Rescue teams link up for training exercises

THERE was no room for error as two emergency rescue teams came together to perfect their life-saving techniques.

Lincolnshire Coastguards and the East Midlands Ambulance Hazardous Area Rescue Team joined forces on Cleethorpes beach to practice the basics of sand hole collapses, low-angle rescues and mud safety exercises.

The exercises will teach and strengthen the knowledge of those taking part, ensuring the best rescue services are available for those in our area who need them.

Sector manager of Lincolnshire Coastguard Jamie King said: "Today's exercise will let us share techniques with each other by showing off the equipment we use to save lives and hows it's used and what we do in certain scenarios and the actions we would take.

"Today's scenario will involve dummies buried around the beach for the volunteers to practice with and work out the best techniques for digging them out."

Lincolnshire Coastguards brought along essential gear for saving lives such as water rescue kits, life jackets and harnesses. "It's great multi-agency training and it's valuable to everyone who takes part.

"Sharing experience in a training exercise like this makes it easier when we have to respond in real life.

"A lot of hard work has gone in to today and a lot of training sessions have gone into perfecting the techniques we will share with one another.

The East Midlands Ambulance Hazardous Area Rescue Team took along their off-road vehicle Polaris, which is an essential part of their life-saving operations.

Spokesman Chris Davey said: "It's great to be working in conjunction with one another. We will be working on the roles and responsibilities that we both have. It was difficult working together in the past, and we didn't know what each other did, but this will give us a better understanding of what each of us does.

"The Lincolnshire Coastguard will give us an input into sand and mud rescues so we can work together effectively.

"We came together nine months ago and looked around each other's base of operations and it's days like this that strengthen the bond between us and allow us to work better in case there is ever a big real incident that we would both have to get involved and work together in."

The two groups spent the day learning and training with the equipment essential for saving lives.

Mr King added: "Sand collapses are becoming more and more common, especially when the weather is warm, people dig huge holes in the beaches and often these holes collapse on top of them, people need to be aware of the dangers they face on the beach and training sessions like this ensure everyone has the right skills to save lives."