64 SPRING 2018 THE ONLY OFFICIAL MAGAZINE FOR MOUNTAIN RESCUE IN ENGLAND, WALES, SCOTLAND AND IRELAND - Mountain Rescue England and Wales
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ISSN 1756-8749
£4.75
64 SPRING
2018
THE ONLY OFFICIAL MAGAZINE FOR MOUNTAIN RESCUE IN ENGLAND, WALES, SCOTLAND AND IRELAND
ISSN 1756-8749
£4.75
64 SPRING
2018
THE ONLY OFFICIAL MAGAZINE FOR MOUNTAIN RESCUE IN ENGLAND, WALES, SCOTLAND AND IRELAND
WELCOME TO
ISSUE 64
Mountain Rescue is the only
inthisissue
official magaziine for mountain
rescue in England, Wales,
Scotland and Ireland.
EDITORIAL
Judy Whiteside
07836 50 9 812
editor@mountain.rescue.org.uk
rack
KeepingTe life...
Andy Simpson
0161 764 0999
press@mountain.rescue.org.uk
th
A year in
Caroline Davenport
01270 878 324
caroline@media-solution.co.uk
mountain.rescue.org.uk
#MREWDis
covery
Following the MREW Land Rover
on its journey around England
and Wales 6
NEXT ISSUE
ISSUE 65
Editorial Copy Deadline:
Friday 8 June 2018
12 Mental Health #itsoktotalk: Andy
Elwood talks about coming to terms
with his own mental health issues
Editorial copy must be supplied
as Word document.
Images must be supplied as
high resolution (300 dpi)
JPG/EPS/TIFF/PDF.
18
The Safety Issue Keep our
Advertising artwork must be
supplied, ready prepared on
mountains free and dangerous:
CD or via email as font Writer, climber and philosopher
embedded high resolution Francis Sanzaro puts the case
PDF/EPS/TIFF (300 dpi).
22
Stemming a rising tide in
Cover
call-outs Judy Whiteside looks at
the story behind the newly
story
launched #adventuresmartwales
27
Tackling the ‘avoidable
call-outs’ message Media advice
from Sally Seed on what to say
Northumberland
when they happen
National Park MRT
medical officer
Jamie Pattison with
a stranded vehicle
© NNPMRT.
AMBLESIDE MEDICAL CONFERENCE:
Mr David Knowles on Fracture Management in the Field, Dr Theo
Weston on Major Incidents, Dr Alison Sambrook on Uncommon
46
Medical Problems, Dr Les Gordon on Hypothermia and Dr Ei Ei
what’s in at a glance
Htwe on Sickle Cell Disease
PLEASE NOTE
Articles carried in Mountain
Rescue do not necessarily
NATIONAL NEWS: 5-17 MEDICAL: 46-54
reflect the opinions of Mountain MENTAL HEALTH: 12-15 MORE TEAM NEWS: 54
Rescue England and Wales.
We do not accept responsibility FOOD FOR THOUGHT: 18-25 INCIDENTS: 9
for advertising content.
MEDIA ADVICE: 27 SEARCH DOGS: 40-41
TEAM NEWS: 29-45 WHO’S WHO: 56-57
SPRING 2018 MOUNTAIN RESCUE MAGAZINE 3
UPDATEMREW
MIKE FRANCE CHAIRMAN
It’s fair to say we have had a good winter this year, with great snowfalls and long cold spells, but it
looks like mountain rescuing has at times got in the way of us playing in the hills. There have been
some stunning pictures on social media, some dramatic rescues and some good shots of you
enjoying your passion of mountaineering.
You may have noticed a few more Scottish JD Foundation (JDF) asking if they would like issues. If they arose, I would address them.
Mountain Rescue stories in the last issue? to be a partner on the project to promote Over the years there have been some very
Copies of the magazine are now making safety in the outdoors, to which they agreed. difficult issues and as a management team
their way north of the Border — and also west We’ve put some money to one side in this we have addressed them. I believe we are
to Mountain Rescue Ireland — so welcome year’s budget for this — a national joined-up stronger today as an organisation than we
guys and girls, we look forward to more of campaign could be a costly exercise. At the have ever been. This showed at the UKSAR
your news. UKSAR conference, following Phil Benbow’s conference. We attended as a very capable,
In the last magazine I talked about looking presentation about ‘Adventure Smart Wales’, equal partner. Our organisation is respected
for a new chair of the APPG. Thanks to Steve I asked Andy Simpson, publications chair, to at the highest level and this only happens
Cullabine, of Woodhead MRT, who put me in call a meeting of his group, inviting Phil and because other UKSAR services see a well-
touch with Lee Rowley MP. Lee has agreed representatives from JDF to see if we could run, well managed organisation that
to take on this challenging task. I have asked roll this great idea out in England. If the performs rescues to the highest standard.
you to let me have the names and teams get behind this campaign, I think it will That’s down to everyone.
constituencies of any MPs who support your go a long way to promote safety in the hills Finally, I understand Steve Wood and David
team. What I intend to do is give these along with the work of MREW. Coleman, both trustees, have called a
names to Lee so, when he calls a meeting In my manifesto I said that, under my meeting of the regional chairs to look at the
of MPs, he will get people interested in our tenure, the organisation would continue to be review of MREW. I am looking forward to
work. I’m also happy to receive any names run by volunteers and I didn’t want to take hearing the views of the review panel which I
our Scottish and Irish colleagues may have. control away from teams. The workload guess will mean more work for the trustees
I understand the politics, but the APPG is a today is massive, but I still have that vision in and management team. If we agree things
UK government working group my sights. Mountain Rescue is a voluntary need to change, then change they will.
Last year, the regional chairs group asked organisation but to keep the organisation Following what I’ve just said about the views
that MREW do something to help reduce the voluntary we need to be effective in the ‘back of UKSAR, this may also be a good time to
number of unnecessary calls to teams, office’ (MREW), so I’m comfortable that draw your attention to a paper ‘What does
suggesting we needed to put together a some of the services to run mountain rescue MREW do for you’. You will find it on the
national safety campaign. Mike Margeson continue to be bought in. The Scottish model website. Worth a read. ✪
has met a few times with the BMC about this seems to work well.
and I’ve had a couple of meetings with the I also said I wouldn’t duck any difficult
GDPR: DEREK BROWN
Following on from the previous article (MR
Magazine, Winter 2018), the GDPR information
gathering exercise was completed in mid-
February with 75% of teams and regions
responding. This was a great response and
indicates the level of interest in the subject.
A massive thanks goes out to those who responded and to the teams
who kindly volunteered to be interviewed to help us understand things
better. In addition we received a number of draft documents that were
shared on the basis that we could use them to develop materials to
support teams. Hopefully this exercise alone has increased awareness
of what constitutes personal data and how it should be protected.
