In an emergency call 999 and ask for Police then Mountain Rescue
28th – 30th October 2022
Glenmore Lodge, Aviemore, PH22 1QZ
We are thrilled to welcome you all back to our National Training Conference in October 2022.
The event will begin at Glenmore Lodge (check-in available from 1700hrs) on the evening of Friday, 28th October where you are invited to attend our guest speaker in the Lecture Theatre at 1930hrs. Please note that Glenmore Lodge is unable to serve bar meals, so we would recommend that you grab something to eat before you head up to Glenmore Lodge.
Saturday will be a jammed packed day of attending workshops (one in the morning and one in the afternoon). After the workshops finish we will be escorting you via bus down to Aviemore MacDonald Resort for a chance to see a fabulous line up of exhibitors, where you can view their products and find out more information on what they do. A 3 course evening meal will be provided (make sure you choice your menu choices in the booking form) and a guest speaker will entertain the group after dinner. Don’t worry, the clocks go back this weekend so you won’t lose out on your sleep.
Sunday will be another great day of workshops, finishing around 1600hrs.
The National Training Conference is free to team members of any Mountain Rescue Team in Scotland.
Workshops & How to Book
In previous years attendees would have attended 2 workshops throughout the weekend, one on the Saturday and one on the Sunday, however, this year we have mixed it up by doing half day workshops, meaning attendees will attend 4 workshops throughout the weekend, with the exception of the Avalanche workshop which is a full day workshop.
Workshop Description and Timetable can be found below.
All attendees must fill in the booking form to attend the conference.
BOOKING FORM
Exhibitors
We currently have the following exhibitors booked in to attend the event:
Emergency Locate
Helix Rescue
Helly Hansen
Keela
Lyon Equipment
Mountain Equipment
Northern Diver
Search & Rescue Aerial Association – SARAA
Top Out Brewery
Tysers
Water Rescue Systems
SMR Wellbeing Group
Queries
If you have any queries about the conference or amendments to bookings please email bookings@scottishmountainrescue.org
Brief descriptions of workshops:
Workshop – Rigging (Ground Anchors)
A lot of teams use ground anchors in a variety of different ways. In this practical workshop we will explore the realities of strength of stakes, hedgehogs and talons, different stake configuration and linking and multi hedgehog linking. Sound like the most fun you can have in a bog.
You will need full PPE kit and dress warmly.
Workshop – Rigging (Lightweight Kit)
This Rigging workshop will look at using lightweight kit. We will look at lowering and raising using modern, lightweight kit and what can be achieved using this kit.
You will need full PPE kit and dress warmly.
Workshop – Wellbeing
In this session, we will be heading outside and exploring how we might use some of the learning from Mental Health First Aid and Lifelines Scotland courses in the field. The session is open to both those who have done the courses that we have offered at previous Wellbeing Weekends and those who have not. We welcome those at the start of their MR volunteering as well as those who have been volunteering for years. We will be exploring how we might look after third party/friends, and indeed ourselves and our colleagues, when involved in challenging incidents; and how we might deal with casualties in mental health crisis.
Take waterproof and warm clothing as you will be outdoors.
Workshop – Human Factors
Philip Ebert, Professor of Philosophy, will cover themes from Behavioural Decision Science – the study of human decision-making. This workshop will introduce the concepts of “heuristics and biases” and look in particular at biases in individual risk judgements and in so-called “wicked learning environments”, such as the avalanche decision-making context. The workshop will also look at biases in-group decision-making and identify ways in which to minimise them and draw on the potential of “wisdom of crowd” effects.
Workshop – Fundraising
Fundraising strategy for MRTs – With limited time, energy and resources how do you decide what kind of fundraising activities are best for your team and where to focus your energy? In the workshop, we will take you through the basics of how to write a fundraising strategy and plan for your team.
Fundraising platforms for MRTs – There are a dizzying array of platforms out there for fundraising from Facebook and Instagram Donate to Just Giving and Text Giving. The second part of this workshop, you will learn about some of the best platforms available and how to use them. Including an overview of Facebook Giving tools and strategies for increasing your income via social media.
