A member of the British Cave Rescue Council MCRO - a member of the British Cave Rescue Council

Training Day at Total Access


Contents:

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Training Day, Sunday 13th January 2013

Over Thirty team members from MCRO and GCRG arrived at Total Access (UK) Limited's classrooms and training centre facilities once again on Sunday 13th January 2013 for a series of presentations and practical training.

 

Surface Searches

Introduction to Surface Searching by Dr. John DuttonWe were very fortunate to have Dr. John Dutton, MREW Search Manager join us, to give the main presentation of the day, an "Introduction to Surface Search".

 

John ran through the basic techniques of organising searches, lines of responsibility and reporting, plus personal requirements of individual search team members - how to be prepared for long searches, along with examples of various search scenarios and case studies.

 

The personal kit needed by a surface searcher

 

Practical Sessions

After lunch team members were split into groups of 4 to 6 and tried their hand at carrying out a simple search in the grounds around Total Access.

 

Tyrolean Traverse

While waiting their turn for the practice searches Team members familiarised themselves with the new contents of the team rigging kits.

 

Use was also made of the excellent training facilities at Total Access to rig a Tyrolean Traverse.

 

One of these was used during the Clive Rescue practice, in November 2012, to get the stretcher across the 30m deep winze. However due to the confined nature of the mine few team members were able to see how it was rigged. So this was an ideal opportunity for everyone to to see what was needed and discover potential pit-falls!

 

Rigging the 'fixed' end of the Tyrolean Traverse

Use of a Petzl Rig on the haulage line

The stretcher on the Tyrolean Traverse, complete with 70kg casualty

A hand-jammer and pulley used on the haulage line

The Tyrolean Traverse from above!


Final Session

To round off the day Keith Edwards demonstrated his computerised version of the T-Card system. It is still a 'work in progress' but what he has developed so far is working really well.

Keith Edwards demonstrating his computerised T-card system

Keith Edwards demonstrating his computerised T-card system


Thank You

To Total Access for allowing us to use their fantastic venue, to all those that assisted with the training and to everyone that supported and attended the event. In particular, it was good to see new faces and ones we have not seen for some time, we look forward to seeing you underground.