The Magazine of
SCOTTISH
MOUNTAIN
RESCUE
Supported by
the Order of
St.John
www.mountainrescuescotland.org/
Issue 30 FEBRUARY 2013
The Mountain Rescue Committee of Scotland
®
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Articles published in CASBAG do not necessary reflect the views of
the Editor or the Mountain Rescue Committee of Scotland.
We are very grateful to all contributors and Advertisers. It is not always
possible to include submitted features in the current issue. Those omitted
are always kept for future use.
MRCofS Executive Committee
CHAIRMAN Jonathon Hart
PROJECT MANAGER
Andy Rockall
VICE CHAIR
Steve Penny
SECRETARY
Scott Douglas
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
TREASURER
Moira Weatherstone
[email protected]
MEDICAL OFFICER
Brian Tregaskis
[email protected]
[email protected]
TRAINING OFFICER
Stuart Johnston
[email protected]
EQUIPMENT OFFICERVacant
STATISTICIAN Jim Sudd
ACPOS MR Manager
Andrew Todd
ARCCK Tom Taylor
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Co-opted Members
LEGAL ADVISOR
Roddy Cormack
[email protected]
RADIO / COMMS
James Coles [email protected]
UKSAROPS (CWG)
James Coles j [email protected]
MLTS
Graham McDonald
[email protected]
MRC Alfie Ingram
[email protected]
MC of S
Alfie Ingram
[email protected]
SMSF Vacant
MAGAZINE EDITOR
Dave Cawthorn
[email protected]
Front Cover: Conference Hypothermia Workshop. Photo Ken Keith.
The Mountain Rescue Committee of Scotland (MRCofS) is a
Registered Scottish Charity – Number SC015257
editorial
Editorial
I was absolutely delighted at the response and engagement from team members right across Scotland in regard to the Scottish
Mountain Rescue Conference at Glenmore Lodge in November 2012. The subsequent feedback has been exceptionally good and
the format of being workshop based but active, skills based and delivered outside (as opposed to indoor slide presentations) seems
to have gone down very well with all those attending. The overall theme of the event was ‘preparation for winter conditions’ and it
seems timely that we had the event themed along these lines as conditions since Christmas and in particular in the last few weeks
have been fabulous for climbing and skiing right across the country.
Sadly however there have been a number of tragic incidents this year that have once again provided a reminder for us all that
whilst the mountains are beautiful and intoxicating in their winter splendour , the need to have constant respect for the Scottish
Winter environment and to be properly prepared are as important today as they have ever been.
The response to these dreadful incidents from Scottish Mountain Rescue teams has been simply outstanding and it’s a privilege for
me to be the Chair of the MRCofS and to lead this representative organisation that quite simply reflects all that is good in humanity.
In particular the response to the Glen Coe , Cairngorm and Loch Einich avalanches, the long searches (often overnight and in
difficult conditions) for missing persons right across the country but in particular in the Cairngorms, and the way we work with
all our multi agency colleagues has simply been incredible and I remain in awe at the dedication and commitment of you the
volunteer team member.
Throughout the 2012/13 winter season Stuart Johnson (MRCofS Training Officer) and the growing number of Scottish MR team
members actively delivering the National training courses have also done an outstanding job. The fact that we now have
National avalanche, winter rigging and search management courses has meant that we are without doubt improving the quality
of our service and , most importantly, increasing the personal skills of our volunteers and crucially , improving the survivability of
those whom we go to rescue. Please continue to support the development of these important National training programmes and
provide feedback to Stu and his team so that they may continue to improve them and provide you a service that you require.
Finally the climbing conditions here on the West Coast , as I write this editorial, are fantastic and I hope you all have a great winter
season whether it be climbing, skiing or mountaineering and simply enjoy all that is so wonderful about winter in Scotland.
Cheers
The Magazine of
SCOTTISH
MOUNTAIN
RESCUE
SCOTTISH MOUNTAIN RESCUE February 2013
Jon
The Mountain Rescue Committee of Scotland
3
Training and Injury Avoidance. Dry Tooling. Avalanche Transceivers. Scottish Ca
Avalanche Hazard Evaluation. Fixed Lines and Short Roping Casualties. Winter
“
Scottish Mountain Rescue
Any Hour, Any Day, Any Weather
What a fabulous w
ere
w
s
p
sho
k
r
o
.
l
w
u
f
t
h
g
The
si
n
i
d
n
a
t
brillian
...thanks to you and your
assistants for organising
and hosting a great
conference last weekend.
SCOTTISH MOUNTAIN RESCUE February 2013
Good weekend, very enjoyable.
4
as Care. SARLOC. Hypothermia. Train the Trainers – Winter Skills. Rescue on Skis.
Navigation and GPS. 4 x 4 Winter Vehicle Recovery. Winter Belays and Rigging.
Supported by St.John
CONFERENCE December 2012
way to end the year!
Supported by
the Order of
St.John
...I thought i
t was an
excellent oc
casion.
...a truly superb weekend.
SCOTTISH MOUNTAIN RESCUE February 2013
Best yet! It’s not often
these events exceed
expectations. Brilliant
job.
5
...the passion and
energy of the exec
team came through in
droves
...congratulations on
a fantastic weekend!
It was well organised,
well thought out and
great fun.
We all agreed on the
bus back that the meal
and Di’s talk were
highlights
SCOTTISH MOUNTAIN RESCUE February 2013
I just wanted to thank you for
organising an excellent weekend.
6
...thanks and well done
for an extraordinary
effort.
“
...thanks for a fantastic weekend, really enjoyed it!
SCOTTISH MOUNTAIN RESCUE February 2013
7
SCOTTISH MOUNTAIN RESCUE February 2013
SCOTTISH MOUNTAIN RESCUE November 2012
8
esreveR
Polarity in Compasses
Nigel Williams
Glenmore Lodge
Reverse polarity is where the magnetism in the needle in
the compass housing reverses so the red end of the needle
points south instead of north. Working in the outdoor
industry for 35 years, I had never come across a reversed
polarity compass until about 4 years ago. Since then I have
personally seen at least a dozen and heard of about 20 more
cases, two of which ended in a mountain rescue call out. This
problem is unlikely to be caused by proximity to ordinary
metal, a penknife for instance (how would the military
survive with all their armoured vehicles?). I
have a box of about 20 assorted
compasses all mixed together, they
are strongly affected by each
others magnetic needle yet
once separated they have
never reversed as their
magnetism is actually
quite weak. So what is
going on?
Could it be batteries? Many of us will have repeatedly had AA
or AAA batteries in a head torch or GPS for instance adjacent
MR folk carry radios with a speaker
which again has a very strong
influence on the needle.
I
have
recently
come across a few
manufacturers
producing
clothing
items with magnets
in. Fingerless gloves
but with a flap that
can be pulled over the
finger ends that turns
them into mittens, when
not required the flap is
held in place on the back
of the hand with a magnet!
