Coastguard Training
Posted: Sunday, 09 March 2008 |
I spent the whole weekend with a bunch o strapping men. Have I got your attention? Ok, now I'll explain.
I'm one of the volunteer coastguards here in Unst, and had the opportunity of attending training to learn how to use the new equipment that all UK coastguard rescue teams are being issued with.
Training was held in Unst, as there is a great facility here in the ex RAF property, perfect for this sort of group event. We had guys from all over Shetland, including some from Fair Isle, which is as far away from Unst as you can get. Our trainers were the Sector Managers from Wick, Orkney and Shetland.
The training involved the putting on of the harness; attaching the kit to your harness correctly so you can safely descend; being able to AScend as well as DEscend; and some rescue sling and stretcher stuff too. There's still lots to learn before we can actually use the new equipment in a rescue situation, but it includes some really good kit.
The weekend was successful, with a 100% pass rate in the assessments (PHEW), and it was great to meet some of the volunteers from other teams.
Here's a few pics to give you an idea of what we do.
Demonstrations
Harness going on
Nearly ready for climbing
Rescuing a 'casualty'
Using the Stretcher (we used a dummy!)
Waiting for the Assessments (a bit too similar to a visit to the Dentist!)
Group pic
Fair Isles guys gettin a lift from Oscar Charlie.
Bye guys!!
I'm one of the volunteer coastguards here in Unst, and had the opportunity of attending training to learn how to use the new equipment that all UK coastguard rescue teams are being issued with.
Training was held in Unst, as there is a great facility here in the ex RAF property, perfect for this sort of group event. We had guys from all over Shetland, including some from Fair Isle, which is as far away from Unst as you can get. Our trainers were the Sector Managers from Wick, Orkney and Shetland.
The training involved the putting on of the harness; attaching the kit to your harness correctly so you can safely descend; being able to AScend as well as DEscend; and some rescue sling and stretcher stuff too. There's still lots to learn before we can actually use the new equipment in a rescue situation, but it includes some really good kit.
The weekend was successful, with a 100% pass rate in the assessments (PHEW), and it was great to meet some of the volunteers from other teams.
Here's a few pics to give you an idea of what we do.
Demonstrations
Harness going on
Nearly ready for climbing
Rescuing a 'casualty'
Using the Stretcher (we used a dummy!)
Waiting for the Assessments (a bit too similar to a visit to the Dentist!)
Group pic
Fair Isles guys gettin a lift from Oscar Charlie.
Bye guys!!
Comments
Well done,ruthie, I am what they call over here "a secourist"otherwise volonteer paqramedic only i don't go rescuing people that need lifted out by helico-car crashes,sadly are enough for me!!--(ps i leave it up to pasacl to be rescued by helico--especially when he's in difficulty on the tasman sea) he knows what i'm talking about!!
carol from in awe and admiration
Ruth, the diversity of your talents never fails to amaze me. I like the cool coastguard outfits, having one of them must be a good incentive to join! And which of the men is Mr Fair Isle in Stitches?
Jill from EK
Mr FIIS is in the pix, but I doot I'll have to leave it to him or Mrs FIIS to tell you!
Ruthodanort from Unst
You are some lass, Ruth. What a grand sight to see you amongst all those lads! And I too am taken with the uniform....
Stromness Dragon from Terra firma
There's no doubt about it Ruth, you are a gal who knows how to enjoy herself!
Flying Cat from propping up a swooning fpu
I've always said that Ruthiebabe was fit.
Tws from The Croft Lewis
Oh have you Tws? I for one never noticed. LMAO.
Flying Cat from a hard stare
Mr FIS is, on the waiting for assessments pics, sitting to the right of Derek (the bird obbs warden who is wearing the lovely glowy yellow jacket) dark hair & specs.
Mrs FIS from Fair Isle Mud Spa
Nice one Ruth, I never knew you had so many good looking guys up there in the far north. Keep up the good work, and good luck with the rest of your training. Keep the pictures coming.
Sectorman from Shetland
FC, what's LMAO? BTW; LOL!
Ruthodanort from Unst
I am impressed, but how can you find the time. Du m氓 vere ei effektiv dame.
