New Base Update
Thanks to a generous grant from Clyde Wind Farms /SSE Renewables the base now has heating. In addition thanks to this grant and Scottish Borders Community Led Local Development Programme Fund the base will have solar panels, with battery storage. The solar panels will substantially reduce our carbon footprint and running costs through the use the electricity generated. All existing walls, ceilings and floors have been painted and doors varnished. Work on the rear car park and drainage and putting on stud boards to the external walls in the Training/Meeting room are the next priorities when funds allow. The Office/Control Room is operational and was trialled for communications on a training evening with groups in various locations in our operational area.
Activities
It was recently International Women’s’ Day, and BSARU is proud to again have 5 Lady team members with probationary member Kayleigh Nicholson becoming a full team member. The team undertook winter skills training in the Cairngorms on the weekend of the 23rd-25th February from a base at Glenmore Lodge. Thankfully the weather co-operated providing some snow and winter conditions.
Team member Kevin Sterrick completed the Radio Society of Great Britain’s Foundation examination. The British Association of Ski Patrollers, (BASP), provide courses in First Aid. BSARU team member Evelyn Chelley, a BASP instructor, was involved in providing the 2-day ‘Immediate Care for Remote Environments’ Course to members of Tweed Valley Mountain Rescue Team and two of our team members who attended.
Personal Protective Equipment
Textile, rather than metal PPE, such as climbing harnesses, slings, ropes, and Personal Flotation Devices generally have a recommended life of no more than 10 years if used occasionally, with decreases in lifespan the more frequently the item is used. When purchasing a new item, one would therefore expect a life span of 10 years if not damaged or roughly treated and used occasionally. However, the life span is from the time of manufacture not purchase, and often an item may have been in a supplier’s store for a year or more. For low-cost items such as slings this may not be too significant, but with expensive items this has considerable implications on finances.
