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This year 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.
Despite the pandemic becoming a distant memory, we are still maintaining some COVUD precautions, particularly during First Aid sessions.
Land Seach Training with SARA, November 23, 2023
Land Search trained team members met up on a very wet Thursday night at Kinver Edge to join a SARA Wyre Forest training exercise. Luckily after we had got changed the rain stopped and it turned into a nice clear, starry night.
Three search teams were delegated to search various areas on Kinver Edge. MCRO members were divided up so that there were at least 2 team members in each search team. The missing person was found within an hour, and teams instructed to return to Control.
However while the initial casualty was being escorted back to Control one of the search team members stepped into a rabbit hole. His yell could be heard quite clearly from other team members some distance away across the Edge!
The SARA single wheeled stretcher was assembled and trundled to the scene of the incident where the casualty was being treated by other team members.
After being packaged in the stretcher the casualty was carried a short distance and passed over a gate. The large single wheel was then fitted to the stretcher. Two SARA team members, wearing harnesses, clipped themselves to the handles, one at each end and with others steadying the stretcher it was wheeled to the Control point. Where the casualty made a miraculous recovery!
Friday Evening Training, November 17, 2023
On a chilly Friday evening team members assembled at the stores for a training session. The Larkin frame was set-up on the grass on the far side of the yard. Unfortunately, the spot chosen seemed to be a key location for moles and mud!
The exercise and rigging went well and we successfully raised ‘Ruthie’ our new weighted rescue manikin. Despite putting ground sheets down, it got a little muddy!
Just before the exercise finished, the rain came, getting everything nice and wet. Plus, with everyone rushing in and out of the stores with kit, the floor also got very muddy!
Undaunted, the evening ended with a successful stretcher packing session using the Slix 100 actually inside the stores - with all the team members and the stretcher casualty it doubled up as a cramped ‘cave’ very well..
Cwmyswyth Mines Practice, July 1, 2023
Five team members travelled to Cwmystwyth in mid-Wales to join colleagues in the South and Mid Wales Cave Rescue Team for their biennial mines practice. In true Welsh style we struggled to get changed in 'damp' weather - very strong wind and horizontal rain, blowing our dry clothes away and filling the back of the vehicle with water!
Once assembled those present were split into 2 groups. One group was deployed to search underground for two missing cavers. The other to another location to reports of a caver 'stuck' mid-pitch on a rope.
Both scenarios gave the groups some interesting problems, which were successfully overcome.
Evening Comms Training Day, June 16, 2023
On a nice sunny Friday evening we had a comms training session. Lead by Graham Smith a pair of µHeyphones (underground radios) were set-up to pass messages from an 'underground' station to a 'surface' one. The surface team then passing the message on to control via VHF radio.
Training Day, May 21, 2023
We were able to make use of the Training room and yard area at Tweedale Fire Station to run several 'round robin' workshops. These covered First aid, personal kit inspections and, setting up and operating rescue control.
Thanks to Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service and the Station Manager for allowing us the use of the site.
Underground Training, March 25, 2023
Team members assembled at Snailbeach Lead Mine for an underground rescue practice. Reports of a 'casualty' having fallen on a pitch and in need of evacuation from a lower level was the scenario for the day.
Control was established in the mine visitor center with radio contact from there to the mine entrance. To be different the field telephones were used for the comms along the adit to the head of the pitch where the 'casualty' was located.
Thanks to Shropshire Mines Trust for allowing us to use the mine and buildings.
Evening Training, March 10, 2023
For our first evening training session of the year we were able to make use of the newly renovated tower at Tweedale Fire Station.
Once again it was a stretcher hauling exercise, but this time in a different location - and it was dark and cold!
Several scenarios were practiced, allowing team members to rotate round different roles.
Thanks to Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service and the Station Manager for allowing us the use of the tower.
Sharing Knowledge, 5th March 2023
It was all about sharing our knowledge this weekend. Our Chair & Training Co-ordinator provided an equipment inspection course to our team members and colleagues in the Severn Area Rescue Association at their Kiddeminster depot.
Winter Training Day, 15th January, 2023
Our first training session of 2023 allowed us to meet up and exercise away those mince-pie side effects in the Arco Professional Safety Services training centre, Eccleshall (formerly Total Access). They kindly allow us to make use of their excellent training facilities and rope access workshop.
The day started with a session on First Aid. Followed by a talk about civil contingencies and how it effects cave rescue.
After lunch we made use of the Arco training workshop to refresh rigging and hauling skills.
View of Team members in the Arco Training workshop. (Picture: Bartek Biela)
Colleagues discussing the best approach to set-up a high level haul to pass a casualty through a small 'window'.
