Following previous training (Provided in-house and externally, including kindly by GMFRS) and to consolidate the previous Wednesday evening specific training events, early this morning five experienced team members met at our Ladybridge Hall Base / HQ to journey south to the River Dee at Llangollen, North Wales, to undertake the second of our Bankside First Responder training courses. (The first was held on Saturday 27th July 2013)

The five, consisted of John Fletcher (A qualified Whitewater Rescue Technician) Dave Marsh, Nick Berry, Ged Clarke and Matthew Hailwood.

This course had been developed by team member John Fletcher, assisted by Deputy Team Leader Geoff Seddon.

All five travelled to Llangollen in our Ford Transit Crewbus / Ambulance, BM5.
Under the tutelage and instruction of John Fletcher, the other four spent the day learning the techniques around self-rescue and safety on the water, when acting in support of Whitewater Rescue Technicians and Swiftwater Rescue Technicians during a water rescue incident.

At the end of the course all left having learned a great deal over this very long day which unfortunately did not have the same hot and sunny conditions which the members on the 27th July course enjoyed.

The team’s thanks are extended to Whitewater Active (and the local landowner Mike), for allowing the team to use the site throughout the day.

Please also see website ‘News’ report dated Saturday 27th July 2013.