GUIDELINES FOR MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAMS IN SCOTLAND In response to the ever changing requirements and demands on the voluntary rescue provision, the Mountain Rescue Committee of Scotland has prepared these guidelines to assist teams in providing an efficient service to meet policy objectives. A degree of flexibility has been provided whish takes account of the varying needs of members. Issued for Guidance by the Mountain Rescue Committee of Scotland following consultation with all members. Revised 3rd October, 1999 Supported by the Order of St.John The Mountain Rescue Committee of Scotland is a Registered Scottish Charity -Number SC015257 and is the representative and liaison organisation for Scottish Mountain Rescue.
1. Introduction 1.1 Part of the function of the Police Services is to protect life and property. As such it is the responsibility of Chief Constables to organise the rescue of any person lost or injured in the mountains. 1.2 To achieve this, Chief Constables rely primarily on voluntary bodies with individuals drawn from a variety of backgrounds and abilities. In all instances Chief Constables will, where possible, provide an Incident Co-ordinator to work along with the voluntary sector. 1.3 Civilian Mountain Rescue Teams do not come under the Health and Safety at Work Act and are not, therefore, directly subject to regulations on Health and Safety. There is, however, a common law duty of care which lies with the Chief Constable when civilian personnel are acting under his control or direction. To discharge this duty of care, the Chief Constable must be able to satisfy himself that individual members of Mountain Rescue Teams working on his behalf have the equipment necessary and can demonstrate appropriate skill levels. Both teams and individual team members also have a common law duty of care to each other, to their casualty and to anyone else at or near the scene of an incident. 1.4 The mountains and moorland areas of Scotland are served by a network of Mountain Rescue Teams. 1.5 In drawing up guidelines it is necessary to recognise the variety of terrain and the degree of difficulty each area presents. For this reason it must be left to each individual team to operate within these Guidelines as appropriate to its specific needs. 1.6 It is the intention to ensure a degree of flexibility exists within the guidelines which will allow each team to fulfil its objectives and maintain its independence. Moreover, it also assists and recognises the voluntary efforts and the need to ensure a place for all volunteers within the Mountain Rescue Organisation. 2. Policy Statement 2.1 Mountain Rescue Teams in Scotland acknowledge the need for high standards of good practice. Despite the voluntary nature of the service all teams will aim to continue providing the best possible service, with the ultimate objective of providing those in need with support, comfort and assistance. 2.2 To fulfil the above objective, it is also recognised that each individual must be competent to carry out the task required. 2.3 Because the operational requirements of different teams vary enormously prescriptive rules are not generally provided. 2.4 Because of the possible need, noted in section 1.3 above, to be able to provide the Chief Constable with evidence of the competency of team members and with confidence that equipment is properly used and maintained and, if necessary, to protect individual members and team officers from civil action in the event that at rescue goes wrong and injury occurs, it is strongly recommended that each Mountain Rescue Team should consider operating within a Health and Safety Policy such as the one outlined below. It is the Policy of The.Mountain Rescue Team to comply with the spirit of all current Health and Safety regulations and also to operate within the bounds of accepted mountaineering practices in order to ensure that, as far as is reasonably possible, the safety of team members, casualties and any other persons whether or not directly involved in the operations of the team. MRCofS 2011 1
In furtherance of this policy, The Mountain Rescue Team will: 3. Registration By maintaining records of training, ensure that only suitable experienced and trained people are deployed during the activities of the team By operating an equipment inspection programme, ensure that the equipment used by team members is fit for purpose Carry out a risk assessment of mountain rescue activities and demonstrate that, as far as reasonable possible, everything has been done to make the activity safe Review the Health and Safety Policy at regular intervals to ensure that the provisions of the Health and Safety Policy remain adequate 3.1 The Mountain Rescue Committee of Scotland at the request of any team, will hold and maintain an annual register identifying the individual team, the area covered¹, the total number of personnel and the resources available. 3.2 Teams should maintain a register of members. 4. Training 4.1 The training requirements will vary from team to team dependent on the area and terrain covered. However, in principal teams should identify their training objectives and need in order to: Facilitate a structured approach to training Record all such training provided Identify future needs and the resources required ¹ In many areas the boundaries are not and cannot be rigidly defined such information should be send as guidance only. 4.2 Specific training of a personal nature when deemed necessary should be provided on a regular basis, covering personal skills such a navigation, rock climbing, helicopter familiarisation, etc.. Training must be given in radio procedures. 4.3 More advanced team training should also be provided when deemed necessary for those members whose personal skills are satisfactory, covering advanced rope techniques, cableways, lowering and evacuation methods, etc.. Training in conjunction with the Search and rescue Helicopters should be carried out and all members should be familiar with the safety procedures as provided by the SAR Support Units. 5. First Aid Training and Provision 5.1 The provision of First Aid is a desirable skill for all rescue personnel. For this reason training and revalidation are an essential component. Therefore each team should: Provide as a minimum, basic emergency aid training for all operational team members; 2 MRCofS 2011
Identify members within the team who possess advanced skills and experience, such members should be designated as the main provider of casualty care; Wherever possible use a recognised syllabus, preferable that which meets the Health and Safety Executive guidelines or other such schemes approved by the Mountain Rescue Teams Medical Advisors and a record of training undertaken by each member will be recorded. 6. Operational Requirements 1.1 In Scotland, Mountain Rescue is the responsibility of the respective Chief Constables. Within each area a relevant Police Force Order will have been issued. This order should be used in conjunction with each mountain rescue teams procedures. In the event of call out, the Team Leader or his/her representative will ensure the Police are fully aware of the circumstances, the action taken, and personnel deployed. In all circumstances a Police Coordinator will be provided at the earliest opportunity. 1.2 On call out, all personnel should be logged in and deployment records maintained throughout the term of the incident. On completion, all team members should be logged out. 1.3 Only those team members deemed sufficiently skilled for the task should be deployed. Where doubt exists and dependent on circumstances, inexperienced individuals should be accompanied. In all cases, individuals should have sufficient experience and basic skill to ensure their own personal safety. 1.4 Personnel must be familiar with the regulations and procedures covering the use of Search and Rescue Helicopters and agree to abide by such. 1.5 The decision on deployment and task allocation must lie with the Team Leader or his/her Representative, in consultation with the Police Coordinator dependent on circumstances prevailing. 1.6 It will be the responsibility of each team member to notify the Team Leader or his/her representative if he/she is not competent to carry out the task required. 7. Standards 7.1 The provision of guidance in respect of ability and competence is a difficult and perhaps emotive problem, as the skills required will vary from area to area and from incident to incident. However, the principal being: Where deployed in a technical rescue situation, there should be suitable knowledge and experience within the discipline required Whilst certification of personal skills is an important aspect, it is left to each team to decide the appropriate action. In this respect, quality and experience is of equal value. 8. Reporting and Recording 8.1 Every effort must be made to ensure that as accurate a record as possible of all events, decisions and personnel deployed is kept. On completion of the incident a full report should be completed. Such a record will: Ensure all personnel involved in the incident are covered by insurance Assist the respective Chief Constables in respect of legal requirement Provide essential statistical information to gauge the requirements for future rescue provision. MRCofS 2011 3
The Mountain Rescue Committee of Scotland is a Registered Scottish Charity -Number SC015257 and is the representative and liaison organisation for Scottish Mountain Rescue. 4 MRCofS 2011