Sunday, January 31
Mountain Rescue - Spare Change?
Regular readers will be aware of my regular promotion of the UK's Mountain Rescue services. In particular I joined the MRT national support group Basecamp at the Outdoor Show last year. One of the fringe benefits, besides financial support for MRT, is that I receive Mountain Rescue Magazine each month.
I'll be frank - with it's targeted audience of MRT members much of the content goes straight over my head. However I can usually find something to saviour beyond the hard core technical items & intra team news.
This month there's in depth (no pun intended!) coverage from some of those involved in the Cockermouth flood rescues last November.
Local MRT teams were very actively involved over a ten day period - and all of it voluntary. Despite the teams forming an integral part of the offical joint emergency services response, many had to take took leave of absence from their day jobs and businesses to provide their time & expertise. And lets not forget prolonged absences from their families, with their own worries about the dangers involved.
Mountain rescue is one thing. Flood rescue whilst chest deep in rising water, urban & country debris included, is something else entirely.
I've picked out two items which never made the national news, but illustrate the contrasting challenges which MRT have to deal with, both during the emergency & afterwards.
"The only downside ….. a spurious call from a journalist who said she'd heard a report of someone injured on Skiddaw. The Keswick (MRT) team were suspicious from the start but that didn’t stop them deploying thirty people to the hill before the woman admitted she was just testing the system to see if mountain rescue could still respond to the mountains despite their commitment to the floods. I understand she has now been charged with wasting the time of an emergency service, something which carries a tougher penalty than wasting police time"
(Andy Simpson/Mountain Rescue Magazine Jan 2010)
"…the teams are now calculating the cost in terms of damaged or lost equipment…...at least two recently purchased Land Rovers suffered significant flood damage whilst carrying out rescue work in the Cockermouth & Ambleside floods"
'Nuff said I think.
If you want to contribute towards MRT you can do so by GIVING via their web site or via Basecamp Facebook.
And if you want to keep up to date there's always MRT Basecamp's page on Facebook.Labels: Lake District, Mountain Rescue Team MRT BASECAMP
Sunday, November 22
Flooding - bring it home
Like you I've heard & seen the news reports about the Cockermouth floods. Whilst there is considerable disruption & damage, there is a niggling temptation to wonder if the press reports have concentrated on the more extreme, TV friendly, areas.
Over on the Mad About Mountains are a range of snaps covering Keswick town centre. And for those that have spent long hours waiting outside Booth's Supermarket for a bus/coach link, or stayed at the YHA - the pictures tell the story with far more personal impact.
A range of scenes from today around Keswick, and yesterday from Latrigg.
Bad. But bearing in mind how things looked like when it was really raining, the situation could have turned out much worse.
A big well done to all the rescue services concerned.
But lets not forget efforts of the MRT whose Basecamp supporter's site updates on Facebook illustrate the long and arduous activity the teams of volunteers, pulled in from many areas, have been involved with over the last few days.
Time for a donation. Or better still join Basecamp?
Labels: Lake District, Mountain Rescue Team MRT BASECAMP, Mountain Rescue Team(MRT)
Thursday, March 19
E-Petition - Support the Mountain Rescue service
"We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Give VAT exemptions to the Mountain Rescue Service on all of their spending.
This petition is aimed ensuring the mountain rescue service is exempt from VAT on all of their equipment and spending as they provide a service that would otherwise be very costly to the Government. This service should mirror the Lifeboat service and other voluntary services"
I you want to add your name to the E-Petition on the 10 downing Street site then click here.
Labels: E-Petition, Mountain Rescue Team MRT BASECAMP
Tuesday, August 5
Call Out Mountain Rescue book
Courtesy of ever excellent Grough Outdoor News I'm now working my way through the Mountain Rescue's latest publication 'A pocket guide to safety on the hill'.
Unexpectedly, despite its A6 compact size its a little weighty at 250+g so those ultralightweighters amongst you may have to consider leaving something out the pack if this is to be slipped in alongside the first-aid kit. It's likely to prove as useful to be honest, full creative hints & tips alongside standard procedures for safety, rescue and first aid.
Editor Judy Whiteside has done a great job in putting together an excellent precis of key information for hardy outdoor types who play out on the hills, but may one day find themselves in a spot of less welcome bother. Or perhaps, as is more likely, come across others needing our assistance.
I was lucky enough to receive mine as a competition prize, but if you get a chance to leaf through a copy I suspect you'll pick one up as a quick reminder of how to be safer doing what we enjoy most.
