Rescuers tackle urban landscape
Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2009 11:43 pmRescuers tackle urban landscape retrieved from http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/7908790.stm
Round-the-world cyclist Mark Beaumont has discovered that the work of mountain rescue teams is not confined to Scotland's Munros.
In a new series on BBC Radio Scotland he discovers volunteers are also playing an important role in and around towns and cities.
Graeme Dalby and Mark Beaumont with Moss the dog
While making Mountain Rescue in the City I had the chance to meet a group of true heroes and see how they go about their voluntary work in many challenging environments.
The adventure world I work in is full of harsh climates and unknown risks, but not even my experiences compare to the tough surroundings the Scottish Mountain Rescue can find themselves in.
I grew up in the hills of Perthshire where my neighbours were members of the Mountain Rescue but I never knew how diverse a job it was.
Wherever there is rough ground and often far from mountains, for example golf courses, sidings on motorways and town parks in any part of Scotland, the men, women and dogs of the Mountain Rescue are on-call to help any police-led missing person search.
My journey started near Aviemore in Laggan-side with Sarda (Search and Rescue Dog Association) on their monthly training.
I was sent out in the pouring rain to hide whilst Moss, a young collie dog, and handler Graeme Dalby found me.
On average these highly-trained dogs can check a square kilometre per hour for people using air scent (as opposed to ground scent which police dogs use).
However Moss, thankfully, found me much faster.
Man-made hazards
In Selkirk, I met members of the Tweed Valley team who were practicing line searches, without dogs, in a semi-urban environment by the side of a golf course.
Once again the Scottish weather set the scene as I set out with Gavin Kellatt in the dark and heavy rain to follow the training.
Team leader Chris Chapman and Gavin explained the added difficulties of searches in or near towns, such as the man-made hazards which especially affect search dogs, and how more people being around can both help and hinder a search.
They also explained how people missing in the mountains were usually lost or injured, whereas these semi-urban searches were often for people suffering from dementia, feeling suicidal, or young children - all factors that could effect how the missing person acts.
To learn more, I then asked the police, mountain rescue and a psychologist how missing persons searches had changed over the years, as human behaviour had become better understood.
Mountain Rescue in the City is a fascinating insight into the complex and brave work of volunteers.
I was most struck by level of commitment needed to be part of the Mountain Rescue, as well as the camaraderie that exists.
Every man and woman I spoke to reflected on how it was all worth it for that feeling when the search is a success and a life is saved.
As I set off on my next expedition and find myself in harsh climates again, while cycling 15,000 miles from Alaska to Chile and climbing some of the highest mountains, I will keep in mind the Mountain Rescue teams - who work in these environments, not for fun, but to save lives.
Mountain Rescue in the City will be broadcast on BBC Radio Scotland on 25 February at 1130 GMT.
Round-the-world cyclist Mark Beaumont has discovered that the work of mountain rescue teams is not confined to Scotland's Munros.
In a new series on BBC Radio Scotland he discovers volunteers are also playing an important role in and around towns and cities.
Graeme Dalby and Mark Beaumont with Moss the dog
While making Mountain Rescue in the City I had the chance to meet a group of true heroes and see how they go about their voluntary work in many challenging environments.
The adventure world I work in is full of harsh climates and unknown risks, but not even my experiences compare to the tough surroundings the Scottish Mountain Rescue can find themselves in.
I grew up in the hills of Perthshire where my neighbours were members of the Mountain Rescue but I never knew how diverse a job it was.
Wherever there is rough ground and often far from mountains, for example golf courses, sidings on motorways and town parks in any part of Scotland, the men, women and dogs of the Mountain Rescue are on-call to help any police-led missing person search.
My journey started near Aviemore in Laggan-side with Sarda (Search and Rescue Dog Association) on their monthly training.
I was sent out in the pouring rain to hide whilst Moss, a young collie dog, and handler Graeme Dalby found me.
On average these highly-trained dogs can check a square kilometre per hour for people using air scent (as opposed to ground scent which police dogs use).
However Moss, thankfully, found me much faster.
Man-made hazards
In Selkirk, I met members of the Tweed Valley team who were practicing line searches, without dogs, in a semi-urban environment by the side of a golf course.
Once again the Scottish weather set the scene as I set out with Gavin Kellatt in the dark and heavy rain to follow the training.
Mark Beaumont wrote:Every man and woman I spoke to reflected on how it was all worth it for that feeling when the search is a success and a life is saved.
Team leader Chris Chapman and Gavin explained the added difficulties of searches in or near towns, such as the man-made hazards which especially affect search dogs, and how more people being around can both help and hinder a search.
They also explained how people missing in the mountains were usually lost or injured, whereas these semi-urban searches were often for people suffering from dementia, feeling suicidal, or young children - all factors that could effect how the missing person acts.
To learn more, I then asked the police, mountain rescue and a psychologist how missing persons searches had changed over the years, as human behaviour had become better understood.
Mountain Rescue in the City is a fascinating insight into the complex and brave work of volunteers.
I was most struck by level of commitment needed to be part of the Mountain Rescue, as well as the camaraderie that exists.
Every man and woman I spoke to reflected on how it was all worth it for that feeling when the search is a success and a life is saved.
As I set off on my next expedition and find myself in harsh climates again, while cycling 15,000 miles from Alaska to Chile and climbing some of the highest mountains, I will keep in mind the Mountain Rescue teams - who work in these environments, not for fun, but to save lives.
Mountain Rescue in the City will be broadcast on BBC Radio Scotland on 25 February at 1130 GMT.