The evening of Monday 7 September saw the team out at Manchester Canoe Club in Marple for their annual Mod 1 Water Rescue training session; the conditions both in and out of the water were somewhat damp but, then, it is water rescue training after all! The onset of darkness for session 2 added an extra touch of realism and pressure.

A great session, now that we’re back to limited face-to-face training, enabling the team’s Module 1 Water Awareness members to re-familiarise themselves with their roles and constraints in water rescue (they’re not permitted to enter the water intentionally) and to practice rescuing the Mod 2 and 3 team members from the water using the throwlines – some good head-shots were achieved – I think we’re going to have to have an award for the best throwline ‘target strike’. 

With an increasing likelihood of flooding events, both locally and nationally, this training is essential to enable the team to provide assistance to the Statutory Emergency Services in the event of a major flood incident, as well as making the team members safe around water during water-based searches.

Needless to say, keeping the team safe during water rescue events requires a significant amount of specialised equipment; as a self-funded charity run entirely by unpaid volunteers, we rely on the support and generosity of the public to enable us to buy and maintain this equipment – it costs in the region of £700 to equip a Mod 3 (Water & Flood rescue Technician) team member with all the kit needed. And unlike our work in the hills, water-rescue and flood incidents affect non-walkers and members of the public who don’t necessarily venture out into the great outdoors.

If you would like to contribute and support us, you can donate at https://www.justgiving.com/kmrt

Thank you to Manchester Canoe Club for the use of their facilities.