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72 Pages·2014·10.62 MB·English

Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team
AnnualReport2014
www.cockermouthmrt.org.uk
The Team responsible for rescuing
Founded in 1953 people and animals from the Lorton,
A registered charity. No. 506956 Loweswater, Buttermere and
Ennerdale areas
60th Annual Report
Team Officials
President: Maureen Richardson Assistant Team Leaders: Steve Brailey,
Vice-Presidents: Dr. Edward Holloway, Chris Cookson, Andrew McNeil
Mike Thompson Radio Officer:Richard Greenwood
Chairman:Steve Brailey Quartermasters:John Bulman, Neil Connolly,
TeamLeader: Michael Park Jim Coyle, Phil Gerrard, Simon Hunter,
Secretary:Gwyn Lewis, PO Box 73, Cockermouth Andrew McNeil, Martin Pickavance,
CA13 3AE, 01900 827771, Derek Tunstall
[email protected] Collecting Box Co-ordinator: Derek Tunstall MBE
Assistant Secretary:Simon Woodbury Auditor:Gibbons & Co.
Treasurer: Jeff Haslam Honorary Members:Maurice Anderson,
Medical Officers:Dr. Mark Steel, Dr. Jo Grove, George Williams
Dr. Peter Hemingway, Dr Peter Winterbottom,
Dr. Tom Gallagher
Call-outList
Abbot, Chris............................Bank Manager (Retired) Hemingway, Peter..............General Practitioner
Blanden, Dave......................Building Surveyor Hunter, Simon......................Env. Technical Manager
Brailey, Steve..........................Local Government Officer Irving, Alan..............................Maintenance Manager
Bulman, John........................Health & Safety Advisor Jones, Steve............................Dental Surgeon
Butler, Russell......................Teacher Lewis, Gwyn............................Operations Manager
Connolly Laura....................Physiotherapist Liddell, Bob............................Headteacher (Retired)
Connolly, Neale....................Outdoor Instructor Lumb, Nick..............................Outdoor Instructor
Cookson, Chris....................I T Developer McNeil, Andrew..................Building Surveyor
Cousins, Ian............................Software Developer Moore James..........................Support Engineer
Coyle, Jim BEM....................Estate Manager (Retired) Moore, Rod MBE................Engineer (Retired)
Dawson, Pete..........................Headteacher Otley, Carolyn........................Comm. Dev. Worker
Dempster, John MBE......Headteacher (Retired) Park, Mike MBE..................Land Surveyor
Gallagher, Tom......................General Practitioner Pickavance, Martin ..........Teacher
Gerrard, Phil..........................Project Team Manager Steel, Mark..............................General Practitioner
Goodman, Simon................Teacher Steele, Chris............................Teacher
Graham, Andrew................Chartered Surveyor Tunstall, Derek MBE......Mechanical Fitter
Greenwood, Richard......Chartered Engineer Twyford, Paul........................Solicitor
Grove, Jo....................................General Practitioner Whitehurst, Steve ............Orthodontist
Hadwin, Mike........................Manager Winterbottom, Peter......General Practitioner
Haslam, Jeff............................ICT Advisor Woodbury, Simon..............Research Technologist
Hellen, Richard....................Dental Practitioner
2(cid:0)CMRT Annual Report 2014
In 2013 we celebrated the 60th a day, 365 days a year. It’s not Derwent near Camerton, sadly
anniversary of the Team. The just the casualties we rescue a fatality.
anniversary dinner on 23rd that benefit, it’s the full-time • A 50-year-old paraglider from
February was a wonderful paid services, mainly the police Cumbria who had crashed into
opportunity to catch up with and ambulance services that the fellside on Grasmoor
Team members from years past. benefit from our ability to work sustaining leg injuries.
It was also a good time to reflect in a variety of difficult • A call to assist with vehicles
on the fundamental values of environments and conditions. stuck in deep, drifting snow on
mountain rescue, that haven’t The list of 61 callouts in 2013 the A595.
changed significantly in 60 highlights the range of • A 48-year-old mountain biker
years. That is: unpaid incidents the team is now called from Newcastle who sustained
volunteers giving their time to to assist with. These include: a leg injury close to Black Sail
train, fundraise for equipment • A minibus which became Youth Hostel, Ennerdale.
and go to the assistance of stuck on ice on Newlands Pass • A climbing party reported a
people and animals in both with four passengers on board. sheep stuck on Dry Trim Ledge,
mountainous and lowland The vehicle wedged against the High Crag Buttermere.
areas when requested, 24 hours side of road. • A 19-year-old male fell >>>
• A callout to assist the
ambulance service with a
casualty found in the River
Chairman’s report
Steve Brailey
CCMMRRTT A Annnnuuaal lR Reeppoorrtt 2 2001144(cid:0)(cid:0)33
>>> down Sour Milk Ghyll,
Buttermere, sustaining
shoulder and ankle injuries.