INCORRECT STORAGE – CORRECT STORAGE We carried out analysis of the responses and used it to inform the
TURNBUCKLE NOT – TURNBUCKLE report that will be issued to MREW trustees very soon. Some key
UNSCREWED FULLY UNSCREWED themes were identified and we will be moving forward in Phase Two of
the project to provide the support materials that were identified as being
ERRATUM. MR MAG JANUARY 2018: crucial to teams to enable them to comply with the new data protection
REF: ACCIDENTAL DAMAGE TO BELL regulation. This will include specific training materials for team data
STRETCHER HEADGUARDS protection officers and awareness training for team members.
Please note the images had been incorrectly By end of March we will be issuing a high level summary of the report,
(identically) captioned (the perils of cut and along with a timetable of Phase Two products that teams can use if they
paste!) Correct captions as above. Thanks to feel that they would be helpful. In Phase Two we will also be working
the eagle-eyed readers who pointed this out more closely with key system owners to support their GDPR journey.
and apologies to Lyon.
SPRING 2018 MOUNTAIN RESCUE MAGAZINE 5
ngTr a ck
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A year in
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Images courtesy of: Coniston,
Cockermouth, Patterdale,
Cleveland and Scarborough &
Ryedale teams and Neil Ingram,
via Facebook #MREWDiscovery
Top: Rob McDougal (Sales
Executive, Land Rover Ripon),
David Martin (Service
Supervisor, Land Rover Ripon),
Ken Dunbar (PR Officer,
STRETCH
Cleveland MRT), Martin Codd
Testing ER CASE (Vehicle Officer, Cleveland MRT)
for stre space
tcher
and Louise Scatchard (Service
and kit.. SUPPORT
10 March . COMMUNI ING THE
Advisor, Land Rover, Ripon)
2018 Beast frTY as
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6 MOUNTAIN RESCUE MAGAZINE SPRING 2018 SPRING 2018 MOUNTAIN RESCUE MAGAZINE 7
UPDATEMREW
MARCH: JD FOUNDATION AND MREW EVENT
ELAINE GILLILAND The visitors tried their hands with 4x4 off road experience, traverse, scramble, search,
stretcher carry, first aid and dog demonstration activities. The charities involved were CRY
(Cardiac Response in the Young), Salford Foundation, Sport4Life, Papyrus, Smiling Families,
It was a spectacularly successful
the Factory Youth Zone, Once Upon A Smile and Kidscape. The aim was to give everyone
JD Foundation Charities event
the opportunity to access every activity, the objective being to allow everyone to have at least
weekend at Holcombe Moor
one go, have fun and make them smile, and this was achieved twofold.
Army Cadet Training Camp in
Feedback during the weekend and since has been amazing. A huge thanks to all of the
early March, entertaining 84
people involved in running the event over the weekend, specifically Bowland Pennine,
children and young adults (130
Rossendale and Pendle, Cleveland and Bolton teams, SARDA England and SARDA Wales,
people including carers and
the Holcombe Moor Army Cadet Training Centre, regional and MREW officers and a number
families), as well as 45 JD Group
of mountain rescue families who also offered their support. Here’s to the next one!
and Foundation staff.
incidents
October to December 2017
Lake District Northumberland NP 17 South Wales
Cockermouth 12 Scarborough & Ryedale 3 Brecon 31
Coniston 10 Swaledale 1 Central Beacons 3
Duddon and Furness 13 Teesdale & Weardale 1
Kendal 11 South West
Keswick 25 North Wales SARA 1
Kirkby Stephen 15 Ogwen Valley 9
Yorkshire Dales
Langdale Ambleside 28 Peak District CRO 15
Patterdale 17 Buxton 29 Upper Wharfedale 14
Penrith 9 Derby 18
Wasdale 17 Edale 11 Search Dogs
Kinder 1 England 6
Mid-Pennine Lakes 6
Bowland Pennine 16 Woodhead 6
Calder Valley 15 Peninsula RAF
Cornwall 6 Leeming 1
North East
Cleveland 10 Dartmoor Okehampton 5 Total 392
North of Tyne 1 Dartmoor Tavistock 6
Exmoor 3
*
NOTE: A NUMBER OF RECORDS ARE MISSING FROM THESE STATS. THE CORRECT FIGURES
(AND ANY DISCREPANCIES) SHOULD BE REPORTED TO THE STATISTICS OFFICER
SPRING 2018 MOUNTAIN RESCUE MAGAZINE 9
MREW REGIONAL
INCIDENT MANAGEMENT
TRAINING ROLLS INTO
CONFERENCEREPORT
THE LAKES
The courses, partly funded by Libor and run
by Berwicks, are now being delivered in most
regions. The Lakes version took place at
Patterdale team base earlier this year and
was attended by team members from
across the Lake District. Carolyn Otley, of
Cockermouth MRT, reports.
‘Grab a laptop, find
someone to take with you,
and drive across to Police
HQ before the road
floods.’
‘Good, you’re here!
Have you got everything
Photo: Nick Lumb
you need? Are you onto
our wi-fi? We’ve just
declared a major incident,
and we’ll be holding Gold
meetings in the room at
FEBRUARY’S FIRST UKSAR Photos © Vivienne Bailey Photography
the end of the corridor.
You’re very welcome to join us if you want to....’
CONFERENCE CELEBRATES
The floods caused by Storm Desmond in
December 2015 certainly provided an opportunity THE WORK OF THE WIDER impressive catering provision),
and a whistle-stop pitch at our
team, ‘Risking Life and Limb’). But
discretion, as they say, is the
case. Although the top did
explode out of one of my Bristow
twelve non-stop hours of the stuff
— was to kick-back with my
for immersive learning around the coordination of
major incidents. I was already reasonably familiar
with the LDSAMRA major incident plan — but things
SEARCH AND RESCUE FAMILY chosen targets... er, networking
opportunities. Then on to what we
better part of valour. Best not.
Prince William’s presence at the
pens during use. All that
scribbling.
mates. Arghh!! Not helped in the
least by the gentlemen on either
really came for, the educational conference was thanks in no Neither were there many side of me who thought it polite to
would certainly have been less stressful with a bit
more knowledge of how the statutory organisations Judy Whiteside reports on a busy two stuff.
With four workshops running
small part to MREW chairman
Mike France, who extended an
women up there in the spotlight
for those opening or closing
exclude me from
conversations, like school ground
their
coordinate the overall response.
Fortunately, that’s just what the new MREW
days of networking at the NEC. concurrently at any one time, invitation to our patron on behalf of sessions. That said, sitting bullies. So much for ‘recognising
there was a lot going on. Al UKSAR. A handful of mountain alongside two of my female when our colleagues are feeling
Regional Tactical Incident course covers.
