Gorge Rescue Training in Stanley Ghyll

Sunday 19th September 2004 

The training scenario was to extract a casualty from the bottom of the Gorge.  To evacuate down stream is impractical due to the steep sides of the gorge.  Upstream there is the 50 meter waterfall.  Helicopter winching is high risk due to the trees and foliage in the bottom and sides which would ( and did) snag the stretcher whilst being lifted via the tensioned cableway.

[To enlarge the smaller photos just double click on them] 

		Team gathers at the top of the crag - the tree is set back 3m from the vertical drop to the gorge bottom, 50 metres below.  The river was in full spate which made the crossing at the bottom somewhat tricky. The Bell stretcher is in the foreground - the standard rescue kit.
As usual we need to check out the best location for the exercise casualty - the three wise men take a look  (actually 2 men and 1 lady)
	Now there are four wise men - but it does not look any easier
Getting the cableway rope across was the first task - 200 metres of static rope (white)  had to be abseiled down one side and connected to a thrown (blue) rope from the far side.  The job of de-snagging from the undergrowth took time but was eventually sorted.
Stretcher being lowered into the bottom of the gorge - over 50 metres to the raging torrent below
	Ken is a new team member and this was his first full days practice.  He is no stranger to many of us as he was in the team some ten years ago.  He will still undergo the demanding probationary period as personnel have changed along with rescue techniques.  Much to learn.
Ken Owens, Paul Fligg and Fiona Henderson set up the main 5-point belay and 4:1 pulley for tensioning the main cableway.  The stretcher is lowered into and pulled out of the gorge using the cableway.
The sequence of lifts
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Julian Carradice, Team Leader - hanging around in the tree - actually he was adjusting the height of the cableway rope as it passed through the carabiner runners in the tree.  This is necessary to ensure that the stretcher can be brought in to the landing point as high as possible.