• A call to assist the ambulance
service and the Great North Air
Ambulance evacuate a 60-year-
old woman who had fallen from
her horse in the countryside
towards Carlisle, suffering a
head injury and concussion.
And finally:
• Allerdale Borough Council
asked the Team if we could help you for your hard work. The Chief Constable and High Sheriff
remove a dumped mattress Twenty-thirteen saw an presented certificates of commendation to
from the River Derwent in unusual recruitment drive for John Hulse, Steve Brailey and Paul Horder
Cockermouth. We did! the Team, unusual as we for their work on introducing a new call-
Over the last 19 years Team normally have no problem out logging system for Cumbria.
member Chris Abbot has recruiting new members. The
fulfilled the role of issue that faced us was the helicopters will come from
‘Development Manager,’ “to elderly age structure in the Humberside, Caenarfon, and
help”, as he succinctly puts it, “to Team, one that would Prestwick not from Boulmer or
help create sufficient income to predictably increase in the Leckonfield. The transfer
match the operational and future. To try and generate arrangements to this new
training needs of Cockermouth interest from younger potential service have left us with
MRT”. At the end of 2013 Chris recruits the Team used Facebook concerns, particularly about the
decided to stand down from and other media. It was amount of training planned
this role, and it reflects great Facebook that generated the with mountain rescue teams.
credit on him that the team most interest with 90 percent of The Team, regional body
finds itself in a stronger our new aspirant members LDSAMRA and, hopefully, the
financial position in 2013 than coming to us via the site. national body MREW will
any time in the last 60 years. Twenty-fourteen will bring campaign to ensure mountain
On behalf of the team, and significant changes to the way rescue receives the training it
particularly the casualties who the rescue helicopter service is deserves and casualties the
have benefitted from the operated in England and Wales. service they need.
equipment that Chris has Bristow will be running the Finally, for their support and
helped to fundraise for, thank service instead of the RAF and assistance in 2013 my thanks go
to the police, North West
Ambulance Service, Fire and
Rescue Service, Maryport
Inshore Rescue, the RAF and
Air Ambulance helicopter
crews, and particularly the
wives, husbands, partners,
family members and work
colleagues who support Team
members when callouts or
training take them away for
sometimes significant periods
of time. We couldn’t do our
work without you.
Steve Brailey
4(cid:0)CMRT Annual Report 2014
Well that’s 60 years in the bag.
I am sure there will be lots of
other articles on how we
celebrated the Team’s 60th year,
so all I want to say on the
subject is thank you very much
to all the people involved in
making the celebrations
fantastic. We celebrated it well
and it was good to see and chat
to all of the ex-Team members
and share the stories.
Last year was remarkable in
that we had 61 callouts, exactly
the same number as the
previous year. As always, the
Team took these callouts in
their stride and managed these
events with dedication and
professionalism. I know there
are one or two casualties we
have met this year who are very
grateful that we turned out to
help them in their ‘hour of
need’. Not just because we
patched them up and got them Mike showing visitors around the card we received from her after
off the hill safely, but because we Team’s base during an open day to the event certainly reminded
showed them compassion, mark the Team’s 60th anniversary. me why we do it.
thoughtfulness and, most Callout number nine was for
important of all, we showed Callout number one was a a man in a party of three who
them that they can still laugh young lady who had gone had slipped on a patch of snow
and giggle even when it does missing on New Year’s Eve. and slipped/fallen 200-plus
hurt! There was a number of factors metres into Walker’s Gully
The two callouts that stand that could have easily led to this below Pillar Rock. This, sadly,
out for me this year are callouts incident having a different had a tragic outcome, with the
numbers one and nine, as they outcome, but thankfully the Team finding and recovering a
had such contrasting outcomes. Team found her in the very early body as well as having to >>>
hours of New Year’s Day, sitting
sodden on the banks of a very
swollen River Derwent. The
TeamLeader’s report
Mike Park MBE
CCMMRRTT A Annnnuuaal lR Reeppoorrtt 2 2001144(cid:0)(cid:0)55
>>>help the other members of The Team takes
the party who had just lost a another callout
friend and a brother. Everybody in its stride.
loses when these accidents
happen, and sometimes all we
are left with is the knowledge
that we go into the hills because
it does still bring us so much joy.