All roads led to the NEC on Thursday evening, 8 February, as mountain Read’s ‘Training and Standards — rescuers were introduced to the mountain rescue colleagues for isolated’, as one workshop
Information about the Local Resilience Forum
and cave rescue team members from across England, Wales and Interoperability for SAR’ proved a Duke over the lunch break. Derby the grand finale, we totted up that earnestly encouraged us to do.
structures that are used to bring organisations
Scotland began to converge on Birmingham for the first ever UKSAR popular choice. On arrival, each of MRT member Graeme Poole was 29 men had presented workshops Maybe I was still a blur?
together to plan for emergencies, and details of how
conference to celebrate the work of search and rescue, be that the 90 delegates were presented one of them. ‘He was very well over the two days, and 12 women. Thank you to those whose
the Strategic, Tactical and Operational Coordination
Groups that are established during an incident
paid service or voluntary. Well, I say ‘all roads’. Cumbria to Birmingham with a ticket for their ‘table’, prising briefed and asked pertinent and Of the 252 delegates attending, feedback has helped inform this
proved considerably more tortuous than expected thanks to two them away from the familiar to sometimes challenging questions’, 40 were female. So, on reflection, write-up (when I eventually pinned
operate.
major traffic accidents and rain so heavy you could barely see the work with colleagues from says Graeme. at 16% that’s probably higher than them down) and thanks to UKSAR
Perhaps the most useful part of the day was
car bonnet. Oh for a search and rescue helicopter... different operational cultures to Other workshops included topics the ratio of male to female team for setting the whole thing up and
information about the kind of input that might be
address a volley of questions. as diverse as tax, insurance and members at grass roots level including mountain rescue.
expected from a mountain rescue representative at
We’ll have more on that particular grants, avalanche protocols, where the majority of applicants to The (almost) last word then to
those meetings — and the opportunity to practise Finally checked in, suitably refreshed you get the gist). Then, perhaps a little workshop in July’s issue. drones, SAR in Northern Ireland, join teams still appear to be ‘white, Graeme, who reported back to
putting together and delivering a briefing. It was a and breakfasted — and further tested prematurely with hindsight, he noted Mental health and wellbeing was drowning prevention and flood middle class and male’. Derby team that there was
very interactive course with plenty of practical in our search skills to find the relevant ‘the recent spate of poor weather — perhaps the most topical thread, response, helicopters and No doubt the ‘official’, online ‘nothing earth shattering
exercises — and I certainly came away with a much hall in an otherwise deserted NEC what we used to call winter’. with a number of workshops reducing call-outs. One of these feedback will have reflected all operations-wise’, but it was good
firmer grasp of how the major incident coordination (Upstairs! Who knew they had an I suspect a snowflake had fluttered running across the two days and workshops, about mental health these points (they DID ask for to discover that all the
structures are supposed upstairs?) — we joined colleagues on Regent Street. The Beast had yet a surprise visitor on Friday. (#itsoktotalk) features on page 12, honest appraisal), and in two organisations have similar
to operate. from the RAF MRS, Lowland Rescue, to show its face. Prevented from parking our bums others will be coming along in the years time the second UKSAR successes and problems. And
Of course, there’s no ...CERTAINLY A the RNLI and a number of smaller A second welcome then, from Alex on our preferred seats on the front next issue. All were informative — conference will have addressed therein lies the premise (and
better way to reinforce TRAINING COURSE rescue charities alongside the MCA, Sharp of Sikorsky, the headline row, and made to wait for several if a little too long on occasion, and any imbalances. success) of this conference. Paid
learning than practice I’D RECOMMEND! Bristow Helicopters, representatives sponsor, tugging the heart strings with minutes before the first perhaps geared more towards the But, niggles aside, it WAS a or voluntary, we share so much in
— and that came from the emergency services and his assertion that ‘an airplane can fly presentation (about the Mind Blue paid sector than the voluntary. It great networking opportunity, and common.
sooner than expected. government in the Concourse Suite over and drop flowers. A helicopter Light Programme), we suspected was quite water-centric too. But definitely an event worth attending. Graeme too, valued the
Within a couple of weeks, the Beast from the East for the grand opening. can land and save lives’. Except something might be up. And then then the MCA strapline — as we Outside of the workshops, I doubt opportunity to network, adding
hit Cumbria, an ‘Unusual Incident’ declared, and a No fewer than five opening when it can’t, of course. he arrived, our MREW patron, the were reminded by the agency’s I was visible as more than a blur that ‘those informal relationships
Strategic Coordination Group established, chaired speakers took to the podium to Next up was Richard Parkes, Duke of Cambridge, himself a Damien Oliver during his double- for much of the time — too many will encourage future joint
by Cumbria Police. The Lake District mountain welcome delegates, priming a rapt chairman of the UKSAR strategic fervent advocate of greater mental act final address with Bristow’s names to put to email addresses, operations with a higher level of
confidence.’ Roll on 2020. ✪
rescue teams put their Major and Unusual Incident audience for the ‘advanced networking committee, and Gareth Pritchard health awareness. Russell Torbet — is ‘Safer lives, old friends to share a giggle with,
Top, left to right: Exceedingly good
Plans into operation, and spent five days skills’ exercise ahead, ripples of QPM, swiftly followed by Chief ‘Is one allowed to tap the future safer ships, safer seas’. too many notes to scribble and
stationery; UKSAR Conference podium. Above,
participating in the multi-agency coordination recognition from the floor punctuating Inspector Neil Anderson from Police king on the shoulder?’ I wondered If we’re talking niggles, there far too little time to shoehorn it all
left to right: Bristow display; HRH The Duke
groups (and responding to nearly 40 incidents). It rousing, polished speeches. Scotland. ‘We absolutely could not do fleetingly, from my seat wasn’t a single ‘headline’ speaker in. My only gripe on the
definitely felt less stressful to me than Storm ‘Celebrity inspired madness!’ said it without the support of our volunteer immediately behind that very up on that podium from the networking front was Friday
Desmond, as I had a far better idea how we fitted in Sir Alan Massey KCB CBE. ‘Satnav partners and agencies’, said Neil. Ah. of Cambridge; Kev Mitchell (SMR), Damon
shoulder (bearing in mind we voluntary sector, land or sea, and evening’s dinner when we were
to the overall structure... so certainly a training lunacy!’ (Two phrases I feel sure had Now we’re getting to it. This is what Powell (SMR), Graeme Poole (Derby MRT)
course I’d recommend! ✪
have met before on more than a great deal about Bristow, who randomly shuffled onto tables of
a little more context. My scribbling we want to hear. And with that it was one occasion and he did, of sponsored the stationery. And strangers, much like Al’s training Moira Weatherstone (SMR), Richard Parkes
hand hadn’t quite got up to speed off for lukewarm coffee (or tea, in my course, provide a foreword for my they do indeed do a good workshop. Enforced networking! (UKSAR) the Duke of Cambridge, Mike France
with my good ear at that point, but case, the only disappointing bit of an book about the Ogwen Valley notebook and pen. Or two, in my When all I really wanted — after (MREW) and Dave Close (MREW).