Potentially a worrying thought
if you are compass in hand trying
to follow a bearing. However if these
mitts are stuffed into the rucsac lid or pocket
with a compass you have another potential to reverse
polarity. Also came across a belt on a mountain trouser that
has a magnet in the plastic buckle to help secure it together.
We need to make a much more conscious effort to keep
our compass isolated from modern devices, from phones
to digital cameras, GPS, radios, avalanche tranceivers and
SPOT devices. Try experimenting with all your devices near
your compass so that you are aware of the ones that have a
significant affect and keep them apart whether using them
or storing them. A reverse polarity compass could have a
life threatening consequence; I treat mine as a scientific
instrument.
SCOTTISH MOUNTAIN RESCUE February 2013
After a little research
it appears that the
guilty culprit maybe
the
smartphone,
iphone,
Blackberry
generation of mobile
phones and in some cases
- those with a leather pouch
that have a small magnet
in that puts the phone into a
hibernate mode. An experiment
of stroking one of these devices on a
compass reversed the polarity after just a minute
or so. It is not hard to envisage this happening quite by
accident with a phone and compass lying together in the
lid of a rucsac or jacket pocket on a days walk. The needle
can be reversed back by again repeatedly stroking a magnet
along the needle. This just illustrates the power of a magnet
on a compass needle. (However I worry as to the strength of
the re-magnetised needle and how easily it might reverse
again). The compass manufacturers would not support
you sorting this problem yourself. They do warn against
leaving compasses near metal objects in the instruction
leaflet so they may not feel obliged to offer a replacement.
to our compass in the rucsac over many years without effect.
Pass your head torch or GPS by your compass, it hardly
affects the needle, in fact less effect than another compass
would. So that does not explain the sudden increase of
incidents. Mobile batteries are different being rechargeable,
but remove it from your phone and put it by your compass
- little or no effect, now try the mobile phone without the
battery - it has a strong effect, I suspect from a magnet in the
speaker system. This also illustrates that whether the
phone is switched on or off is irrelevant.
9
Scottish Mountain Rescue
Memorandum of Agreement
THE BRITISH RED CROSS SOCIETY
Northern Scotland
and
THE MOUNTAIN RESCUE COMMITTEE OF
SCOTLAND
AGREEMENT
To establish the detail of partnership working
between the British Red Cross and the Mountain
Rescue Committee of Scotland regarding the
operation of SARCOM in responding to search and
rescue incidents across Scotland
AGREEMENT
This Memorandum of Agreement is made on the
1st October 2010
BETWEEN:
SCOTTISH MOUNTAIN RESCUE February 2013
British Red Cross in Northern Scotland: A body
incorporated by Royal Charter and a charity
registered in England & Wales (220949) and
Scotland (SC037738) whose Area office is at Forbes
House, 36 Huntly Street, Inverness IV3 5PR.
10
And
The Mountain Rescue Committee of Scotland: A
Charity registered in Scotland (SC015257)
1). OBJECTIVES OF AGREEMENT
To define and detail the provision of
SARCOM in support to the Police and
members of the Mountain Rescue
Committee of Scotland at search and
rescue incident in the provision of SARCOM
(The Search and Rescue Communications
Unit) owned and operated by the British
Red Cross shall be:
a) As a priority to provide direct assistance
to any Police Force in Scotland at their
request and via them any Civilian
Mountain Rescue Team who, in the
management of any search and rescue
incident, require communications
support.
b To provide a response to any search and
rescue incident at the request of any
Police Force in Scotland not directly
involving any Civilian Mountain Rescue
Team.
c) To provide essential communications
support at any major incident as
declared by any Cat 1 responder in
Scotland.
2). SCOPE OF THE AGREEMENT
The agreement covers the period from 1st
February 2013 until 31st January 2014
There will be a initial period of 12
months after which the agreement will
be reviewed by both parties, who must
then both agree that the agreement has
operated successfully. The Operations
Director of the British Red Cross (Northern
Scotland) and the Chairman of Mountain
Rescue Committee of Scotland will meet
during December to review the operation
of the agreement and to make any
revisions which may be required.
3). THE BRITISH RED CROSS
It is a priority for the British Red Cross
to be able to respond to emergencies
and to build the capacity of people and
communities to withstand and recover
from such events. The British Red
Cross is incorporated by Royal Charter
and recognised by governments as a
voluntary aid society, auxiliary to the
public authorities and particularly to the
medical services of the armed forces in
accordance with the Geneva Conventions
for the protection of War Victims.
The British Red Cross, as an autonomous
auxiliary to the public authorities,
responds to emergencies in support of
the Category 1 and selected Category 2
responders, as requested by them.
4). THE MOUNTAIN RESCUE COMMITTEE
of SCOTLAND
recognise that the participation of both
organisations in providing assistance
to the Police is entirely voluntary. On all
occasions the operational commanders,
after taking into account all pertinent
factors, will decide if it is reasonable to
respond to any request for assistance.
6). CALL OUT PROCEDURES
Any request for assistance will come
directly from the Police or any other Cat
1 responder as so defined by the Civil
Contingencies Act. Any Civilian Mountain
Rescue Team leader who requires
communications support in the planning
and management of any search and
rescue incident can make such a request
for assistance directly via the Police.
We the undersigned, accept the terms contained in
this Memorandum of Agreement and undertake to
meet our obligations contained therein.
Signatories
SCOTTISH MOUNTAIN RESCUE February 2013
The Mountain Rescue Committee of
Operations Director
Scotland (MRC of S) is the representative
British Red Cross
and co-ordinating body for mountain
(Northern Scotland)
rescue in Scotland. It liaises with all
departments, authorities and providers of
Chairman Mountain Rescue Committee of
search and rescue services in mountainous
Scotland
terrain.
5).VOLUNTARY SERVICE
Both British Red Cross and the Mountain Rescue
Committee
of
Scotland
11
GETTING
OUT OF A
HOLE – UK Cave Rescue
Conference 2012
SCOTTISH MOUNTAIN RESCUE February 2013
By Alan L. Jeffreys
12
The specific nature of outdoor pursuits rather dictates that when
accidents occur, it is practitioners of that pursuit who will be best
suited to effect rescues. This is certainly true of cave and mountain
rescues. It is also almost inevitable that these practitioners will be
voluntary. Naturally there is always room for improvement and
training, and a vital element in all this is bringing teams together in
conference whereby good practice and innovation can be broadcast
and shared. Typically, it is the experienced volunteers who are
most qualified to undertake these teaching roles, a fact admirably
demonstrated in October during the British Cave Rescue Council’s
Conference at Clapham in the Yorkshire Dales.
