Redcar RNLI take part in challenging medical exercise

The scene was set when a call was received asking for medical assistance for a crewman on board a tugboat. He had been suffering from chest pains and when a deckhand rushed to assist him, he had also injured himself by tripping and badly burning his hands on hot pipework.

The scene was further complicated when another call was received reporting a casualty with a broken ankle after falling on rocks at Bran Sands.

Nathan Hobday, Training Coordinator at Redcar RNLI said: ’Today’s scenario was an interesting one for our crews. It involved using a local harbour to provide a realistic environment along with some potentially challenging medical issues onboard the tug.

'The training session gave our team, along with the local Coastguard, the chance to board a working Tees vessel and familiarise themselves with the various type of compartments and spaces these crafts have. This helped to trigger discussions on casualty extraction methods and whether any additional equipment would be required for the job.

‘Furthermore we then added a third unrelated casualty into the mix which ensured our crews needed to remain vigilant on their communications in a multi incident scenario. Teams would need to be split up based on which individuals were best suited to each element of casualty care.'

Nathan added: ‘Without the help of local companies like SMS Towage, Redcar Bulk Terminal and Teesworks, RNLI Redcar would not have been able to run such a realistic exercise.'

Once the lifeboats and Coastguards had returned to Redcar RNLI a debriefing session took place where any issues faced during the exercise could be discussed and improvements suggested.

Nathan summed up the morning's exercise by saying: 'These training events are designed to test and challenge our volunteer crew. By doing this type of training we can be prepared to respond and react in real life situations where our actions may help to save a life.'

Redcar RNLI train every Sunday morning and Wednesday evening throughout the year in order to maintain the skills needed to help save lives at sea.

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