Walmer RNLI volunteers successfully complete casualty care training
11 volunteer crew undertook the intensive three-day training over the weekend, 30 September to 2 October. In addition, a further volunteer attended and was successful in the same course two weeks earlier.
The specialised course, run by RNLI Casualty Care Trainer Trevor Stevens, is intended to enable crew to enhance their lifesaving skills at sea. It provides a focused, hands-on treatment approach enabling them to triage, support and care for casualties and quickly decide which may require rapid evacuation for professional medical assistance, and those which are less urgent, in an operational environment.
During the training each participant had to pass both a written and a practical scenario to demonstrate their individual skill. At the end of the course all crew took part in final practical scenarios where teams of casualty carers treated multiple casualties.
The RNLI provides a bespoke training programme which involves the use of check cards which is the envy of all the emergency services. This course is a unique way to offer the chance to ordinary people to deliver an extraordinary outcome. Casualty care is a crucial link in the search and rescue chain of survival that allows lifeboat crews to save lives at sea. Casualties have to be treated and kept alive often in a sometimes unforgiving and hostile environment until the casualty can be handed into the care of the emergency services colleagues.
Walmer’s Operations manager Denis Brophy thanked the crew for giving up three days of their time to attend the course. ‘It demonstrates your commitment to the station and the Institution. I was proud when Trevor announced that you all had passed and the feedback that you had enjoyed the course with a great trainer was good to hear.’
Notes to editors
Walmer lifeboat station was established in 1856.
It currently operates two inshore lifeboats – a B Class Atlantic 85 Donald McLauchlan and a smaller D Class Duggie Rodbard II.
Crews have received 28 Awards for Gallantry
To find out more about Walmer lifeboat station go to https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/walmer-lifeboat-station
Photo 1 Walmer volunteers on successful completion of the course. Photo courtesy Andrew Howland.
RNLI media contacts
- Chris Winslade, Lifeboat Press Officer, Walmer Lifeboat Station on 01304 374475 or 07906 623037 [email protected]
- Paul Dunt, RNLI Press Officer (London/East/South East) on 07785 296252, [email protected]
- For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.
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