10 MOUNTAIN RESCUE MAGAZINE SPRING 2018 SPRING 2018 MOUNTAIN RESCUE MAGAZINE 11
mental health
feelings and emotions after traumatic events, Three key things made it work and they are
which are common in UKSAR. The quirky a great guide to help you listen, when
illustrations and simple language really get someone feels they want to talk:
the message across well on a level we can • Create safety and trust
all make sense of. • Listen carefully
Secondly, ‘Save-My-Life-School’ by Natalie • Don’t judge.
Harris, a paramedic from Toronto, who I continued to serve with RAF SAR,
developed PTSD after attending a call when completed a tour of Afghanistan as a
she had to treat a murderer in the same paramedic on the battlefield rescue
room as two of his victims. This is a page helicopter and joined Coastguard SAR. Life
turner of a book from an individual on the was good and I never looked back.
About five years after Afghanistan, I was on
holiday in France with my wife and I ducked
THERE IS STILL A LOT OF STIGMA IN into the shower one morning before we
OUR ‘CAN-DO, CRACK-ON’ CULTURE headed out. Suddenly, I was in an upturned
#itsoktotalk
AND MANY OF OUR ORGANISATIONS Land Rover with a trapped patient in
DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH STRUCTURED Afghanistan. (This was a job I had done out
SUPPORT NETWORKS IN PLACE WHEN there). It felt claustrophobic and I could feel
SOMEONE DOES HAVE THE COURAGE the 50-degree heat of the day. I could feel the
TO RAISE A HAND AND ASK FOR HELP sand on my skin and the weight of my body
armour. I could see the patient in front of me
and I could feel the pressure I was under to
frontline. This will help you understand give best care, extricate him and the danger
depression especially, but also PTSD, turning I felt to my own life.
to alcohol to cope and the recovery process I closed my eyes and I could still see the
after someone tries to end her own life. patient and when I turned the shower to cold,
I love my job. As Jim Fox writes, ‘Find a job I could still feel the heat of the day. No matter
you love and you’ll never work another day in how hard I scrubbed, I could not get rid of the
your life’. This was how I felt in my early years feeling of sand on my skin. This was a very
in SAR. Each day was an amazing frightening experience and the best way I
adventure. I’d seen lots of traumatic incidents can describe it is like having a nightmare
already and been fine, so mental health was when you are awake.
something other people had to worry about, When I got out of the shower and came
not me. through to my wife, I must have looked
Until one day, I rescued a patient with a terrible because straight away she was very
serious head injury from an off-shore rig. He concerned for me and asked what was
vomited into my eyes and mouth and his wrong.
Main photo: Andy Elwood in action with RAF SAR
vomit contained blood. I realised after this I was so scared now — had I got PTSD? I
Inset: The Big22 campaign © Andy Elwood
incident that there was so much I was not in didn’t want to admit this to myself, let alone
control of, as I had previously thought. my wife. How could this happen out of the
Suddenly I was seriously worried for my own blue, five years on? What was wrong with me?
health and the long term implications due to Very quickly I decided I would tell her what
the potential risk of infection. I’d experienced in the shower. Immediately, I
Because of the blood tests, my GP was felt a little better and gradually things got
I want to share here some of my own However, there is still a lot of stigma to break involved and he offered me the chance to back to normal for me. I could continue with
experiences from a career in the ambulance down in our ‘can-do, crack-on’ culture and see a psychiatrist. This worried me at first — our plans for the day and I haven’t had
service, search and rescue, as a paramedic many of our organisations do not have did he think I was mad? What would the lads another flashback since. It took me a couple
in Afghanistan and caring for and losing close enough structured support networks in place back at work say, if I said I had been to see of days to get back in the shower though! My
family members during normal twenty-first when someone does have the courage to the ‘shrink’? Was I going crazy? Was I not wife saved my life that day because she:
ANDY ELWOOD MEDICAL century life. I hope to show that talking to raise a hand and ask for help. able to cope? Was I a failure? Was this the • Created safety and trust
STANDARDS NORTH, someone about how you feel about traumatic
events can help you to feel better, move on
We have more resources than ever before
to educate and reduce the stigma around
end of my dream job?
I chose to get an appointment, despite the
• Listened carefully
• Didn’t judge.
BRISTOW HELICOPTERS LIMITED and maintain good mental health. The key
takeaway from my own experience is ‘It’s OK
mental health issues, but we still are reading
headlines like these: ‘One in four police
stigma, as I knew I needed some help to get
over the fear I had about my future health
I grew up in Northern Ireland during ‘The
Troubles’, a very stressful and frightening
to talk’. officers who died in Devon and Cornwall and about clipping onto the winch again and time. My mother would talk about it, even
I’m pleased to report that Mental Health was a major theme I believe we have made progress with since 2009 took their own lives’ (The Herald) going to rescue someone — a job I really when her brother was murdered by the IRA,
at the inaugural UKSAR Conference, which was attended by mental health awareness in the last few and ‘Paramedics more at risk of PTSD than loved and didn’t want to stop doing. but my father never did, choosing to bottle it
the Duke of Cambridge. The momentum, which gathered years, thanks to celebrities such as Stephen soldiers’ (www.heart.co.uk). Thankfully, the psychiatrist was brilliant and all up. He was a police officer for 35 years
during various workshops, has led to a National Working Group Fry, Ruby Wax, Carrie Fisher, and the Duke Mental health is difficult to understand, not at all the stereotype I was worried about. and dealt with plenty of traumatic incidents
and Duchess of Cambridge. Charities such especially if you’ve not experienced it I He put me at ease immediately, we had a and lost many friends and colleagues during
being set up within UKSAR to move forward and coordinate a
as Mind Blue Light, Heads Together, Calm recommend two books to introduce you to chat and he explained it was perfectly this time. On reflection, I can see how my
strategy to tackle this issue within all our rescue organisations.
and PTSD999 have started to make a this subject, if you’ve a desire to understand normal to feel like this after such an incident. father was stressed by his lack of
We’ve met already and aim to present our progress and difference too, and most of all I think the more in order to help colleagues and Fantastic — after only a few minutes I felt like engagement at home sometimes and his
structured plan at the Emergency Services Show (September stigma has been cracked in our work yourself. ‘Trauma is Really Strange’ is a great my old self again, ready to get back to work bad moods. I just wish he could have talked
2018 at the NEC). environment by many individual 999 services comic, pitched at a winchman level, which and be winched. This session was so easy about it and unloaded some of this weight.
personnel coming forward to tell their story. explains how it is normal to have strong and so helpful, why did it work so well? It’s important to note that often poor mental
12 MOUNTAIN RESCUE MAGAZINE SPRING 2018 SPRING 2018 MOUNTAIN RESCUE MAGAZINE 13
THE MENTAL HEALTH AT WORK REPORT 2017 LAID OUT THESE HEADLINE STATISTICS SHOWING THE
EXTENT OF THE PROBLEM. SUBSTITUTE VOLUNTEERS FOR ‘EMPLOYEES’ AND I THINK THE FIGURES ARE
RELEVANT TO MOUNTAIN RESCUE AND THROUGHOUT UKSAR.
health and stress can build over a long
cumulative period, rather than just from one
traumatic incident.