So that was 60 years... we
may look back in time and
consider the last 60 years as the
‘golden age’ of mountain rescue
in the Lakes. I say this because I
believe that there is a change
coming and it may not be an
acceptable change to some of
us.
My understanding is that
Cockermouth Mountain
Rescue was formed to help
people who were injured or lost
on the fells. Over 60 years the
Team has worked extremely
hard to ensure that we don’t just
help people but we help them to
the very best of our ability, every arrangements in meetings; and Well, it only takes one person
time, all of the time. have even changed the location to spot the knot that is tied
To make sure we achieve of Derek’s air fresheners! wrong to prevent a tragedy. It
this, CMRT has always been at However, the change I am only takes one person to hear
the forefront of improving what alluding to, is the change that the shout for help or see the
mountain rescue is. We achieve our National Representative flash of the torch to save a life.
this through talking to our Body seems hell-bent on And it only takes one voice to
peers in the other Lakes’ Teams imposing on Mountain Rescue. say ‘enough is enough, there is
and across the country; by This change comes from a another way’.
checking out what is done in group of people who seem to That one voice challenging
other countries by bringing in think that “change whatsoever” this change has to be heard by
experts from across the world; is good and “no change” is bad. 4,500 other mountain rescuers.
and by not resting on our This group of people are That voice will shout loud, but it
laurels, but always seeking to happier copying other will be heard better if it comes
improve and learn from others. organisations’ changes rather from one team challenging 47
So change is not something than listening to the grassroots other teams, or even better from
that CMRT has avoided or of their own organisation. They one region challenging eight
shirked, we have openly are happier to accept advice other regions.
accepted change and the extra from organisations that have a So I am asking if you will
commitment this requires. different purpose and goals, consider challenging this
This is a Team that has taken than listen to people from change with me?
women into its membership, outside and within the Or have I got it all wrong?
who have thought about getting mountain rescue community Or is it not worth the effort?
a different make of vehicle other that can see that ‘fine tuning’ is Either way, it’s your
than Landrover; who have what is required. decision... I shouted!
changed the seating So why am I telling you this? Mike Park
6(cid:0)CMRT Annual Report 2014
In 2013 we once again casualty is being carried on the
completed the three-yearly stretcher. With the routine
‘Casualty Care’ exam with great measurement of body
success. Thank you to Jo who temperature has come the
was lead medical officer this realisation that most of our
time around and to the external casualties are mildly
doctors and speakers who hypothermic and, as
helped with the team’s hypothermia is thought to
preparation and also on the ‘big adversely affect the outcome of
day’. During the debrief, the trauma, we should be actively
Team members expressed a rewarming with heat packs,
wish to maintain their skills by rather than just wrapping
making casualty care a feature casualties in the lovely snug
of all practices this year. ‘casbag’.
Casualty care training was With respect to callouts, two
augmented this year through particularly stick in my mind for
the efforts of Neil Connolly who, the same reason, namely the
in the October half-term, ability of Cockermouth
brought Chris and Wayne from Mountain Rescue Team to get a
The dramatic ‘waterfall
ExMed to teach a five-day, doctor to a casualty who is lying
rescue’. See pages 42-45.
intensive ‘Medicine In Remote in a hostile environment. On
Areas’ (MIRA) course in the extremely popular, and the 4th March, a walker, in a group
Team base. This is a course enthused participants, of three, was reported to have
designed to teach immediate complete with stethoscopes slipped whilst traversing above
care and first aid to draped nonchalantly around Walkers Gully, Pillar Rock. At
professionals who work in their necks, are still meeting this time, due to a prolonged
remote and hostile every Monday to maintain their cold spring, the Lakeland fells
environments and was adapted skills! We picked up many good were experiencing snow
to fulfil our needs, and also tips, especially an easy way to conditions I have only ever seen
provided a bit extra –as I am load a casualty lying in an in the Alps or in Scotland,
sure the participants will tell awkward position onto the namely hard neve. This is snow
you! It was good to see it was a vaccumat. which is frozen iron hard and to
very ‘hands-on’ course with In our practices this year we avoid slipping, crampons, ice
primary survey being practised have looked at the practicalities axe and the ability to use them
repetitively to make it of the hypothermia protocol properly, while being
automatic. This fresh look at a especially working with the comfortable on steep ground,>>>
familiar subject has proved Auto pulse (a battery powered
Cardio-Pulmonary
Resuscitation machine), which
allows CPR to be done while the
Medical Officer’s report
Dr Mark Steel
CCMMRRTT A Annnnuuaal lR Reeppoorrtt 2 2001144(cid:0)(cid:0)77
>>>are essential. For these Looking in on the
reasons the air ambulance MIRA course.
