Walmer RNLI takes part in real-life scenario exercise
The aim of the exercise was to test the emergency response to The Downs Sailing Club ahead of the National Youth Regatta which is to be held in Deal in July.
Last Sunday, 14 June, Walmer’s relief Atlantic 85 lifeboat Howard Bell and D Class Duggie Rodbard II took part in a joint training exercise with HM Coastguard’s Marine Rescue Co-ordination Centre (MRCC), Deal’s Coastguard Rescue Team (CRT) and The Downs Sailing Club along with their safety boats.
The scenario centred around a number of dinghies sailing together in the regatta when a sudden squall blew through and capsized them all. One casualty was trapped under an upturned dinghy (Walmer’s training dummy was used for this purpose), with others suffering from the cold, shock and one further sustaining a significant head injury.
The first safety boats on scene recognised that further outside assistance was needed and a call was made to the Coastguard and the RNLI.
Crews were directed to the casualty vessels by the safety boats. One of the sailors was taken aboard the Atlantic lifeboat and after attempting to right the vessel, a crew member entered the water to rescue the person trapped under the boat. Once taken on board, they given a welfare check and assessed for injury and shock using the RNLI’s casualty care cards. CPR was administered while travelling back to shore where they were handed over to the CRT.
On relaunching they were directed to a dinghy with a sailor suffering a head injury. The casualty became unresponsive and was placed on a stretcher to be returned to shore.
The D Class lifeboat also took on board a casualty transferred from a safety boat. Again, they were assessed using the cards before being kept warm, placed on a stretcher and taken back to shore. All casualties were successfully rescued and returned to the beach.
In the debriefs after the exercise, Matt Pavitt, HM Coastguard Divisional Commander in Dover said:’ I think we can all agree that that following a real-life scenario such as this was of enormous benefit to those who took part and prepares us well for the upcoming regatta.’
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