Delegates from teams as far apart as Scotland and Cornwall attended
along with representatives from European cave rescue organisations,
all accommodated in Ingleborough Hall, a local authority Outdoor
Pursuits Centre. Proximity to some of the best cave systems in the
UK, and the oldest and largest cave rescue depot in Britain, provided
a bonus for a busy and very informative weekend, where emphasis
on input from all teams allowed for discussion on the best way to
tackle individual problems.
Dam building on Leck Fell. Photo. Ivan Young (SCRO)
efficient method of retrieving a casualty from a shaft without
disturbing the walls. Tested before supply with a 400 kg weight, its
safe working load, the frame can be tilted over the shaft, a position
held until the casualty arrives at the top, at which point the whole
assembly swings back away from the shaft edge, allowing the subject
to be removed from the hauling system in complete safety.
Underground to surface communications were dealt with in the
entrance series of Lost John’s Cavern. Inductor phone radios were
used, the old pattern Heyphone versus the new Nicola Mk III prototype.
These new sets, currently in development, will be compatible with
the older Heyphone and can optionally support blue-tooth headsets,
a key pad for text messaging and a facility to record radio traffic. They
also have capacitive aerials, removing the need for complicated setups required by Heyphones. Demonstrations were excellent and the
new sets will hopefully be available in the spring of 2013.
Rigging the 2:1 rope rescue system in Gavel Pot. (author 2nd from
left). Photo: Joe Mellor (Upper Wharefedale Fell Rescue)
A novel session on shoring and damming was held utilising a small
surface stream. Recent flooding events, and the need for sufficient
depth of water for Fire Service pumps to operate effectively, have
called for efficient techniques to pond and deviate water flow. With
use of scaffolding, wooden boards and plastic sheeting, delegates
constructed a dam in a short space of time which dramatically
reduced flow and allowed the team to create an efficient diversion
channel. The topic of shoring, perhaps in cases of passage collapse,
was touched on, but current practice would be to refer such matters
to those who are already experienced cave diggers, accustomed to
shoring as a matter of course.
Vertical hauling using a Larkin Frame was undertaken at the entrance
to Cupcake Pot. This ingenious device is capable of full or half size
operation – in this case the latter – and provides a stable, safe and
The Larkin Frame being employed half size at Cupcake Pot, Leck Fell.
Photo: Filip Filipović (Croatia)
mines, where gas has been encountered.
SCOTTISH MOUNTAIN RESCUE February 2013
The two days were parcelled into concurrent exercises/events,
offering a choice of topics for delegates. On Saturday, everyone was
transported by mini-bus to Leck Fell ( housing a number of classic
British cave systems) and given an opportunity to participate in three
of a selection of practical sessions, all overseen by highly experienced
operatives from Yorkshire’s CRO. Within the huge entrance complex
of Gavel Pot, two pitch rigging systems were installed, a 2:1 assist for
an injured caver attached to a single rope, and a 1:1 haul of a loaded,
rigid, Neil Robertson stretcher up a 12 metre drop which required a
long deviation to clear an awkward crux near the top. Some very
useful comparisons of different team methods proved instructive.
Back at Ingleborough Hall, a stone lined access tunnel in the grounds
proved to be just the place to attempt foul air extraction. The tunnel
and ice house were filled with a dense orange smoke and attempts
made to extract it with portable battery operated air moving
equipment. Although bad air is not a serious problem in cave rescue,
there have been incidents, particularly associated with abandoned
Saturday was rounded off with the customary light hearted cave
rescue race down Clapham Beck, an evening meal at the Hall and
13
entertainment from local band ‘The Swarm’ (and of course the bar).
Sunday consisted of several concurrent events. In the CRO depot
there was a table top exercise, highlighting the operational priorities
of a Cave Rescue Controller. Held in real time, it envisaged an
overdue solo caver who, it transpired, was injured down a very large
cave system. Emphasis was placed on managing and acting on
information supplied, thinking ahead, and co-ordinating response
from a multiplicity of emergency services.
There was a very effective session on pain relief, where pieces of pig
carcass were subjected to bone breaking violence to show how much
force was required to cause fractures and subsequently how these
injuries damage surrounding tissue. Thereafter, careful packaging
and handling of casualties were identified as significant factors in
contributing to a successful rescue. Various drugs were discussed
and discussion held on the desirability of members being able to
gain the Casualty Care for Mountain Rescue qualification. One of
the Polish delegates commented that, like many other continental
teams, his ordinary team members are not allowed to administer
any drugs. A doctor has to be present even for paracetamol. The
audience included cavers who had been casualties and they agreed
that intra nasal muscular morphine was slow to act in a cold casualty
– and cave casualties are always cold. Several folk had used nasal
morphine and promoted it as being much faster acting though it
sounded more complex to administer.
Following this rather gruesome topic was a comparison of the
various stretcher patterns available for cave rescue, their merits and
demerits. Included in this was a demonstration of Z-rig mechanics.
Finally, a test rig was used to reveal the strength of tape slings in
various states of repair from brand new to partially cut or abraded.
These latter failed at a low breaking strain and underlined the need
for vigilance in checking and renewing stock at regular intervals.
Cutting a sling across half its width reduced its strength by 50%, but
a few minutes of abrasion with a file reduced the breaking load by
more than 60%. That sling looked only mildly furry and might well
pass an inspection, while a tape with a small cut would be instantly
rejected though it would, in fact, be stronger.
The day was wound up with a plenary session when a local coroner
addressed the conference. He gave some excellent advice on how
to present evidence to a fatal accident inquiry, emphasising that
generally speaking, it is desirable that as complete a record of the
rescue operation as possible should be preserved, particularly
operational decisions. Photographs are also very useful. Evidence
should be presented in simple, easy to understand terms, and should
include only that of which the witness has direct knowledge.
This informative conference was hosted and organised by members
of the Cave Rescue Organisation giving voluntarily of their time and
Demonstrating cave rescue stretcher at Ingleborough Hall. Photo:
Steve Finch (Yorkshire CRO)
expertise. Obviously there were overheads – the hire of Ingleborough
Hall, accommodation, meals and transport, which were covered
by the attendance fee of £47 (for two nights including all meals),
but delegates who only turned up for the various workshops were
Coroner Geoff Fell about to address the conference. Photo: Alan
Jeffreys (SCRO)
SCOTTISH MOUNTAIN RESCUE February 2013
admitted free. Best of all, beer was only £2 per pint for everyone! All
14
Orange smoke filling ice house tunnel prior to extraction attempt.
