SAR Rock and Patient retrieval

SAR training is an important part of the Wintering team's activities, this training consists of various scenario's including some which I have already covered in previous Blogs. This session was a full search and rescue undertaken in the nearby Vestofold hills, our task was to retrieve an expeditioner who had not returned to the station after undertaking a walk. He left with another expeditioner and decided to stop at point 49 to take some pictures which is located approx 3k's from the station and outside station limits. 

Vehicles used in the SAR, 2 quads, 1 ute and the SAR Hagglund 

Our team leader was Stu, I was part of the first response team. The search took 40 mins from when we were first notified and a further 50 minutes to lower the patient to the bottom of the slope, and 1 hour to drive back to the station medical facility where we unloaded the patient. The patient was Gav, one of the chefs here, he had a compound fracture to his wrist and a various lacerations to his head after falling a short distance but over rocky terrain. 

 Adam and Val, first response quads

This pic is trying to describe the terrain which is generally the composition of the Vestofolds

 Patient was found by Adam, the doc was on the scene to provide first aid.

 The rest of the team are preparing the anchor oints for a rope decent, one mainline and a belay were required.

 Josh looking for anchor points to set the nuts into.

 Belay line was set up ready for use.

 Mainline set and ready for use.

This pic indicates the anchor points used for the mainline

 Final checks before use.

 Patient being attended to by the Doc and Adam.

Craig driving the Hag back to the station, this was undertaken at idle in first gear as all patients are treated as potential spinal injuries.