#emergencyfirstresponse

The first day ebbed into late afternoon, and with that the team were instructed to collect their kit and head for our Jungle base camp a few miles into the forest. A look of surprise was on some faces, rye smiles on the rest. The smiles had seen that the day was far from over, (In fact it was 24 hours away from being over). The team were now on a practical assessment phase, six rolling emergency scenarios had been planned ahead of time, victims briefed, make up and props sourced and we were off. Off course some still expected a little medical “event” on route, an hour first aid and then back to the centre for “tea and medals”…how wrong they were, of course any practical test so soon into the fun zone would be very predictable and utterly pointless. No we would wait until darkness had fallen, then the fun would begin.

Dinner cooked and minutes from being served, rain falling (as if on cue) and a blood curdling “SCREAMMMMM” breaches the jungles own orchestral melody…. snake strike (scenario), the team now knew they were in for a long night (and next day), but all were definitely “up for it”, the energy was very evident, the tempo of the next twenty four hours was fairly unrelenting. In case any are concerned yes they did get some sleep and dinner (eventually), but 0400 Sunday morning when most of the world (at least in our time zone was sleeping) found the Ability crew rudely awoken from their slumber and straight into searching for a suspected unconscious lost man casualty, full lost man protocols, comms base and logistical support in play. The casualty was found half way down a ravine slope, most definitely not in the best of health (skull fracture) and needing well considered swift first aid followed by hospital. An outstanding full rescue from the team, and before daylight breached (and the night time terrors were over), but not so the day version (evil smile).

Between dawn and sunset on that second day they dealt with four other critical incidents, each one run by a new lead pair, river rescue with multiple casualty’s, high tower falls and transfer to HLS (Helicopter Landing Site), Fire drills (with real smoke) and more lost man incidents, oh and multiple phase technical recues on the high rigging tower with a casualty in acute cardiac arrest (just for fun). Everything that was thrown at the team was caught with both hands and bagged up. Incredible effort was applied and although no doubt for some the learning curve was steep the seniors and newer team members all worked as a team and looked after one another as well as sick, wounded and whining, (learning is at its most acute and most effective when conducted in difficult and testing circumstances, after all……Not much that is good and great in life ever came without a little challenge or two!)

Ability crew were certainly put to the test, they were not found wanting (one or two mini shine ups needed) but overall genuinely outstanding work.

Congratulations Ability Team!