Photo. Ivan Young (SCRO)
Tea break on Leck Fell during the practical exercises. Photo: Ivan Young
(SCRO)
SARDA:
How it all
started
Bob Sharp & Bill
Jennison
Cath & Hamish
Catherine MacInnes, Hamish MacInnes and Rangi – (© Sandy Seabrook)
Introduction
This article is an edited version of the history of search dogs,
and SARDA in particular, taken from our new book - ‘Search and
Rescue Dogs: The Remarkable Story of Search and Rescue Dogs
from the Mountains to the Shore’. There is little information on this
subject in the public domain although snippets can be found on
various SARDA websites and a particularly good account is given
by Ernest Dudley in his 1970 story of ‘Rangi: Highland rescue dog’.
However, this book has been out of print for many years.
Readers may find the tenor of our notes in places slightly
patronising or trite. Please bear with us and consider that our
book was written for the general population and not just experts
in mountain rescue. What we’ve done in this feature is expand
on how SARDA came about. We will leave the rather lengthy and
somewhat convoluted picture about how SARDA has changed and
developed over the past 45 years to another time.
‘A man’s best friend is his dog’. So they say and over the years,
they’ve helped us hunt and track, guard and haul, entertain and
search. They’ve helped us heal and they are capable of affection,
love and friendship in abundance. But dogs are remarkably good
at the practical stuff, which has made them a valuable asset in the
world of search and rescue.
There are early references in literature to tracking techniques,
and to dogs using airborne smells to chase their quarry.
Bloodhounds – originally bred to hunt deer and wild boar – were
often used to track people including, legend has it, Robert the Bruce
and William Wallace, as far back as the thirteenth and fourteenth
centuries. In the sixteenth century, they were used to track thieves
and poachers, and runaway slaves.
Historically, the breed most popularly associated with dogs
helping those in distress is the St Bernard. Their story centres on
the Great St Bernard Pass which links Italy and Switzerland and
rises to a height of over 2,400 metres. The monastery at the summit
was founded in 1049 by Saint Bernard of Menthon and served as
a refuge for travellers. It is estimated that around 20,000 travellers
used the pass every year and the monks were often called to assist
those who were lost or avalanched. Around 300 years ago, ‘St
Bernards’ began to accompany the monks on their rescue missions
as their ability to negotiate deep snow, and their worth as guides
in bad weather conditions, were invaluable traits. The dogs are
credited with saving the lives of many lost travellers and even
avalanche victims. But, whilst they were probably the first dogs
used in mountain rescue, they were not an influencing factor in the
formation of the search and rescue dog organisations of today.
During the Second World War, the successful use of dogs to
locate avalanche victims buried deep in the snow led to the Swiss
Army adopting Alsatians (German Shepherds) for operational
work. Back here in the UK, dogs were used with great success in the
London Blitz to locate people buried in buildings, again by the use
of airborne scent. After the war, the Swiss Alpine Club reviewed the
existing method of probing for finding the victims of avalanches. As
readers will know, this system is still used in Scotland but it is very
slow and, whilst thorough, gives a limited chance of finding victims
alive. The Swiss Alpine Club considered the previous use of dogs
in rescue work, focusing especially on the dog’s natural scenting
ability to find people buried under debris, and decided to train
dogs for avalanche work, to assist their own rescue netw
This proved highly successful and, significantly, was the
inspiration for the formal training of mountain search and rescue
dogs in the UK. But it was the determination and drive of one man
in particular that brought that inspiration home to these shores.
Hamish MacInnes takes the
initiative
“Without encouragement
she is off into the corrie
we have come to search.
Orna’s tail is high. She’s
having a ball. It is then,
just as the first rays of sun
creep over the ridge to
our east, it occurs to me
that if I had a tail I would
be wagging it too because
there isn’t anything in
the world I would rather
be doing. And it was all
Hamish MacInnes’ fault.”
Hamish MacInnes
(© Hamish
MacInnes)
SCOTTISH MOUNTAIN RESCUE February 2013
In writing the book, one of the key aims was to write a definitive
account of the contribution made by Hamish MacInnes. We also felt
it was vital to show how SARDA has developed and changed across
the years. The former was relatively easy and the great man himself
has authenticated the notes we have written about his involvement
at the start. The latter was more complicated. Some associations
don’t appear to maintain good records and changes in personnel
and extent of operation make for a complicated and fragmented
picture. There was also a ‘political minefield’ that proved difficult to
avoid and we had to tread very carefully on a number of occasions.
We failed to come away totally unscathed!
In the beginning
Tom Gilchrist
15
calls for help (around 50 each year in 1960) never went unanswered.
Police officers and local people, shepherds, gamekeepers, farmers
and foresters (with little or no proper training, and often ill equipped
with no searchlights, ice axes or crampons, or even climbing ropes)
were called out to assist people in distress, sometimes at risk to their
own lives. Early search parties were largely dependent on people
with local knowledge, gained through their work on the hills. Their
only equipment was perhaps a stick or crook and a telescope, their
only means of communicating with each other a shout, whistle, or
wave of a handkerchief.
1st course
Kenny MacKenzie and Fran, Sandy Seabrook and Rory,
Willie Elliot and Corrie, Catherine MacInnes and Tiki &
Rangi (© Hamish MacInnes)
Hamish MacInnes was born in Gatehouse of Fleet, Dumfries and
Galloway in 1930. He moved to Glencoe in 1959 where he has lived
ever since. It is no exaggeration to say he has been a mountaineering
legend for well over half a century. He has a prodigious record of
achievements as a mountaineer, rescuer, author and consultant
and is widely recognised as one of the great British mountaineers.
Many readers will know that his contribution to mountain rescue is
without parallel.
SCOTTISH MOUNTAIN RESCUE February 2013
In 1948 he was required to complete a two-year spell in National
Service. Up until the end of 1960, all men in the UK aged between
18 and 41 years were required by law to spend two years in military
service. Following the Second World War, National Service was
undertaken in peacetime situations but national servicemen were
often used in full military operations. Many were stationed abroad
for a period of time. Hamish completed his National Service from
1948 to 1950 and it was fortuitous that he spent most of
his time in the Austrian Tyrol, where he became friends
with mountain guide Hans Spielman. Hans owned two
dogs that had been used to search for people caught in
avalanches. By all accounts, his dogs weren’t specially
trained for rescue work and searches were somewhat
haphazard affairs, but the seeds of an idea were sown.