The blurb on Amazon gives a flavour:".... preparation and route planning, what to take on the hill and how to pack it, how best to stay safe in the mountains and what to do if you have an accident .........a run down of the mountain rescue call-out procedure and how to relay the relevant information to the emergency services - plus a potted history of mountain rescue and some useful advice on publications, websites and organisations with which to hone your skills and research your trip....this book is essential reading for the outdoor enthusiast"
I'm only half way through it and have already found a couple of useful tips that I was aware of from personal trial & error, but which I rarely see practiced on my trips into the hills.
Along with the book, a leaflet. Reminding me about the Mountain Rescue Team BASECAMP supporter organisation set up in April 2007. Something I'd meant to join soon after it formed, but had overlooked. In recognition of this freebie, and as a stalwart MRT supporter of many years, it only seems fair I should get that omission sorted asap.
Does that mean I'll get the Added-Value service from the MRT if I wear the Basecamp Badge?
On reflection, I'd rather not find out!Labels: Mountain Rescue Team MRT BASECAMP, Mountain Rescue Team(MRT)
All site material © John Hee - ask before you snatch
I'll be frank - with it's targeted audience of MRT members much of the content goes straight over my head. However I can usually find something to saviour beyond the hard core technical items & intra team news.
This month there's in depth (no pun intended!) coverage from some of those involved in the Cockermouth flood rescues last November.
Local MRT teams were very actively involved over a ten day period - and all of it voluntary. Despite the teams forming an integral part of the offical joint emergency services response, many had to take took leave of absence from their day jobs and businesses to provide their time & expertise. And lets not forget prolonged absences from their families, with their own worries about the dangers involved.
Mountain rescue is one thing. Flood rescue whilst chest deep in rising water, urban & country debris included, is something else entirely.
I've picked out two items which never made the national news, but illustrate the contrasting challenges which MRT have to deal with, both during the emergency & afterwards.
"The only downside ….. a spurious call from a journalist who said she'd heard a report of someone injured on Skiddaw. The Keswick (MRT) team were suspicious from the start but that didn’t stop them deploying thirty people to the hill before the woman admitted she was just testing the system to see if mountain rescue could still respond to the mountains despite their commitment to the floods. I understand she has now been charged with wasting the time of an emergency service, something which carries a tougher penalty than wasting police time"
(Andy Simpson/Mountain Rescue Magazine Jan 2010)
"…the teams are now calculating the cost in terms of damaged or lost equipment…...at least two recently purchased Land Rovers suffered significant flood damage whilst carrying out rescue work in the Cockermouth & Ambleside floods"
'Nuff said I think.
If you want to contribute towards MRT you can do so by GIVING via their web site or via Basecamp Facebook.
And if you want to keep up to date there's always MRT Basecamp's page on Facebook.
Labels: Lake District, Mountain Rescue Team MRT BASECAMP
Flooding - bring it home
Like you I've heard & seen the news reports about the Cockermouth floods. Whilst there is considerable disruption & damage, there is a niggling temptation to wonder if the press reports have concentrated on the more extreme, TV friendly, areas.
Over on the Mad About Mountains are a range of snaps covering Keswick town centre. And for those that have spent long hours waiting outside Booth's Supermarket for a bus/coach link, or stayed at the YHA - the pictures tell the story with far more personal impact.
A range of scenes from today around Keswick, and yesterday from Latrigg.
Bad. But bearing in mind how things looked like when it was really raining, the situation could have turned out much worse.
A big well done to all the rescue services concerned.
But lets not forget efforts of the MRT whose Basecamp supporter's site updates on Facebook illustrate the long and arduous activity the teams of volunteers, pulled in from many areas, have been involved with over the last few days.
Time for a donation. Or better still join Basecamp?
Labels: Lake District, Mountain Rescue Team MRT BASECAMP, Mountain Rescue Team(MRT)
Thursday, March 19
E-Petition - Support the Mountain Rescue service
"We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Give VAT exemptions to the Mountain Rescue Service on all of their spending.
This petition is aimed ensuring the mountain rescue service is exempt from VAT on all of their equipment and spending as they provide a service that would otherwise be very costly to the Government. This service should mirror the Lifeboat service and other voluntary services"
I you want to add your name to the E-Petition on the 10 downing Street site then click here.
Labels: E-Petition, Mountain Rescue Team MRT BASECAMP
Tuesday, August 5
Call Out Mountain Rescue book
Courtesy of ever excellent Grough Outdoor News I'm now working my way through the Mountain Rescue's latest publication 'A pocket guide to safety on the hill'.
