Anaesthesia Trauma and Critical Care Course, Winsford 2007.

During designation of roles and responsibilities, one of our team members (not the woman by the way) took the opportunity to drive the “ATACC Rescue 1” rapid response vehicle following admission of not yet having a driving license “so they can’t endorse it when I crash or get done for speeding” and some difficulty in understanding the operation of manual foot controls….”brake, clutch, accelerator?” “does this vehicle have something called a handbrake?” “what does this round thing in front of the driver do?” which almost provided our first casualty for the day….a very shaken vehicle owner.

A multiple vehicle motorway RTC including a chemical spill was our first incident. We transported the casualties in our BM2 vehicle attending, to a simulated A and E department for treatment and became directly involved in the care of the walking wounded and the extrication of more seriously injuried casualties following emergency medical treatment working alongside the Nurses, Doctors & Fire Service.

Following a fantastic lunch, we then found our MR skills and our specialist equipment really coming into their own in the second scenario where approximately 15 people including children and a pregnant woman were trapped in a network of small tunnels following a roof collapse. We facilitated a smooth and efficient evacuation of casualties from this confined space using a quick rescue stretcher and drag ropes, whilst the Medics operated triage system to prioritise patients for evacuation. The Fire Service ensured their skills were not overlooked by partially flooding the tunnel with very cold water (to prevent that post lunch doze!) adding to the realism of the situation. (and a very soaked wet through John Parish & Steve Williamson – that part was real !)

The final scenario was a house fire, where we operated as an ambulance service, and also as ambulance control, providing a liaison point for all emergency services. We also assisted with the evacuation and triage of casualties using our stretcher-carrying and casualty care skills.

Overall, the day provided us with an excellent insight into the workings of a Major Incident and the opportunity to work with Doctors and Nurses who were new to Emergency trauma care in a ’field’ situation. It also introduced the skills and knowledge of Mountain Rescue Teams to Fire and Medical personnel not yet accustomed to working with us.

We would like to thank the organisers for inviting us to participate in such a well organised, useful and rewarding day. Also, the owner of “Rescue 1” for believing the wind up that one of our members couldn’t drive and still handing him the keys to a smart, new vehicle. (They had that much faith in us !)