16
On completion of his National Service, and return
to Scotland, Hamish pursued his new-found interest in
using dogs to locate people lost in the mountains. He
was aware of reports that dogs had been used to help
find climbers lost or avalanched in the Highlands but
they had been mainly shepherds’ dogs – because they
were the only ones in the locality, and they possessed
an aptitude for finding lost sheep. The years following
Hamish’s return to Scotland marked significant
changes in society. The austerity of the war years was
beginning to decline and a new sense of mobility
and freedom saw many people taking advantage
of the outdoors for leisure pursuits. The Cairngorms
and Glencoe were opened up for skiing and the long
winter season meant people could ski and climb from
the end of November through to mid May. Inevitably,
as winter sports increased in popularity, there were an
increasing number of incidents, with people caught in
sudden blizzards, bad weather and avalanches. Civilian
mountain rescue had yet to be fully established but
Hamish was convinced this situation could be improved. He felt
sure that if dogs were used, trained along the lines Hans Spielman
had demonstrated, they would be capable of covering search areas
in much less time than a man. In this way, rescue operations could
be executed more quickly so the whole process of searching for
missing people could be carried out with greater success. Ever the
innovator, Hamish began to train his own dog, Tiki. Early in 1960 he
had been given Tiki, a seven months’ old Alsatian, by some friends
in Glasgow. She proved to be affectionate, obedient and a first class
watchdog but, more important, she was intelligent and showed a
natural willingness to learn. She seemed to have all the potential to
become a first rate search and rescue dog. However, a few months
after taking ownership, Tiki fell ill with cancer. Hamish and his wife
Catherine were devastated. It looked as if, not only were they about
to lose a loved companion, but Hamish’s ambitions to train her as
a search and rescue dog would never be realised. The prognosis
looked bleak, but Hamish convinced Catherine they should get
another dog and train it as they had trained Tiki over the past year.
Unknown to Hamish and Catherine, an advertisement to sell
a young Alsatian had been placed in the Greenock Advertiser. The
puppy had been bought as a pet for the owner’s children, but they
soon learned they’d made a mistake. The children lost interest,
there was nowhere for the dog to run, it was given little exercise
and received no obedience training. The advertisement attracted
no attention so the owners decided to have the dog put down.
However, the veterinary surgeon convinced them that, as the dog
was so good looking and physically very strong, he should be given
a reprieve. So a second advertisement was placed in the local press.
Rip
Rip was a stray dog who had a canny knack of searching for and locating
people trapped under rubble and debris following air raid in London. It was
partly due to Rip’s outstanding skills that local authorities later decided to
train dogs to trace missing persons. (© Imperial War Museum)
Glencoe 1974
1974 course in Glencoe. Kenny MacKenzie can be
seen on the far left – (© Roger Smith)
Again, fortune was to play a part in Hamish’s involvement with
search and rescue dogs. His sister, who lived in Greenock, noticed
the advertisement and, knowing her brother was looking for a dog,
contacted him with the news. His response was to call his wife, who
was working as a locum GP in nearby Dunoon. Catherine decided to
pop in and see the dog on her way back home to Glencoe. She was
impressed by the dog’s appearance. Its coat was black and silver
instead of the normal black and tan and it seemed in good physical
condition, but it was quite apathetic, having had no exercise for
many weeks. Catherine was concerned the dog’s living conditions
might have had a serious psychological effect: would it ever learn
to be a useful search dog? Nevertheless, she agreed to take it and,
following a fraught journey during which the dog was constantly
sick, she reached Glencoe and home.
expedition. One of his climbing colleagues, George Ritchie, agreed
with Hamish that there was merit in establishing some kind of
search and rescue dog team. Hamish had mixed feelings, as an initial
attempt by him to use dogs for searching proved unsuccessful. On
this occasion he had acquired a pair of Tibetan Mastiffs to help him
track down the famed Yeti on his Abominable Snowman Expedition.
George Ritchie encouraged him that he was likely to be more
successful with Tiki and Rangi. So, on his return, Hamish set about
devising a structured method for training his dogs. His technique
started with simple retrieval skills where he would throw an object
for the dog to retrieve. He made a point of always shouting ‘Search!’
as the command for the dog to retrieve. He varied the direction of
throw and, in time, increased both the search area and difficulty of
the terrain. He also used different objects and always threw them
out of the dog’s sight.
Hamish’s ideas about the usefulness of a search and rescue dog
team were picked up by a number of influential and interested
people. In October 1963, two people paid him a visit: a mountain
rescue expert from Norway and Jack Arthur, who was chairman of
the Scottish branch of the British Red Cross. They watched Hamish’s
dogs in action and the Norwegian visitor asked Hamish what ‘grade’
were his dogs. Somewhat taken aback, Hamish admitted he hadn’t
understood the question. The visitor said he was referring to the
gradings given to dogs that had undertaken training for avalanche
rescue work. Hamish didn’t know things were so well established
abroad and wondered if he could become involved in some way.
Taken with Hamish’s enthusiasm and commitment, Jack Arthur
managed to secure funding from the British Red Cross for Hamish
to attend an avalanche dog training course at Thrubsee, Engelberg
in Switzerland, later that year. Funding also came from the cigarette
manufacturer Player’s, as well as the Swiss Rescue Service.
Hamish was the first British person to attend such a course
and, although he couldn’t take his own dogs, owing to quarantine
regulations, he joined people from a number of other European
SCOTTISH MOUNTAIN RESCUE February 2013
Almost immediately, Hamish began to train his new dog,
which they called Rangi. Obedience training was high on the list
of priorities and he
found it helped to Wagon
work Tiki and his new
dog together. The SARDA Scotland getting ready
change in Rangi’s for an exercise in Assynt in
environment
from 1974. Note the old Bedford
the cramped flat in lorry liveried up as SARDA
Greenock to the fresh
(Scotland). (© Roger Smith)
open space of Glencoe
If space you could add the
had an immediate and
significant effect. His following notes penned by
strength and fitness Kenny MacKenzie - “This
grew daily and he soon photograph was taken in
The vehicle
learned to outpace early 1970s.
Tiki. He was a slower was
purchased
from
learner than Tiki and old MOD stock. It was a
teaching him to sit, communications vehicle but
lie down, retrieve and
was re-classified by SARDA
stay took many weeks
(Scotland) as an ambulance. Most of the casualties carried in it were suffering from self-inflicted illness!
of training, but he
had a physical quality The vehicle was based in Fort William and used regularly by Lochaber MRT for incidents on Ben Nevis. One
that endeared him to of the team members – Alex Howie – was the usual driver and he was also responsible for its maintenance.
Hamish. Steep, rough Alex also drove to the scenes for any SARDA operations where it served not only as a search management
terrain and long days base but also a bunkhouse for overnight incidents. Its use on rescues was also a good advertisement for
on the hill in bad SARDA. AS the vehicle aged, SARDA arranged for its disposal and it was never replaced.”
weather had little
effect on his energy
or enthusiasm. Hamish was sure he could count on Rangi to keep
countries with whom he worked in a variety of new and different
going long after he himself was exhausted.
training situations. The group included police officers, ski instructors,
In the summer of 1961, Hamish left Scotland to climb in the mountain guides, hotel workers, bar staff and others from a wide
Caucasus Mountains as a member of a Scottish-Russian climbing variety of occupational backgrounds. All of these, like Hamish, were
17
volunteers who shared a common interest in helping save people
caught in avalanches. Throughout the course, emphasis was placed
on using dogs to find people buried under the snow. ‘Victims’ were
buried at varying depths and then required to wait for the dog to
find them. Hamish was surprised how quickly dogs found buried
people, even when the dog had no prior training, and when the
search area was extended to several hundred square metres. He
noted how, in many cases, the dog went straight to the victim’s
location without undertaking a broad search to begin with. Little
did he know that many of the search and rescue ideas used by the
Swiss had been borrowed from the British, who had used dogs to
locate people buried in bombed-out buildings during World War
Two.
