Taw Explorers help Exmoor Search and Rescue

dscf1780 On Sunday 29th September 4 Taw Explorers and one leader set out onto Exmoor to get themselves lost for a very important reason. The Explorers had been asked if they could help Exmoor Search and Rescue Team (ESRT) with a training exercise. The Rescue Team, all volunteers, are available on call out 24 hours a day to search for missing persons in the Exmoor, North Devon and West Somerset region. They train regularly to ensure they are ready to help when they are needed. Sunday was one of their regular Training Events, a SAREX (Search and Rescue Exercise).

On this occasion the Explorers were able to help by pretending to be a lost and injured Duke of Edinburgh Team. The story was: - the team had gone walking for their practice expedition but had not reached their planned campsite as one member had blisters, so they camped along route, ringing their leader to let him know.

In the morning when preparing breakfast there was problem with the meths stove. One team member was badly burnt, another then burnt his hands putting out the fire on his friend. The two remaining members of the team went for help but on climbing towards high ground to get a mobile signal one fell, resulting in head and spinal injuries as well as a broken leg. The remaining member of the group is suffering from Hypoglycaemia. What an unlucky bunch, but for ESRT an excellent training exercise to get their teeth into.

So the Explorers are positioned in the woods below Webbers post and make up applied to give the scenario an edge of realism. In the meantime the rescue team arrive and are given some details from the Scout Leader. Mike spent the day in the teams control vehicle asking questions and giving the team information to assist them in their search. The Explorers waited while the rescue team designated search areas and deployed themselves to search along the route the Explorers were walking.

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Just after 12pm Search Party Exmoor 04 found the first two scouts camped near the track. Sammi, the Casualty Carer, began to treat Jacob for burns and shock and requesting equipment from control, Chris, another team member, treated Chris’s injured hands while other search parties continued to look for Emily and Nick who had gone for help. Using information given to them by Chris and Jacob, they narrowed the area they were searching in.

Equipment arrived and Jacob was give oxygen and placed in a casualty bag before being lifted onto a stretcher. The stretcher can be fitted with a wheel, making it easier to evacuate the casualty although as Jacob said “it was a bit bumpy”. Team members took turns to carry/push the stretcher to the road and the teams Landrover. Jacob was loaded into the Landrover ready to be taken off to hospital.

In the mean time Search Party 01 find Emily and Nick in their location on the side of the hill. Emily with suspected back and head injuries is treated very carefully. This is difficult as she is laid awkwardly and is slipping on the steep ground. Her head is held still and airway checked. Equipment is called for and a neck collar fitted. Then a vacuum splint is applied to her injured leg and a full body vacuum mattress keeping her whole body still and allowing a log roll to get her positioned on a stretcher ready to be evacuated. Nick is also treated with gluco gel to bring his blood sugars up. Again ESRT work together to carry the casualties to the road and the waiting Landrover.

The exercise ends and the team and our Explorers return to control for a debrief, the team report back what went well and areas to work on. All of the Explorers are asked how they felt while being treated by the team. Emily summed it up saying “I felt well looked after by Mandy my casualty carer”. The Explorers also have a chance to look around the control vehicle and meet team members.

Many thanks to Exmoor Rescue Team for giving us the opportunity to see them in action, more information about the team can be found at http://www.exmoor-srt.org.uk/