Wilderness Emergency Medical Services Institute - First Responder

I stare at a branch protruding out of our casualty’s leg.  He screams as blood oozes out of the wound.  I am surrounded by my 3 other team mates, all working quickly, cocooned in a group shelter.  I am the medic thinking; vitals, history, treatment, patient care, painkillers, environmental, allergies, evacuation all at the same time. My mind working in overdrive, time stands still.

This was a typical situation that all 17 of the participants faced during the intensive 6 day WEMSI First Responder course (WFR).  Headed up by Eric Pirie (UIAGM), his faculty comprises of incredibly experienced medics and adventurers who seamlessly deliver an amazing week of; lectures, scenarios, hands on workshops and quizzes.  This is topped off with a full-on 8 casualty, mountain rescue scenario, involving stretcher carries, ambulances and helicopters.

Participants came from a huge range of backgrounds including; mountain rescue teams, event medics and outdoor instructors.  Despite the variety, we all had something in common, a thirst to increase our first aid knowledge and learn how to apply it to remote wilderness settings.

Each day began with a morning quiz, recapping the previous days learning, followed by lectures on topics such as; altitude, drugs, infectious disease, collecting vitals and explosions.   The faculty of tutors each shared their specialties, with passion and a depth of knowledge that can only inspire.

Later in the day, we ventured into the Lodge grounds to work through scenarios set by the faculty putting our theoretical knowledge into practice.  This was great for contextualizing the theory and also highlighted the challenges of dealing with casualties in the wilderness.  Every day finished with a beer or two, to mull over the day and chat to the rest of the team.

The whole course is brought together with a big final scenario.  We headed up onto the hill after reports of a flash flood and multiple casualties in a gully.  A sweep-search uncovered 8 casualties with illnesses ranging from; mild hypothermia to terminal abdominal bleeding.

I was the medic dealing with a hypoglycaemic diabetic, with mild head injuries and a broken femur.  We worked tirelessly to collect the patient's history, vitals, then splint the leg and administered pain killers. Eventually, the casualty was evacuated by stretcher, which was a huge learning experience in its self.

This is undoubtedly the best first aid course I have attended.  Incredible; staff, scenarios, information and content.  I would recommend this to absolutely all outdoor instructors.

Thanks to the entire faculty, casualties and other participants for a fantastic week.

A trip of contrast

In September, Paul and myself headed over to Skye to practice for and do our 4* sea assessment.  We had 2 days of awesome sun and then luckily, two days of great conditions for assessment.

Amazing sun on the coral beach heading out of Dunvegan

Crossing from Skye to Isay

Paul enjoying the cliffs of Eilean Trodday

Strutting our stuff during a 4 star assessment with Gordon Brown below Elgol cliffs

4 star assessment rescue skills off Armadale Peir

5* Canoe Practice

With 5* canoe training coming up next week and a new lens to play with, Paul and I head to Loch Insh for some fun.

Getting ready to set sail onto Loch Insh

Polling practice on the River Spey

 

Beginning the upstream slog back to Feshiebridge

Track-tastic

Enjoying the awesome bedrock at Feshiebridge

Maraudering Minch Mariners

As the sun sets and the moon rises, Rich and I make our first paddle strokes of a truly magnificent 4 days.

We set out from Uig on Skye, to stay at the Lookout bothy near Rhuba Hunish.  The bothy started life as a coastguard lookout hut, then morphed into a whale watching station before its current use as an awesome, accessible hut. 

We start early from Rhbha Hunish and head out towards Fladda Cuian for lunch, escaping a moody Skye off our sterns.

We speed along, enjoying great downwind conditions during the seventeen kilometer crossing to the Shiant Islands.  We tackle the crossing around slack water, allowing our course to drift off, then back on, as the fierce spring tide turns.

We expect the small shepherds hut on the 'Shiants' to be locked; however, are ecstatic when we push the door ajar.  We enter cautiously and slowly convince ourselves that we can stay and it is not in fact someones house.  What an amazing find!

We delve into the visitors book and discover that the island has been host to a huge range of people; from archaeologists and lichenologists to people just escaping the hubbub modern day life.

 With its remote, timeless feeling, we certainly felt its appeal.

