SAR & Quad training

Sorry it's been a while since my last entry, we have been flat out with training and work. The Aurora Australis left Hobart yesterday, due to be here on the 6th of March, and things are really getting busy here.

We finished our SAR training during the week, finishing with stretcher raises and lowers over rock cliffs. We then had a 'surprise' scenario, where one of the guys slipped down an ice embankment, suffering from a fractured arm, broken ribs and internal bleeding. SAR team to the rescue! All went well, we patched him up then got him into a stretcher and pulled him up the hill. So after the day was finished, we officially took over the reins from the interim SAR team.

From left: Me, Paul and Jason, with Richard in the stretcher

Today we also went quad training, which was brilliant. Riding on snow and ice is really good fun. Especially riding on blue ice, and being told to get into it. Brakes don't do a thing for you, unless you want to throw the bike into a spin, which may have happened once or twice. I will have some more photos soon of the quad session, but here is one of Hully riding up a melt stream. Note the hole in the ice on his right - I did that! That was where I dropped my bike through on the first run, making it a little harder for the rest of the time. I didn't fall off, but I know a certain motorbike instructor who did (hi Jude and Em!).