Workshop – Media Training
Delivered by Richard Smith, RNLI Media Trainer for Scotland, and this workshop will cover:
Workshop – Search Management & Digital Mapping
Aimed at team members who are not currently involved in Search Management and Digital Mapping but who would like to know what it involves; this workshop will look at the following:
Workshop – Radio
Beyond pressing to talk
Targeted at team members who would like to become more proficient in using the additional features in your radio such as GPS, single frequency repeat, text messaging and more. The workshop will aim to be a practical session with hands on your radio and not just staring at PowerPoint presentations.
Workshop – Water Awareness
Mountain Rescue Teams will sometimes attend incidents that are water related, require bodies of water to be searched or have water present in the area the team are searching or working in. This session is aimed at any team members who have limited or no theoretical or practical knowledge of water and flood awareness and safety. The session will introduce team members to the hazards associated with water and the flood environment. It will also give them an opportunity to see the types of equipment available on the market for water safety and rescue.
Saturday Workshop – First Aider to Casualty Carer
This workshop is targeted towards those with an interest in first aid considering doing the Casualty Care Certificate for the first time. It will look at key skills such as moving and packaging of casualties, resuscitation in Mountain Rescue and hypothermia management. There will also be opportunity to discuss what is involved in the process of becoming a Casualty Care provider.
Workshop – Avalanche – ALL DAY WORKSHOP
Aimed at team members who are part of their team management, involved in team training or those likely to undertake a key role in their team’s avalanche response. There is no requirement to have previously attended any of the other SMR avalanche rescue courses.
Avalanche rescue operations are likely to be significantly different from other emergencies that teams respond to. To prepare for such an event rescue teams need to consider avalanche response plans, special equipment and the development of key skills.
During this workshop, an evolving avalanche scenario will be used to emphasise key stages of the rescue mission, highlight changing priorities and potential challenges.
During the table-top exercise, students will be faced with operational options and asked to consider the consequences of their choices. The training staff will periodically ‘push the pause button’ to allow more detailed exploration of key aspects of the rescue response. This may be brief observations, a group discussion or an illustrated presentation on a specialised topic.
This whole day workshop will also include skill stations outside the classroom covering transceivers, site management and safety, probe lines and medical considerations specific to avalanche victims.
At conclusion of the workshop, students will understand the likely command structure for a multi-agency response, the remit and the skills of other agencies, the role of MR within the joint management team and the specialist posts that MR will hold at the avalanche site.
Also covered will be the role of the Police and the Crown Office in fatal accidents, the likely impact of intense media interest and welfare considerations during and post incident.
Workshop – 4×4 Winching
The workshop will look at vehicle recovery using a vehicle mounted winch and also use of exhaust jacks.
Workshop – Incident Management
This workshop is not an incident management course, rather it is aimed at experienced team members, ideally with incident management experience, who can contribute to shaping the course direction, aims and outcomes.
A continuation of the work taking place to create an incident management course for SMR. This new national course set for early Spring 2023 has the intention of supporting those carrying out this role to ‘Safely co-ordinate a proportionate response to an incident’.
Workshop – Running a charity
By popular demand, as identified in our training surveys, this workshop will include the subjects of charity governance and the importance of GDPR.
Chris Jones, Associate Director and Risk Manager – Sport from Tysers will be talking about insurance and demystifying the subject. This was a straightforward session and pitched at a level to explain the different types of cover and reasons for needing it.
There will also be the opportunity to ask questions to both presenters at the end of each session.
Workshop – Social Media
Delivered by Richard Smith, RNLI Media Trainer for Scotland, this workshop will cover:
Workshop – Diversity
Introduction into Diversity and what it means and why it’s important for Mountain Rescue in Scotland. A chance to have open discussions and ask questions.
Workshop – Radios
Mountain Rescue Radios – the next level
This workshop is targeted at search managers, team members with an interest in radios and radio officers who would like to understand more about the additional functionality available in the radios and integration with other technology.
Workshop – Water Awareness
Mountain Rescue Teams will sometimes attend incidents that; are water related, require bodies of water to be searched or have water present in the area the team are searching or working in. This session is aimed at any team members who have limited or no theoretical or practical knowledge of water and flood awareness and safety. The session will introduce team members to the hazards associated with water and the flood environment. It will also give them an opportunity to see the types of equipment available on the market for water safety and rescue.
Sunday Workshop – Casualty Care Updates
This workshop is aimed as an update for Casualty Care Certificate holders. It will look at the introduction of Fentanyl to the drug formulary, ROLE (Recognition of Life Extinct), and ICAR medcom updates in hypothermia and avalanche management.