Not just mountains – North Wales Mountain Rescue Teams undertake flood training

While many people have been taking steps to avoid getting soaked in the persistent drizzle and rain that has fallen through January and into February – this has not been the case for volunteers from North Wales Mountain rescue teams, who have set out ready to get thoroughly wet through in a good cause.

Over the last two weekends nine volunteer team members from four teams across the North Wales region joined together to take part in specialist training to better enable them to support communities in the region with water and flood rescues.

The Rescue 3 Europe Swiftwater and Flood Rescue technician course tests the skills and proficiencies required in flood and fast flowing water, meaning two very wet weekends for those seeking to pass the course and qualify.

North Wales Mountain Rescue Association (NWMRA) has 9 member teams – but it’s not all about rescuing people lost, injured or stranded on mountains – as the recent flood training demonstrates.

All mountain rescue team members are volunteers who give up their time to help people who need their skills. Maintaining those skills and proficiencies requires regular training, assessment, and requalification – and a varied programme of training is often carried out at weekends or evenings in the volunteers’ own time. This ensures that when a call for help comes in, the teams have the wide range of competences required for the job.

One of the course organisers, Colin Martin, said:

“We are pleased to say all team members performed really well and passed with flying colours, giving South Snowdonia Search and Rescue,  Aberglaslyn Mountain Rescue Team, Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team and North East Wales Search and Rescue more team members with the qualification. “

“These types of courses would not be as easy without the support of local business so thanks also go to @Plas y Brenin, @Gwesty Cobdens, @R3 Safety & Rescue, and @Canolfan a Caffi Prysor for providing, teas, coffees, access to venues, and parking – allowing the volunteer team members to not have extra expense on top of their time. “

You can find out more about the mountain rescue teams in North Wales and how to support the volunteers via this link https://www.nwmra.org/media

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Image credits:

NEWSAR – North East Wales Search and Rescue.