In 2016, reports from the US stated that 22
veterans were dying by suicide each day. To
increase awareness of PTSD and these
shocking statistics, a social media campaign
challenged individuals to post videos doing
22 press-ups for 22 days and then nominate
others to also take up the challenge, thus THESE ARE THE TAKEAWAYS IN THE REPORT FOR LEADERS IN YOUR ORGANISATION. I AM PLEASED TO
spreading the awareness further. REPORT THAT UKSAR HAS TAKEN UP THIS ‘CALL TO ACTION’ BY SETTING UP THE NATIONAL STEERING
I empathised with this cause, but thought GROUP ON MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING, FOLLOWING THE CONFERENCE.
I’d shift the focus to emergency services
personnel. I believe there are many military
charities and support, but none for UK
emergency services personnel (many of
whom are also veterans, like myself).
I also thought I could go one better than the
videos in my daily newsfeed of middle-aged
men struggling to do 22 press-ups alone!
So, I decided to make more interesting
videos using the SAR aircraft and featuring
famous landmarks or events such as Cowes
Week, Stanage Edge and Downtown Abbey. returned to work in a short period. This anything and after a short time, agreed it was
I started with a video of the helicopter trying shows that getting the message out there possible and there was nothing bad about
to do press-ups with me (but not quite and breaking down the stigma saves lives. admitting this. This illustrated to me how
keeping up). Although PTSD is treatable, it’s much better deeply instilled the stigma can be, even in
On the last day, I dreamed of all the to catch and treat the early symptoms by someone who would consider himself a
emergency services in my area coming to talking in an open and supporting mental health campaigner.
my base and doing press-ups together with environment following our exposure to Since then, I haven’t looked back. I feel
as many emergency vehicles and aircraft as traumatic incidents. much better, am sleeping well again and
possible. To spread the word and recruit We are working with Mind Blue Light as a tackling life as I did before. I look after myself
others to the cause, I travelled the UK making partner to explore how we can set up a better as I go. Mindfulness has been an
press-up videos with other emergency similar structure to the Peer Trauma Support incredible help to think clearly, have a focus
services. A highlight was at Tower of London (PTS) network in Bristow UKSAR. The and sleep consistently. Try it and you will be
after being transported by the RNLI along the initiative provides support to colleagues amazed how much better you can feel for a
Thames, escorted by police and fire service through a network of volunteers, who are simple investment in yourself for a few
launches. trained in accordance with industry best minutes a day. I recommend trying an app
I soon realised there was a culture of practices and NICE guidelines. such as ‘Calm’.
silence, of bottling up many mental health During my PTS training, I realised I was This last example of how my mental health
issues regarding traumatic incidents at work. was affected by normal life doesn’t involve a
Yet as soon as many people were alone with traumatic incident — it’s just the cumulative
me, they confided they too had suffered or THE SIMPLE MESSAGE IS THAT WE effect of ‘normal’ life. I’ve included it to show
knew someone close to them who had. I SHOULD TALK ABOUT THE INTENSE the importance of looking after yourself, your
heard stories of friends and colleagues who FEELINGS AND EMOTIONS WE colleagues and friends by noticing if they are
had died by suicide from this issue. HAVE AFTER TRAUMATIC EVENTS not their normal selves. I hope you also now
At this time in the UK, suicide was reported have a simple 3-point plan of how to listen
as the No 1 killer of men under 45 years old. showing symptoms of grief, burn-out or when someone wants to talk about
I adopted the message from another stress. This presented primarily by not something that is bothering them.
campaign that #itsoktotalk (with thanks to sleeping well over an extended period. I Having the courage to talk about my
#andysmanclub). The simple message is knew it was good to talk, so I spoke to one perceived weaknesses and problems in
that we should talk about the intense feelings of the trainers and we had a chat to explore these three instances in my career has
and emotions we have after traumatic my issues. These stemmed from an intense made me a stronger and healthier individual
events, which are often part of our normal three-year period of caring for and losing my in the long term, but it wasn’t easy. I’m still
working life in search and rescue. father and my mother-in-law, moving house, doing a job I love and that’s why I’m
On the final day, everyone turned up as setting up a company, changing job, lots of recommending that whatever is bothering
promised, we had three aircraft and lots of travelling and getting a promotion in UKSAR. you, don’t bottle it up. Find someone you
emergency vehicles and boats — see the Immediately I started to feel better, just by trust and tell them about it. #itsoktotalk ✪
video at www.big22.org. talking, because my listener:
It was a great day and two keys things • Created safety and trust
came out to me. Firstly, I heard a member of • Listened carefully YOU CAN CONTACT
the public say, ‘I thought this only happened • Didn’t judge. ANDY BY EMAIL VIA
to the military’ — which totally illustrates how When he suggested to me that, as well as ANDY.ELWOOD@
under-reported these issues are for our grieving, I might have temporary depression, BRISTOWGROUP.COM
emergency services. Secondly, one of the I realised that, despite my own campaigning OR FOLLOW HIM ON
guys who did press-ups with us gathered the for mental health, I still carried a stigma for TWITTER @4NDYELWOOD
courage to ask for help and was diagnosed mental health myself. He asked me what
with PTSD. We ensured he received prompt was so terrible about admitting I might have Right: Andy at the UKSAR Conference
treatment through ‘PTSD999’ and he temporary depression. I couldn’t think of © Vivienne Bailey Photography
SPRING 2018 MOUNTAIN RESCUE MAGAZINE 15
UPDATEMREW
OPERATIONS:
MIKE MARGESON
APB mobile installations ltd
S P E C I A L I S T B LU E L I G H T E Q U I P M E N T I N S TA L L E R S
Winter certainly continued with a country, putting this to the test. By being represented at these conference Has your team considered peer review yet? There is still opportunity to
vengeance, challenging teams up and events we are able to raise issues both inside and outside of formal do so. Tim Cain challenges us to consider why your team wouldn’t want
down the country for days on end. The sessions — for example, the concerns we have over SAR-H training for to take advantage of this training and development opportunity and asks
first MREW core capability of a mountain rescue team, ‘capable of some of our teams. some fundamental questions about the future of this important process.
operating in all weather conditions including full winter conditions, by A major issue facing all of mountain rescue is the need to stem the I believe there is much debate to be had at team, regional and national
night and day’, was certainly tested. Our volunteer team members ever-rising numbers of avoidable incidents. There is some great safety levels about the future direction of this process. This has not happened
have demonstrated their invaluable specialist skills and experience, education work being done by individual teams and regions, but the fact yet and needs to ensure an effective transition at the end of the present
whether in resilience support for their local communities or in providing is that during the busiest times some teams are being delivery mechanism. I can
resources to the statutory blue light services. The fact that the Cabinet stretched close to breaking point. We must respond with a big confirm that the present funding
Office was asking if we could help in the same breath as calling in the national push and campaign. THE FIRST MREW CORE CAPABILITY of the process by MREW will be
armed services is testament to the profile and regard in which Phil Benbow recently presented details of the Adventure OF A MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM, extended until the end of 2019.