It became clear to Hamish that training a dog is as much
about training the handler. To work the dog to best advantage,
the handler had to be fully conversant with the nature of snow
and avalanche formation, weather conditions and general rescue
procedures, as well as understanding the conditions under which
a dog can be used most effectively. Great store was placed on the
‘understanding’ between handler and dog. The handler should
always have confidence in their dog’s ability to pick up a scent,
even if their own hunches differ. Hamish was also introduced to
the importance of assessment and the classification system used to
grade dogs at different levels of expertise.
SCOTTISH MOUNTAIN RESCUE February 2013
Following the course, Hamish continued to train his dogs in
difficult and challenging mountain terrain. Several others learned
of his efforts and came to visit him, intrigued to know whether
their own dog could also be trained. One of these was Sandy
Seabrook. Sandy was an army sergeant stationed on Dartmoor.
He was interested in rescue work and had already established the
Devon Cave Rescue Organisation with a friend (and was later to
establish the Lomond Mountain Rescue Team in Scotland). Early in
1964, Sandy and his friend had driven to Glencoe for a weekend’s
climbing. They decided to camp on the hills and, during the first
night out, Sandy’s dog Judy, an Alsatian, went missing. The two men
searched for two days to no avail, eventually returning to barracks
without the dog. Before their departure, they told local shepherds
and the police about the dog but, after two weeks without news,
18
they heard a ‘ghostly howl’. They went to investigate and found
Sandy’s dog, looking somewhat sorry for itself having not eaten
for almost two weeks. Overjoyed with the find, Sandy drove up to
Glencoe immediately to collect his dog from Hamish and it was at
this meeting that Sandy raised the idea of a training course using
dogs for rescue work.
Later that year, Kenny Mackenzie, who was the police officer
in Kinlochleven, took the opportunity to watch Hamish training
Rangi and Tiki. He was fascinated by the way the three worked
together and wondered if his own dog Fran, also an Alsatian, could
be trained. Kenny explained that his dog was very self-willed,
but energetic and intelligent. Hamish was sure the dog could be
trained, as long as it was done in the right manner – with patience,
know-how and affection.
Hamish’s neighbours Walter and Willie Elliot, who were
shepherds living further down the glen, questioned whether their
two Border Collies might become good search and rescue dogs.
The Elliot brothers and their father were not unaccustomed to
rescue work in Glencoe, having been involved in searching and
rescuing climbers and walkers for many years. Hamish thought
the Collies might be trainable but was concerned about their long
coats, which would ‘ball up’ quickly as they ran through snow.
Unlike Alsatians, which have thick, shorthaired coats, the ballingup problem with Collies would not only impede their progress but
also reduce body temperature. However, he felt Collies would be
fine in conditions when the weather was more favourable and the
ground not covered in snow. Others expressing a keen interest in
Hamish’s work included Mike Hammond, who ran a climbing school
in Ballachulish, and Tom Mackenzie, a forester from Aviemore. Mike
had a longhaired Pyrenean puppy, which he had begun to train,
and Tom had an Alsatian bitch. Tom paid a visit to Hamish and was
so enthused by what he saw that he started to train his own dog
immediately he returned home.
The first training course
As 1964 progressed, Hamish became more and more certain the
time was right to bring together the growing interests of the many
people who were training their dogs for search and
rescue, and to formalise all he had learned about
training dogs and handlers. So, with strong support
from his wife Catherine and his friends, he decided
to build on his Engelberg experience and run a
bespoke course in Glencoe.
The start date was 14th December and the course
was planned to run for five days. It was advertised far
and wide and attracted local people as well as others
from further away, including the Chief Constable
of Argyll Constabulary. Handlers on the course
included people from Scotland, England and Wales.
In addition, and with one eye on publicity, Hamish
invited members of the media, including BBC and
newspaper reporters. Each day of the programme
included both daytime and evening sessions and, as
with the Swiss course, each dog was assessed and
graded as they were in Switzerland. Successful dogs
were graded into one of three categories. Grade
Hamish House
A was for novice dogs that would be permitted
This is Hamish MacInnes’s former cottage in the middle of the Glen where the meeting to take part in daytime searches. Grade B was for
to establish SARDA took place in May 1965. (© Bob Sharp)
more experienced dogs and, if the handler was a
competent all-year round mountaineer, the letter M
was appended. Grade C was for qualified dogs and
they gave up hope. Then Sandy received a phone call from Hamish handlers who had actually made a find during a call-out and had
MacInnes. He and a party had been camping in the same area as also attended a course in Glencoe to demonstrate their ability to
Sandy two weeks earlier and, as they huddled around a campfire, locate in snow conditions. Hamish felt that assessment was a critical
part of the training regime: it not only demonstrated the intense
and progressive nature of training, but also gave it credibility and
official recognition.
A key feature of assessment, established right from the start,
was its ongoing nature. Dogs and their handlers would be assessed
but would need to be reassessed on a regular basis as a way of
maintaining exacting standards. Hamish was aware that, whilst
some of the aspects he had borrowed from the Swiss experience
were highly relevant to Scottish conditions, there were also
differences. Search and rescue dogs in Switzerland were trained
primarily to locate people caught in avalanches. Whilst there was
an avalanche risk in Scotland, Hamish felt dogs could also be put
to great use to locate walkers and climbers lost in poor weather. In
this regard dogs would need to be trained in all weather conditions
– not just when the ground was snow-covered – and trained to
search large areas of terrain, both open and mountainside. Search
dogs and their handlers should, therefore, be much more versatile
in the kinds of assignment they were required to undertake.
The first course proved popular and was highly successful.
to include his wife Catherine, Kenny Mackenzie, Walter and Willie
Elliot. By the meeting’s end they had agreed to set up a dedicated
organisation, its two prime aims to further the development of
search and rescue dogs in Britain, and to raise funds to help pay for
the cost of training and rescue work. It would be entirely voluntary,
raising funds through its own efforts. The intention was to develop
a national association, and arrange an annual course, based in
Scotland, to help train and reassess dogs that had been working
during the year. Membership was open, not only to climbers, but
to anyone with an interest in training dogs for search and rescue.