Dag from Norway
Well, FIS, Mr FIS is one of a number of hunky guys, any of whom would be a major asset dangling from a helicopter.
Jill from EK
I really hope none o those guys are readin this, describing them as 'hunky' is gonna make them unbearable.
Ruthodanort from Unst
Oh dear I hope you didn't think I meant I hadn't noticed you were 'fit' Ruth when what I meant was I had never noticed that Tws has quite frequently referred in a rather obsessive sort of way, I've always thought, to your being so if you see what I mean. Still Laughing My A**e Off...
Flying Cat from a sardonic grin
LMAO- is laughing my (Alpha Roger Sierra Echo) off, I think? Maybe that's why FC has no rear end??
Tws from The Croft Lewis
FC has one whopping tail. Or are you referring to the quadruped's fpu? I, for one, would not know, TWS.
mjc from NM,USA
With the coast guard volunteers from so many islands, it's going to be hard to decide where I should scuttle my boat. Maybe Fair Isle? Good bread, green eggs ...
mjc from NM,USA
If you were near enough to my rear end Tws you'd know it was there and no mistake!
Flying Cat from heaven scent
ok i will keep my mug shut!!
carol(or tws's weather girl) from you know where
I hope the coast guard guys don't drop on the Fank unannounced (with map provided by Rutho. doubtless). The WI males would not be too happy.
mjc from NM,USA
Excellent move Ruthie! Now that's my idea of a good weekend!
Sunny from Arran Exile
New computer? New Blog?
All of Fetlar from Fetlar
new computer = different photo software so have to figure oot anew how to shrink photees. So once that's done, Fetlar will get a blog.
Ruthodanort from Unst
All of Fetlar from Fetlar - what do you mean? New computer? New Blog?
Really confused from A place too far!!!
Is there a course you guys go on to learn 'Blog Speak'? I read, regularly, Ruthodanort's blog and, mostly, have not got a ing clue what it's all about!! Brilliantly entertaining - and some FANTASTIC photography - but to a Blog Virgin...............rather complex!!
Stealing 'Really confused's' name from Sitting at my computer
Another blog please R from U - or would it be Norway right now? Missing the grand photographs!
Kind of bored! from Middle of Nowhere
Sorry, not so much happening here just now. Well, thats not true, but I have a hoose full o bairns cos o holidays, so they're keepin me kindo busy! But I'm headin for Norge on Friday, so maybe I'll get a blog in before I go.
Ruthodanort from Unst
RUTH!! Where is the blog? Have you gone? To Norway that is! Look forward to seeing your photos ............ and hearing your news!
Now REALLY bored from Kind of the outskirts of nowhere
New computer & still nae blog? Where has it gone? Has it been sucked up by the spam filter of destiny?
Muness from Elsewhere
Ok ok, no blog yet, and as they charge by the second in this place u aint gettin one till I get back to Unst. Nice weather here tho, and I got my camera cleaned by the Sony place in Storgaten for NUFFIN! And they say Norway's expensive.....
Ruthodanort from the usual internet cafe in bergen
Some kind of destiny but not spam...
Flying Cat from Destiny Rides Again
Come on Ruth!!! School hols. are well and truly over - maybe you're still in Norway..................but you can still blog! AND I'm sure you took some grand photos. SHOW them!
B O R E D stiff! from Still waiting..................
Cyber-nagging whatever next...
Flying Cat from see you at SFF
FC, oops. I'm only goin to the Fetlar one. Which will you be at? Ok ok, blog comin soon.
Ruthodanort from Unst
news please!!!!!!!!
carol from in anticipation
Staying in town and going to Opening Concert; British Legion; Clickimin; BL Sunday and Shet Hotel Foy...see you another year mebbe.
Flying Cat from s氓 synd
FC - snap
scallowawife from awaitin the start
I've just got back from New Zealand and came across some interesting Unst gravestones from 1880 plus. If interested please look under Whalsay
aquaerial from whalsay
Blogs fae a thirty-something mum of 4 born in Fife, brought up in Orkney, and living in Unst.
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