Making sure team members are up to speed with all that might be expected of them at an incident is a bit like painting Blackpool Tower.  It’s a never ending process involving every Thursday night and occasional weekends.  (Although they probably paint Blackpool Tower on other days as well!)  Only in August is the official training program relaxed but that is traditionally one of the busiest operational months meaning time has to be concentrated on checking and replacing worn out equipment.

So, it’s back to school and the new term started last week!

Last Thursday, just to check the current skill levels, team members were thrown in the deep end with a very realistic exercise incident at Teggs Nose Country Park, Macclesfield.  A man appeared to have fallen some 40 feet landing in an impossible position with multiple injuries.  The resulting casualty extraction tested each skilled subject including, first-aid, site and incident control, crag safety, rope work, radio communication and stretcher handling.  It was a challenging event and went on late but the exercise was thoroughly enjoyed by every member.

This week members are taking a trip to visit Derbyshire Police Headquarters at Ripley.  The police have the ultimate responsibility for public safety and all the team’s call-outs are authorised by them.  It will be interesting to meet the voices on the other end of the phone and see just how all the calls from the public and ambulance services are handled and how mountain rescue is activated.

The next few weeks after that will be dedicated o the annual “Casualty Care” course.  The team’s Medical Advisory Group (MAG) have been polishing their stethoscopes and sharpening their pencils ready for a fast paced, highly educational, Casualty Care program that has been nine months in the planning.  This nationally recognised qualification is obtained by passing a strenuous examination in December and is delivered by experienced qualified medical personnel.  The course is a “pleasant” mixture of theoretical knowledge and practical moulages.  It’s always very popular with the team members of which nearly 90% already already hold the qualification and are looking to renew it again this year.

If you think you have what it takes to join the team then we would really like to hear from you.  You don’t need any formal qualifications; just a sound background of walking or climbing in the Peak District.  We can teach most of the necessary skills but a sense of humor and an understanding partner is a great advantage.  All ages from 18 upwards.   Not every job is on a crag or needs climbing skills.  We don’t want super heroes; the strength of the team is in teamwork.

Not always available for call-outs?  Then we also want people to help with myriad of tasks which keep the team operational.  Some practical and some administrative. Interested?  Click the red ‘Join the Team’ menu button.

Photos:   Team on exercise in Chee Dale this summer.    Lower leg injuries are the most common call-out the team attends so knowing how to fit a box splint is essential training.