mountain rescue teams are held. Smart Wales project at the BMC offices with Mountain Training ‘CAPABLE OF OPERATING IN ALL This will allow for planning
April sees the introduction of the new bandwidth plan and our new England and a number of other kindred organisations. The WEATHER CONDITIONS INCLUDING agreement and consensus by
frequencies and channels. The old analogue system will be gone, project went live on 22 March and is a very effective model. FULL WINTER CONDITIONS, BY teams of what follows.
replaced with new digital channels and radio equipment. The move There is potential to roll this out to other regions, in partnership NIGHT AND DAY’, WAS CERTAINLY Lastly Chris Bagworth, acting
As specialists in the installation of blue light to the Tier 2 digital radio systems is being rolled out. My personal with national park authorities and local tourist boards. It was TESTED MREW equipment officer has
equipment, we can cater for all your needs: experience from my own team is that the clarity is amazing. Over the clear there was a good deal of support for this model as a way been holding the fort but we are
Blue lights, headlamp flash, 2-tone sirens, rear next year, regions will set up their own networks. With the range of to reach as wide an audience as possible with our safety education still looking to fill the position. Having held this post for many years, I know
reds, covert blues, diesel heaters, run lock channels, we should be in a much-improved position for inter-team message. what huge support and knowledge the officer receives from the
systems, tracker units, strobes, hands-free and region working, particularly during major incidents. However, our case was hampered by not being able to present 2017 equipment group, and the really important work that needs doing. There
phone systems, 2-way radios, speakers, GPS and The first UKSAR conference was well attended by team members figures, as some teams and regions have yet to submit them. Hopefully, are two really exciting key projects for the group from my perspective:
satnav systems, plus much more. and MREW officers, along with our Scottish and Irish colleagues. the online reporting system being developed by Rob Shepherd will make work with the medical committee to develop the next vacuum mattress
There was a good range and variety of workshops, which MREW and data collection easier and quicker. Clear data of what is happening and design and the next developments on the MREW/Bell stretcher —
Our on-site service limits down time on the Scottish Mountain Rescue contributed to. It was ironic that inter- how much we do is vitally important in so many ways. The new system perhaps a new joining system of the two halves and round tube upper
vehicle, or we can offer our equipped agency working and JESIP principles were being discussed in various will be able to analyse information in a much more useful and rail with telescopic handles (and, no, I am not going back to being
equipment officer!) ✪
workshops near Peterborough. workshops. Only days before, the first of the severe weather hit the constructive manner.
● Blue Light Conversions
● Airwave Installations ● Vehicle CCTV
● Vehicle Tracking
● Amber Light Conversions al thoughts for the
What follows are my person
● Vehicle Racking ● Conspicuity . I’ve called it ‘a
possible future of peer review to impose the
● Vehicle Lighting vision’. It by no means atte
process on teams, wh ich I
mp
bel
ts
iev e would be counter- How do we embed the process?
d that success will be
productive. I have always sai
when I am no longer needed
d-f
to facilitate the process
orw ard’ to that success.
My vision for peer review
and what follows is a ‘fee
te a constructively critical
My hope is this will genera However, it has been limited in its availability because it has relied on one of the critical capabilities: Vehicles and Driving, Water Rescue,
mentum from now until
dialogue which will gain mo centralised planning and coordination of each review by the peer review Medical and Technical Rescue.
cember 2019.
the funded project ends in De lead, supported by a small pool of voluntary reviewers. As we approach To fulfil this vision, each team would nominate two experienced people
the end of the third year, I felt it appropriate to offer a vision of the way (usually the team leader and chair) to be available to act as reviewers for
AB OV E: THE BU XTON M RT V EH I CLE
Tim Cain forward for this proven performance-enhancing tool, a vision that sees
peer review as a team-led, routine activity.
other team’s reviews. In addition, additional specialists in driving, water,
medical and technical rescue would be identified nationally. A list of
So, this is my vision: Peer review becomes ‘the way things are done potential reviewers would be maintained by the MREW executive,
around here’ offering a ‘gold standard culture’ of continuous accessible to teams to choose their review team. Review teams would
improvement within and between MREW/BCRC teams, feeding into comprise three people for full reviews — one of whom might be from
Peer Review is now in its third year. The process has evolved individual team strategic plans and encouraging, through better ALSAR or similar partner agency.
to become a useful tool for teams, who have been able to communication, the spread of good practice, not only across MREW, but Intermediate reviews would require a single subject matter expert
For further information contact APB Mobile Installations Ltd reflect on their own operational capability. Using experienced also positively influencing the land component of UKSAR. In this way, our reviewer, again drawn from the MREW pool. The onus would be on
Tel: 0845 331 2727 Fax: 0845 331 2722 peers to help raise awareness of strengths and weaknesses, teams would remain at the cutting edge of land rescue best practice. teams to plan and conduct full and intermediate reviews supported by
Web: www.apb-ltd.co.uk Email: info@apb-ltd.co.uk teams have universally reported benefit from non- On a rolling basis, coordinated by MREW, all teams would take stock the external reviewers from the pool. Teams would be encouraged to
Unit 4, Pinnacle Close, Crowland, Peterborough PE6 0GB judgemental feedback and the dialogue generated by the of their development every five years by conducting a full weekend peer include partner agencies (police, fire and ambulance) to join full reviews
process. Peer review has been designed to be an review of their processes and procedures. These reviews would be as observers, a practice that has already added significant value.
interrogative experience, based on a dynamic question set supported by external reviewers — a model that has now been validated. On completion of both full and intermediate reviews teams would
and subsequent coaching interactions with the peer review Using the dynamic question set as a template, owned and maintained publish the feedback here in the magazine, sharing learning points and
team, who seek to ‘hold up the mirror’ for teams and allow by the MREW executive, teams would conduct an internal health check good practice as agreed between the team and the reviewers. ✪
them to grow from the conversations that follow. and assure themselves that they are fit for purpose and prepared for the
To date, it’s been a great success and demonstrated that next five years. At intermediate times, teams would maintain awareness SO, WHAT DO TEAM MEMBERS THINK? WHY NOT SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS VIA
the process works and doesn’t threaten team autonomy. of critical capabilities by conducting specialist one-day peer reviews of EDITOR@MOUNTAIN.RESCUE.ORG.UK
16 MOUNTAIN RESCUE MAGAZINE SPRING 2018 SPRING 2018 MOUNTAIN RESCUE MAGAZINE 17FIRST PUBLISHED IN THE NEW YORK TIMES PHILOSOPHY SERIES, THE STONE. 13 JANUARY 2018
AND REPRODUCED HERE WITH KIND PERMISSION.