medic deferred to the team and
the helicopter ferried us up to
the base of Pillar Rock so we unexpected bonus as they were
could get to the poor lad in one of the mobiles with me
quicker. Sadly he had fallen too driving alongside Buttermere
far and there was no hope, but on the way back to the base,
we were able to recover his when we received a callout to a
body, make sure his walker with an ankle injury
companions did not join his coming off Robinson. We were
fate, and photograph his fall only about a half mile away and
line for the inquest. the casualty was only 200 yards
On 28th July, a 52-year-old up a straightforward path in
walker from London fell into a good weather, so I felt it safe to
steep sided rocky waterfall gully respond and we were first there!
whilst ascending steep ground They got to carry some gear,
close to Little Round How, walk up the hill, see the casualty
sustaining a serious knee injury. assessment and then the team
The air ambulance was first on waterfall to a location where the in action. Martin Pickavance,
the scene but could only speak helicopter from RN Gannet arriving complete with
to the casualty and throw him could fly him to West ‘ultimate warrior’-style
some dressings. The Team was Cumberland Hospital. headcam, also recorded a post
able to lower a Team doctor, the Most years I have the callout interview with one of the
paramedic and Team members privilege of showing the excited students for the local
to the casualty in the dangerous workings of the Team to evening news, but sadly it was
gully. He was treated, loaded Newcastle University third year not used. We were all delighted
onto a stretcher, but, due to medical students, who come to with this serendipitous learning
precariously loose rock, which my surgery in Maryport while opportunity, so thanks to the
prevented helicopter winching, attached to the Carlisle unfortunate casualty!
he had to be hauled up the Hospitals. This year they had an I cannot close my report
without congratulating Tom
Gallagher, our fifth team doctor,
who, in 2013, not only became a
fully-fledged certified GP but
also married Dee, and what’s
more, in his alter ego, provided
fantastic live music at my
fiftieth birthday party which
kept us all rocking into the
night!
Dr Mark Steel
Left: Tom’s wedding.
Traditionally the Team
provides an ice-axe guard
of honour at members’
weddings as happened this
year at The Inn on the Lake.
88(cid:0)(cid:0)CCMMRRTT A Annnnuuaal lR Reeppoorrt t2 2001144
Problems on route
to callout 56...
The Team’s radio systems have type of personal radio also makes The Toughbook laptop,
performed well over the past the Radio Officer’s job much loaded and running the MR
year, again often in challenging easier and reduces the number Map software, continues to be a
and difficult conditions out in of spares we need to hold. useful piece of kit and is often
the hills. The decision was made A project has been started to used to control searches local to
this year to replace the few link our transmitter site at the area, in order to provide
remaining LDSAMRA- Gatesgarth base back to our better search management and
supplied personal radios with control room in Cockermouth therefore make more efficient
the more up-to-date, fully via an internet link. This will give use of team members’ time.
waterproof sets. Hopefully the some back-up to our main radio Richard Greenwood
old radios can be donated to system and also increase radio
another team. Having a single coverage into a number of dead
spots such as Birtness Comb.
Radio Officer’s report
Richard Greenwood
CCMMRRTT A Annnnuuaal lR Reeppoorrtt 2 2001144(cid:0)(cid:0)99
Cockermouth
Mountain Rescue Team
Slide Show
Presentations
2014
at ButtermereCroft Farm Café (GR NY17472
16938)
Thursday Thursday Thursday Thursday Thursday Thursday
7 August 14 August 21 August 28 August 4 September 11 September
20.30 20.30 20.30 20.30 20.30 20.30
Admission: Adults £3, Children £1
Come and watch a presentation by a member/s of Cockermouth Mountain Rescue.
See how they operate, what is involved in getting a rescue started and see how
much training they do. A Search and Rescue Dog may be in attendance on certain
dates. Team merchandise will be on sale.
Help the volunteers raise £46,000 each year to keep the Team running. A slide show can be
arranged for your organisation. Phone Derek Tunstall on 07841 370644 / 01946 861051
www.cockermouthmrt.org.uk