Anyone who lived and worked in the mountains – gamekeepers,
police officers, military personnel, foresters, and shepherds – who
was a competent mountaineer could apply. Hamish invited a
number of well-known people to serve as patrons. Sir Vivian Fuchs,
a well-known explorer and climber at the time, agreed to be the
honorary president and others, including Lord Hunt, agreed to
be patrons of the association. Hamish himself took on the role of
secretary; Catherine was the medical adviser and Willie Elliot the
treasurer. SARDA – the Search and Rescue Dog Association – had
finally come into being.
“Occasionally, people ask why I’m still
involved 25 years on. The answer is simple
and I saw it plainly that night the two men
went missing. It was written in the faces of
the relatives as they looked out to sea. As
we moved away to begin the search, they
each turned and looked at us. There was
trust and expectation in their eyes. They
knew we were their last and only hope of
seeing their loved ones.”
Joy Grindrod
Postcard Front/Postcard Rear
Front and rear covers of an early fundraising idea of SARDA
Postscript
If any reader wishes to look in more detail, there are a number of
current sources available, viz.,
Bradshaw, J. (2011). In defence of dogs: Why dogs need our
understanding. London: Allen Lane.
·
Coren, S. (2006). The intelligence of dogs. London: Simon &
Schuster UK Ltd.
·
Guy, M. & Nicolson, I. (2010). Search and Rescue Dog Association.
MREW website - http://www.mountain.rescue.org.uk/assets/files/
The%20Oracle/Other%20agencies/SARDA.pdf.
·
Powell, N. (2011). Search dogs and me. Belfast: Blackstaff Press.
·
Sharp, R. H. & Jennison, B. (2012). Search and rescue dogs: The
remarkable story of search and rescue dogs from the mountains
to the shore. Kirkby Stephen: Hayloft Publishing Ltd.
·
Syrotuck, W. G. (2000). Scent and the scenting dog. Pennsylvania:
Barkleigh Productions, Inc.
·
Wilhide, E. (2011).
Publishing.
Extraordinary dogs.
London: Quadrille
SCOTTISH MOUNTAIN RESCUE February 2013
Only a small number of people were involved including Catherine
MacInnes, Walter Elliot, Kenny Mackenzie and Sandy Seabrook.
Sandy was the only person from outside Scotland to attend the pilot
course and, at the subsequent formal course a year later, he and his
dog Rory became the first ever team in England to become qualified
with SARDA. The course convinced everyone there that dogs could
be used effectively to locate people missing or buried in snow. It
also showed, particularly to the police authorities, that dogs are an
additional and unique resource to support the existing emergency
services in the search for missing persons. But the course revealed
something else: that, if the training and assessment of dogs was to
continue and develop, it needed suitable coordination. It seemed
logical that a formal organisation should be created to oversee the
work.
·
And so, in May 1965, Hamish called a meeting at his house,
19
New Support Officer
at Scottish Mountain
Rescue
Andy Rockall has joined Scottish
Mountain Rescue on a one year contract
providing support services to the Scottish
mountain rescue community. Based at
the National Outdoor Training Centre,
Glenmore Lodge Andy will deal with
public and media enquiries administer
national training events and support the
work of the Executive.
Jonathan Hart Chairman of Scottish
Mountain Rescue said “We are delighted
to welcome Andy to the role. A time of
change is coming to Mountain Rescue in
Scotland and the support that Andy will
provide allows the Executive to focus on
the strategic issues that face us.”
Andy who is an active member of
Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team
and lives in Aviemore said “Individual
rescue teams do a marvellous job, it is
vital that there is a strong organisation
representing and supporting them at
the national level. After about 8 years
involvement in 2 mountain rescue teams
I’m really pleased to get an opportunity
to support the work at national level.”
Shaun Roberts who has returned to
Glenmore Lodge as Head and Safety and
Rescue after his secondment to Scottish
Mountain Rescue said “I really enjoyed
my time. It was very different to my role
as a full-time instructor and I learnt a lot.
Andy is in for a busy time and I wish him
well with the work.”
Andy is working in this role 24 hours a
week and can be contacted on 01479
861370 or emailed at projectmanager@
mountainrescuescotland.org
Editors Notes:
Further
information
on
Scottish
Mountain Rescue, please go to www.
mountainrescuescotland.org
The Mountain Rescue Committee of
Scotland is the voluntary organisation
that represents the 33 Mountain and
Cave Rescue Teams within Scotland. It
consists of a voluntary Executive that is
currently supported by a full time Project
Manager.
St John Scotland improves the safety,
health and quality of life of people
in need in Scotland and overseas. It
has donated nearly £3m to Scottish
Mountain Rescue for vehicles, bases
and other requirements since 1998. It is
part of the same organisation as St John
Ambulance.
Find out more on www.stjohnscotland.
National Award Goes To Mountain Rescue First Aider
SCOTTISH MOUNTAIN RESCUE February 2013
At the inaugural Scottish First Aid Awards,
last night (29/11/12), Philip Glennie, from
Ballater in Royal Desside, was named Workplace First Aider of the year.
20
Working for Braemar Mountaincraft, Philip
received the award for individuals or organisations in the private sector that champion
first aid training to their staff, the public and
their customers
Organised by St Andrew’s First Aid as the
culmination of Scottish First Aid Week, the
Awards are held to find champions of first
aid in Scotland and raise awareness that
these skills can be the difference between
a life lost and a life saved - in the workplace,
at school, or in the community
Judges were impressed by Phil’s enthusiasm for delivering quality first aid. As well
as running various levels of courses Phil
regularly assists voluntary groups such as
Girl Guiding UK, the Scouting Movement
and Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
Scheme. A member of Scottish
Mountain Rescue for 25 years,
his contribution in terms of
First Aid training and practical
on the hill delivery has been invaluable.
Stuart Callison, CEO of St Andrew’s First Aid, said, “Congratulations to Phil for leading
the way and helping Scotland
become more first aid aware.
I hope their actions and story
will encourage others to take
up the challenge and learn vital first aid
techniques.”
Phil received the honour during the Scottish
First Aid Awards evening held in Glasgow
City Chambers. Over 250 attended to acknowledge Phil as well as the other winners
and nominees. Britain’s Got Talent winner,
Jai McDowall joined pupils from Kirkintillloch High School to perform an outstanding rendition of Proud before going on to
sing three solo songs whilst broadcaster
Scott Wilson hosted the evening.
The awards evening raised over £13,000 to
support St Andrew’s First Aid volunteers
and awareness raising campaigns across
Scotland.
For more information about the awards,
Scottish First Aid Week, volunteering for St
Andrew’s First Aid or to download free advice and guides visit www.firstaid.org.uk.
For more information please contact Joe
Walton at Real PR on 07968022684 or email
joe@real-pr.
Killin MRT
Six Members of Killin Mountain Rescue Team received a commendation
from The Chief Constable of Central
Scotland Police at a ceremony held
at Police Headquarters Stirling
recently.