The Shiants comprise of 3 main islands, two of which (seen above) are joined by a stunning pebbly tombolo, all containing arches and caves waiting to be explored.

We venture onward, across to South Harris, meeting a pod of playfull poipoise, fishing in the strengthening tidal stream.

The coastline and mountains look stunning in the perfect conditions and we explore all the nooks and crannies before stopping on the island of Scalpay to camp.

We erect tents, eat and swim in the sea, enjoying life as the sun moves across the sky over the Outer Hebrides.

With our explorer hats on, we dash up to the summit of Scalpay, rewarded by possibly the best sunsets on the Outer Hebrides. 

With the end in sight, we paddle the remaining six kilometers to Tarbet, enjoying mirror pond conditions.  We arrive and savoir a leisurely coffee, before boarding our whale spotting ferry ride back to Skye.

This sea trip wasn't about banging out the miles.  It wasn't about surviving scary over falls or gale force winds.  It was about enjoying time with a good friend and exploring some of Scotland's incredible remote islands.

Mull circumnavigation

160km, 3.5 days and lots of amazing places.

Leaving Amy's house just south of Oban to start a solo circumnavigation of Mull.

Progress thwarted at Lady's Rock by strong opposing tides and winds.  Early lunch saves the day.

Tasty battered mackerel in Tobermory to end a great 1st day.

Day two ventured around the northern tip of Mull and ended on the awesome, Treshnesh isles.

The islands were rammed with Puffins, Shags and bunny rabbits.

Every evening involved lots of fun with tides, weather and spots to explore next.

Day 3 started with a good explore of Fingles Cave, which you can paddle right into and enjoy the incredible geology.

The beach on the beautifull Iona was too inviting to pass. 

Time to explore Iona and admire the Abby.  The fIrst monastery was built in 563 whan Columba came over from island to spread Christianity to the Pics and Scotts. It's also said to be the burial site of Macbeth

I camped on the Southern edgs of the Ross of Mull and rose early to paddle back to Amy's house befor the forcased force 7's arrived.

There is something really apealing about a circumnavigation. Possibly the defined challenge?  Putting an islands scale in context? Or a logistically simple trip?  I love doing them and am excited for the next one.  Greenland anyone?

3 days, 3 evenings, 3 climbs.

Eating cake and sipping tea at the end of a day at the lodge with the sun pitching onto the Northern Corries, it is hard not to get inspired to squeeze a quick route into the evening.

This week, everyone was keen for the corries so we got tons done.  Day 1, Rachael and I climbed Damnation, Tuesday, Rory and I climbed Edgewood and finally Laura and I climbed Fallout Corner on Wednesday.

Stunning climbs and only a hour from Lodge to crag.

Happy days!

Shadowing in the sun.

This week I had the opportunity to shadow a Glenmore Lodge intermediate course run by Dave Rossetter.

With super low water levels, Dave had to work pretty hard to find water.  The first day we spent on the Spey, analysing the client needs and wants then improving the technical aspect of their paddling.  This ranged from driving with their feet to how the top hand effects boat direction during maneuvers.  All very interesting stuff. 

Nightwatch had a training day on the Tuesday when tactical ideas were introduced on the River Tay so I rejoined the group on Wednesday.  This day we spent combining the previous two days of knowledge into a river situation on the Middle Morriston.  River running tactics were discussed, as was altering your boat direction mid-rapid as well as a good old play at the get on hole.

Day four was spent on the amazing river Garry.  This, for all, was the highlight of the week.  Good water, bright sunshine and loads of cool features to play in.   With so many different styles of rapids and the ability to walk up and have another go meant everyone had plenty to get stuck into. The were lots of swims, t-rescues and roles, as everyone was pushing their kayaking to the limit.

In these Alpine conditions, it is hard not to have a good day on the water.

Thanks Dave for a great week and everyone on the course for the fun times.

Adventures with Mum and Dad.

Bird watching during a walk round Loch Morlich.

Tackling the fearsome Knockandubh rapids on the Spey

Relief after surviving a great run down the Spey

Stunning weather on the west coast.

Exploring the stunning beaches of Red Point just south of Gairloch.

Soaking up the west coast in all its glory.