Torridon Mountain Rescue Team

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Training 7.5.2017

05.15.2017 by Gerry //

Today was helicopter training, with lots to learn for those of us who had never been in touching distance of one before. Lessons learned included the correct way to set off a flare, where to approach the helicopter from, how to keep all your kit from blowing away in the down draft, how to attach yourself safely to the winch to be wound in and lowered, and most importantly how not to panic! Actually it wasn’t that scary once you were in the air, it was more the anticipation and trying to keep your wits about you and communicate with everyone above the noise of the engines. The HM Coastguard crew were excellent at explaining everything and keeping us all safe and in order. We also practiced using an extra line to hold a stretcher steady as it was winched in to the helicopter, which was harder than it looked. Leather gloves were definitely an advantage. The whole team was then transported in relays to a nearby hill for a mock search and rescue, carrying out a line search over rocky terrain then assessing and treating a casualty with multiple injuries. We were lucky to do all this in dry, clear and mainly sunny conditions, obviously it would be a lot more difficult in the wet, dark or mist. A bit of reality was injected at the end though, as we had to carry the stretcher and all the medical kit back down ourselves! A great training day, most enjoyable and excellent preparation for when we are needed for real emergencies. Thanks to all involved for organising the day and to the helicopter crew for their patience. 

Jo Polak

Categories // Training

CLIMBING IN SPAIN

10.16.2016 by Gerry //

In September 5 of the Team went on holiday together to do some climbing in the Pyrenees.

pyren-5pyren-2pyren-1pyren-3

Categories // Training

TEAM TRAINING, FEBRUARY 2016

07.30.2016 by Gerry //

Team training this month (February) focussed on winter belays and was held in Coire an Laoigh on Beinn Eighe. The snow conditions were in our favour, with the recent weather conditions stabilizing the snow pack, the snow line being about 600 meters up. 10 team members were in attendance and it was decided to split the team into two groups, with Duncan leading the group I was in, and Jim leading the other group. A pleasant walk in good conditions led us into Coire an Laoigh where we were soon up to the snow line, and our assessment of the snow conditions confirmed what we thought we would see, and backed up the latest SAIS information.

Duncan led the way and gave us a demonstration of how to construct the following:

Waist belay from a bucket seat. The key point noted here was to always try and preserve and maintain the snow pack at the front of the seat on the downside slope as this gives the bucket seat the strength and rigidity. The front face needs to be perpendicular to the angle of the slope no matter what aspect of slope the seat is built on. The seat needs to be deep enough so that your thighs are supported all the way to your knees. (Note to myself, choose a bit of snow deep enough that you don’t hit turf too soon!) Cut out a space large enough for when wearing a rucksack. Cut out a platform to the side for the rope to sit on, saving it running off down the hillside. This should always be backed up with an ice axe. We looked at the position of the axe in the snow, and attached a sling on to the axe with an inverted clove hitch, located at the balance point of the axe; this will be a different position on the shaft dependant on the axe used so check this before burying it!

The second technique demonstrated to us was how to use a dead man. Key point taken from this was to get the correct angle to the slope which must be 40 degrees to the uphill side. This is the angle that the dead man goes into the snow surface at. Again the snow downhill side of the anchor should be kept undisturbed for security. The snow behind the dead man will need to be removed to form a trough to give room to place the dead man in at the correct angle, and a slot cut into the snow on the downside slope for the dead man wire to be positioned in. Once the dead man is hammered in, pull down on the wire using a screw gate to position the dead man in place and check to see if it holds. In our case, the dead man ripped through the snow and did not hold. After attempting this in various locations all our attempts failed, due to snow pack, so this was a good example of how the snow pack can dictate the anchor choice used.

Our last example given to the team was by Gregor who gave us an example of how to construct a snow bollard. The size of the bollard will be dependent on the quality of the snow/ice and in this example the bollard was a full arm’s length from centre point. Snow must remain undisturbed inside the bollard, and once scribed and channelled out, remember to create a lip in the inside rim for the rope to sit in. The bollard made was tested out and was found to be very secure, and took the weight and strain of a couple of volunteers.