Food for thought
Last August, after several accidents and deaths among climbers
on Mont Blanc, Western Europe’s highest and most treacherous
mountain, Jean-Marc Peillex, the mayor of the French town of St
Gervais-les-Bains, issued an order: Anyone attempting to climb the
Keep our nearby Gouter
ˆ route up the mountain must now have specified
mountains free. gear including a harness, rope and headlamp. Those who do not
take these precautions are to be fined.
And dangerous. On the face of it, the order is common ‘protecting us from ourselves’. And while the increasingly responsible for fatalities on
sense. Mont Blanc, known among climbers French have a different system of risk mountains, they will have to act to mitigate
as the White Killer, is 15,774 feet high, and assumption and litigation, the situation on such risks — and since more and more
FRANCIS SANZARO as the recent spate of casualties make clear,
its ascent is a dangerous one — as one
Mont Blanc may be a harbinger for mountain
climbing in America’s national parks.
individuals are heading into the mountains
for self-discovery and the peculiar breed of
French climbing website describes it, ‘a In the United States, climbing mountains is ecstasy the mountains provide, injuries and
vertiginous high mountain route prone to quickly becoming this generation’s family trip deaths are also increasing.
natural hazards: rockfalls, crevasses, to the baseball stadium. There has been an The political response in Colorado has
avalanches and extreme weather.’ exponential increase in traffic on mountains been predictable. Local sheriffs and senators
And yet, the decree appears to be a first — here: In 1852, four climbers attempted and governors are calling deaths in the
no such regulation exists on any of the Mount Rainier; in 1960 it was 712; and in mountains ‘unprecedented’, and demanding
world’s mountains, and it threatens to 2016 it was nearly 11,000. It is only a matter more signs, ‘better’ trails and other
unravel a centuries-old ideology based on intrusions.
the understanding of mountains as wild, So far, the argument for preserving the
inherently risky places of conquest, not to be IF WE MAKE THE MOUNTAINS ‘wilderness experience’ has kept these
confused with busy boulevards and cafe- SAFE, PERCEIVE THEM AS changes at bay. But if the Forest Service (or
lined city streets. URBAN SPACE AND DEMAND national parks) assume greater risk for visitor
The mayor’s order is more than a matter of TO HAVE THEM AS REGULATED safety, they will be forced to institute a range
Photo: Mountaineers climbing Mont Blanc © Skouatroulio l Dreamstime.com
public safety. It raises existential and AS CITY BLOCKS, WE HAVE of solutions to reduce their liability — like apps
philosophical questions, too: Where, and NOT ONLY LOST ‘THE that guide us along virtual routes or keep us
when, can we take life-threatening risk? on trail as though we were in car lanes, or
MOUNTAINS’ BUT THAT PART
Should we continue to see mountains as wild other ‘soft’ intrusions.
OF US ONLY THEY CAN FOSTER
and dangerous natural places, or extensions Of course, if American policymakers and
of our urban environment? citizens conflate urban and wild space — as
Mr Peillex indeed justified his decree by the French have already done on Mont Blanc
claiming that Mont Blanc is no longer a wild of time before the same conversation — we will see more and more lawsuits
place, but as a destination for crowds of crosses the Atlantic and into our policy against the Forest Service, or another
tourists and guides, an ‘urban space of boardrooms. agency, for failing to protect individuals when
commerce’. The mayor would have us Recently, I spoke with Scott Fitzwilliams, they are in a natural setting.
believe that the meandering contours of supervisor of the White River National Forest, Around the country, parks are getting sued
Mont Blanc’s upper snowfields and whose boundaries contain some of for wild animal attacks on visitors within their
wildflower-strewn buttes are now Colorado’s deadliest mountains, about what boundaries, for falling trees or for not warning
conterminous with weed-strewn sidewalks could potentially force the United States to visitors for the most obvious of risks, such as
and traffic lights. adopt similar measures. Mr Fitzwilliams rivers flooding during storms. These cases
What his decree accomplishes is the didn’t miss a beat: ‘The lawyers,’ he said. indicate a population out of touch with natural
mitigation of risk through behaviour Mr Fitzwilliams is an ardent supporter of danger. If this trend continues, the mountains
✒ 21
modification, not the diminution of hazards keeping the wild wild, but he is well aware will have undergone as radical a
on the peak. It is but another version of that if the Forest Service becomes transformation as they did in the 18th century,
18 MOUNTAIN RESCUE MAGAZINE SPRING 2018 SPRING 2018 MOUNTAIN RESCUE MAGAZINE 19✒ Francis Sanzaro (PhD), is
editor of Rock and Ice
and Ascent magazines.
He has authored three
books, and has written
for The New York Times,
Continental Philosophy
Review, Breadcrumbs
Mag, Counter Culture,
Sierra Nevada Review,
UK Climbing, Huffington
ABOUT FRANCIS
SANZARO: Post, Happy Hipocrite,
WRITER, CLIMBER, The Baltimore Post
PHILOSOPHER. Examiner and Greyrock
Review, among many
others.
His books are The
Infantile Grotesque:
Pathology, Sexuality and
a Theory of Religion
Above: Climbers descending from the Lechaux refuge, which clings to the rock face, via a route of fixed ropes and ladders. In
(2016) and The Boulder:
the Mont Blanc refuge above Chamonix © Neil Harrison l Dreamstime.com.
A Philosophy for
Bouldering (2013).
Society Elsewhere: Why
when they morphed from ominous exist in the majority of non-Western the Gravest Threat to
landscapes of gloom to topographies of languages. According to Mr Giddens, ‘risk Humanity Will Come
heroic conquest. presumes a society that actively tries to From Within will be
The origins of mountain climbing lay in the break away from its past’. Societies desirous published in spring of
middle of the 19th century. Before that, they for new lands and new lives took risk, and 2018. A climber of 25
were seen as landscapes of evil otherness, today, on a smaller scale, we take risk in the
years, he lives and
where the tempestuous gods exercised their mountains to become better people.
works in the mountains
wrath. The curious ventured not. Accomplish something. Start anew.
After the 1850s, climbing became for some Freedom is a relative term, and can be
of Carbondale,
a way to ‘overcome the self’ or ‘experience conceived only in relation to something. Colorado, with his wife
the sublime’. As townspeople and shepherds Freedom from what? is the question. In and two children. Some
found their way to the tops of the Alps, the mountainous regions, freedom from what of his first ascents can
ability to thwart death and overcome human isn’t so obvious. We are not free to murder be found in the forests
limitation in mountainous landscapes or steal — we are free from the strictures of of Fort Collins, the
became valued — but that value assumed time, workplace stress, of being told what to Southwest, and the
an environment of risk. A hero needs do, where to go, how to be; we can travel as
Adirondacks. He enjoys
adversity, and the extreme conditions and we may, how we may. Mountains are thrilling
shiver bivys, big alpine
danger of the mountains provided that. Later, because our lives there are not shepherded
in the middle of the 20th century, the literature by another, our safety not curated. It’s an
walls, and dusting off
of the golden era of big Himalayan climbing intoxicating freedom, riveting, at once new boulders.
lionised first ascensionists because they, like modern and ancient.
great generals or explorers, navigated risk Growing up, I despised the statement ‘No
successfully. risk, no reward’. It was cliché and
Mountains are inherently dangerous. But meaningless. But as a lifelong climber I find
just as free speech makes a place for a strange solace in hanging from a granite
disgusting speech, wild places need to make wall, without a rope, in pure mountainous
a place for irresponsible activity. It is our life, solitude. It is in such moments of controlled
after all. Right? Not really. Our right to life risk where I discover the fabric of my soul. Do
doesn’t always include our right to risk it. If I panic? Do I find the strength? I return to
that thought doesn’t feel strange to you, think civilisation refreshed.
