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 six experienced team members met at our Ladybridge Hall base / HQ to journey south to the River Dee at Llangollen, North Wales, to undertake a Bankside First Responder training course.

The six, Deputy Team Leader Geoff Seddon (An Outdoor Pursuits Instructor, white water / sea water Kayaker and Rescue 3 Swiftwater Rescue Technician) John Fletcher (A qualified Whitewater Rescue Technician) Steve Fletcher, John Dickinson, David Cook (RYA Powerboat Level 2) Chris Greenhalgh (A GMFRS Firefighter and a qualified Swiftwater Rescue Technician through the Fire Service)

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

All six travelled in our Land Rover Mountain Rescue Ambulance BM4, towing our 3.5 metre long semi rigid inflatable Search and Rescue Boat, and in our ford transit Crewbus / Ambulance, BM5.

Under the tutelage and instruction of John Fletcher and Geoff Seddon, 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 and hot day!

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.

Additional training courses of this nature are currently planned by John Fletcher And Geoff Seddon for Saturday 10th August and Saturday 24th August 2013 for our other Bolton MRT ‘Water Team’ members.