Joint Exercise with Exmoor SRT
ASSAR and Exmoor SRT have supported each other several times over the years on call-outs. To ensure knowledge and appreciation of each team’s techniques a joint training exercise was organised by Exmoor SRT.
The two teams, joined by Devon & Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, combined for a multi-scenario exercise involving injured canoeist, injured bird-spotter and a horse trapped in a ditch on top of its rider. Luckily the horse was a mannequin but still the average weight of a horse with articulated limbs.
ASSAR, Exmoor SRT and D&S Fire and Rescue Service debrief after the exercise.
The secretary of ASSAR said, “The three agencies worked extremely well together, sharing ideas and gaining a realinsight. It’s the little things that count, our standard procedures are the same but each team will develop it’s own techniques according to the local circumstances. Our thanks go to the training team at Exmoor SRT and all their members for setting up the day.”
For more details on Exmoor SRT.
Posted on 10 / 06 / 2013
Blisters on the Big Black Mountain Challenge raises £1055
Eight members of the University of Bristol’s German Department raised an amazing £1055 for their chosen charity: Avon and Somerset Search and Rescue. The team included an ASSAR volunteer. They took part in the Big Black Mountains Challenge enduring blisters, injured ankles and sore muscles but they said it was all worth it.
We would like to thank all those involved for their fantastic effort.
Members of the University of Bristol’s German Dept presenting the cheque for £1055 to Duncan Massey, Chair of A&SSAR.
Posted on 06 / 06 / 2013
Critical Care Experience
A member of A&SSAR accompanied a Critical Care Paramedic on a shift recently to increase his skills in dealing with medical emergencies. As volunteers who never know when they’re skills are going to be called upon it’s important they undergo a variety of training and experience to maintain their competency levels.
The air ambulance base at Filton also provides rapid response vehicles for their critical care paramedics alongside the helicopter. A&SSAR is a co-responder with South West Ambulance Service allowing its members to act as ‘observers’. Operating from here with the paramedic the member was able to gain valuable insight into the high professional standards along with hands-on experience at a cardiac arrest.
Members of A&SSAR all need to hold an annual Basic Life Support certificate, including paediatrics. Many also hold a Casualty Care certificate, a qualification specific to mountain rescue teams. The member commented, ‘I’ve recently re-certified as a Casualty Carer so this was a great chance to develop my skills. As volunteers on call 365 days a year we never know when we’re going to need these skills so it’s important to keep them up-to-date. My thanks to the Great Western Air Ambulance team for this opportunity’.
The Critical Care Paramedic is also a member of A&SSAR. The combination of unique skills brought to the team by each volunteer ensures A&SSAR remain the search and rescue specialists for Avon & Somerset Police.
A&SSAR observer accompanying Critical Care Paramedic.
Posted on 29 / 04 / 2013
On a Callout with ASSAR?
Do you want to know what it’s like to come on a callout with ASSAR? If you’re part of a group that organises speakers or would just like to have a presentation on our role please get in touch.
We offer an intriguing look behind the scenes at the callout process, how we search and rescue people that are far from help. We can travel to any group meeting in Avon and Somerset and simply ask that a donation be made to the team.
If you would like to find out more please contact communication@assar.org.uk
Posted on 18 / 03 / 2013
Selection Weekend 2013 Update
Eleven potential new members undertook the selection weekend this year. The first step in the ASSAR joining process is to attend the selection weekend. The weekend is a series of tasks, talks and exercises carefully designed to see how people operate in teams, under stress and with current team members. The weekend ends with a large search and rescue exercise where the potential new members work alongside the team to locate and then rescue a missing person.
The committee would like to thank those that committed time and effort by attending the weekend. The team is built on a succession of new people developing through the team and their effort is appreciated. If the attendees are successful they will need to attend 6 months of training before becoming an ‘aspirant’ and allowed on certain call-outs. It may be another year before they are granted full team member status.
The next selection weekend will be in 2014.
Potential new members during an exercise with ASSAR as part of the selection weekend 2013
Posted on 05 / 03 / 2013