The weekend of 31st March, 1st April saw a scruffy (and not so scruffy) mob of around 45 bushwalkers attend the Bushwalkers Wilderness Rescue training weekend. It was held at Cataract Scout Camp, near Appin. The aim of the exercise was to train bushwalkers in the additional skills required for search and rescue, and was based around the new structured training system which BWR is currently developing.
Many aspects of search and rescue were covered, including how the emergency services are structured in NSW, what to do at incident sites and search techniques.
On Saturday morning we were visited by the Careflight Rescue Helicopter - helicopter and all. No, we didn’t get a joy flight, although many of use were keen to take it for a spin. We were shown the safety procedures, discussed the workings of the various medical and rescue equipment, radio contact methods along with general discussion. The dangers associated with helicopters was inadvertently demonstrated by some grit being blown into one of our member’s eyes during take-off. The down draft of the 5.5 ton helicopter is enormous - anything loose will never be seen again!
The navigation training covered everything from the most basic up to some highly specialised discussions. For those who felt they knew all there was to know, they had the opportunity to head off into the bush with their trusty GPS and search for a small ice cream bucket with its location only given by a 15 figure grid reference. An interesting challenge, and more difficult than you might think.
Sunday morning saw all in their old clothes for the "Challenge Valley" obstacle course. We got completely dirty and wet, and it was great fun. No broken bones, but lots of smiles. The course record was not broken, but I believe some bloke about 46 years old beat some of the younger ones? Who’s not so fit now?
To finish the weekend off we were organised into groups and participated in a simulated search. Starting from a briefing of team leaders, we walked off to the designated bush areas where we used the search techniques and radio skills that we had learnt to find a poor lost soul, returning to base for a final debriefing.
BWR encourages any experienced bushwalker to join them for the next training
weekend. We want to train you in modern search and rescue methods so you can
join our squad. Of course, it is also a fantastic social event to meet other
clubs and interesting fellow walkers, climbers, cyclists, cavers, canoeists,
canyoners and skiers.
See ya next time ‘round.
contact methods along with general discussion. The dangers associated with helicopters was inadvertently demonstrated by some grit being blown into one of our member’s eyes during take-off. The down draft of the 5.5 ton helicopter is enormous - anything loose will never be seen again!
The navigation training covered everything from the most basic up to some highly specialised discussions. For those who felt they knew all there was to know, they had the opportunity to head off into the bush with their trusty GPS and search for a small ice cream bucket with its location only given by a 15 figure grid reference. An interesting challenge, and more difficult than you might think.
Sunday morning saw all in their old clothes for the "Challenge Valley" obstacle course. We got completely dirty and wet, and it was great fun. No broken bones, but lots of smiles. The course record was not broken, but I believe some bloke about 46 years old beat some of the younger ones? Who’s not so fit now?
To finish the weekend off we were organised into groups and participated in a simulated search. Starting from a briefing of team leaders, we walked off to the designated bush areas where we used the search techniques and