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kinder mountain rescue team Training

Kinder Mountain Rescue Team achieves its high level of competence through a thorough training programme. Typically training takes place three times per week. It consists of one casualty care (first aid) evening session, one general search and mountain rescue evening session and one full day exercise covering a number of aspects of mountain rescue.

First Aid and Casualty Care

All mountain rescue team members are expected to have taken (and passed) a recognised First Aid qualification. This is usually done via an employer or local evening classes. Most people take a St John or Red Cross First Aid at Work qualification, although training from any suitable source to the required standard will be accepted.

The monthly evening training sessions cover the Mountain Rescue Casualty Care programme. This has been specifically designed to provide advanced trauma and life support in mountain rescue situations. It includes, for example the administration of drugs, including morphine, and gases (entonox and oxygen), use of an automatic defibrillator and application of a variety of supports and vacuum splints..

Casualty care training is taken by a selection of qualified team members and occasional external trainers, including trauma consultants from local hospitals. The monthly outdoor exercises put the indoor training into practice in a realistic mountain rescue scenario.

Most members hold the Mountain Rescue Casualty Care certificate, which is assessed by theoretical examination and practical scenario every three years.

Search & Mountain Rescue Training

This is covered by lecture style sessions at the HQ or out in the field for practical exercises. The training prospectus covers:-

• Crag Rescue
• Radio Communications
• Site Management
• Care and Use of Equipment
• Difficult Extractions
• Helicopter Training
• Search Techniques
• Lighting
• Knots and Belays

Some training elements are compulsory. These include the Helicopter and Rope Rescue sessions.

Driver Training

A number of team members are nominated drivers for the team landrovers. Drivers undergo additional training, including off-road driving and blue light training for emergency response.