We have just completed another REC level 2 course in the stunning scenery of the Snowdonian mountains. The weather was extremely obliging meaning that even most of the theory sessions were able to be carried out outside in the sunshine. Sounds like the beautiful weather is set to continue although a little colder.
It was great to see students progress and grow in knowledge and confidence.
Thursday, 28 April 2011
Sunday, 17 April 2011
Sunday with the team
Today we were out training with our rescue team (Llanberis). We had a stretcher lowering exercise this morning in the Pass. I was intending to include some photos in this blog but am having trouble downloading photos from my phone! Will add some later if I sort the problem.
It was a lovely morning, enjoying the Snowdonia sun and scenery. Afterwards we chilled out before getting called out to a broken ankle on the Pyg track. Well done to the casualty; despite what looked like a painful and badly swollen ankle, he made it down to Pen y Pass as we were driving up.
Congratulations to my friend Joy, and her dog Einich (full sister to Cluanie) who passed their Search Dog Assessment with SARDA Lakes yesterday. Another dog team to help save lives in the mountains.
It was a lovely morning, enjoying the Snowdonia sun and scenery. Afterwards we chilled out before getting called out to a broken ankle on the Pyg track. Well done to the casualty; despite what looked like a painful and badly swollen ankle, he made it down to Pen y Pass as we were driving up.
Congratulations to my friend Joy, and her dog Einich (full sister to Cluanie) who passed their Search Dog Assessment with SARDA Lakes yesterday. Another dog team to help save lives in the mountains.
Saturday, 16 April 2011
Busy week
The ECMR Advanced weekend was followed by two days of REC level 2 course teaching. And what a change in weather: from tropical to sub-arctic in twenty-four hours.
On Thursday I lead a group of Alpine Italian lads up Lliwedd and Snowdon. Sadly they didn't get to see much; visibility was down to 20 metres in places (and as is typical the cloud really began to lift on our descent). Afterwards, Steve picked me up from Pen-y-Pass. We were heading home down the Llanberis Pass when we saw flashing blue lights in a layby ahead of us. A paramedic was making his way up the scree to a fallen climber. I shouted to see if they needed help and he said he had just alerted the MRT. (our SMS had failed to go off as we were in a blind spot). So Steve and I drove down to base to pick up extra equipment such as a stretcher, the KTD (in case of fractured femur), the Vac Matt for spinal immobilisation and then headed back to the scene of the accident.
Our casualty was lucky. He had taken an 8 metre fall and had fractured his lower leg and lower arm. However there had been a long delay between the emergency call going out and the Rescue Team being alerted. Remember in the mountains always ask for the Police and Mountain Rescue; not an Ambulance which was what had happened here. Add the information that the casualty was only 30m from the road, it is easy to see why an ambulance was sent! Unfortunately, that 30m was up a steep and loose hillside.
Last night Cluanie and I were called out to help search for an elderly lady in the Conwy Valley. Sadly as of yet, she is still missing. We were back in bed for 3.30 am. Today has been a lazy day with a lovely walk over Moel Eilio with the dogs and Steve.
On Thursday I lead a group of Alpine Italian lads up Lliwedd and Snowdon. Sadly they didn't get to see much; visibility was down to 20 metres in places (and as is typical the cloud really began to lift on our descent). Afterwards, Steve picked me up from Pen-y-Pass. We were heading home down the Llanberis Pass when we saw flashing blue lights in a layby ahead of us. A paramedic was making his way up the scree to a fallen climber. I shouted to see if they needed help and he said he had just alerted the MRT. (our SMS had failed to go off as we were in a blind spot). So Steve and I drove down to base to pick up extra equipment such as a stretcher, the KTD (in case of fractured femur), the Vac Matt for spinal immobilisation and then headed back to the scene of the accident.
Our casualty was lucky. He had taken an 8 metre fall and had fractured his lower leg and lower arm. However there had been a long delay between the emergency call going out and the Rescue Team being alerted. Remember in the mountains always ask for the Police and Mountain Rescue; not an Ambulance which was what had happened here. Add the information that the casualty was only 30m from the road, it is easy to see why an ambulance was sent! Unfortunately, that 30m was up a steep and loose hillside.
Last night Cluanie and I were called out to help search for an elderly lady in the Conwy Valley. Sadly as of yet, she is still missing. We were back in bed for 3.30 am. Today has been a lazy day with a lovely walk over Moel Eilio with the dogs and Steve.
Sunday, 10 April 2011
Needles and pain!
This weekend Steve and I attended the ECMR (Emergency Care for Mountain Rescue) Advanced training Course along with 6 other Llanberis MRT members, 2 Ogwen and 1 Sussex SRT. It was an interesting and fascinating course (if a little painful at times!) It was held at Indie on Anglesey and the weather was glorious. Not a few of us cast woeful and frustrated eyes at the mountains of Snowdonia on the other side of the Straits! However it was an incredibly useful three days.
We both felt we learned loads and are really grateful to the surgeons, registrars and other medics who gave up their time to train us.
The course gave us lots of scenario practice as well as injections, suturing (thankfully, not on each other!) and needle thoracostamy.
I can see a lot of intensive training going on between now and May 8th; the date of the exam. It promises to be an intense morning; 2 exam papers, an airway practical examination, and 2 scenarios - medical condition and a trauma.
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| Smiling despite the pain: Cannula in hand |
The course gave us lots of scenario practice as well as injections, suturing (thankfully, not on each other!) and needle thoracostamy.
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| Close up! |
Meanwhile, I have been elected as a Members Rep for SARDA Wales. I hope I am able to help the Association throught the following year.
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| Steve practising needle thoracostamy (needle decompression to you and me!) While Brian says hello! |
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