The weekend of the 2nd to the 4th December saw a highly successful joint  field training exercise involving representatives of the MCSA CT and HH  teams, which took place on Table Mountain. We were privileged to have as  guest instructor Laurent Schneitter, a highly experienced rescue  technician and international IRATA Assessor. 

Although the weather was  rather 'Scottish-winter', it was nevertheless realistic, and added a bit  of edginess to the training, with visibility down to about 10m at times,  and an incessant, howling South East wind. Aside from the cold and the wet, the participants enjoyed a superb  learning experience, gaining new perspectives on old scenarios and  practicing alternative rigging methods on various cliffs.

We had the  opportunity to work on small-team rigging problems on a ledge/cliff,  restricted to certain types of equipment, which definitely blew out any cobwebs. We also conducted a steep ground stretcher carry/lower over  deceptively complex terrain. Several people got the opportunity to be involved in leadership roles,  and had to deal with a variety of curveballs. A lively 'classroom'  session involved thorough debriefing, and a discussion of rigging  systems and strategies as well as an examination of alternative  stretcher rigging approaches. 

The training culminated in a spectacular  horizontal reeved highline out of a steep gorge. It is always a great pleasure to work with a spirited, enthusiastic  group of rescuers, and I'm confident I speak for everyone when I say  that the new perspectives offered by Laurent have led to an injection of  motivation to sharpen our approaches to technical scenarios. Thanks to all those who worked hard to ensure a successful training  weekend. 

Thanks also to the TM hut committee for providing a wonderful venue, it is always good to be reminded that the  hut is a quality MCSA asset, which is maintained in remarkably superb  condition. 

The MCSA fields two mountain rescue teams in the Western Cape area. The  Cape Town section team and the newer Hottentots Holland section team.  These two teams have forged good bonds over the years and do regular  joint training exercises, in addition to their own training programs.  Both teams pride themselves on their high technical and safety  standards, and have a good spread of experience, ranging from those who  have spent decades in mountain rescue, to the promising, young  up-and-coming members. 

Although the training emphasis is on technical ropework in a mountain  setting, the teams also focus on search management and theory, medical  training and helicopter procedures, as well as general mountaineering  and leadership skills. Always, the core skills that are emphasised are  those of mountaineering and rock climbing, which sets us apart from most  other rescue groups and is our skill mainstay, with a constant striving  for excellence, safety and continued learning. As a national body, the MCSA operates search and rescue teams in various  parts of South Africa, although the Cape teams operate as part of  Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR), the blanket body that is  responsible for running mountain emergencies in this area. Reporting of  all mountain emergencies in the Cape should go via Metro Control  (021-9370300), who will activate the appropriate response.

Be safe out there. 

Brent Jennings (MCSA Search and Rescue)

Want to see some more impressive pictures of the S&R exercise? 

Click on this link to go to Andy Nix's web page:

http://www.andynix.co.za/sar/mcsa08/

AND HERE to see Mathias Tolken's Facebook pictures (no need to sign in):

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150405210310920.356815.743925919&type=1&l=d743d275f6