HSBC Discover Search and Rescue
Members of ASSAR were delighted to introduce HSBC staff to the world of search and rescue on Saturday 28th June. The staff from the Wells and Shepton Mallet branches had raised an amazing £900 for ASSAR. The staff learnt how searching is different from looking, how to load and move a casualty in a vacuum mattress. Despite a brief storm nothing stopped them from getting stuck in. Thanks again to HSBC and the staff members involved.
Adam Brooke from HSBC hands over a fundraising cheque for £900 to ASSAR
HSBC staff learn how to load and move a stretcher with members of ASSAR.
Posted on 30 / 06 / 2014
Royal Visit to Cheddar Gorge
Members of ASSAR were presented to Edward and Sophie, the Earl and Countess of Wessex today in Cheddar Gorge. ASSAR were given the chance to explain their technical rescue role in the gorge for climbers and tourist and their wider search and rescue role in Avon and Somerset. Duncan Massey, ASSARs Chairman accompanied the royal party on an open top bus through the gorge with Martin Crocker, local climbing champion and BMC rep, who has helped climbing stay an integral part of the gorge.
Earl and Countess of Wessex visiting Cheddar Gorge and Caves today.
Bob Montgomery, Chief Executive of Longleat, Viscount Weymouth and Viscountess Weymouth meet ASSAR Chairman Duncan Massey at Cheddar Gorge today.
Posted on 09 / 06 / 2014
Family Fundraising
The parents of Shaun Pearce recently held a fundraising dinner dance to help ASSAR as a thanks for saving him. Shaun Pearce was helped by ASSARs co-responder when he was trapped under a tractor with life-threatening injuries near the Chew Valley Lake.
Tony and Helen Court, Shaun’s parents, have run ‘fund raisers’ on behalf of the team. This year they held a ‘dinner dance’ in Shipham village hall, which was
hugely successful. The dinner dance was attended by five team members. A total of approximately £2000 was raised, the funds being shared with the Alzheimer’s society.
All members of ASSAR are extremely grateful for this fundraising effort and are pleased Shaun is well again.
Posted on 09 / 06 / 2014
ASSAR assist with technical rescue from Wells Cathedral
ASSAR was called today to assist with the technical rescue of a woman who had fallen and become trapped on the roof of Wells Cathedral. Full callout details are here. This image was taken by a member of ASSAR showing RAF Seaking 169 winching the injured woman to safety.
RAF Seaking above Wells Cathedral during the rescue of a trapped woman. Image courtesy: Alan George.
Posted on 29 / 04 / 2014
Swiftwater and Flood Rescue Technicians
For the past two weekends members of ASSAR have been training hard to gain their Swiftwater and Flood Rescue Technician status, for some this was a re-certification. We are pleased to announce that all passed.
The course covers a wide range of awareness and practical techniques including the following;
- swiftwater swimming techniques
- tethered rescues
- rope anchor systems
- tensioned rope techniques
- river and flood area search
Members of the team visited the National White Water Centre in North Wales to learn and practice the swiftwater techniques while staying in the North Somerset area for the rest. Our thanks to Mendip Outdoor Pursuits and Swallet Farm for providing the training venues.
The course is provided and certified by Rescue 3 Europe who are internationally recognised and form the core training for rescue teams and emergency services around the world. In the UK this particular course forms part of the Defra Flood Rescue Concept of Operations, follow this link to view the document https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/flood-rescue-concept-of-operations
ASSARs Team Leader is a qualified Rescue 3 instructor, leading to a high level of understanding and awareness amongst the team, alongside the operational experience.
ASSAR Swiftwater Rescue Technicians
Posted on 14 / 04 / 2014