Unexpectedly, despite its A6 compact size its a little weighty at 250+g so those ultralightweighters amongst you may have to consider leaving something out the pack if this is to be slipped in alongside the first-aid kit. It's likely to prove as useful to be honest, full creative hints & tips alongside standard procedures for safety, rescue and first aid.
Editor Judy Whiteside has done a great job in putting together an excellent precis of key information for hardy outdoor types who play out on the hills, but may one day find themselves in a spot of less welcome bother. Or perhaps, as is more likely, come across others needing our assistance.
I was lucky enough to receive mine as a competition prize, but if you get a chance to leaf through a copy I suspect you'll pick one up as a quick reminder of how to be safer doing what we enjoy most.
The blurb on Amazon gives a flavour:".... preparation and route planning, what to take on the hill and how to pack it, how best to stay safe in the mountains and what to do if you have an accident .........a run down of the mountain rescue call-out procedure and how to relay the relevant information to the emergency services - plus a potted history of mountain rescue and some useful advice on publications, websites and organisations with which to hone your skills and research your trip....this book is essential reading for the outdoor enthusiast"
I'm only half way through it and have already found a couple of useful tips that I was aware of from personal trial & error, but which I rarely see practiced on my trips into the hills.
Along with the book, a leaflet. Reminding me about the Mountain Rescue Team BASECAMP supporter organisation set up in April 2007. Something I'd meant to join soon after it formed, but had overlooked. In recognition of this freebie, and as a stalwart MRT supporter of many years, it only seems fair I should get that omission sorted asap.
Does that mean I'll get the Added-Value service from the MRT if I wear the Basecamp Badge?
On reflection, I'd rather not find out!Labels: Mountain Rescue Team MRT BASECAMP, Mountain Rescue Team(MRT)
All site material © John Hee - ask before you snatch
Over on the Mad About Mountains are a range of snaps covering Keswick town centre. And for those that have spent long hours waiting outside Booth's Supermarket for a bus/coach link, or stayed at the YHA - the pictures tell the story with far more personal impact.
A range of scenes from today around Keswick, and yesterday from Latrigg.
Bad. But bearing in mind how things looked like when it was really raining, the situation could have turned out much worse.
A big well done to all the rescue services concerned.
But lets not forget efforts of the MRT whose Basecamp supporter's site updates on Facebook illustrate the long and arduous activity the teams of volunteers, pulled in from many areas, have been involved with over the last few days.
Time for a donation. Or better still join Basecamp?
Labels: Lake District, Mountain Rescue Team MRT BASECAMP, Mountain Rescue Team(MRT)
E-Petition - Support the Mountain Rescue service
"We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Give VAT exemptions to the Mountain Rescue Service on all of their spending.
This petition is aimed ensuring the mountain rescue service is exempt from VAT on all of their equipment and spending as they provide a service that would otherwise be very costly to the Government. This service should mirror the Lifeboat service and other voluntary services"
I you want to add your name to the E-Petition on the 10 downing Street site then click here.
Labels: E-Petition, Mountain Rescue Team MRT BASECAMP
Tuesday, August 5
Call Out Mountain Rescue book
Courtesy of ever excellent Grough Outdoor News I'm now working my way through the Mountain Rescue's latest publication 'A pocket guide to safety on the hill'.
Unexpectedly, despite its A6 compact size its a little weighty at 250+g so those ultralightweighters amongst you may have to consider leaving something out the pack if this is to be slipped in alongside the first-aid kit. It's likely to prove as useful to be honest, full creative hints & tips alongside standard procedures for safety, rescue and first aid.
Editor Judy Whiteside has done a great job in putting together an excellent precis of key information for hardy outdoor types who play out on the hills, but may one day find themselves in a spot of less welcome bother. Or perhaps, as is more likely, come across others needing our assistance.
I was lucky enough to receive mine as a competition prize, but if you get a chance to leaf through a copy I suspect you'll pick one up as a quick reminder of how to be safer doing what we enjoy most.
The blurb on Amazon gives a flavour:".... preparation and route planning, what to take on the hill and how to pack it, how best to stay safe in the mountains and what to do if you have an accident .........a run down of the mountain rescue call-out procedure and how to relay the relevant information to the emergency services - plus a potted history of mountain rescue and some useful advice on publications, websites and organisations with which to hone your skills and research your trip....this book is essential reading for the outdoor enthusiast"
I'm only half way through it and have already found a couple of useful tips that I was aware of from personal trial & error, but which I rarely see practiced on my trips into the hills.
Along with the book, a leaflet. Reminding me about the Mountain Rescue Team BASECAMP supporter organisation set up in April 2007. Something I'd meant to join soon after it formed, but had overlooked. In recognition of this freebie, and as a stalwart MRT supporter of many years, it only seems fair I should get that omission sorted asap.