During the day all the team members practised and constructed the various different anchors, and in the afternoon we looked at combining all three types together, trying different angles to see where strengths and weaknesses were.

To finish off the day, Gregor led the team through some info he had picked up from his recent avalanche rescue training course. Gregor set up a mock avalanche area and used the new flags from the avalanche grab bag to show us how they are used. This consisted of various different coloured flags. Yellow flags are used to mark the boundary of the avalanche area, red flags used to mark search area and rescuer activity and blue flags to mark surface finds and casualty clues. Seeing all the flags out on the snow surface certainly helped keep the boundaries visible and this was a fast way of highlighting areas of finds. The weight of the flags is absolutely minimal, so no hassle taking up the hill, unlike most kit!!

This completed the day’s training, so it was back off the hill and into the rain for our walk out, and back to base to dry out.

Kenny Macdonald

Categories // Training

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Training

St John Scotland

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Torridon Mountain Rescue Team is in Kinlochewe.

9 hours ago

Torridon Mountain Rescue Team
CAPRE WRATH ULTRAThis time last week it was sunbathing weather on the summits, but oh how quickly that fades into a distant memory!One thing that won't be fading into the memory will be what the competitors of the Cape Wrath Ultra® have achieved over the past week and more. Covering over 400km in 8 days across some of the most challenging terrain in Scotland, the race saw Scotland's full range of weather conditions.When entering, the competitors are given the option to donate to the volunteer Mountain Rescue teams through which the race passes - and we met Shane and Dave of Ourea Events® on the sunny finish line in Kinlochewe to collect the £300 cheque* for Torridon MRT, and see their impressive race setup.A huge thank you to the competitors for their donations towards our team, and to Ourea Events for setting an industry leading example of how commercial events can support and operate alongside volunteer Mountain Rescue teams. We look forward to the next one!*The eagle eyed amongst you will notice this is a reused cheque from last year - and we can't argue with that approach to sustainability!Scottish Mountain Rescue #capewrathultra #cwu2025 #capewrath #capewrathtrail #eventmedical ... See MoreSee Less

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Torridon Mountain Rescue Team is at Bealach na Bà.

1 week ago

Torridon Mountain Rescue Team
WESTER ROSS THE PLACE TO BE!It was a busy weekend for the team with Saturday seeing the Bealach Na Ba Cycle Sportive head over the Bealach na Bà, with the team providing First Aid support at key locations around the route. It's fantastic to be able to support these community events, and the team is very grateful for the donations that allow us to operate as a volunteer team.In parallel, Scottish Mountain Rescue were holding a technical rigging course at our base in Torridon, with volunteers from multiple teams across Scotland coming together under the watchful eye of rope wizards, Dave Chapman and Jon Sanders. @cairngormmrt TaysideMRT Cairngorm Adventure Guides @adventure_course_construction Big thanks to the instructors for such an excellent course.All of this critical training uses volunteer time and costs money. As a team, we are totally reliant on public donations. Please consider supporting our vital work at the link in our bio. Thank you.#torridon #bealachnaba #bealachnabà #nc500 #roperescue ... See MoreSee Less

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Torridon Mountain Rescue Team

2 weeks ago

Torridon Mountain Rescue Team
"so you're going to run 55km around these hills and swim 3.5km across five lochs enroute?""Yes!"We are lucky to have some wildly capable people in our team, and this was demonstrated at the weekend by our very own @stretton.sarah who took on a solo, unsupported 'Ring of Stirling' round - the wildest swim/run in the UK. Taking in the Torridon giants and some committing swimming, including across the Diabaig Narrows, Sarah made the most of the recent stable weather to cruise around in style - not even wearing a wetsuit!The round was created in memory of Chris Stirling who loved these rugged landscapes, and competed in multiple @cxtriCeltman triathlons here. Search 'Ring of Stirling' to find out more about the round and get inspired to take it on yourself."All good adventures start in Shieldaig" - Chris Stirling@scottishmountainrescue#ringofstirling#torridon#swimrun#westerross#nc500 ... See MoreSee Less

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       Scottish Mountain Rescue
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teamleader[at]torridonmrt.org.uk

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