Regular training is critical to ensuring that when we are needed to respond to an incident we can do so in a safe, efficient and effective manner. Training events also help to foster a sense of Teamwork which is vital when dealing effectively with callouts. This requires significant time, energy and commitment from all Team Members and also from their families, particularly during some of the busier times.
All Team Members are required to have mountaineering skills, including navigation and ropework and avalanche awareness. The Team includes members who also have some form of Mountain Training award scheme qualification, for example Winter Mountain Leader Award or Mountaineering Instructor Award. Typical training in this area includes setting anchors and belays, lowering and raising stretchers on steep ground, including gorges, and of course navigation.
Our Team is also fortunate to have a several Doctors and Paramedics in its ranks. In addition to this all Team members are required to hold a first aid certificate and most hold a more advanced Mountain Rescue Casualty Care qualification. They are also all required to undergo training on how to work with specialist Search and Rescue Helicopters.
More experienced Team Members may operate as Hill Leaders which requires additional training and expertise in areas such as search management.
The Team is required to keep formal training records and all key subjects are usually covered over a 2 year cycle of training activity undertaken on one evening and one full day per month as well as through an annual summer and winter training weekends.
Team Members are also actively encouraged to participate in training courses provided by Scottish Mountain Rescue.