Called to Ben Ledi on the evening
of 2nd January 2012 Killin Mountain
Rescue Team went to the aid of a
solo hillwalker, lightly equipped,
stranded on the summit due to the
sudden onslaught of blizzards and
storm force winds.
‘A grand read Gromit!’
Heather Morning
Search and Rescue Dogs
The remarkable story of search and rescue dogs
– from the mountains to the shore
Authors: Bob Sharp & Bill Jennison
Hayloft Publishing Ltd 2012
ISBN: 1-904524-75-3
Cover price £25
Search and Rescue Dogs is a ‘cracking’ read for
anyone who enjoys dogs and /or the mountains
of Scotland. It is a well-researched; informative and
entertaining look at a remarkably designed piece of
equipment for mountain rescue - the dog - one day
a dog might save your life!
Interspersed with entertaining stories, clear
diagrams and stunning photography, the reader
will not fail to be inspired and educated about our
versatile friend and work mate.
Copies can be obtained direct from the Publisher at
www.hayloft.eu or signed copies from the authors
(contact Bob Sharp at [email protected])
6 Killin Mountain Rescue Team
members reached the casualty on
the summit, battling waist deep
powder snow and wind speeds
gusting 50 mph.They assisted him
down the summit ridge, where they
were joined by the rest of the search
party and led safely down the hill to
his wife who was waiting at the foot
of the hill.
Had he not been located he may
well have perished as the storm
continued overnight and throughout the following day, and would
have seriously hampered any search
of the hill.
The 6 Killin MRT members who
reached the hillwalker on the summit, and received the commendation are shown in the picture along
with the senior Police Officers of
Central Scotland Police who made
the presentation.,
Chief Constables Commendation
contained the following statement:
Presented for his considerable bravery and laudable actions
On the 2nd January 2012 name
along with 5 other members of
the Killin Mountain Rescue Team
displayed outstanding bravery and
dedication to duty in effectiing the
successful rescue of a person who
had become lost in severe winter
weather whilst walking on Ben Ledi.
The Killin Mountain Rescue Team
was alerted to the dire predicament
of a walker on Ben Ledi who had
been caught in severe winter weather and white out conditions. Fearing
for his life, the walker managed to
contact his wife and subsequently
the Killin Mountain Rescue team
were mustered. At great personal
risk, the Team utilised their mountain
rescue winter navigation skills and
extensive experience to locate the
stranded walker and effected his
successful rescue in extremely challenging conditions
signed
Chief Constable
Bill Rose
Secretary
Killin MRT
SCOTTISH MOUNTAIN RESCUE February 2013
The dog is unique; every other piece of mountain
rescue equipment is a man-made inanimate
object. This book is our opportunity to understand
that unique piece of kit and how mountain rescue
dogs support the work of our mountain rescue
teams. There is a lovely sentence in the book ‘The
senses are our window to the world’ this could not
be better illustrated than with a dog’s remarkable
sense of smell. The dog’s ability in challenging
weather, terrain and poor visibility to use this
masterful ‘tool’ for the advantage of mountain
rescue teams should never be underestimated.
Unable to see or make any headway
in waist deep powder snow. the hillwalker called for help on his mobile
phone and was told to shelter and
remain near the Ben Ledi summit
cross until help arrived.
Picture left to right
Chief Inspector Findlater, Callander,
Killin MRT members, Rob Scott,
David Luti, Calum Menzies,
Central Scotland Chief Constable
Derek Penman, Killin MRT members
Mike Kreis, Andrew Leishman, Mark
Nicols.
21
Scottish Mountain Rescue
Red Cross Radios To Aid Mountain Rescuers
The British Red Cross is donating more than 50 radio sets to help Scotland’s mountain rescuers save lives.
The equipment is being handed over by the humanitarian organisation’s emergency response teams in Northern Scotland.
It follows a national upgrade of Red Cross emergency communications systems, which means the 40 multi-channel VHF hand held sets
and 12 vehicle radios are no longer needed.
The handover will take place at a meeting of the Scottish Government’s Resilience Advisory Board Scotland Voluntary Group (RABS VS)
meeting on Tuesday 29 January. The sets will be passed to a representative of the Mountain Rescue Committee of Scotland.
Nigel Stafford, Red Cross senior service manager for emergency response and resilience in Northern Scotland, said: “Like the Red Cross,
Scotland’s mountain rescue teams are dedicated to helping people in times of crisis. Giving them the radio equipment we no longer need
ensures it will continue to Source:
be putRoss-shire
to theJournal
best
possible use, saving lives.
{Main}
Edition:
Country:
Date:
Page:
Area:
Circulation:
BRAD info:
Phone:
UK
Friday 15, February 2013
“The Red Cross is an emergency 5376
response
organisation with vast experience of dealing with a wide variety of crises. Good, effective and
sq. cm
ABC 8121 Weekly
rate £2,585.00, scc rate
reliable communication is a vital page
component
of£6.11
emergency response, allowing the best placement and use of resources.
01349 863 248
Keyword:
British rescue
Red Cross - Scotland,
Ireland
& Isle of Man
“The ethos of the Scottish mountain
teamsNorthern
is very
similar
to that of the Red Cross in that we both deploy to preserve life and prevent
suffering. We see this as an excellent opportunity for both charities to further develop joint working and support each other in our mutual
aim of saving lives.”
SCOTTISH MOUNTAIN RESCUE February 2013
Alastair Rose, Chair of Scottish Mountain Rescue Resource Group, Said
“ The radios gifted to us by the British Red Cross will provide our Scottish Mountain Rescue volunteers with a vital means of maintaining
communications during our search and rescue activities. Good communications , particularly in the busy winter months, are essential
in our ability improve the voluntary Mountain Rescue service we provide to the members of the public and the communities whom we
serve. These radios will enable this to happen and will provide additional resilience to our existing supply of radio equipment.
22
In addition the supply of this equipment will mean that our Scottish Mountain Rescue volunteers will continue to have access to a
communication system that is also there for their safety as well as the casualties’.
We are delighted that the British Red Cross wish to share resources
with us. Working together and having strong links for the future,
will allow both services to continue to serve the people of Scotland
with a world class volunteer response service in emergency
situations”.
Roseanna Cunningham, Minister for Community Safety and
Legal Affairs said:
“Both the British Red Cross and Scottish Mountain Rescue have
incredibly dedicated volunteers who put themselves on the line
to help others, often in extremely challenging circumstances. I am
delighted both organisations have such strong links in place. This
sharing of resources is an excellent initiative that benefits both
organisations and helps improve the safety of the men and women
who use our natural spaces.”
For further information Contact Derek Masterton
0141 891 4016 or 07818 457589
Produced by Durrants under licence from the NLA (newspapers), CLA (magazines) or other copyright owner. No further copying (including
printing of digital cuttings), digital reproduction/forwarding of the cutting is permitted except under licence from the copyright owner.
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