, 16th February 2024
An evening session was spent in the stores to help team members familiarise themselves with the layout and newer items of kit. Plus, test a range of cakes and biscuits.
Winter Training Day, 14th January, 2024
Once again our first training session of 2024 took place in the excellent facilities at Arco Professional Safety Services training centre in Eccleshall.
After a couple of talks on various first aid and admin matters (particularly vehicle insurance for volunteers) in the morning. We undertook an 'underground' rescue. Control for the exercise was situated in a classroom upstairs, while the 'rescue' was taking place in the rope access and confined space workshop downstairs.
The control team working with electronic and a manual T-card systems for comparison. (Picture: Sally Fowler)
After recovering the casualty from underground, the plan was to transfer them across a void (from one platform to another) to reach the helicopter.