Does that mean I'll get the Added-Value service from the MRT if I wear the Basecamp Badge?
On reflection, I'd rather not find out!Labels: Mountain Rescue Team MRT BASECAMP, Mountain Rescue Team(MRT)
All site material © John Hee - ask before you snatch
"We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Give VAT exemptions to the Mountain Rescue Service on all of their spending.
This petition is aimed ensuring the mountain rescue service is exempt from VAT on all of their equipment and spending as they provide a service that would otherwise be very costly to the Government. This service should mirror the Lifeboat service and other voluntary services"
I you want to add your name to the E-Petition on the 10 downing Street site then click here.
Labels: E-Petition, Mountain Rescue Team MRT BASECAMP
Call Out Mountain Rescue book
Courtesy of ever excellent Grough Outdoor News I'm now working my way through the Mountain Rescue's latest publication 'A pocket guide to safety on the hill'.
Unexpectedly, despite its A6 compact size its a little weighty at 250+g so those ultralightweighters amongst you may have to consider leaving something out the pack if this is to be slipped in alongside the first-aid kit. It's likely to prove as useful to be honest, full creative hints & tips alongside standard procedures for safety, rescue and first aid.
Editor Judy Whiteside has done a great job in putting together an excellent precis of key information for hardy outdoor types who play out on the hills, but may one day find themselves in a spot of less welcome bother. Or perhaps, as is more likely, come across others needing our assistance.
I was lucky enough to receive mine as a competition prize, but if you get a chance to leaf through a copy I suspect you'll pick one up as a quick reminder of how to be safer doing what we enjoy most.
The blurb on Amazon gives a flavour:".... preparation and route planning, what to take on the hill and how to pack it, how best to stay safe in the mountains and what to do if you have an accident .........a run down of the mountain rescue call-out procedure and how to relay the relevant information to the emergency services - plus a potted history of mountain rescue and some useful advice on publications, websites and organisations with which to hone your skills and research your trip....this book is essential reading for the outdoor enthusiast"
I'm only half way through it and have already found a couple of useful tips that I was aware of from personal trial & error, but which I rarely see practiced on my trips into the hills.
Along with the book, a leaflet. Reminding me about the Mountain Rescue Team BASECAMP supporter organisation set up in April 2007. Something I'd meant to join soon after it formed, but had overlooked. In recognition of this freebie, and as a stalwart MRT supporter of many years, it only seems fair I should get that omission sorted asap.
Does that mean I'll get the Added-Value service from the MRT if I wear the Basecamp Badge?
On reflection, I'd rather not find out!Labels: Mountain Rescue Team MRT BASECAMP, Mountain Rescue Team(MRT)
Unexpectedly, despite its A6 compact size its a little weighty at 250+g so those ultralightweighters amongst you may have to consider leaving something out the pack if this is to be slipped in alongside the first-aid kit. It's likely to prove as useful to be honest, full creative hints & tips alongside standard procedures for safety, rescue and first aid.
Editor Judy Whiteside has done a great job in putting together an excellent precis of key information for hardy outdoor types who play out on the hills, but may one day find themselves in a spot of less welcome bother. Or perhaps, as is more likely, come across others needing our assistance.
I was lucky enough to receive mine as a competition prize, but if you get a chance to leaf through a copy I suspect you'll pick one up as a quick reminder of how to be safer doing what we enjoy most.
The blurb on Amazon gives a flavour:".... preparation and route planning, what to take on the hill and how to pack it, how best to stay safe in the mountains and what to do if you have an accident .........a run down of the mountain rescue call-out procedure and how to relay the relevant information to the emergency services - plus a potted history of mountain rescue and some useful advice on publications, websites and organisations with which to hone your skills and research your trip....this book is essential reading for the outdoor enthusiast"
I'm only half way through it and have already found a couple of useful tips that I was aware of from personal trial & error, but which I rarely see practiced on my trips into the hills.
Along with the book, a leaflet. Reminding me about the Mountain Rescue Team BASECAMP supporter organisation set up in April 2007. Something I'd meant to join soon after it formed, but had overlooked. In recognition of this freebie, and as a stalwart MRT supporter of many years, it only seems fair I should get that omission sorted asap.
Does that mean I'll get the Added-Value service from the MRT if I wear the Basecamp Badge?
On reflection, I'd rather not find out!
Labels: Mountain Rescue Team MRT BASECAMP, Mountain Rescue Team(MRT)
All site material © John Hee - ask before you snatch