Francis Sanzaro can
about it again. It should. This is basic stuff, and the mountains do
be reached at
As the British sociologist Anthony Giddens this for tens of millions of us annually. If we francissanzaro@
has noted, it is no coincidence that the make the mountains safe, perceive them as hotmail.com or via
concept of ‘risk’ appears prominently in the urban space and demand to have them as www.fsanzaro.com
16th and 17th centuries, during the height of regulated as city blocks, we have not only
the age of exploration. The Middle Ages lost ‘the mountains’ but that part of us only
didn’t have a concept of risk, and it did not they can foster. ✪
SPRING 2018 MOUNTAIN RESCUE MAGAZINE 21Food for thought
‘Rising death rates, piles of litter and fears that the peak has become
a theme park’. That was the situation, widely reported in the UK press
How #adventuresmart in February, which prompted officials in Chamonix to consider
‘drastic measures to restore the character’ of their local peak, Mont
hopes to stem the rising Blanc. Plans were drawn up followed the death of 17 climbers last
tide in call-outs summer and would, they say, prevent tour companies from marketing
the climb as ‘suitable for capable winter walkers’. Sound familiar ?
JUDY WHITESIDE The proposals have divided opinion.
Officials behind the idea argue that safety
leader in question. But tolerance levels have
been sorely tested of late, with the seemingly
and adventure parks clammering for space
on our own mountains — and the relentless
cables across the Goûter ridge should be never-ending rise in ‘unavoidable’ rescues, patter of feet up and down Scafell Pike,
removed to deter novice climbers and save particularly in the Lakes and Snowdonia. Snowdon and Ben Nevis in the name of
lives. The regional prefect, Pierre Lambert, ‘From a mountain rescue point of view,’ charity and personal growth.
however, argues that the proposed says Phil Benbow, Llanberis team member In January this year, Julia Bradbury and Ore
measures would have no effect because and chairman of the North Wales Mountain Oduba took to our screens with ITV’s
none of the accidents last year happened in Rescue Association (NWMRA), ‘we will ‘Britain’s Favourite Walks: Top 100’. And
areas with cables. He wants more cables. always go out and rescue injured climbers guess what? Top of the list are some of the
Last summer, Mr Peillex saw to it that and walkers’. nation’s favourite accident hotspots: Helvellyn
notices were posted on mountain paths, in Teams in the Lakes and Snowdonia have comes in at number one, with Snowdon a hot
English, French, German and Russian, seen a rapid rise in call-outs over the last two second. Then there’s Scafell Pike (5), Tryfan
requiring climbers to carry a hat, sunglasses, years. ‘Way too many, says Phil, ‘for a bunch (6) and Ben Nevis (15). It’s no surprise that
ski mask, climbing shoes and a warm of volunteers’. From 2016 to 2017, North visitor numbers tend to peak soon after these
windproof jacket when tackling the mountain, Wales saw a 23% rise from 470 to 580. In programmes, as aspirant walkers see how
calling the move ‘a rap over the knuckles’ for 2017, Lakes teams dealt with 543 incidents — ‘easy’ these walks appear to be.
the ‘hotheads who refuse to listen to advice’. a 25% increase on 2016 (436) — and fatalities In Snowdonia — once dubbed ‘the third
Here in the UK, a similar quandary has were up 100% with 17, compared to eight the best place on the planet’ by Lonely Planet —
exercised the minds of mountain rescue previous year, including sudden collapse the Year of Adventure 2016 saw enthusiastic
teams for many years now. The (76%), trauma (18%) and drowning (6%). poster campaigns asking potential visitors
Mountaineering Scotland website makes very An increasing number of calls are to people where their ‘next epic’ might be. ‘Epic’, of
clear that ‘climbing and mountaineering are course, means something entirely different to
activities with a danger of personal injury or the mountain rescue team members who
death’ and participants ‘should be aware of WE’RE CERTAINLY NOT SAYING have to literally pick up the pieces of any ill-
and accept these risks and be responsible for DON’T GO OUT THERE AND HAVE advised adventures.
Photo: Crib Goch, Snowdon © William Barton l Dreamstime.com
their own actions and involvement’. But what AN ADVENTURE. WE’RE SAYING After 2016, NWMRA undertook a ‘wash up’
about the ‘innocents abroad’? GO OUT AND HAVE THAT on their busy year, to see what lessons might
Read below the line on social media and ADVENTURE BUT KNOW HOW TO be learned. The result was a real wilingness
you’ll regularly see aired opinions about the KEEP YOURSELF SAFE. YOU’LL from all parties to address the situation, and
‘need’ for lights along mountain paths and ENJOY THAT DAY SO MUCH MORE the creation of a working group tasked to
ever-more signage on the one hand, with come up with a clear, bilingual safety
demands for domestic ‘hill walking’ message which would encourage people to
insurance and the prosecution of those who who aren’t injured, with reasons for calling get out there and enjoy themselves but ‘be
fail to fully prepare. mountain rescue often as simple as ‘I’m tired’ adventure smart’ and ‘make a good day
By and large, mountain rescue teams have or ‘My knees are sore’, or the perhaps better’, with advice on how to do just that.
preferred to take the non-judgemental apocryphal ‘Can I have a helicopter please? The Welsh Government helped get the
approach, with ‘soft’ campaigns exhorting I’m late for dinner’. project off the ground with a grant of £40K
visitors to the mountains to dress Why ring a 999 service to tell us you have and, by also engaging the RNLI — to focus
appropriately, carry the necessary kit for their sore knees? ‘They just want someone to sort on safety on the beaches and in the water —
intended adventure and watch the weather. their problem out’, says Phil. suddenly, the campaign ‘had some clout’.
The unwritten policy has always been not to Back at the foot of Mont Blanc, there’s a The National Trust and the three national
publicly criticise — which is not to say that sense that serious mountaineering territory is parks in Wales were also on board and the
✒ 25
those who put themselves at unnecessary slowly but surely morphing into some kind of RYA, Swim Wales and Stand Up
risk won’t be firmly advised by the team theme park. Not unlike, then, the zipwires Paddleboarders joined in too, not least
22 MOUNTAIN RESCUE MAGAZINE SPRING 2018 SPRING 2018 MOUNTAIN RESCUE MAGAZINE 23You can also read
